GLIAC Football Preview and Projections 2015: Northern Division

The face of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football will change dramatically in two years with the departure of six teams to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. While the league will return to its roots as a Michigan-centered league (with Ohio-based Ashland and Tiffin) by 2017, that doesn’t make for any less excitement in one of the tougher conferences in Super Region 4. With three teams representing the GLIAC in the NCAA playoffs, there’s no reason to suspect that a similar number of teams won’t qualify for this year’s expanded postseason. Before we begin our two-part look at GLIAC football with the heavily-stacked Northern Division (Southern Division Preview Here), let's see where teams from both divisions stand as we head into the season. Rankings provided by BennettRank. [one_half]

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BR-76 Northern Michigan Wildcats

2014 Record: 3-8, 2-8 GLIAC Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 8th GLIAC North Head Coach: Chris Ostrowsky (4th season, 10-22) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 Last season didn’t quite play out the way Northern Michigan head coach Chris Ostrowsky had expected. The Wildcats could just as easily had more than three wins, except for five losses by a touchdown or less. “The mentality of finish is a critical buzzword for this program this year,” Ostrowsky said. “It’s about finishing the drill, it’s about finishing meetings, it’s about doing everything to the end. Winning takes care of itself, and consequently, we’re going to win those games late.” Junior quarterback Shaye Brown (55.6 percent completion, 2,610 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs) will have several key skill players returning, led by the senior tailback duo of Wyatt Jurasin (71 carries, 655 yards, 5 TDs) and Terrance Dye (96 carries, 410 yards, 6 TDs). “They have a chance to be as good as anyone in the league in their positions,” Ostrowsky said. Seniors Marcus Walker (40 catches, 843 yards, 7 TDs), Trey Hipke (42 catches, 484 yards, 2 TDs) and Austin Young (22 catches, 347 yards, 3 TDs) highlight the Wildcats’ returning receivers, while three of five starting offensive linemen are also expected to return. “There’s a lot of different components offensively that put is in a position where we feel like we have a chance to be pretty good,” Ostrowsky said. Consistency on defense is another area the Wildcats are looking to built upon. “We’ve established ourselves as a defense that has some consistency with our staff coming back for a third year, Ostrowsky said. “We’ve taken a young defense and now it’s become older.” Senior defensive end Dante Holmes (5 TFLs, 4 sacks) is the lone returnee on the defensive line with junior Jared Vuksan (4 TFL) expected to contend for a starting spot. Junior transfer L.J. Liston (Rutgers) adds depth at linebacker, as does returning senior Levi Perry (5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks) and prospective starter, junior Julian Hornback (5.5 TFLs). A pair of junior cornerbacks, C.J. Washington (24 tackles) and Keshawn Walker (5 pass breakups, 1 recovered fumble), plus junior free safety Aamad Bush solidify the Wildcats’ secondary. “Those guys are going to play with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm,” Ostrowsky said. Whether the defense can gel during camp and the offense can get on track remains a big unknown in Marquette. The bar for 2015, however, has been set high. “Expectations are very high for us in the natural progression of building a program for us,” Ostrowsky said. “It’s year four and it’s time to win. It’s time to put a product on the field that people can celebrate and enjoy.” [divider]

BR-75 Northwood (Mich.) Timberwolves

2014 Record: 5-6, 4-6 GLIAC Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 7th GLIAC North Interim Head Coach: Leonard Haynes (1st season) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 Northwood’s football program suffered a massive loss with the passing of head coach Pat Riepma last month. Interim head coach Leonard Haynes, however, has been a part of the Timberwolves program as a player and a coach since the early 1990s. “Northwood and the Midland community have been great to my family,” said Haynes. “I'm looking forward to leading the football program this season. To take over for Pat Riepma is a big challenge but also a tremendous honor. We will continue to keep fighting and make a difference every day.” That’s not to say that Haynes won’t make a few tweaks heading into the start of the season. “Right now, the thing we have to do is to get the best out of our team, I’m going to have my spin on it, I’ll do some things differently. My personality will kick through and the players will be ready to go.” Senior Mark Morris (61.5 percent completion, 1,155 yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs), junior Mitch Robinson (33-for-67, 431 yards, 5 INTs) and sophomore Jimmy Strom (28-for-58, 401 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs) each saw time at quarterback last season. The Timberwolves certainly hope for more stability under center this season. Senior tailback Jared Briguglio (186 carries, 908 yards, 7 TDs) headlines a decent running game, while senior Devonta Elzy (23 catches, 399 yards) and junior Dan Richmond (16 catches, 284 yards, 1 TD) are Northwood’s leading returning receivers. “We have a good mixture of young guys and older guys with a lot of game experience,” Haynes said. “We’re looking forward to a great season.” Defensively, most of the Timberwolves starting defense from last season return. Watch for junior Colt Harrington (5 TFLs) to challenge for one of three open starting spots on the defensive line. The ‘Wolves bring depth at linebacker, with senior Mike Keith (5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles) and junior Mike Fisher (8.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks) solidifying the linebacker spot. Senior defensive back Aryn Curtis (13 pass breakups, 6 INTs) anchors the Northwood secondary and could be one of the top defensive players in the GLIAC this season. Even with the sudden change at head coach, there’s a lot of optimism around Midland as the Timberwolves look for their first winning season since 2009. “I hope they come in with a lot of energy,” Haynes said. “I’ve had guys telling me that they’re ready to get this thing going. I hope the come with that energy. They’re going to be pushed and they’re going to be challenged.” [divider]

BR-60 Hillsdale Chargers

2014 Record: 4-7, 4-6 GLIAC Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 6th GLIAC North Head Coach: Keith Otterbein (14th season, 80-66; 23rd season overall, 140-105-3) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 8 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 7 One of the biggest surprises of the offseason was Hillsdale’s announcement that they would be joining five Ohio schools in joining the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in 2017. The Chargers would like to shock more than a few GLIAC North powers in their final two years in the league, although the players approach the offseason differently at the academically challenging Hillsdale College than at other schools. “Our kids work so hard academically and athletically during the school year, our players need to go away and refresh,” Otterbein said. “But, I know they’re locked in and they have very high expectations for the upcoming season.” Junior Mark LaPrairie (51.2 percent completion, 1,940 yards, 8 TDs, 10 INTs), who took the bulk of the snaps under center last season, is expected to be challenged hard by senior C.J. Mifsud and redshirt freshman transfer Chance Stewart (Western Michigan) for the starting quarterback position. “There’s a lot of talent in that room,” Otterbein said. “We’ve got to go play football and figure out which guy is going to move our offense up and down the field.” Sophomore Bennett Lewis (149 carries, 598 yards, 6 TDs) and junior Jack Wiseman (106 carries, 430 yards, 6 TDs) look to continue to boost the Chargers’ running attack. Junior John Haley (32 catches, 643 yards, 5 TDs) is Hillsdale’s leading returning receiver, while four of last season’s starting offensive linemen are also projected to return. Five of the Chargers starting front seven are slated to return this season. “Staying healthy on that side of the ball is going to be a key,” Otterbein said. “Having the players that we did move to other positions adapt and adjust to their new roles and responsibilities is going to be a key.” Seniors David Galginaitis (9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sack) and Roger Stewart (36 tackles, 5 TFLs) solidify the defensive line, while Kyle Johnson (2 TFLs) is the lone returning senior linebacker. In fact, most of the linebackers on Hillsdale’s roster this season are either freshmen or sophomores. Johnson should be joined in the middle by sophomore Jay Rose (5 TFLs, 2 recovered fumbles, 1.5 sacks), while juniors defensive backs Austin Koneval (67 tackles, 4 pass breakups) and Joe Duff (2 INTs) anchor the Chargers’ secondary. “We might need a couple of young linebackers or secondary players to step up and become a part of it. But there’s talent there, they just need that game day experience.” [divider]

BR-81 Saginaw Valley State Cardinals

2014 Record: 2-9, 2-8 GLIAC Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 5th GLIAC North Head Coach: Mark Collins (8th season, 46-32; 22nd season overall, 116-109) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 7 It was hard to tell if Saginaw Valley State head coach Mark Collins was fielding a football team or supervising a M*A*S*H unit last season. Injuries on both offense and defense stunted the Cardinals growth last season as they limped to a 2-9 record last season. The last time Saginaw’s win total was that low (1-9 in 1982), William Milliken was finishing his third and final term as governor of Michigan, Ronald Reagan was midway through his first term as President of the United States, gas was $1.29/gallon and the Cardinals were in their second season as a D2 program. “A lot of young players on our team gained valuable experience and that’s going to help them tremendously as we head into the 2015 season,” Collins said. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Palka (55.4 percent completion, 736 yards, 4 TDs, 6 INTs) was one of those players thrown into the fire last season. “I thought he competed well as a redshirt freshman,” Collins said. “He was in some unfavorable situations last season and he had the toughness to get through them.” Junior transfer Brad Odeman (San Diego State) is expected to challenge Palka in camp for the starting spot. “It gives us two legitimate QB threats. They’re still going to compete and battle to see who the starter is, but I’m extremely excited about both and each of their ability to lead this football team.” Junior running back Allante Gardner (115 carries, 448 yards, 1 TD) and junior David Nay (87 carries, 329 yards) hope to jumpstart a rushing attack which averaged 114 yards/game last season. The Cardinals are also hoping for increased production – and health – from their veteran group of wideouts. Senior Brian Hobbs (52 carries, 612 yards, 6 TDs) appeared in 10 games last season, with junior Alfonso Vultaggio and sophomore Logan Hessbrook having missed several games last season due to injuries. “We’ve got a number of players back at almost every position on our team where there’s a lot of experience,” Collins said. “That wasn’t the case last year where we had a lot of inexperienced guys playing for the first time. That’s not going to be the case this year.” Defensively, the Cardinals return some key players who missed last season due to injuries. Junior Jordan Sanders, who missed all of last season with an injury, returns to help solidify the defensive line, while a pair of sophomore linebackers – Bryan Jones (106 tackles, 6 TFLs) and Sloan Klaski (47 tackles, 2 INTs) – round out the front seven. The secondary returns junior safety Matt McKoy (70 tackles, 2 INTs), with expectations that seniors Ben Jean and Trevon Hamilton will also play bigger roles this season. Senior safety Major Metcalf is also due to return after sitting out 2014 with an injury. With key contributors back, the Cards hope they can stay healthy in their quest to avoid the GLIAC North cellar for a second straight year. “This time of the year, we’re really excited,” Collins said. “We’ve had a lot of players here all summer long, working on their conditioning and doing everything they can to have the best seasons of their careers. It’s a team that’s driven and it’s a team that’s got high expectations.” [divider]

BR-15 Michigan Tech Huskies

2014 Record: 9-2, 9-1 GLIAC (lost in first round of NCAA playoffs to Angelo State) Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 4th GLIAC North Head Coach: Tom Kearly (10th season, 59-35) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 Michigan Tech made their first appearance in the NCAA playoffs in 10 years, a big boost for the GLIAC’s northernmost football program. “The biggest strength may be that our football team knows how to win,” said head coach Tom Kearly. “They have those expectations now of what it takes to get into the national playoffs.” The Huskies will enter this season with two big holes to fill on offense: quarterback and tailback. Tyler Scarlett set numerous passing records during his time in Houghton while Charlie Leffingwell capped off his collegiate career with 1,448 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior last year. “We’ve taken junior Brandon Cowie and moved him back to quarterback after two very successful seasons as a receiver,” said. “He’s getting a stiff competition from both junior Isaiah Hackney and sophomore Jake Brown. We have a lot of confidence in those two as well.” Junior Kevin Miller (66-233-2) and sophomore Johnny Williams (9-159) are expected to challenge for the starting running back spot vacated by Leffingwell. Even with Cowie (58 catches, 786 yards, 7 TDs) moving to quarterback, the Huskies will be deep at receiver as three top returning seniors – wideouts Andrew Clark (48-548-3) and Anthony Root (28-308-2) , plus tight end Ian Wienke (20-201-2) – are slated to return, as are three starters from the offensive line. The Huskies’ defensive depth fares a little better, starting up front with senior nose guard Tanner Agen (10 TFLs, 3.5 sacks) and junior defensive tackle Brandon Hutchison (4.5 TFLs) returning. Sophomore defensive end Garrett Ross missed all but one game last season due to a season-ending injury. “We expected great things of him last season,” Kearly said of Ross. “He’s back in great health.” Kearly also expects big things this season from sophomores Evan Mayer and Sam Kitts at defensive end. Rounding out the defensive front is a deep linebacker corps, led by seniors Paul Kuoppala (3.5 TFLs) and Ben Tauchen (5.5 TFLs), along with junior Nick Brajcak (5.5 TFLs, 3 INTs). Senior safety Brett Gervais (3.5 TFLs, 3 INTs) will be called upon to develop younger stars in the secondary. Senior Derek Ferris, who played in nickel packages last season, is another veteran expected to take on a larger role. At cornerback, senior Cedric Jones and sophomore Antwon Curtis are expected to start, with three redshirt freshmen waiting in the wings. Even with some holes to fill, the Huskies, who lost to Angelo State by one point in last year’s playoffs, are hungry for another trip to the postseason. “We have a chance to be a really good football team again,” Kearly said. “Our work ethic through the offseason has been outstanding. We had a lot of kids who were on last year’s team that was one play away from playing [CSU-Pueblo] at their place, and we’ve got a lot of people who would like that opportunity again.” [divider]

BR-45 Wayne State (Mich.) Warriors

2014 Record: 7-4, 7-3 GLIAC Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 3rd GLIAC North Head Coach: Paul Winters (12th season, 63-60) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 6 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 Holders of the longest active win streak in the GLIAC (four games), Wayne State looks to return to what brought them to the 2011 national championship game: a solid running attack and aggressive defense. “We’re going to be a good football team,” said head coach Paul Winters. “We have a lot of returning starters who had successful seasons last year.” Senior quarterback Carl Roscoe (56.9 percent completion, 1,615 yards, 10 TDs, 9 INTs) worked his way into the starting job last season and appears on track to retain his status as a starter entering camp. The sophomore duo of Romelo Brown (20 carries, 102 yards in 4 games) and Demetrius Stinson will have some big shoes to fill at tailback with the graduation of Desmond Martin. Junior wideout Jamel Hicks (14 catches, 262 yards, 1 TD) and junior tight end Trent Brodbeck (15 catches, 171 yards) are the Warriors’ leading returning receivers. “With Carl leading that offense, and with (senior tackle) Nate Theaker and (junior guard) Robert Kelly up front, we should be able to do some really good things on offense this year,” Winters said. Theaker and Kelly are among four starters returning to the offensive line. Wayne State’s defense return six starters from a unit that allowed nearly 10 fewer points per game (21.4) last season compared to 2013 (31). “We’re always led by our defense,” Winter said. Solidifying the offensive line is senior nose guard Raafat El Hage (2 TFLs) clearing holes for the rest of the defense to attack the opposition, benefiting players like sophomore defensive end Jake Carrizales (14 TFLs, 7.5 sacks). “When you have a 300 pound nose man who can dominate the middle, that makes a big difference,” Winters said. Junior Anthony DeDamos (12 TFLs, 4 sacks, 2 recovered fumbles, 1 INT) leds an experienced group of linebackers, while a trio seniors, cornerback Brandon Lee (5 TFLs), strong safety Jamil Williams (3 recovered fumbles, 1 INT) and free safety Zak Bielecki (101 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 INTs), anchor the Warriors’ secondary. “They’ve all played a lot of football and they’ve all been very good for us,” Winters said. [divider]

BR-34 Grand Valley State Lakers

2014 Record: 6-5, 6-4 GLIAC Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 2nd GLIAC North Head Coach: Matt Mitchell (6th season, 45-16) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 6 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 Entering last season, Grand Valley State had never won fewer than seven games this century. That’s not hyperbole; the last sub-seven win happened in 1999 when Brian Kelly was head coach of the Lakers. It’s fair to say Kelly’s career in Allendale turned out rather nicely… The 6-5 record from last season’s Laker squad came on the heels of an appearance in the national semifinals two years ago, making the decline even more of a head scratcher. “There is going to be a lot of opps to make impressions, from a player perspective,” said head coach Matt Mitchell. “We lost a lot of production, but at the same time, we’re excited about some of the new faces we have coming in.” Sophomore Bart Williams looked to have the inside track for the starting spot heading into spring ball, but the emergence of junior transfer Ryan West (Southern Illinois) and sophomore Ollie Ajami will make for an intense quarterback competition. “He’s done a great job of integrating himself within the culture of this program and getting a lot of respect from the team through his work over the summer,” Mitchell said of West. Whoever earns the starting quarterback spot will have one less weapon at his disposal when All-American tight end Jamie Potts (54 catches, 905 yards, 10 TDs) opted for a professional baseball career and is now in the Texas Rangers organization. “That’s going to open up some opportunities for some new faces,” Mitchell said. “You lose Jamie, somebody’s got to fill that void.” Juniors Joe Robbins (17 catches, 170 yards, 1 TD) and Matt Williams (12 catches, 181 yards, 3 TDs) are the Lakers’ leading returning receivers with Potts and several other wideouts gone. Sophomore Brandon Bean is also expected to play a larger role this season. Senior tailback Kirk Spencer, a key contributor on Grand Valley’s 2013 playoff run, was hampered with foot injury last season limiting him to 57 carries and 346 yards with three touchdowns in six games, but is expected to regain his form and be challenged by junior Terrell Dorsey (69 carries, 359 yards, 1 TD in six games) and senior Ben Hutchins, who returns after a medical redshirt last season. The Lakers also return three starters on the offensive line. The Lakers fare a little better on defense, with six starters returning. Senior Matt Judon (19 TLFs, 8.5 sacks) and junior Alton Voss (4 TFLs) anchor the defensive line at the ends, while the linebacker corps is deep. Led by juniors David Talley (7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks) and Joe Moran (3 TFLs, 1 INT), the Lakers are expecting big things at linebacker from sophomores Collin Schlosser (2 TFLs, 1 sack) and Jeff Madison, expected to earn more playing time this season. One big concern is in the secondary. “We gave up 50 percent of our yards on less than 10 percent of our snaps,” Mitchell said. “We gave up too many big plays.” Junior Marquez Gollman (6 TFLs, 3 INTs) and sophomore Garrett Pougnet (1.5 TFLs, 1 INT) are among the young players who adjusted on the fly last season. Senior Brad Horling (5 TFLs, 1 INT) transitions from linebacker to safety, while redshirt freshman Devin McKissic , who missed last season with an arm fracture, is also looked at as being a key member of the secondary along with sophomores Kyle Short and Tre Walton. The root of many of those big plays came from an inexperienced secondary which Mitchell believes has shown improvement during the offseason. “They learned some really hard lessons last year, but I think they’ve come through that throughout spring practice and the work they’ve done over the summer. I think they’re stronger from those experiences and they really have to step up.” [divider]

BR-9 Ferris State Bulldogs

2014 Record: 11-1, 10-0 GLIAC (lost in second round of NCAA playoffs to Ohio Dominican) Projected Finish (Preseason Poll): 1st GLIAC North Head Coach: Tony Annese (3rd season, 26-8) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 9 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 It’s very difficult to run the table in GLIAC regular season play. Yet, Ferris State pulled it off, winning their first outright GLIAC title since 1996, only to lose in the second round of the NCAA playoffs to GLIAC South champion Ohio Dominican. “Experience is a strength, but what happened last year is last year,” Annese said. “There’s no entitlement here. Everyone’s got to come to battle.” It certainly helps when you have the reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner in senior quarterback Jason Vander Laan. Vander Laan (66.5 percent completion, 2,381 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 7 INTs; 235 carries, 1,466 rushing yards, 20 rushing TDs) and senior offensive lineman Adam Bennett are the only two Bulldogs to have started all 34 games under Annese. “They’re going to be the key to our success,” Annese said. The Bulldogs’ top four receivers from last season, led by junior wideout Sahur Sanders (49 catches, 736 yards, 8