Football | 8/30/2012 3:31:00 PM
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McPherson, Kan. – No. 9 Missouri Valley storms into McPherson, Kansas on Saturday, September 1 for a 6:00 p.m. (CT) showdown against the Bulldogs and first-year head coach Pete Sterbick.
The game will be broadcasted live on the KCAC Digital Network and at macbulldogs.com. You can also listen live to Nick Gosnell and McPherson College senior Langston Rhymes on 96.7 KBBE MidKansas Radio and at macbulldogs.com.
After going 10-1 in 2010 and having a 4-7 record in 2011, former head coach Joe Bettasso resigned his position to pursue the defensive backs coach job at NCAA Division II Quincy University (Ill.) in January. Sterbick, who was hired in February, comes to the Bulldog program after spending four years as the Offensive Coordinator at Grand View University (Iowa) and brings with him an entirely new staff.
MC lost key players on both sides of the ball, highlighted by All-KCAC wide receiver Andy Skinner, offensive lineman David Kraft, defensive lineman Drew Thomsen and linebacker Darrick Johnson. They bring back one second team all-conference player with punter/tight end Paul Rotering and three honorable mention athletes; Rotering was the sole Bulldog to be named to the inaugural Preseason All-KCAC team.
“McPherson football lost a lot of players that were a part of some very special years here,” said Sterbick. “Even as a new coach I appreciate what they did for this program, and the unprecedented success that was achieved. We look forward to finding the next guys in line to get back to the top of the KCAC.”
Among the starters returning from last season is Capital One Academic All-American of the Year Jake Snodgrass (Derby, Kan.) who will be entering his first year as the favorite to start at quarterback. Joining him on the offensive side of the ball are tight end James Temaat (Dodge City, Kan.) and offensive linemen Issac De La Torre (Richmond, Kan.) and Brandon Chandler (Canyon Country, Calif.).
The 2011 defense was a very senior heavy squad. However, MC brings back their complete secondary in Allen Colbert (Phoenix, Ariz.), DaMarcus Trotter (Kansas City, Mo.), Phillip Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) and Mitch Leppke (Marion, Kan.) which should give them stability against the pass.
McPherson’s remaining 2012 schedule will feature two other nationally ranked top-25 opponents in No. 11 Ottawa University and No.24 Bethany; Friends University is receiving votes on the list as well.
Following the contest with Missouri Valley, the Bulldogs will the start of a string of nine conference games by traveling up highway 81 to take on the Bethany College Swedes of Lindsborg, Kansas; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT).
Scouting Missouri Valley College
The Vikings are coming off of a 9-2 campaign in 2011 which ended in the first round of the NAIA Football Championships where they lost to Saint Francis of Indiana 14-28. Their only other loss of the season came against Benedictine College, 19-35. MVC’s nine wins were won by an average of 33 points and highlighted by a 78-0 victory over Graceland University. Missouri Valley were also Heart of America Athletic Conference champions.
The 2011 squad was ranked in the top-10 of the NAIA in 14 different categories, most notably first in pass defense per game (132.0), pass defense efficiency (79.0) and punt yards 42.7). They bring back 27 players from last season’s roster; 14 athletes on defense and 13 offensive players.
Individually, the Vikings had five players in the NAIA’s top-10, highlighted by Chris Heale and Tyler Davis; Heal was third in punt yards per attempt 42.7) and Davis’s total punt returns (381) placed him fourth in the Nation. MVC also had one player make the 2011 AFCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America Team, senior Richard Wick.
Missouri Valley’s2012 schedule features tough matchups against ranked opponents. First, a couple of road tests as they travel to Olathe, Kansas to take on the No. 5 ranked Mid-America Nazarene in week two and then a trip to Baldwin City to face No. 18 Baker University on September 22nd. The Vikings then have a Homecoming showdown against No. 13 Benedictine.
