OFFENSIVE LINE
While a serious upgrade in the passing game was a major factor in Minnesota State Moorhead’s return to prominence last fall, surely some credit must be reserved for a rebuilt offensive line that became a reliable source of protection for quarterback Dustin Long and a workmanlike MSUM running game. And more good news, the Dragons retain three upfront starters from last year, including all-league selection Aaron Cribb (Breckenridge), 6-3, 290. Cribb will return for his final season of eligibility and should be a rock at right tackle, and senior center Damon Wolfe (Sedan, KS), 6-0, 250. Sophomore Ryan Chatterton, 6-0, 270, a reliable backup last year, is the projected starter at right guard while senior Matt March, 6-4, 285, or redshirt freshman Nate Ostby, 6-2, 260, are the major contenders at left guard. Redshirt freshmen Richard Doane, 6-0, 230, and Paul Peterson, 6-0, 215, have ample potential.
Coach Tomeo says: “We return a lot of starters and this will probably be our oldest group across the board. We feel we have six very good offensive linemen and this should be a very experienced group.”
OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD
What a difference a year makes. In 2006 the Dragons closed spring drills still largely uncertain about which quarterback would be entrusted with the keys to the Dragon offense. Once transfer Dustin Long (San Jose, CA), 6-3, 220, settled in, questions were quickly answered. Long enjoyed a monster junior season, completing 231 of 356 passes for 2,525 yards and 20 touchdowns and was saluted as the NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Sophomore Craig Kutz (Sheboygan, WI), 6-0, 190, and redshirt freshman Nick Stoltman (Moorhead), 6-0, 175, offer security. Sophomore Enol Gilles (West Palm Beach, FL), 5-6, 155, handled much of the rushing load admirably as a freshman and will fill an even larger role in 2007. Gilles rushed for 654 yards and six touchdowns on 118 carries. Junior Jesse Larson (Hawley), 6-1, 210, was listed as second team tailback at the close of spring practice and some promising freshmen recruits will get a thorough look during pre-season camp.
Coach Tomeo says: “We look forward to what Enol Gilles can do again in our one-back offense in both the pass and run game. He brings a real level of intensity to our offense, and can break for a touchdown any time he touches the ball. Dustin Long broke several school records last year and our success this fall is (linked) to his personal success. He can put our offense in the right play at the right time and lead our offense down the field. We also have a lot of competition between backups Nick Stoltman and Craig Kutz.”
RECEIVERS
No worries here. Indeed, the Dragons return a batch of tested receivers, and some promising imports loom in future plans as well. Junior Bruce Green (Miami, FL), 6-0, 185, narrowly missed the MSUM single season receiving record with a whopping 66 receptions for 816 yards and a record 12 touchdowns while sophomore wideout Jabari Taylor (Hollywood, FL), 6-1, 175, turned 50 catches into 536 yards and two TDs. Redshirt freshman Tim Zander (Howard Lake), 5-10, 170, secured a starting job at slotback with an impressive spring performance. Two other lettermen return at slot, including senior Bert Smith (Superior, WI), 5-7, 167, and senior Eric Frost (Bloomingdale, IL), 6-2, 170. Smith had 33 receptions for 390 yards and three touchdowns while Frost caught four passes, including one touchdown reception. Freshman Kyle Kosak (Fergus Falls), 6-0, 160, adds quality depth at wide receiver.
Coach Tomeo says: “This is one of our youthful strengths, with the likes of Bruce Green, Jabari Taylor, Jovaughn Harris, Tim Zander, Bert Smith and Eric Frost. It’s an experienced bunch, not the oldest group, but they can make plays. We have several guys that can catch the ball and spread out defenses horizontally and vertically.”
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Dragons must find suitable replacements for a pair of dependable departed defenders - Mark Majerus and David Bosch - but there is reason to believe a quality defensive front will emerge. Senior Drew Waters (Appleton, WI), 6-0, 254, blossomed as a junior starter and should be a fixture at noseguard, backed by senior Dan Reed (Hillsboro, ND), 5-10, 250, and freshman David Webster (Maple Grove), 6-0, 285. Waters supplied 56 tackles, including five tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, two pass interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries as a junior, numbers certain to rise this fall. Senior Matt Oachs (Herman), 5-11, 225, has been installed as the starting rush end, followed by sophomore Gary Richards (Moorhead), 6-2, 240, freshman Dakari Tulloch (Coral Spring, FL), 6-2, 220, and freshman Tony Enyi (Lakeville), 6-1, 250. Sophomore Jon Swart (Fargo, ND), 5-11, 229, secured a starting job at defensive end, while juniors Robert Wilhelm (Anchorage, AK), 6-0, 220, and Matt Krebs (Breckenridge), 6-2, 240, have Swart’s back.
Coach Tomeo says: “Graduation (took) two of our best in Mark Majerus and David Bosch. Jon Swart had a great spring and should be a dominant player at end while Drew Waters is very steady at nose. We also have a lot of guys fighting for time at the other spot. It’s very young, but it should be a good bunch.”
LINEBACKERS
Armed with three returning starters, the Dragons have every reason to expect a consistent contribution from a tested linebacking corps. Juniors Jonathan Miller (Goodridge), 6-0, 210, and Dennis Oswald (Detroit Lakes), 5-10, 210, return at inside linebacker. Miller topped the MSUM defensive chart as a sophomore with 92 tackles, including a club high 63 assisted tackles, and nine tackles for loss. Junior Zach Cahill (Rolla, ND), 5-11, 230, lettered last year and finished fifth on the defensive ledger with 66 tackles. He finished spring practice as the number two will backer behind Miller. Junior transfer Steve Lippert (Camarillo, CA), 5-11, 200, is listed behind Oswald. Freshmen inside linebackers Ben Ritter (Parkers Prairie), 6-1, 170, and Craig Thiel (Maplewood), 5-11, 210, are available as well. Senior Trent Johnson (Bismarck, ND), 6-0, 185, returns as the starting buck linebacker while junior transfer Bryce Leggins (West Liberty, IA), 6-2, 217, was installed as the starter at sam backer last spring. Freshman Steve Derisse (Pompano Beach, FL), 5-9, 175, and senior Kyle Anderson (Dalton), 5-10, 195, were listed behind Johnson while senior Patrick Williams (Gary, IN), 6-2, 210, and junior Derek Hall (Austin) 5-10, 205, will support Leggins on the outside.
Coach Tomeo says: “In our three-four defense linebackers are very important to us. We moved Jon Miller to the inside and found a home for him, along with Dennis Oswald and Zach Cahill. All three will play a lot this fall and I look for great things from them. On the outside Trent Johnson is holding down one of the spot while newcomer Bryce Leggins has earned himself a starting role. We look forward to seeing Patrick Williams on the field, too, and he can play all kinds of positions. This should be one of our deepest positions, and we’ll be a better team because of our linebacking corps.”
SECONDARY
Well stocked with experience and talent, the Dragons’ last line of defense should be first rate once again in 2007. Junior All-American free safety Josh Jones (Carson, CA), 5-10, 165, rates with the NSIC’s elite playmakers and headlines a stable of quality playmakers. Jones set a MSUM single season mark with 10 interceptions as a sophomore, returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown and again looms as a genuine national honors candidate. Junior Eric Schaumburg (Bejou), 6-0, 185, returns at strong safety. The Dragons also retain their starting cornerback tandem of Marvin Anderson (Encino, CA), a 5-9, 170-pound sophomore, and junior Tyler Hagen (Moorhead), 5-11, 165. Junior Willie De-Souza (Chanhassen), 5-9, 165, and sophomore Harrison Dotson (Long Prairie), 5-10, 175, closed spring drills as backups at corner while Dotson was also listed as the number two free safety. Junior Patrick Moore (Underwood), 5-10, 170, and freshmen Nick Adamski (Fargo, ND), 5-7, 146, and Brady Halvorson (Thompson, ND), 5-10, 160, provide additional secondary insurance.
Coach Tomeo says: “We look forward to another outstanding season from Josh Jones at safety, and he’ll lead our secondary. Converted corner Eric Schaumburg has found a spot at safety, and he’s a good fit with Josh. Cornerback should be one our strengths. Tyler Hagen is a steady-eddy at corner and one of our best cover two corners while Marvin Anderson is one of our better man coverage corners. They’ll make a great combination.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore transfer Kyle Wilcox (Ramsey), 5-11, 178, secured the placekicking job during spring practice. Taylor will handle punt returns and pair with Gilles on the kickoff return unit. Drew Waters returns as long snapper while Tim Zander is expected to inherit holding duties.
Coach Tomeo says: “Kyle Wilcox will handle all kicking and field goals. Our kicking and punting duties should be in responsible hands. Drew Waters will be our long snapper and Tim Zander our holder, hopefully Bert Smith can recover from injuries and return punts while Jabari Taylor and Enos Gilles have big play ability as kickoff returners.”
* at the conclusion of spring practice |
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