2001 Football Preview

With three straight seasons of at least seven wins as a foundation, Willie Fritz feels his 2001 squad is capable of taking the next steps up the ladder of success - an MIAA title and an NCAA playoff bid. The Mules, 7-4 a year ago, return 36 letterwinners, including 13 of 22 starters, plus their punter and placekicker.

Quarterbacks

The only position on offense that is limited in experience is quarterback. Senior Tyson Rathert (6-3, 205) has played in a backup role for three seasons, but may be ready to step into the starting role this season. He played sparingly in five games a year ago, making one start. Expected to challenge Rathert for the starting job are JC transfers Mike Kline (6-1, 175) and Dennis Gile (6-1, 190). Kline threw for 1,584 yards and 14 touchdowns at Fort Scott (Kan.) CC last season, while Gile passed for 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns at Phoenix (Ariz.) CC. Both were with the Mules for spring practice, so they already are familiar with the Mules' offensive system, especially Kline. He quarterbacked Fort Scott last fall under the direction of Mules' new offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski.

Running Backs

Despite losing last season's rushing and scoring leader Manny Evans (872 yards, 12 touchdowns), the Mules still should have a potent running attack. Sophomore Lee Thompson (5-7, 195) rushed for over 100 yards in his first three games a year ago and finished second on the team with 657 yards and six touchdowns. Freshman Kegan Coleman (5-7, 180) is ready to make his collegiate debut after being redshirted last season. As a senior coming out of Lee's Summit North High School two years ago, he was considered one of the top running backs in the Kansas City area. For additional depth, the Mules will have available senior Brandon Hays (5-11, 200) , junior Aaron Emel (5-10, 195) and possibly transfer Devree Flint (5-11, 200). Flint sat out last season but played in 10 games at Division I-AA Southeast Missouri in 1999. The fullback, who is primarily a blocker in the Mules' offense, likely will be either senior Rick Moyer (6-0, 240) or sophomore Dustin Doll (6-0, 215), both of whom played in all 11 games on special teams last season.

Receivers

The Mules return four of last season's top five receivers. Senior Marcus Thomas (5-9, 160) led the team with 35 catches for 582 yards. Senior Kevin Nickerson (5-7, 175), in addition to being probably the MIAA's most dangerous kick returner, turned four of his 28 catches for 306 yards into touchdowns. Junior Nate Thomas (5-9, 170) caught 17 for 265 yards and junior tight end Mike Carter (6-3, 220) caught 12 for 102 yards, including three for touchdowns. Sophomore Kevin O'Sadnick (5-8, 165) gives the Mules additional speed and figures to see increased playing time after working mostly on special teams a year ago. He was a sprinter on the Mules' track team last spring. Sophomore Scott Young (6-2, 240) will back up Carter at tight end.

Offensive Line

Four of five starters on the offensive line are back from last season. Seniors John Young (6-2, 325) at center and Jerry Schwartz (6-2, 305) at guard and junior Andy Minford (6-2, 270) at guard started every game last season, with Young earning first-team All-MIAA honors. Senior Joe Johnson (6-4, 310) made nine starts at left tackle. Senior Chris Munsterman (6-2, 270) filled in as a starter last year when Matt Gigliotti was sidelined and may start this season since Gigliotti has decided to not return. Seniors James Walker (6-7, 290) and Shawn Mindrup (6-1, 320), redshirt freshman Jay Fleeman (6-4, 295) and transfer Dan Joiner (6-3, 290) figure to be the top backups. Joiner transferred from Division I-AA Southeast Missouri. The lack of depth at this position is a concern, as two other scheduled returning lettermen, Jason Breit and Mike Wells, chose to not play this season.

Special Teams

The Mules' special teams should be among the best in the MIAA. Nickerson, who had an MIAA-record three punt returns for touchdowns last year, led the league in punt return average (17.8) and kickoff return average (31.5) and is one shy of matching the NCAA Division II career records for punt returns for touchdowns (8) and combined kick returns for touchdowns (10). Senior Kenny Zordani (6-2, 215) was second in the league in punting last year with a 40.2 average and had a school-record 74-yard punt against Pittsburg State. Sophomore Pat Wilson (5-7, 180) led the MIAA in field goals with 11 and hit 31 of 33 PAT attempts. Junior Ryan Ashcraft (6-3, 175) will continue to handle the Mules' kickoff and long field goal duties.

Defensive Line

Gone from the defensive line is last year's sack leader Colston Weatherington (6 1/2) and senior tackle Tim Urich will miss the 2001 season due to an off-season injury. Senior Rusty Miller (6-1, 275) is lone returning starter in the line. He started the last five games at tackle a year ago, but has moved to an end for this season. Junior Tom Flick (6-1, 280), who played mostly in a backup role a year ago, figures to take over at the other tackle spot. Valentine Ejilika (5-11, 255), who played in all 11 games in a reserve role last year, is slated to move into Weatherington's spot. Depth will come from senior Dan Spencer (5-10, 260), sophomore Jeremy Wooden (6-1, 250), redshirt freshmen David Williams (6-2, 230) and Aaron Urich (5-11, 260).

Linebackers

The linebacker positions should be solid, as senior starters Andy Sims (5-9, 205), Lloyd Thompson (6-1, 200) and Greg Zerr (6-1, 195) return. They were second, third and fourth, respectively, in tackles last season with 72, 60 and 67. Also bolstering the linebacker corps is the return of senior Herman Lyons (6-1, 215), who missed all of last season due to a knee injury. He had 57 tackles, three fumble recoveries and an interception for the Mules in 1999. Additional depth will come from senior Rod Holland (5-9, 200), junior Jed Leeper (6-1, 220) and redshirt freshman Joe Brown (6-1, 215).

Defensive Backs

Senior David Ruether (5-9, 175) at cornerback and junior Casey Blackstun (6-0, 200) at b safety were starters last year, but the Mules will need to replace free safety Clint Steiner, the team's tackle leader with 94, and cornerback Antoine Williams. Juniors Mark Spates (5-10, 190) and Brian Riley (6-0, 210) will contend for Steiner's spot. Both saw considerable action last season in reserve roles. Newcomer Julius Allen (6-0, 190), a transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M CC is the front-runner for Williams' cornerback position. Junior Pat Nussbeck (5-6, 180), sophomore Cassidy McCrite (6-0, 180) and another newcomer, Joey Robinson (5-10, 185) from West Valley (CA) CC, will provide additional depth.