2009 St. Olaf football preview

Mike Ludwig
September 1, 2009

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - St. Olaf head coach Jerry Olszewski, excited about the maturity of his 2009 team, will look to an experienced defense to lead the way this fall.

The Oles went 6-4 in a streaky first season for Olszewski who watched his team start 3-0, drop the next four before finish on a three-game winning rally.

With 2008's six wins, St. Olaf has a 37-13 record over the last five seasons. Olszewski and the Oles hope -- with 10 returning starters on the defensive side of the ball, a starting quarterback with a year under his belt and an experienced line -- that the 2009 version can continue the victorious trend.

DEFENSE
To continue the winning ways, the St. Olaf defense will have to lead the charge. In the team's six wins last year, the Oles limited opponents to 15.3 points/game. In the four losses, however, St. Olaf allowed 30.5 points/game. Aside from the 10 returning starters, the team has a core of experienced returners back in hopes of continuing the improvement that saw the team go from sixth (386.5 yards/game) in the MIAC in total defense in 2007 to fourth (290.5) in 2008.

Defensive Line
Three seniors will key the defensive line: Nick Tolen, C.J. Tabasky and Zac Henschel. Tolen was second among linemen, behind only the graduated Michael Williams, with 23.0 tackles last season. He had 4.5 for a loss, including two sacks. Henschel will be the team's top returning rushers from the outside. He had career-bests for sacks (4.0) and tackles for a loss (8.0) last year. Tabasky was in on 14 stops and recorded one of the teamýs two safeties.

There will be a competition for the final DE spot . Contenders are Corey Tutewohl, Colin Ferrian, and Brian Albrect. Max Rustad, Nick Ondler, and Transfer Dustin Heiser will provide good depth on the interior line. Max Rustad had three sacks and five tackles for a loss in 2008.

Linebackers
The 2008 team was led in tackles by each of the three linebackers, and all will return in 2009. Senior Adam Concannon, an All-MIAC selection as a sophomore, will pace the group. Concannon had another solid season last fall, collecting 50.0 tackles, including a team-best 42 assists. He added a sack, 6.5 for a loss, an interception and three pass break-ups in the team's 6-4 season.

Senior Eric Werdahl and junior Patrick Luevano each shared the team lead, with 52.5 tackles each, and will be expected to provide more of the same this year. Werdahl added a eight for a loss while Luevano had 5.5. The team also has good depth at each spot including Tim Bauer and Matt Olson in the middle and Seth Huiras, Ryan Campbell, Wes Lynch, and Matt Kaliszewski on the outside.

Defensive Backs
As with the linebackers, all starters will return to the secondary this season. Carson Jones and Chris DeLuca will return at the safety spot. The emergence of Nick Branjord at safety has allowed Ryan Skluzacek to move to corner where he will join returning starters Tyler Jones and Justin Lanman. Jones had a team-high four picks last year while Skluzacek and DeLuca had one each and were in the top six on the team in tackles. Carson Jones returns after a 2008 season that saw him get solid numbers in tackles (40.0), interceptions (2) and fumble recoveries (2).

OFFENSE
Last year the team rode the senior backfield tandem of Coty Watkins and Evan Endsley and an experienced offensive line, led by junior John Schantzen and senior Paul Schwingler. This season, sophomore RB Leon Clark will be called upon to carry the load along with junior Mac Webb and sophomore Kevin Foss in the run game. Supporting the trio will be the proven group on the offensive line and at tight end.

Offensive Line
Schantzen will return for his senior campaign this fall with a number of returning starters, including junior Drew Penz (6-3, 270) and senior Kyle Glanton (6-0, 280). Adam Koenig (6-6, 285) had a solid first season in a starting role last year and will start opposite of Schantzen.

The team also brings back sophomores Carl Stone (6 3, 290) and Daine Jensch (6-4, 265) and senior center Jared Fisher (6-4, 274).

Quarterback
John Haberman stepped into a starting role at quarterback after spending two seasons as a run-only backup. Haberman, who made just seven passing attempts his first two seasons, had a strong finish his first as a starter. He completed 140 of his 241 attempts for 1,501 yards and nine touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 407 yards - though he was thrown for 253 yards of losses - and four touchdowns. His 14 career rushing touchdowns rank ninth all-time as St. Olaf.

Receivers
One of Haberman's favorite targets in 2008 was Antonio Jennings, who was second on the team with 28 receptions. Jennings should be the team's top receiver. Seniors Jared Mueller and Blake Hedstrom and sophomore Casey Williamson, with a host of talented first years, will provide much needed depth and increased talent at the position.

Tight Ends
Mike Shimshock will return as the team's primary tight end. Shimshock had 10 receptions in the 2008 campaign and has three career touchdowns.

Running Backs
To fill in for the graduated Watkins and Endsley, the Oles will turn to a variety of backs early to find the best replacements. Utility back and return specialist Clark will get more touches. Clark, a preseason Consensus Draft Services All-America selection as a kick returner, had just 10 carries and 18 receptions last year but should see many more this year.

Mac Webb should also see more opportunities after appearing in seven games last fall. Webb played in Watkin's spot at times last year and had 13 carries. Foss and Daren Geyen could also get carries as the team will try to establish the run game early and often.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Clark will remain the return specialist after a stellar first year campaign. He returned 16 kicks in 2008 for 507 yards (31.7/return) and a touchdown and was also the team's primary punt returner, averaging 10.6 yards with a touchdown in 19 tries. He ranked fourth in the country in kickoff return average and 29th on punts.

Josiah Powell appears to be the favorite to do the kicking, which was an area of concern last fall. St. Olaf missed five field goals inside 30 yards (2-for-7). Powell was one of three that rotated through the place-kicking duties in 2008. He missed his only field goal attempt and went 4-of-5 on PATs.

Shimshock will assume the punting duties, replacing graduated all-conference Matt Nelson.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.