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Season outlook story -- click here

General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 2,994 (2002-03 total, includes undergrad, weekend, graduate)
Nickname: Auggies
School Colors: Maroon and Gray (Pantone 209 maroon, Pantone 424 gray)
Stadium: Edor Nelson Field (Astroturf) (renamed from Anderson-Nelson Field in 2001)
Capacity: 2,000
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
President: Dr. William V. Frame
Faculty Athletic Representative: Phil Quanbeck II
Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation: Jeff Swenson
Athletic Director: Paul Grauer (men), Marilyn Florian (women)
Athletic Phone: 612-330-1249
Athletic Fax: 612-330-1372

History
First year of football: 1926
All-time bowl/play-off record: 1-1
Years in post-season play: 1 (1997)
Last postseason appearance: 1997 / Result: 1-1
All-time record: 183-395-20 overall, 134-346-13 MIAC

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jack Osberg, 13th season
Alma Mater/Year: Augsburg 1962
Record at school (yrs): 55-66 (12 years)
Career record: 55-66 (12 years)
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1235
Coach's e-mail: osbergj@augsburg.edu
Best time/day to reach coach: Mornings

Assistant Coaches
Drew Privette (Augsburg '89, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks and receivers/men's athletic recruiting coordinator)
Tom Ross (Augsburg '81, defensive coordinator)
Chris Bergstrom (Minnesota '98, offensive line)
Ricardo Jones (St. Thomas '99, running backs)
Bill Kriesel (Augsburg '96, defensive backs)
Sean Peterson (Minnesota-Duluth '00, linebackers)
Chad Scheitel (Augsburg '03, strength and conditioning)
Darrell Wiese (Augsburg '59, assistant coach/assistant men's athletic recruiting coordinator)
Kyle Koch (Augsburg '03, student assistant coach)

Sports Information
Sports Information Dir.: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Home phone: 651-697-1393
SID Fax: 612-330-1780
Press Box main phone: 612-330-1737
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2002 Game-by Game Results (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Sept. 7, vs. Dakota State University (S.D.), W 44-14
Sept. 14, vs. Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, L 37-13
Sept. 21, at St. Olaf College *, L 23-21
Sept. 28, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College * (Homecoming), L 41-14
Oct. 5, at Carleton College *, W 49-6
Oct. 12, at Concordia College-Moorhead *, L 38-13
Oct. 19, vs. St. John's University *, L 35-7
Oct. 26, at University of St. Thomas *, L 49-6
Nov. 2, vs. Bethel College *, L 29-22
Nov. 7, vs. Hamline University * (HHH Metrodome), L 21-13

2003 Schedule (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Sept. 6, at Jamestown College (N.D.), Away, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 13, at Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Away, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20, vs. St. Olaf College *, Home, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, Away, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4, vs. Carleton College * (Homecoming), Home, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead *, Home, 1 p.m.
Oct. 18, at St. John's University *, Away, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25, vs. University of St. Thomas *, Home, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1, at Bethel College *, Away, 1 p.m.
Nov. 6 (Thu.), vs. Hamline University * (HHH Metrodome), 7 p.m.

Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 2-8
Conference record/finish: 1-7 / 8th of 9
Basic offense/defense: West Coast-Multiple / 4-3 with multiple looks
Letterwinners returning: Offense: 20; Defense: 17; Specialty: 1; Total: 38.
Letterwinners lost: Offense: 25; Defense: 17; Specialty: 3; Total: 45.
Starters Returning: Offense: 4; Defense: 6; Specialty: 1; Total: 11.
Roster By Year: 9 seniors, 19 juniors, 16 sophomores, 14 freshmen. TOTAL: 58.

Returning Key Players
Yarzue Slowon (WR, Jr.), All-MIAC second team, team's leading receiver (53 receptions, 726 yards, 6 TD) in 2002, third in MIAC in receptions per game (6.57) and receiving yards per game (89.4); also All-MIAC in basketball (point guard).
Brandon Fox (LB, Sr.), All-MIAC second team, second in total tackles (75), leader in solo tackles (36), including 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks; 12th in MIAC in total tackles per game (6.1).
Nick Schlieman (P, So.), All-MIAC first team (only freshman on All-MIAC first team in 2002), led MIAC in punting average (38.2 yards per punt in MIAC play, 38.5 yards per punt overall), 38.5 average was 16th best in NCAA Division III, 4th best among freshmen; 27 punts of 40-plus yards, 7 punts of 50-plus yards, 14 punts inside the 20.
Adam Hoffmann (C, Jr.), All-MIAC honorable mention, leader of offensive line that cut sacks from 27 to 18 in 2002.
Ben Paul (RB, Jr.), led team in rushing (586 yards, 6 TDs), 8th in MIAC in rushing average (59.2 ypg) in 2001, All-MIAC honorable mention in 2001.
Tony George (QB, So.), saw action in 7 games as key backup in 2002, 14 of 27 (2 INTs, 1 TD) for 137 yards passing.

Key Newcomers
Andrew Neumann (TE, Fr.), Wisconsin All-State selection at tight end, member of Wisconsin state championship team at Somerset HS, two-time all-conference selection; also state champion wrestler.
Craig Pike (DL, Jr.), transfer from St. Cloud State (1998-99), all-state, two-time all-conference at Pine Island HS.
John Streefland (OL, Fr.), all-conference on offensive line at Northfield HS.
Andy Estrem (OL, Fr.), all-conference on offensive line at Northfield HS.
Matt Siems (OL, Fr.), four-time all-conference selection on offensive line at Bemidji HS.
Troy Deden (QB, Fr.), transfer from St. Mary's (baseball), all-conference quarterback at Northfield HS.

Key Losses
Mitch Theisen (LB), All-MIAC second team in 2001, All-MIAC honorable mention in 2002; team's leader in tackles (78, 26 solo) in 2002.
Dave Fransen (QB), 2-year starter, All-MIAC honorable mention in 2002; 2,042 yards passing (169-of-297, 11 TD, 11 INT) in 2002.
T.J. Bramwell (RB), All-MIAC second team in 2002, team's rushing leader in 2002, 646 yards on 168 carries, 7 TDs, also 1 receiving TD.
Kyle Koch (DL), 2-year starter, All-MIAC honorable mention in 2002, 39 tackles (19 solo), team-high 4.0 sacks in 2002.
Jesse Naughton (OL), 2-year starter on OL, All-MIAC honorable mention in 2001 and 2002.
Andy Matzke (DB), All-MIAC honorable mention in 2002, team-highs of 6 interceptions and 9 pass break-ups in 2002, along with 43 tackles (25 solo).

Season Outlook and Notes:
MINNEAPOLIS (8/20/03) -- The challenge is a strong one for the Augsburg College football team in 2003.

Make a move forward from last season's disappointing 2-8 overall, 1-8 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference finish, which included three losses by a touchdown or less. Rebuild from significant losses at several positions. Face one of the strongest schedules in school history. And accomplish it all with a team that will lack overall depth, with just 38 letterwinners returning.

But there are significant signs of optimism for the Auggies entering the 2003 season.

Several key position players return, among them a receiving corps that could be the most talented in the MIAC. There's overall strength in the defense. And an all-conference punter/kicker returns to the Auggie lineup.

The key for Augsburg head coach Jack Osberg, entering his 13th season as the Auggies' mentor, will be to mold the 58-player lineup into a cohesive, consistent unit.

"Our goal is to improve the consistency of our play," Osberg said. "I thought we were too inconsistent last year. There are three components to the game -- offense, defense and special teams -- and if you're not firing on all three components, you're going to get beat. We're going to work real hard to be more consistent in all three areas. That's a huge goal for us."

Osberg is approaching a significant feat in Auggie football history. With a 55-66 career record, Osberg is one win away from tying the school's all-time win record of 56, set by legendary coach Edor Nelson (56-118-10) from 1947-69. Osberg has the third-longest tenure among current MIAC coaches.

Augsburg's schedule may be one of the toughest in recent years, with nonconference games on the road at Jamestown College (N.D.) on Sept. 6 and Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Sept. 13. The Auggies open MIAC play at home on Sept. 20, hosting St. Olaf.

Offense: Solid receiving corps back
While just four offensive starters return, there is confidence for progress. The Auggies will show more of a "West Coast" style in its offensive approach, taking advantage of a receiving corps that could be the best in the MIAC.

Keying the receiving corps is Yarzue Slowon (Jr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS), who earned All-MIAC second-team honors in his first Auggie campaign last year. Slowon was one of only a handful of conference athletes to be All-MIAC in two sports last season, as he also earned first-team all-conference honors as a basketball point guard. In football, Slowon caught a team-high 53 passes for 726 yards and six touchdowns. An experienced player, he appears to be ready to accept the mantle of offensive leadership.

"The key with Yarzue is going to be his experience," said offensive coordinator Drew Privette. "He came in last year after being out of football for a couple of years and he was rushed in. But even with that, he was still an all-conference player. This year, he's in better shape and has a year under his belt. He'll be a leader."

Joining Slowon will be Jamie Smith (Sr., Oakdale, Minn./Tartan HS), a speedy, versatile receiver who returns to the Auggies after taking last season off. He averaged 12.7 yards per reception with two touchdowns in 2001.

Shawn Johnson (Jr., Faribault, Minn.) is a lanky 6-2 receiver who has shined on Augsburg's junior varsity his first two seasons and is ready to step into a bigger role on the varsity. Returners Kurt Dybdahl (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Edison HS) and Antonio Spargo (So., Edina, Minn.) and newcomers Micah Young (Fr., Waconia, Minn.), Michael Graves (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn./Totino Grace HS) and Ricky Schreier (So., Maplewood, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS) should also add to the mix.

"We could have the top two wide receivers in the league with Yarzue Slowon and Jamie Smith, with Shawn Johnson to add to the mix," Privette said. "With those guys, we're pretty versatile, being able to put them into multiple formations. With those guys, they can be a threat no matter where they're at."

Ty Closson (Jr., Northfield, Minn.) saw some significant time at tight end, making one start last season. He will be joined by Andrew Neumann (Fr., Somerset, Wis.), an all-state high school player from a Wisconsin state championship team last year.

At quarterback, Tony George (So., Blaine, Minn.) will enter the season as the likely starter. He saw action in seven games last season as the Auggies' primary backup, gaining valuable experience that should help him this year.

"Tony is familar with what we're doing. He had a good first year of development, and he improved his size and strength significantly. He worked very hard in the off-season to get bigger and stronger, and this year we should be able to see the results of that," Osberg said.

Backing up George will be two newcomers with significant high school experience -- Troy Deden (Fr., Northfield, Minn.), who transferred to Augsburg after playing a season of baseball at St. Mary's (Minn.), and Eric Bohnhoff (Fr., Northfield, Minn.).

The Auggies are also deep at the running back positions, with Ben Paul (Sr., St. Paul, Minn./Johnson HS) leading the way. After a breakout sophomore campaign in 2001 (586 yards, six touchdowns), Paul struggled with injuries last season, with just 271 yards and three scores on 80 carries. However, Paul is healthy and ready to accept the mantle of leadership, Osberg and Privette noted.

Joining Paul at fullback will be Joe Starks (Jr., Roseville, Minn./Totino-Grace HS) and newcomer Steve Athman (Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Holy Angels HS), a transfer from the University of South Dakota.

Five tailbacks return, led by Pat Lofboom (Jr., Stillwater, Minn./Mahtomedi HS), who saw some key time on the varsity level last season, appearing in eight games and scoring a touchdown. Nick Sanchez (Sr., Almond, Wis./Almond-Bancroft HS) also returns with experience, and Steve Houser (So., Zimmerman, Minn./Elk River HS) also had a strong JV year and could see more varsity time this season. Josh Erickson (So., New Prague, Minn.) also returns, joined by newcomers Brady Seesz (Fr., Northfield, Minn.) and James Pinkett (Fr., St. Paul, Minn./St. Agnes HS).

The offensive line will be very young, with just two starters returning -- center Adam Hoffmann (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) and tackle Nate Anderson (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.). But the two have established themselves as team leaders, with Hoffmann earning All-MIAC honorable mention honors last year and team co-captain honors this season.

"Adam is very aggressive and he loves to play football," Privette said. "He's an excellent student. There's nothing you can throw at him that will confuse him. Nate is a mainstay on the line as a two-year starter. He's a very versatile player."

Andy Johnson (Jr., Robbinsdale, Minn./Cooper HS) gained valuable experience as a varsity backup last season on the offensive line, and could step into a starting role this season, as could Ryan Shea (So., New Prague, Minn.). Matt Wong (So., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS), Lowery Smith (So., Farmington, Minn.) and Jon Dahlin (Sr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) will also figure into the line mix, as will newcomers Andy Estrem (So., Nerstrand, Minn./Northfield HS), John Streefland (So., Northfield, Minn.) and Matt Siems (Fr., Bemidji, Minn.).

Defense: Young, but experienced
Depth will be an issue with a relatively young defensive unit, but there is talent and some experience among the six returning defensive starters.

Up front, Augsburg's defensive line features two returning starters, end Joe Cullen (Jr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) and tackle Sam Harmer (Sr., Silver Bay, Minn./William M. Kelley HS). The duo earned All-MIAC honorable mention honors with outstanding 2002 campaigns, as Cullen made 51 tackles (23 solo) with three sacks, and Harmer had 45 tackles (18 solo), including a team-high 10 tackles for loss.

Two key reserves from last season should step into the other two starting roles on the line in Augsburg's 4-3 alignment -- Jacob Koelln (So., Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) and Chike Ochiagha (Jr., Savage, Minn./Holy Angels HS). Both have made significant progress, both on the field and in the weight room, said Augsburg defensive coordinator Tom Ross.

Ray McCoy (Jr., St. Paul, Minn./Central HS) returns to the line, and will be joined by Craig Pike (Jr., Pine Island, Minn.), a transfer from Division II St. Cloud State who returns to football after a three-season absence. He was an honorable-mention all-state and two-time all-conference selection in high school.

The linebacking corps is relatively deep, led by senior co-captain Brandon Fox (Sr., Springfield, Minn.), a three-year stater who accumulated 75 tackles (36 solo), tops among returners, along with five tackles for loss and two interceptions.

"Brandon Fox is a solid player. He is a big-time talent and he makes good plays," Osberg said.

John Golnitz (Jr., Green Bay, Wis./Preble HS) was a solid starter last season at linebacker, making 42 tackles (16 solo) with an interception. Jon Kozitza (Sr., North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) has made strong progress at linebacker, and Kyle Voelz (Jr., Morgan, Minn./Cedar Mountain HS) returns to the team after a year absence, Jake Schmiesing (Sr., North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) has been a solid reserve at linebacker the last two seasons, and should contend for a starting role. Zach Manship (So., Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) also returns to the linebacker role.

Newcomers Dennis Westlund (Fr., Mayer, Minn./Waconia HS), Paul Nascene (Jr., Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS), Mike Matson (Fr., St. Francis, Minn.), Ryan Moe (Fr., Columbia Heights, Minn.) and Isiah Jones (Fr., Hopkins, Minn.) should also figure into the linebacking mix.

The defensive backfield has plenty of experience, with two starters and three key reserves back. The group, a young one last year, gave up an average of 244.4 passing yards per game last season, including 20 touchdowns, numbers that need to be curtailed, Ross said.

"Experience can be a plus, and the defensive backs learned a lot last year," Ross said. "They made some good pressing plays last year, and when you press, you'll get burned at some times. Our philosophy needs to be not giving up the big passing plays."

Starting safeties Ross Peroutka (So., Faribault, Minn.) and Jim Gunderson (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) return to the Auggie defensive backfield. Both had more than 30 tackles last year, with Gunderson recording one interception.

Major Williams (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington HS), Taylor Kroger (So., Cottonwood, Minn./Lakeview HS) and Jordan Hastings (So., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) also return to the defensive backfield with significant experience, with Williams and Hastings each recording an interception last year.

Newcomers Danny Umhoefer (Fr., North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) and Steven Wright (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn./Edison HS) and returner Gabe Krueger (Jr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper HS) should also compete for roles at defensive back, Osberg noted.

Special Teams: All-MIAC punter is back
Punter Nick Schlieman (So., Burnsville, Minn.) made an immediate impact in his first season last year, as the lone Auggie -- and the lone freshman in the MIAC -- to earn All-MIAC first-team honors. Schlieman averaged 38.5 yards per punt last year, the best average for an Auggie in recent memory, placing 14 punts inside the 20, and booming 27 punts of 40 yards or more and seven of 50 yards or more.

Schlieman will also be asked to add the team's placekicking duties to his resume this season, Osberg noted.

Slowon and Smith will likely be asked to fill duties on special teams as return specialists on both kicks and punts. Slowon averaged 20.6 yards per kick return, while Smith was Augsburg's primary returner on both kicks and punts in 2001.