2007 Augsburg College Football Season Preview

General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,785 (2006-07 total, includes undergrad, weekend, graduate)
Nickname: Auggies
School Colors: Maroon and Gray (Pantone 209 maroon, Pantone 424 gray)
Stadium: Edor Nelson Field (Sprinturf) (renamed from Anderson-Nelson Field in 2001)
Capacity: 1,400
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
President: Dr. Paul Pribbenow
Faculty Athletic Representative: Tracy Bibelnieks
Athletic Director: Jeff Swenson
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: 192-426-20 overall, 142-370-13 MIAC

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Frank Haege, 3rd season
Alma Mater/Year: Wisconsin-Stout '92
Record at school (yrs): 2-18 (2 years)
Career record: 2-18 (2 years)
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1433
Coach's e-mail: haege@augsburg.edu

Assistant Coaches
Drew Privette (Augsburg '89, assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/men’s athletic recruiting coordinator)
Jim Roback (Augsburg '63, defensive coordinator/linebackers)
Chris Bergstrom (Minnesota '98, offensive line)
Matt Howard (Wisconsin-Stout '03, defensive backs)
Jack Osberg (Augsburg '62, defensive line)
Todd Hendricks (Mary '00, wide receivers/special teams)
Mari Moore (Minnesota '01, running backs)
Mike Matson (Augsburg '07, assistant coach)
Tony Madline (student assistant coach, defensive line)

Sports Information
Sports Information Director: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Cell phone: 612-363-3923
SID Fax: 612-330-1372
Press Box phone: 612-363-3923
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

Media Information
Online broadcasts (all games): Stretch Internet -- http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/liveaudio/
Producer: Tom Witschen, 651-436-4000
Announcers: Devon Krueger (play-by-play), Joe Moline (analysis)

2006 Game-by Game Results (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Sat., Sept. 9, at Northwestern College-Roseville, L 31-24
Sat., Sept. 16, vs. St. John’s University *, L 60-0
Sat., Sept. 23, at St. Olaf College *, L 68-17
Sat., Sept. 30, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead * (HOMECOMING), L 34-28 (OT)
Sat., Oct. 7, vs. Wartburg College (Iowa), L 38-14
Sat., Oct. 14, at University of St. Thomas *, L 47-21
Sat., Oct. 21, vs. Carleton College *, L 37-7
Sat., Oct. 28, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, L 41-27
Sat., Nov. 4, at Bethel University *, L 48-21
Thu., Nov. 9, vs. Hamline University * (METRODOME), W 28-17

2007 Schedule (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Sat., Sept. 8, vs. Northwestern College-Roseville, 7 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 15, at St. John’s University *, 1 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 22, vs. St. Olaf College *, 1 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 29, at Concordia College-Moorhead *, 1 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 6, at Wartburg College (Iowa), 1 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 13, vs. University of St. Thomas * (HOMECOMING), 1 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 20, at Carleton College *, 1 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 27, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College *, 1 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 2, vs. Bethel University * (METRODOME), 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 10, at Hamline University *, 1 p.m.

Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 1-9.
Conference record/finish: 1-7 / T-8th of 9.
Basic offense: Air Auggie Spread.
Basic defense: 4-3.
Letterwinners returning: Offense: 14; Defense: 26; Specialty: 1; Total: 41.
Letterwinners lost: Offense: 24; Defense: 15; Specialty: 1; Total: 40.
Starters Returning: Offense: 5; Defense: 8; Specialty: 1; Total: 14.
Roster By Year: 8 seniors, 10 juniors, 33 sophomores, 31 freshmen. TOTAL: 82.

Key Returners
Jordan Berg (QB, Jr., Gaylord, Minn./Sibley East HS), 208-of-349 passing for 2,107 yards and 13 TDs (12 INT) in 2006, 4th among MIAC QBs in overall passing, 2nd in conference games-only (230.8 ypg in league games); transfer from Minnesota-Duluth; three-time high school all-conference selection; 2004 all-state honorable mention, Minnesota River Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Minnesota Mr. Football nominee and state all-star game participant.
Royce Winford (WR, Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS), 3rd on team in receiving in 2006 (46 receptions for 671 yards, 14.6 yards per catch); led team in TDs in 2006 (8 receiving, 1 punt return); career totals of 53 receptions for 740 yards (14.0 yards per catch) and 9 TDs.
Brandon Rudenick (DL, Sr., Nicollet, Minn.), 42 tackles (16 solo) in 2006, including team-high 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks; career totals of 99 tackles (32 solo), including 15.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks.
Andrew Bergeson (LB, So., Red Wing, Minn.), 3rd on team in total tackles (65, 25 solo) in 2006, including 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

Key Newcomers
Muneer Al-Hameed (QB/WR, Fr., Woodbury, Minn./Minneapolis Washburn HS), threw for 1,236 yards and 17 TDs in 2006 for 8-2 Washburn squad; 2006 AP All-State honorable-mention selection, one of two QBs selected to play for the Metro team in the 2007 Minnesota All-Star football game, selection for the first Twin Cities Urban Bowl all-star game in 2007; two-time all-conference selection; also two-time all-conference hurdler in track and field.
Ryan Schroeder (WR, Sr., Milwaukee, Wis./Oak Creek HS), transfer from Southwest Minnesota State (2003-05), caught 57 passes for 807 yards (15.0 yards per catch) and 4 TDs in 29 games at SWMS.
Donovan Bates (LB, Jr., White Bear Lake, Minn.), transfer from Central Lakes College (Brainerd, Minn.), first-team All-MCCC Southern Division in 2005 and 2006; NJCAA All-Region 13 first team in 2006.
Garrett Adamson (DB, Jr., White Bear Lake, Minn./Hill-Murray HS), did not play in 2006 due to injury; transfer from St. John's; two-time all-conference selection at Hill-Murray HS; 2003 first-team all-state (AP and St. Paul Pioneer Press) and Minneapolis Star-Tribune All-Metro first team, state all-star game participant.
Josh Corrigan (DL, So., Cottage Grove, Minn./Park HS), did not play in 2006 due to injury; played in 2004 at Central Lakes CC (Brainerd, Minn.).

Key Losses
Mike Matson (LB), MIAC's leader in tackles in overall (110, 46 solo) and league play (90, 38 solo) for second straight season, ranked 20th in Division III in total tackles (11.0 per game) in 2006; named to All-MIAC first team, All-West Region second team by both D3football.com and Football Gazette, and Football Gazette All-America honorable mention in 2006; named All-MIAC second team, D3Football.com All-America third team and All-West Region second team, Football Gazette All-West Region third team in 2005; named 2006 Preseason All-Division III First Team by Lindy's National College Football preview magazine; career totals of 355 tackles (146 solo), 21.0 TFL, 7.5 sacks.
Andrew Neumann (TE), led Augsburg in receptions (74) and receiving yardage (741) in 2006 with 4 TDs, tied for lead in MIAC in receptions per game (7.4) and 4th in receiving yards per game (74.1), both tops among MIAC tight ends; ranked eighth in Division III in receptions per-game (7.4) in 2006; All-MIAC first team in 2005 and 2006; All-West Region by D3Football.com (third team) and Football Gazette (honorable mention) in 2006; selected to play in Aztec Bowl Division III all-star game in Mexico in 2006; career totals of 186 receptions for 2,006 yards and 7 TDs; also All-American and two-time national qualifier as heavyweight on Augsburg's wrestling team.
Ricky Schreier (WR), 2nd on Augsburg squad in receptions (61) and 3rd in receiving yardage (525) in 2006 with 2 TDs; ranked 3rd in MIAC in receptions per game both overall (6.1) and league games-only (6.5); All-MIAC second team in 2005 and 2006; career totals of 140 receptions for 1,563 yards and 9 TDs; also starting outfielder on Augsburg baseball team, earned All-MIAC honorable mention in 2006 and 2007.
Andy Estrem (OL), started all 10 games on offensive line in 2006; four-year starter.
John Streefland (OL), started all 10 games on offensive line in 2006; four-year starter.

Season Outlook:

MINNEAPOLIS (8/23/07) -- "No Excuses" is the theme for the Augsburg College football team in 2007, a theme that reflects the continued rebuilding of the Auggie program undertaken by third-year head coach Frank Haege and his staff.

No excuses for not showing improvement from back-to-back 1-9 seasons. No excuses for not continuing to develop a young squad with promising talent. No excuses for not improving in all aspects of the game, both on and off the field.

"We're looking to make improvements, getting better in all aspects of the game," Haege said. "There's a lot of things you don't see on the field -- getting better in the weight room, getting better in the classroom, having more success in recruiting. We've done all three of those things, and those will eventually equate to wins. We've spent a lot of time focusing on those three things off the field, and now we have to take care of the wins."

Recruiting has definitely been a focus for Haege and his coaching staff. Of the 82 players on this season's roster, 33 are sophomores and 31 are freshmen, making up Haege's first two recruiting classes. Also included in the mix are 10 transfers in their first season with the Auggies.

Competing in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Augsburg will have to contend with a very tough schedule, which includes three teams ranked in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25 national poll -- St. John's (No. 3), Bethel (No. 24) and Wartburg (Iowa, No. 25). St. Olaf, which received votes in the national poll, is also on the schedule, along with Northwestern-Roseville, which finished 7-3 last season and placed second in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.

Offense: QB back for wide-open offense
Augsburg threw the ball 62 percent of the time last season (399 pass attempts in 645 total offensive plays), and look for that ratio to be much the same this season. Haege's experience in Arena Football coaching has produced a dynamic passing attack, and with an experienced quarterback and solid corps of receivers on the roster this season, expect to see a lot of offensive sets with three and four wide receivers.

One of the keys to the passing attack will be the play of returning starter Jordan Berg (Jr., Gaylord, Minn./Sibley East HS). In his first year with the Auggies after transferring from Minnesota-Duluth, Berg had a strong season, completing 208 passes for 2,107 yards and 13 touchdowns. His pass attempt (349) and completion (208) totals were both second-most in a single season in school history, while his yardage total was fourth-highest.

"Jordan Berg could be a star in the MIAC," Haege said. "Being back in the system for another year, the guys are really buying into him. He's emerging as a leader and we're really excited about that."

Behind Berg will be promising recruit Muneer Al-Hameed (Fr., Woodbury, Minn./Minneapolis Washburn HS), an All-State honorable mention selection last season and participant in the 2007 state senior all-star game. Haege said that Al-Hameed could see time at both quarterback and wide receiver this season, taking advantage of his athletic ability. Newcomers Donald Blunt (Fr., Richfield, Minn.) and Josh Remer (Fr., Winsted, Minn./Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted HS) will also compete for time at quarterback.

Royce Winford (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS) had a breakout season last year, catching 46 passes for 671 yards while scoring a team-high nine touchdowns (eight receiving, one return). Winford will be the leader of a solid receiving corps this season.

"Royce had a great year in the weight room and had a great offseason. He should be a top player for us," Haege said. "We should be pretty exciting at wide receiver. That could be our strength this year."

Mike Nourie (So., Nicollet, Minn.) showed promise last year, with 28 catches for 258 yards and a touchdown, and will see more playing time this year. Ryan Schroeder (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis./Oak Creek HS) transfers to Augsburg after playing his first three seasons at Division II Southwest Minnesota State. Al-Hameed will also figure into the receiving mix, along with Joe Kloetzke (So., Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy HS), David Lange (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins HS), Craig Henry (So., Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) and Kyle Bloom (So., St. Anthony Village, Minn.).

Newcomers Kevin Lundeen (Fr., Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS), Nick Norton (So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Rosemount HS) and Josh Thelemann (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins HS) will also compete for wide receiver time, as will tight ends Brandon Jonker (Fr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS), Josh Pronschinske (Fr., Fountain City, Wis./Cochrane-Fountain City HS) and LeRoy Roby (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn./Osseo HS).

Jason Potts (Jr., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) returns to the running back spot after missing most of last season due to injury. Shawn Dunbar (So., Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS) also returns to the program, and will compete with Nick Francis (So., Hudson, Wis.) for running back time. Newcomers Joshua Barsness (Fr., Eagan, Minn./Eastview HS), Clint Donovan (Fr., Solon, Iowa), John Hibbs (Fr., Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS), Bryant Nordby (Fr., Brownton, Minn./McLeod West HS), Shane Pantila (Fr., St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) and Alex Tulp (Fr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS) will also figure in the running back mix.

Both starting tackles return to the offensive line -- Alan Mueller (Sr., Savage, Minn./Breck HS) and Jason Weber (Sr., New Prague, Minn.). Josh Groll (So., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) and Tyler Reiter (So., Lakefield, Minn./Jackson County Central HS) both saw plenty of time on the offensive line as freshman last year, and should be the likely candidates for the guard spots. Mike Struss (Jr., Nicollet, Minn.) moves from the defensive line to the offensive line this year and is the likely candidate for the center position.

Tim Garnhardt (So., Jordan, Minn.) and John Leibfried (Jr., Shakopee, Minn.) also return to the offensive line, and will be joined by Dan Thewis (So., Two Harbors, Minn.), who shifts from defense to offense. Newcomers Tony Flaherty (Fr., Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS), Eric Hazenson (So., Hudson, Wis.), Nick Hoffman (Fr., Maple Grove, Minn.), Matthew Husberg (So., West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) and Kendall Langert (Fr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS) will also join the team on the offensive line.

Defense: Eight starters are back
The Augsburg defense, while young, gained plenty of experience last year, and eight starters and 26 letterwinners return. Also returning to the Augsburg sidelines on defense will be former head coach Jack Osberg, who will serve on Haege's staff as defensive line coach. Osberg served eight seasons as Augsburg's defensive coordinator (1977-84) before returning as head coach for 14 seasons (1991-2004).

Osberg will inherit an experienced defensive line, led by returning starters Brandon Rudenick (Sr., Nicollet, Minn.) and Jake Schoenecker (So., New Prague, Minn.) in the interior. Rudenick collected 42 tackles (16 solo) and 8.5 tackles-for-loss last season, while Schoenecker had 25 tackles (seven solo) and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Joining them will be Josh Corrigan (So., Cottage Grove, Minn./Park HS), who missed last season due to injury.

On the outside of the defensive line, several players return with significant experience -- returning starters Derick Kelly (Jr., Blaine, Minn.), Genshi Tezuka (So., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS), and reserve Alex Glasenapp (So., Minneapolis, Minn./South HS). Adam Viehauser (So., Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) returns to the defensive line, and will be joined by newcomers Ben Austin (Jr., St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS), Josh Collins (Fr., Rosemount, Minn.), Erik Fossum (Fr., Burnsville, Minn.), Alex Foster (Fr., Estelline, S.D.), Matt Litherland (Fr., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) and Harvey Short (So., Milwaukee, Wis./James Madison HS).

Despite losing multiple all-conference player Mike Matson to graduation, Augsburg's linebacking corps will be experienced. Starter Andrew Bergeson (So., Red Wing, Minn.) returns after having a strong season last year. Bergeson finished third on the team in total tackles with 65 (25 solo). Donovan Bates (Jr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) transfers to Augsburg after earning Minnesota Community College Conference All-Southern Division first-team honors twice and NJCAA All-Region 13 first-team honors last season at Central Lakes College (Brainerd, Minn.). He could step into the vacancy left by Matson, Haege noted.

Tony Landecker (So., Breezy Point, Minn./Brainerd HS) will shift from defensive back to linebacker this season, and newcomer Dan Brandt (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) could also contend right away for time at the position. Other players who will compete for time at linebacker include: returners Carl Bratsch (So., Gaylord, Minn./Sibley East HS), Chris Francis (So., Hudson, Wis.), A.J. Queck (So., Coon Rapids, Minn.), Adam Ebert (So., Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS), Brian Pearson (So., Jordan, Minn.) and John Welty (Sr., Edina, Minn.); and newcomers Jake Kolling (Fr., St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS), Adam Mead (Fr., St. Francis, Minn.) and Kyle Potswald (Fr., Esko, Minn.).

In the defensive backfield, Garrett Adamson (Jr., White Bear Lake, Minn./Hill-Murray HS) transferred to Augsburg from St. John's, but missed all of last season due to injury. The multiple high school all-conference and 2003 all-state first-team selection is healthy this season and should be the prime candidate for the free safety position, Haege said. Joining him at strong safety will be returning starter Andy Roff (So., Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS), who finished second on the team in tackles last season (66, 26 solo). Rodney Powell (So., Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS), Justin Reese (Sr., Missouri City, Texas/Westbury Christian HS) and Tyler Judkins (So., Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) will return to contend for the cornerback spots.

Sean Kelly (Jr., Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS), who finished fourth on the team in tackles (62, 26 solo) last year, will shift from linebacker to the defensive backfield, and will be joined by returners Matt Solberg (So., Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS), Tony Morelli (So., St. Paul, Minn./Johnson HS) and Mark Goers (So., Jefferson, Wis./Lake Mills HS). Newcomers Jake Allen (Fr., Redwood Falls, Minn./Redwood Valley HS), Dane Bates (Fr., White Bear Lake, Minn.), Jack Christopherson (Fr., Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo HS), Ben Ezidiegwu (Fr., Richfield, Minn.), Christian Schlecht (So., St. Paul, Minn./Arlington HS), Joe Simpson (Fr., North St. Paul, Minn.) and David Tilton (Fr., Anoka, Minn.) will also compete for time in the defensive backfield.

Special teams: New kickoff placement
A new rule change this season will place kickoffs at the 30-yard line instead of the 35, putting a premium on kickers with strong legs. Haege said that returner Luom Seidenkranz (So., Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) should fit the bill, and will also fill placekicking duties this season. Freshman defensive back Christopherson was both a punter and kicker at Osseo HS, and will likely fill the Auggies' punting duties this season, Haege noted.

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Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

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