1. University of Dubuque
2. News and Events
3. News Archive
4. 2015-16

Football Prepares for #9 Johnnies

Sep 4, 2015

Live Video feed from St. John's

Live Audio from the voice of the Spartans, Tm Lary

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team will be looking to put last year's season 4-6 season in their rearview mirror as they travel this week to face the #9-ranked Saint John's University Johnnies on their home field in Collegville, Minn. Clemen's Stadium at Saint John's, a former cranberry marsh, most recently noted for being in Sports Illustrated magazine's Top-10 "Dream Destinations" in all of college football. The atmosphere will provide a fun loud, packed house up to 13,000 fans for the opener.

The Spartans are excited to start the 2015 season. The Spartans return eight starters on defense and seven starters on offense. They also return their kicker, long snapper, and holder on special teams.

The UD defense is highlighted by the return of their Top-5 linebackers, anchored by two-time first team All-IIAC selection Blaine Snitker, who is returning for his senior year. Also returning is last year’s leader in tackles and 19 game starter, Trevor Stauner. Chad Sadowski and Everett Schwer are two more returning seniors with starting experience at linebacker, and Dylan Hastings has also seen playing time for the Spartans.

The defensive line returns Mac Mahmens, Will Hudson, and Second Team All-IIAC selection Zach Marotta. All three have combined for more than 50 starts over the past three seasons. Larry Harleston, Quintell Wilson, Justin Wilson, Dan Pike, Cole Wentworth, and Javar Tucker will give the Spartans added depth on the defensive line.

The biggest question for the Spartans defense is the secondary. Oscar White, an All-IIAC performer, returns at one corner position with 2014 starter Durrell Mitchell on the other side. Michael Joseph and Jordan Pacheco also return, adding depth to the corner position. There will be three new players; sophomores Cody Binicewicz, Derek Trotter, and Derek Schambow, competing for the two safety positions. Converted quarterback Austin Baden will also be in the mix at safety. 

Offensively, the quarterback position is wide open for this fall with Conor Feckley and Hagan Ackley returning from last year’s squad. The Spartans are also bringing in a number of promising freshmen to compete for the Spartans.

The wide receiver position has both returning veterans and promising newcomers. Senior Chris Bagley, a second team All-IIAC selection, returns along with sophomore Dylan Schultz; both were starters for the Spartans a year ago. Johnny Duarte, Najee Toomer, Dante Marski, and DuVaun Goodlow all return and will compete to get on the field in 2015.

One of the most promising positions for the Spartans is the running back position. Returning are Alec Arvanitakis, Dai Von Vance-Jenkins, and Le’Devin Smith. All started multiple games in the backfield a year ago as freshmen.

On the offensive line, the Spartans return four starters Ben DeLange, Dominique Ravenell, Pat Cusack, and Tanner Bronkema. Both Dom and Tanner have received some pre-season recognition as possible All-Americans. Kyle Andresen also saw playing time a year ago and has a chance to start this season.

At tight end, the Spartans return senior Tyler Santeler and sophomore Trenton Curry, both of whom will compete to be the starter in 2015.

The special teams are an exciting part of the 2015 Spartans. Curtis Prull, a second team All-IIAC pick a year ago, comes back for his final season. Lucas Walzak returns for his second season at long snapper. The 2015 punter will be a newcomer to UD. Overall the Spartans have to develop depth at almost every position to compete for the IIAC title and against a tough non-conference schedule.

The Saint John's University football team was predicted to repeat as conference champions in the 2015 MIAC Preseason Coaches' poll released Monday, Aug. 24. The Johnnies, who are ranked ninth nationally by D3football.com, received seven of the nine first-place votes and 63 total points to finish atop the poll. St. Thomas received two first-place votes to finish five points behind in second. 

The Johnnies are expected to return 17 of their 24 starters (eight on offense, seven on defense and both special-teams specialists) this fall. Their top returners include: Josh Bungum (WR, Sr. | 2014 All-MIAC first-team selection as a returner…2013 and 2014 All-MIAC second-team pick as a wide receiver…led the team in receptions (29) and receiving yards (420), and averaged 11.5 yards on 11 punt returns…finished third on the team with 300 rushing yards on 66 carries (4.5 avg.)…enters his senior season with 155 career receptions (fifth in school history) for 1,785 yards (10^th); Carter Hanson (LB, Jr. | 2014 D3football.com All-West Region second team…All-MIAC first team…2014 MIAC Elite 22 Award recipient…posted six or more tackles in 10 of his final 11 games in 2014, leading the Johnnies in three categories: solo (55), assisted (45) and total (100)…also led the Johnnies with 7.5 tackles for a loss and tied for the team lead in both forced fumbles (2) and fumble recoveries (3)…begins the 2015 season with 142 total tackles (82 solo) in his last 17 games going back to the 2013 season); and Sam Sura (RB, Sr. | 2014 consensus first-team All-American…2014 MIAC Most Valuable Player…2014 Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist…ended the regular season as the NCAA Division III leader in rushing yards and finished second in rushing yards per game despite not playing in the equivalent of two full games…finished with a school-record 1,769 rushing yards).

SJU begins its 105th football season against UD which looks to be a great match-up for the thousands of fans

The Iowa Conference 2015 schedule opens Friday, September 4 with Luther traveling to Wisconsin-La Crosse. The rest of the conference begins play on Saturday, September 5, with Coe hosting Wheaton (Ill.), Buena Vista visiting Wisconsin-Platteville, Dubuque plays at Saint John's (Minn.), Loras ventures to Elmhurst and Wisconsin-River Falls visits Simpson in afternoon games. Two Saturday season-openers will be played under the lights as Central hosts Benedictine (Ill.) and Wartburg hosts Augsburg in the annual "Battle of the 'Burgs.".
 
The 2015 Iowa Conference schedule opens October 3 with Buena Vista at Simpson, Coe at Loras, Luther at Dubuque and Central at Wartburg.