2004 Football Preview Posted on August 26th, 2004 by

Head Coach Jay Schoenebeck will rely on nine returning starters and 25 letterwinners to lead the 2004 Gustavus Adolphus College football team as it looks to contend for the conference title. The defense, which returns six starters and a total of 11 players who contributed significantly a year ago, may need to carry the load early in the season while a young offense works through some growing pains. The Gusties will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2003 season which saw the team post a record of 4-6 overall and 4-4 (fourth place) in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

The big question mark on the offensive side is at quarterback where the Gusties do not return a player who has played in a varsity collegiate game. Last year’s starter Sean Smith has graduated and junior Matt Royer, who backed up Smith, suffered a career ending knee injury. As a result, the Gusties head into the season without an experienced quarterback. In spite of a lack of experience, Schoenebeck feels that one of or more of his young quarterbacks are capable of stepping in and leading this team. Two upperclassmen that played on the junior varsity last year will get a serious look. That duo includes junior A.J. Bouquet (6-2, 200, Rochester, Minn./Mayo) and sophomore Jacob Mehr (6-2, 175, Aitkin, Minn.). In addition, Schoenebeck will also consider two talented newcomers, Jordan Stolp (6-3, 185) from Mankato (Minn.) West and Kraig Olson (6-4, 185) from Blooming Prairie, Minn.

The Gusties appear to be strong at running back as junior Drew Stifter (Watertown, Minn.) returns after a sophomore campaign where he rushed for 610 yards on 161 carries earning second team all-conference honors. He missed the final two games of the season with an ankle injury, but showed that he is very capable of leading the Gustie rushing attack. Joining Stifter in the backfield will be sophomore Jerry Millan (Ham Lake, Minn./Totino Grace), who battled injuries through the first five games of last season, but finished strong rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the final four games. Stifter is a very versatile back who is comfortable catching the ball and blocking, while Millan is the classic power runner with the size and speed to run off tackle as well as around the corners.

The offensive line returns two quality starters in left tackle Joe Atkinson (6-5, 290, Lake Crystal, Minn.) and right tackle Anders Haugen (6-5, 295, Kenyon, Minn.). Atkinson, a second team all-conference selection last season, will anchor the left side, while Haugen gives the Gusties a veteran presence on the right side. Both players started all 10 games last season. The interior of the line is a question mark and several players will battle for starting positions during pre-season practices. Senior Brian Trussell (5-10, 220, Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) and junior Joe Cupka (6-2, 275, Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo) will challenge for the left guard spot, while junior Marc Iverson (6-4, 280, Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) and sophomore Andy Klaers (6-5, 280, Delano, Minn.) will work to earn the starting right guard spot. Junior Dan Tiegen (6-0, 250, Shoreview, Minn./Totino Grace), who missed all of last season with a knee injury, looks to be the starter at center.

At tight end, junior Jamie Germscheid (6-5, 220, Madison Lake, Minn./Cleveland) will compete with sophomore Andrew Dammann (6-3, 220, Hutchinson, Minn.) for the starting nod. Both players saw some action last season, but neither registered a catch. Senior Sean Smith (6-2, 190, Plymouth, Minn./Totino Grace) will lead a relatively young group at wide receiver. Smith played in eight games last season and made six catches for 69 yards. Others expected to challenge for playing time are junior Clint Riegelman (6-4, 200, Red Wing, Minn.) along with sophomores Patrick Weineke (6-5, 205, Jackson, Minn.), Marcus Schmit (6-3, 190, Red Wing, Minn.), and Kerry Zajicek (6-3, 185, Glenco, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake). Freshman Tom Johnson (6-3, 195) from Mankato West High School could also work his way into the playing rotation.

While the defensive unit returns six starters, one key new face will be defensive coordinator Lance Taylor. Taylor, who coordinated the Gustie defense during the 1997 and 1998 seasons, returns after serving as the athletic director for the Little Chute Area Schools near Appleton, Wisconsin for the past five years. Taylor’s defense will feature three returning starters on the line including defensive ends Karl Spilseth (6-4, 250, Willmar, Minn.) and Kris Storvick (6-3, 235, Mankato, Minn./West) along with tackle Nick David (5-9, 270, Morristown, Minn./Waterville-Elysian-Morristown). This trio helped the Gusties lead the MIAC in sacks last year with 29. Spilseth recorded 34 tackles with four sacks, while Storvick recorded 36 tackles and three sacks. David, who moved into the starting lineup in the middle of last year finished with 10 tackles and one sack. Chris Cornwell (6-3, 258, St. Paul Park, Minn./Park), who appeared in five games last year and recorded six tackles and one sack, will move into the other starting tackle position. At linebacker, senior Isaac Sieling (6-2, 220, Watertown, Minn.) returns after leading the squad in tackles a year ago with 98. Sieling is a three-year regular for the Gusties who is considered one of the top linebackers in the league. Two returning veterans will battle for the starting strong side linebacker position. Juniors Jay Frederickson (6-3, 220, Blue Earth, Minn.) and Justin Redfield (5-9. 195, Moorhead, Minn.) played significantly last year with Frederickson contributing 15 tackles and Redfield 10. Both players have battled injuries during their careers and Taylor hopes they can stay healthy this year. The weak side linebacker spot looks to be a battle between sophomores Adam Miron (6-0, 215, Princeton, Minn.) and Taylor Beahrs (6-0, 200, North Oaks, Minn./Minnehaha Academy). Miron and Beahrs competed on the junior varsity as freshmen last season, but appear ready to step in as regulars this year.

Junior cornerback Loren Havemeier (5-10, 185, Sleepy Eye, Minn.) will anchor the defensive backfield. Havemeier recorded 34 tackles last season with three interceptions and seven pass break-ups. Sophomore Brian Evans (5-10, 175, Gaylord, Minn./Sibley East) is expected to fill the other cornerback position. Evans played in every game last season and recorded four tackles. Junior Tyler Ringquist (6-1, 190, Jackson, Minn.) returns at strong safety where he posted 55 tackles with two sacks and one interception a year ago. Junior Chris Thorson (6-0, 180, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) will move into the starting spot at free safety after recording eight tackles in eight games as a backup last year.

The Gusties will play a schedule that includes three teams ranked in the Division III pre-season Top Twenty. Coach Jay Schoenebeck’s squad will open against #14 Wheaton on the road on September 11 and then play at #2 Saint John’s on September 25. The Gusties will wrap up the season at #15 Bethel on November 13. The five-game home schedule includes Hamline on September 18, Concordia on October 2 (Homecoming),
St. Olaf on October 16, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on October 23 and the University of St. Thomas on October 30.

2003 FINAL STATISTICS

General Information
Name: Gustavus Adolphus College
Location: St. Peter, Minn.
Founded: 1862
Enrollment: 2,540
Nickname: Golden Gusties
School Colors: Black and Gold
Stadium: Hollingsworth Field
Capacity: 5,000
Affiliation: NCAA Div. III
President: Jim Peterson
Athletic Director: Al Molde
Athletic Phone: (507) 933-7617

History
First year of football: 1902
All-time bowl / play-off record: 0-3
Last postseason appearance / result: 1987/Lost to St. John’s 7-3
All-time record: 432-280-21

Sports Information
Sports Info Director: Tim Kennedy
Work Phone: (507) 933-7647
Email: timgasid@gustavus.edu
SID Fax: (507) 933-8412
Press Box phone: (507) 933-7404

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Jay Schoenebeck
Alma Mater / Year: Gustavus ’80
Record at school (years): 52-48-0
Career record: 52-48-0
Head Coach’s office phone: (507) 933-7611
Best time / day to reach coach: 10:00am – 10:30am Monday – Friday

Assistant Coaches
Defensive Coord.: Lance Taylor (UW-Platteville ’88)
Receivers/Special teams: Tom Brown (Augustana ’86)
Defensive Line: Brent Staples (Gustavus’99)
Defensive Backs: Dennis Raarup (Gustavus ’53)
Offensive Line: Gregg Roberts (Gustavus ’80)
Tight Ends: Bob Southworth (Gustavus ’99)
Running Backs: Chuck Larsen (Augsburg, ’71)
Linebackers: Travis Armstrong (Minnesota State, Mankato, ’96)

2004 Schedule
9/11 at Wheaton College, 1:00 pm
9/18 Hamline University, 1:00 pm
9/25 at St. John’s University, 1:00 pm
10/2 Concordia College, 1:00 pm
10/9 at Augsburg College, 1:00 pm
10/16 St. Olaf College, 1:00 pm
10/23 UW-Eau Claire, 1:00 pm
10/30 University of St. Thomas , 1:00 pm
11/6 at Carleton College, 1:00 pm
11/13 at Bethel College, 1:00 pm

2003 Game-by-Game Results
9/6 at Buena Vista University L 34-37 (OT)
9/13 Concordia College-Moorhead L 2-24
9/20 at Carleton College W 24-14
9/27 Augsburg College W 28-7
10/4 at St. John’s University L 13-35
10/11 University of St. Thomas W 21-0
10/18 at Bethel College L 26-40
10/25 Hamline University W 28-7
11/1 Azusa Pacific University L 10-23
11/8 St. Olaf College L 27-41

Gustavus vs. the MIAC
Series vs. Augsburg 50-12-0
Series vs. Bethel 14-11-0
Series vs. Carleton 12-14-3
Series vs. Concordia 40-30-2
Series vs. Hamline 50-21-0
Series vs. St. John’s 31-36-3
Series vs. St. Olaf 34-16-0
Series vs. St. Thomas 34-35-2

Player Information

Letterwinners returning: Total: 22
Letterwinners lost: Total: 29
Starters Returning: Offense: 3 Defense: 6

Key Returnees
Joe Atkinson (SR, OL, 6-5, 290) — Second Team All-Conference at right tackle
Anders Haugen (SR, OL, 6-5, 295) — Started all 10 games at left tackle
Loren Havemeier (JR, DB, 5-10, 185) — Finished 3rd in MIAC in punt returns (14.1)
Tyler Ringquist (JR, DB, 6-0, 185) – Second leading returning tackler with 55
Isaac Sieling (SR, LB, 6-2, 205)- Leading returning tackler with 98
Karl Spilseth (SR, DL, 6-4, 240) — Leading returner in sacks with four
Drew Stifter (JR, RB, 5-10, 190) — 2nd Team All-Conference, 610 yards rushing, 6 TD’s
Kris Storvick (SR, DL, 6-3, 222) — 36 tackles, 7 for loss and 3 sacks

All Returning Letterwinners
Joe Atkinson (JR, OL, 6-5, 290, Lake Crystal, MN)
Nate Clobes (SO, DL, 6-3, 210, Alexandria, MN)
Chris Cornwell (JR, DL, 6-2, 236, St. Paul Park, MN)
Nick David (SO, DL, 5-9, 270, Morristown, MN)
Brian Evans (SO, DB, 5-10, 175, Gaylord, MN)
Jay Frederickson (JR, LB, 6-3, 200, Blue Earth, MN)
Anders Haugen (SR, OL, 6-5, 295, Kenyon, MN)
Loren Havemeier (JR, DB, 5-10, 185, Sleepy Eye, MN)
Kevin Heglund (SO, DB, 6-1, 175, St. Michael, MN)
Mike Leonard (JR, P, 5-10, 190, Burnsville, MN)
Jerry Milan (SO, RB, 6-0, 220, Hamlake, MN)
Kase Niles (SO, K, 6-2, 170, Minnetonka, MN)
Justin Redfield (JR, LB, 5-10, 190, Moorhead, MN)
Clint Riegelman (JR, WR, 6-4, 210, Red Wing, MN)
Tyler Rinquist (JR, DB, 6-0, 185, Jackson, MN)
Isaac Sieling (SR, LB, 6-2, 205, Watertown, MN)
Sean Smith (SR, WR, 6-3, 180, Plymouth, MN)
Karl Spilseth (SR, DL, 6-4, 240, Wilmar, MN)
Drew Stifter (JR, RB, 5-10, 190, Watertown, MN)
Kris Storvick (SR, DL, 6-3, 222, Mankato, MN)
Chris Thorson (JR, DB, 6-0, 180, Shoreview, MN)
Kory Wermerskirchen (JR, FB, 6-0, 225, Sartell, MN)

Key Newcomers
Mitch Anderson (FY, RB, Sleepy Eye, MN)
Robert Bosfield (FY, RB, Eagan, MN)
Drew Hood (FY, DB, Mankato, MN
Tom Johnson (FY, WR, Mankato, MN)
Jordan Stolp (FY, QB, Mankato, MN)
Kraig Olson (FY, QB, Blooming Prairie, MN)
Jared Sieling (FY, LB, Watertown, MN)
Ian Ruple (FY, OL, Edina, MN)
Andy Klaers (SO, OL, Delano, MN)

 

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