2000 Tommie football preview

August 15, 2000
2000 St. Thomas Football Preview

Thus far in 2000, Don Roney has traveled to Cuba and made a return trip to the NCAA Division III baseball championship game as the St. Thomas pitching coach. Now is his third season as the Tommies' football head coach, Roney is hoping to end the calendar year with another splash.

The football Tommies have come close to breakthrough years in each of the last four seasons -- with three MIAC runner-up finishes and a 30-10 overall record in that span. UST remained in the NCAA Division III playoff race until the final day of the 1999 season. They lost to three foes with a combined 27-7 record in their 7-3 finish, and led the MIAC in fewest yards allowed.

St. Thomas has four prime areas to shore up on a team that returns 11 of 24 starters and has just 12 seniors on its 117-man roster. On the graduation front, UST lost eight defensive starters; the entire interior offensive line from tackle to tackle; and also said goodbye to three-year starting quarterback, Greg Kaiser, and his three-year backup, Andy Juntunen. The Toms also need to get more consistency in their kicking game.

The Toms will certainly miss the leadership and clutch play of Kaiser, an Academic All-American, NCAA Postgraduate Scholar, and track and field All-American in the javelin. Kaiser completed a school-record 61.5% of his career passes for 6,439 yards, with 54 TD passes and 23 interceptions. He had nine career games of 275 or more passing yards and threw at least one TD pass in 27 of his 29 career starts. He also ran for 15 career TDs (nine in 1999). UST was 20-6 in Kaiser's 26 career MIAC starts, and he directed second-half or overtime comeback victories in six of those 20 wins. A finalist for 1999 conference MVP, Kaiser was selected MIAC Offensive Player of the Week three times and first-team all-conference all three seasons.Kaiser is ranked 21st in NCAA Division III career passing efficiency.

But the Kaiser family tradition will continue with junior defensive end Andy Kaiser (Career: 117 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three fumbles recoveries, two interceptions), an All-America candidate, and freshman linebacker John Kaiser, who represented Mora High in the Minnesota Shrine All-Star Game.

Roney and veteran offensive coordinator George Wemeier have the potential for a another big-play offense, with an impressive stable of running backs, receivers and tight ends.

Two upperclassmen lead the quarterback race. Junior transfer Nick Ambrasas was a recruited walk-on at Minnesota who traveled one season with the Gophers. The 6-2, 200-pound prep all-stater passed for 19 TDs and 1,800-plus yards as a senior at St. Paul Arlington after starting his career at Faribault's Bethlehem Academy. He'll be challenged by the athletic Alex Jadin, a 6-1, 175-pound sophomore who was UST's top punt returner in 1999.

The Tommies have three experienced running backs:
--senior fullback Mike Westland (Career: 79 receptions, 792 yards, 4 TDs), who sat out the 1999 season with a hamstring injury.
--senior halfback Marcus Ludtke (Career: 1,523 rushing yards, 6 TDs)
--and Jake Barkley (1999: 5 TDs, 365 rushing yards, 20 receptions for 294 yards)
Junior Brent Nelson, the 1999 starter at fullback, will move to defensive end.

The top two tight ends from 1999 are back -- juniors Jon Learn (25 catches, 274 yards, 4 TDs) and Ty Whitney (Career: 3 TDs, 11 catches, 145 yards).

A promising offensive line will helpd with the addition of 6-5, 265-pound sophomore Matt McLoughlin, a transfer from the university of Minnesota. Junior center Shaun Harrington and sophomores Joe Moline, Logan Kane, Blake Norman and Justin Wallick also will anchor the line.

At wide receiver, sophomore Justin Hall (42 catches, 590 yards, 3 TDs) should have another big season. Hall, a two-time All-American in track and field, was the 2000 MIAC 400-meter dash champion. He missed the 1998-99 athletic year with a broken foot.

Sophomore Andrew Hilliard (17 catches, 208 yards) and junior Brian Brenberg (15 catches, 184 yards) also return.

Defensively, the Toms' graduation losses included All-American safety Steve Nolander (Career: 16 INTs, 3 TDs, six fumble recoveries, 188 tackles) and linebacker Blane Tetreault (3-year career: 225 tackles, eight INTs, 6.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries).

The defensive line will be led by Andy Kaiser and three other juniors - ends Conor Casey (1999: 31 tackles, three sacks) and converted-fullback Nelson, and tackle Aaron Johnson (Career: 69 tackles, nine sacks). Senior cornerback Brett Gjovik (1999: 21 tackles, eight break-ups, three fumble recoveries) is the lone returner in the secondary.

Among the candidates at linebacker are two 1999 special teams standouts -- sophomores Rick Joslin and Sean O'Leary - and sophomore transfer Joe Fritze of Division II North Dakota State.

UST opens its season Sept. 9 at Bemidji State, an 8-3 team last season. The Toms begin MIAC play Sept. 16 at home against Concordia-Moorhead. They also get MIAC favorite St. John's at home Sept. 30.

The Toms play just four home games in 2000, but have a nine-game MIAC winning streak away from home, including a 5-0 record in 1999.

The Tommies will become just the third Minnesota team to play its 800th varsity football game when they host Macalester Oct. 21 for Homecoming. Carleton's 800th game is Sept. 23 at home vs. the Tommies. St. Thomas' total of 466 all-time football wins ranks second to the Minnesota Gophers among all Minnesota colleges and universities.


University of St. Thomas Quick Facts
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Founded: 1885
Enrollment for 1999-2000: 10,955 (5,500 undergrad, 5,455 graduate)
Nickname: "Tommies" or "Toms"
Colors: Purple & Gray
Stadium: O'Shaughnessy Stadium
Capacity: 5,000
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
President: Reverend Dennis Dease
Athletic Director: Steve Fritz
Athletic Phone: 651-962-5900

History
First Year of Football: First varsity season 1913
All-Time Bowl/Playoff Record: 1-2-1
Years in Post-Season Play: 3 (1948, 1983, 1990)
Last Postseason Game: 1990 NCAA 2nd round (33-32 loss to Central)
All-Time W-L Record: 466-293-34

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Don Roney
Alma Mater/Year: St. Thomas '84
Record at School: Starting 3rd season, 14-6, .700
Career Record: Same
Head Coach's Office Phone: 651-962-5908
Best Time to Reach Coach: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Asst. Coaches:
Bill Burke (Def. coordinator), Dan Green (DL), Dick Rinehart (DL/Sp. Teams), Jesse Moyer (LBs), Dick Crandall (DBs), Trent Hanson (DBs), George Wemeier (Off. coordinator), Tom Flood (WRs), Clint Ewald (OL), Jaime Sherwood (OL), Jeff Hoffman (RBs), Rob McCarthy (DEs), Chris Chappuis (TEs)

Sports Information
SID: Gene McGivern
Office Phone: 651-962-5903
Home Phone: 651-686-6399
SID Fax: 651-962-5910
Press Box Phone: 651-962-5938
E-Mail: ejmcgivern@stthomas.edu
Athletic Website: www.stthomas.edu/tommies

1999 Game-by-Game Results
(7-3 O'all, 7-2 MIAC)
Date Opponent Site Result
9/11 Bemidji State Home L, 14-24
9/18 St. Olaf Away W, 33-3
9/25 St. John's Home L, 18-34
10/2 Gustavus Away W, 18-17
10/9 Macalester Home W, 60-14
10/16 Carleton Home W, 27-6
10/23 Augsburg Away W, 30-20
10/30 Bethel Home L, 20-22
11/5 Concordia-M'head Away W, 22-7
11/11 Hamline Metrodome W, 13-3

2000 Varsity Schedule
Sat. 9/9 Bemidji State Away 1:30 p.m.
Sat. 9/16 Conc.-M'head Home 1 p.m.
Sat. 9/23 Carleton Away 1 p.m.
Sat. 9/30 St. John's Home 1 p.m.
Sat. 10/7 Augsburg Away 1 p.m.
Sat. 10/14 St. Olaf Away 1 p.m.
Sat. 10/21 Macalester Home 1 p.m.
Sat. 10/28 Gustavus Away 1 p.m.
Fri. 11/3 Bethel Metrodome 8 p.m.
Sat. 11/11 Hamline Home 1 p.m.

2000 Junior-Varsity Schedule
Mon. 9/11 Bethel Home 6:30 p.m.
Sun. 9/17 Hamline Away 2 p.m.
Mon. 10/9 Augsburg Home 7 p.m.
Sun. 10/15 St. Olaf Away 2 p.m.
Mon. 10/30 Gustavus Away 4 p.m.

Player & Team Information
Overall Record Last Year: 7-3
Conference Record/Finish: 7-2, tie for 2nd
Letterwinners Returning: 66
Letterwinners Lost: 30
Starters Returning: Offense (6), Defense (4), Specialty (1)

Returning Starters/Key Reserves
--Jake Barkley, Soph, HB (1999: 5 TDs, 365 rushing yards, 20 receptions for 294 yards)
--Josh Brand, Senior, PK (1999: 14-of-21 PATs, 6-of-12 FGs)
--Brent Nelson, Junior, DE (1999 starter at fullback).
--Brian Brenberg, Junior, WR, (1999: 15 catches, 184 yards)
--Conor Casey, Junior, DE (1999: 31 tackles, 3 sacks)
--Brett Gjovik, Senior, CB, (1999: 21 tackles, 8 break-ups, 3 fum. recoveries)
--Justin Hall, Soph, WR, (1999: 42 catches, 590 yards, 3 TDs. 2X relay All-American in track and field)
--Andrew Hilliard, Soph, WR, (1999: 17 catches, 208 yards)
--Alex Jadin, Soph, QB-KR (1999: 31 punt returns, 222 yards, 1 TD)
--Aaron Johnson, Junior, DT (Career: 69 tackles, 9 sacks)
--Andy Kaiser, Junior, DE (Career: 117 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 3 fum. recoveries, 2 INTs)
--Marcus Ludtke, Senior, HB (Career: 1,523 rushing yards, 6 TDs)
--Jon Learn, Junior, TE (1999: 25 catches, 274 yards, 4 TDs)
--Joe Moline, Soph, OT, 6-2, 325 (1999: part-time starter)
--Mike Westland, Senior, FB (Career: 79 receptions, 792 yards, 4 TDs. missed 1999 with hamstring injury)
--Ty Whitney, Junior, TE: (Career: 3 TDs, 11 catches, 145 yards)

Key Newcomers
--Nick Ambrasas, QB, Junior, St. Paul Arlington (transfer from U of M Gophers)
--Matt McLoughlin, OL, Soph, Minnetonka, 6-5, 265 (transfer from U of M)
--Joe Fritze, LB-SS, Sophomore, Eagan (transfer from North Dakota State)
--John Kaiser, LB, Freshman, Mora (Minnesota Shrine All-Star Game)

Key Losses
--Greg Kaiser, QB, Grad (Career: 3X All-MIAC, completed 61.5% of passes for 6,439 yards, 54 TD passes, 23 INTs, 9 career games of 275-plus passing yards)
--Steve Nolander, FS, Grad (Career: 16 interceptions, 3 TDs, 6 fum. recoveries, 188 tackles, 1998 All-American)
--Blane Tetreault, LB, Grad: (3-year Career: 225 tackles, 8 INTs, 6.5 sacks, 6 fum. recoveries)

St. Thomas Series Records:
All-Time Records vs. Opponents

Augsburg 45-8-2
Bethel 14-7-1
Carleton 17-11-2
Concordia-M'head 25-32-0
Gustavus 33-33-2
Hamline 46-22-1
Macalester 68-19-3
St. John's 29-38-1
St. Olaf 30-12-2

2000 UST Preseason Roster/Updated Aug. 23

Returning PlayersNo Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
1 *Alex Jadin QB SO 6-0 185 Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame
2 *Andrew Hilliard WR SO 5-11 175 Woodbury
3 *Jake Barkley RB SO 5-8 195 Plymouth/Robb. Armstrong
7 **Brian Brenberg WR JR 6-2 200 Wyoming/Forest Lake
8 **Connell Nolan FS JR 5-10 175 Burnsville
9 ***Mike Westland (C) FB SR 6-1 225 Albert Lea

11 **Mike Zinda LB JR 5-11 190 North St. Paul
16 *Justin Fatheree DB SO 6-4 200 Somerset, Wis.
17 *Paul Delaney RB SO 6-0 210 Waconia
18 *Nick Vagle WR SO 5-11 185 Mpls./Washburn
19 *Chris Potts WR SO 6-0 175 LaGrange, Ill./Lyons

20 *Nick Whitehead RB SO 6-0 215 East Bethel/St. Francis
20 **Mike Kline K JR 6-0 175 Rochester/Mayo
22 ***Marcus Ludtke (C) RB SR 5-11 195 Albert Lea
24 ***Brett Gjovik (C) CB SR 6-1 200 New Richmond, Wis.
25 *Tim Flanigan LB SO 5-10 195 New York Mills
27 **Matt Boro CB JR 6-0 185 Fairmont
28 *Quinn Brennan RB SO 5-9 195 Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame

30 *Phil Remes RB SO 5-10 200 Northfield
31 **Nick Halvorson CB SR 6-0 185 Woodbury
35 *Ryan Schoenecker WR SO 6-4 205 Sartell
36 *Anthony Hedlof CB SO 6-1 185 Blomkest/Willmar
38 *Brant Lagoon K SO 6-2 180 White Bear Lake
39 **Bob Hannah LB JR 6-1 195 Cottage Grove/Park

41 **Nate Morrisette CB JR 5-11 180 Oakdale/Hill-Murray
42 ***Tom Eldridge RB SR 5-8 175 Sun Prairie, Wis.
44 *Brent Nelson DE JR 6-3 245 Hibbing
47 *Tony Shaw LB JR 5-10 190 Richfield
48 **Brian Sykes LB JR 6-1 205 Woodbury
49 *Sean O'Leary LB SO 6-0 225 Wisc. Rapids, Wis./Lincoln

50 *Rick Joslin LB SO 6-3 215 Cambridge/Cambridge-Isanti
51 ***Nick Johnson OG SR 6-0 265 Bloomington/Jefferson
52 **Shaun Harrington C JR 5-11 280 LeRoy/LeRoy-Ostrander
53 *Marshall Clamons LB SO 5-11 195 St. Paul/Cretin-Derham Hall
54 *Steve Jakala DL SO 6-2 245 International Falls
55 **Matt LeFevour LB JR 6-1 200 Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey
56 *Neil McCallum LB SO 5-11 205 Chicago, Ill./St. Viator
57 *Paul Cullen OG SO 5-11 200 Coon Rapids
59 *Marshall Metli LB SO 6-3 215 Grand Junction, Colo.

63 **Andy Deans OT JR 5-10 230 Pine Springs
65 *Mike Varpness DL JR 6-4 235 Bloomington/Richfield
68 ***Josh O'Neill DL SR 6-3 250 Lakeville
69 *Frank Orton C SO 6-0 220 Walker

72 *Logan Kane OT SO 6-5 293 Inver Grove Hts./So. St. Paul
73 *Justin Wallick OT SO 6-0 255 Bloomington/Kennedy
74 *Blake Norman OT SO 6-5 255 Brooklyn Park/Totino-Grace
77 ***Andrew Restrepo OG SR 5-11 300 Plymouth/Wayzata
78 *Joe Moline OG SO 6-2 325 Duluth/Central
79 *Dan Koenig OG JR 6-2 240 Richfield/Holy Angels

80 ***Pete Cullen TE SR 6-1 200 Coon Rapids
82 *Ryan Galindo WR SO 6-2 185 Mpls./Washburn
83 *Mark Detviler TE SO 6-3 230 St. Paul/St. Bernards
84 *Justin Hall WR SO 6-2 190 Maplewood/Tartan
85 *Justin Buoen TE SO 6-1 210 Arden Hills/Irondale
86 *Jon Learn TE JR 6-2 210 Red Wing
87 *Josh Brand PK SR 6-0 185 Shoreview/Totino-Grace
88 **Ty Whitney TE JR 6-3 220 Golden Valley/R. Armstrong
89 *Jude Schmit WR SO 6-2 195 Mpls./Totino-Grace

90 **Conor Casey DE JR 6-4 225 Washburn, Wis.
91 *Mark Farrington DL SO 6-1 220 Burnsville
92 *Derek Rizzo DT SO 6-0 230 International Falls
93 **Aaron Johnson DT JR 6-4 255 Duluth/Central
No Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
95 ***Joe Loftus TE SR 6-2 225 Coon Rapids/Totino-Grace
96 **Andy Kaiser (C) DL JR 6-4 255 Mora
99 **Mike Leiss DE SR 6-2 235 Mpls./Roosevelt
(C)-co-captains *MIAC letters won

Newcomers (43)
John Kolnik OL FR 6-2 255 Park Cottage Grove
Matt McLoughlin OL SO 6-5 265 Minnetonka
Matt Schwartz OL FR 6-1 252 White Bear Lake
Nick Ambrasas QB JR 6-2 205 St. Paul Arlington/U of M
Jesse Baker QB FR 6-1 180 Duluth/East
Shaun Chesley QB FR 6-4 210 Windom
Dan Fritze QB FR 6-0 180 Eagan
Justin Quade QB 6-0 185
Adam Aaro RB FR 5-11 185 Stillwater
Alex Blissenbach RB JR 5-9 200 Woodbury/Holy Angels
Jorgen Booker RB FR 6-0 230 Duluth/East
Justin Kostner RB FR 6-0 185 Arcadia, Wis.
Rob Lessard RB FR 6-0 190 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (Ia.)
Bill Paone RB FR 5-11 170 Mounds View/Irondale
Michael Streff RB FR 5-8 180 Burnsville
Brent Kleffman TE 6-3 205 Hibbing CC
Ben Setterlund TE JR 6-2 225 Duluth/East
Zafeer Baber DE FR 6-0 190 Andover/St. Paul Academy
Kyle Davenport WR-P FR 6-4 160 Marquette, Mich.
Luke Miller WR FR 6-2 185 Brooklyn Park/Park Center
Mitch Nelson WR FR 6-1 185 Mpls./DeLaSalle
Pat Rosenquist WR FR 6-0 170 Grand Forks (N.D.) Central
Nate Kovacevich DB FR 6-1 180 Rice Lake, Wis.
Jason Larson DB SO 5-9 160 Maplewood/Tartan
Matt Meunier DB FR 5-10 175 Brooklyn Park/Osseo
Justin Mullikin DB FR 6-0 175 Rice Lake, Wis.
Jon Rasmussen DB FR 5-10 175 Anoka
Dave Saber DB FR
Mike Leahy DE FR 6-2 210 Chicoppe, Mass.
Paul Weisz DE FR 6-0 210 Rocori
Kevin Geraghty LB FR 5-10 185 Mendota Heights/St. Thomas Acad.
Jared Nelson LB FR 6-0 190 Lindstrom/Chisago Lakes
Dane Sievwright LB FR 6-0 205 Rosemount
Joe Fritze LB SO 6-1 205 Eagan/North Dakota State
Chris Husby LB-K FR 6-0 180 Robbinsdale Armstrong
Joe Johnson LB FR 6-0 165 Burnsville
John Kaiser LB FR 6-2 200 Mora
Luke Wippler LB FR 6-3 195 Vadnais Heights/White Bear Lake
Andy Clark K FR 6-0 165 American School (Japan)
Jon Just K FR 5-11 175 Chaska
Caio Malta K FR 6-2 230 Brazil/
Brian Lynch K SO 6-8 190 Mpls./DeLaSalle

Head Coach: Don Roney (starting 3rd year, 14-6)
Asst. Coaches: George Wemeier (Off. Coor.), Clint Ewald (OL), Jaime Sherwood (OL), Tom Flood (WR), Jeff Hoffman (RBs), Chris Chappuis (TEs), Bill Burke (Def. Coor.), Dan Green (DL), Rob McCarthy (DE), Jesse Moyer (LBs), Santino Jenkins (LBs), Dick Crandall (DBs), Dick Rinehart (Sp. Tm.), Trent Hanson (DBs).

Equipment Manager -- Willy McCoy Head Trainer -- Roger Casey, Jr.