Title:

UMD looks for two in a row in 2011

Subheadline: Defending national champions have plenty of company at top

Byline:

NCAA.com

Updated date:

Last Updated - August 26, 2011 10:05 GMT

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Electrifying Playmakers

Franklyn Quiteh
Bloomsburg
So. | RB | 5-10 | 197

Quiteh returns to Bloomsburg for his second collegiate season after he led all of Division II in rushing with 155.0 yards per game in 2010. He scored 22 touchdowns while becoming just the third freshman to gain more than 2,000 yards in a season (2,015). His season came as a surprise to many after starting fall practice as the third-string running back. But when the Huskies’ season ended in the second round of the 2010 playoffs, Quiteh found himself as one of only two runners in all of college football to rush for more than 2,000 yards.

Akeem Satterfield
Slippery Rock
Jr. | RB | 6-1 | 210

Key Notes:
• Led the PSAC and ranked second in Division II in scoring with 20 TDs
• Ran for 1,352 yards, the fifth-highest total in school history

Jake Soy
Northwest Missouri St.
Sr. | WR | 6-3 | 215

Key Notes:
• 2011 preseason first-team All-American
• Made 83 catches for 1,311 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010

Bo Cordell
Tusculum
Jr. | QB | 6-1 | 185

Key Notes:
• Led all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, II, III) in total offensive yards per game, passing yards per game and completions per game as a sophomore

Thomas Mayo
California (Pa.)
Sr. | WR | 6-2 | 200

Key Notes:
• First year with Vulcans after three years at Concord
• Ranked sixth in nation with 119.55 receiving yards per game while hauling in 14 touchdowns

Tommy Addison
Shepherd
Sr. | RB | 5-8 | 180

Key Notes:
• Ranked 12th in nation with 119.3 yards per game in helping Rams reach national semifinals
• Finished third with 19 rushing TDs

In the Trenches

Armonty Bryant
East Central
Sr. | DE | 6-4 | 250

Bryant was a D2Football.com First-Team All-American and Daktronics Second-Team All-American after finishing third in the nation with 13.5 sacks in 2010 — the most sacks by a defensive lineman in Division II. He was also among the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss with 19.

Richard Daniel
Wayne State (Neb.)
Sr. | DL | 6-2 | 225

Key Notes:
• Had 17.5 tackles for loss to lead the NSIC and rank 18th in DII
• Also recorded 9.5 sacks to rank 12th in the nation

Danny Richard
Grand Valley State
Sr. | DL | 6-4 | 255

Key Notes:
• Ranks near top of all-time defensive charts in Division II for both career TFLs (52.0 for 224 yards) and sacks (30.0 for 176 yards).

Kyle Thornton
North Alabama
Sr. | OL | 6-4 | 345

Key Notes:
• Earned honor as UNA’s offensive player of the year in 2010
• Played one season for Mack Brown at Texas (2004)

Amini Silatolu
Midwestern State
Sr. | OL | 6-3 | 320

Key Notes:
• Helped pave the way for Lone Star Conference’s best rushing attack (212.75 ypg)
• Named to four postseason All-American teams

Garth Heikkinen
Minnesota-Duluth
Jr. | OL | 6-4 | 305

Key Notes:
• Anchored O-line that helped fourth-best rushing attack in nation (275.8 ypg)
• Helped guide UMD to national title

Defending Interests

Shawn Loiseau
Merrimack
Sr. | LB | 6-1 | 245

Merrimack finished only 4-6 in 2010, but Loiseau returns to anchor a defense that looks to improve in 2011. The senior ranked second nationally and set a school record with 133 tackles. He also led Division II in solo tackles per game with 7.2. His best game came against Saint Anselm when he recorded 18 tackles (10 solo, 8 assists) including 3.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries.

Nate Dreiling
Pittsburg State
So. | LB | 6-4 | 218

Key Notes:
• Led nation with 160 total tackles as a freshman for an average of 13.33 per game
• Finished with 20.5 TFLs, seventh in the nation

Keon Robinson
Shepherd
Jr. | DB | 5-11 | 187

Key Notes:
• Led nation with 10 interceptions, including two returned for TDs
• Added 11 PBUs, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery

Zac Kallas
Augustana (S.D.)
Sr. | DB | 6-1 | 200

Key Notes:
• Tied for second in nation with eight interceptions including six in NSIC games
• Had six PBUs for 12 total passes defende

Nick McGahagan
Seton Hill
Sr. | LB | 6-0 | 220

Key Notes:
• Finished third in nation with 22.5 tackles for loss (2.05 per game)
• Ended season with 97 total tackles, 35th in the nation

Billy O’Connor
C.W. Post
Sr. | LB | 5-10 | 220

Key Notes:
• Named to preseason 2011 All-America team
• Led the PSAC with 125 total tackles, a mark that ranked fifth in the country

The Special Ones

Stephan Neville
Stonehill
Sr. | KR | 5-8 | 170

Neville tied a Division II record by scoring touchdowns on four kickoff returns in 2010. He was a first-team All-Northeast-10 Conference pick, and an All-New England selection. Thanks to his prowess on returns, Neville became Stonehill’s first All-American with his selection to the AFCA’s second team. The Massachusetts native averaged 29.73 yards per kickoff return, which was fifth in the nation.

Dan Fisher
Bloomsburg
So. | PK | 6-1 | 190

Key Notes:
• Made 20 of 24 field-goal attempts, third in Division II
• Also went 31 of 32 on PATs, while splitting kicking duties

Curtis Dewberry
Winona State
Sr. | PR | 5-8 | 185

Key Notes:
• Led Division II with a 20.4 yards per return on 12 punt returns
• Returned two punts for TDs including 84-yard scamper

Taylor Accardi
Colorado Mines
Jr. | P | 6-2 | 205

Key Notes:
• Finished second in nation by averaging 45.39 yards with his 57 punts last season
• Preseason Honorable-Mention All-American

L.J. McCray
Catawba
Jr. | KR | 6-1 | 200

Key Notes:
• Led nation with a 32.45 yards-per-kickoff return average
• Ran back two kickoffs for TDs including one for 99 yards

Josh Montgomery
North Alabama
Jr. | K | 5-8 | 168

Key Notes:
• Finished with one of highest field goal percentages in nation, converting 12 of 14 in 2010
• Also made 45 of 48 PATS

Keep an Eye on These Programs
Minnesota-Duluth Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Chase Vogler (Jr., QB, 1,913 passing yards, 24 total TDs) Defense — Cameron Harper (Jr., DB, 92 tackles, 5 INT, 4 PBU). Noting the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs went 15-0 in 2010, en route to the program’s second national championship in three seasons. With do-it-all quarterback Chase Vogler back, UMD will look to once again be one of the top rushing attacks in the nation after averaging 275.8 yards on the ground. Minnesota-Duluth also finished with the 12th ranked defense in the country, allowing opponents only 260.67 yards per game. Delta State Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Micah Davis (Sr., QB, 4,097 passing yards, 33 TDs) Defense — Xavier Triplett (So., LB, 100 tackles, 12 TFL). Noting the Statesmen: The Statesmen fell one win short of claiming their first national title since 2000, losing the 2010 national championship game to Minnesota-Duluth. Delta State returns one of the most prolific passers in college football — Micah Davis. The Statesmen sported the 12th-best offense in the nation a year ago and return second-leading rusher Brandon Lucas, who found the end zone 11 times on the ground. Northwest Missouri State Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Jake Soy (WR, Sr., 1,311 receiving yards, 12 TDs) Defense – Chad Kilgore (Sr., LB, 131 total tackles, 3 sacks, 6.5 TFL). Noting the Bearcats: It was a tough offseason for the Bearcats after the death of new head coach Scott Bostwick, who took over for long-time coach Mel Tjeerdsma. They will look to move on under the watch of Adam Dorrel, following a loss in the national semifinals in 2010 to eventual national champion Minnesota-Duluth. Gone is quarterback Blake Bolles, which may lead to more work for leading rusher Jordan Simmons, who rushed for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. Grand Valley State Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Greg Gay (Sr., WR, 50 receptions, 7 TDs) Defense — Luther Ware (So., LB, 77 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 8 sacks). Noting the Lakers: Grand Valley State will look to bounce back following a “down” year — falling 38-6 in the second round of the playoffs to Augustana (S.D.). The Lakers haven’t won a national title since 2006, which was their fourth in five seasons. If GVSU expects to get back on top in 2011, it will have to replace starting QB Kyle McMahon, who averaged 246.1 yards per game of total offense. Sophomore Heath Parling takes over those duties, after completing 20 of 30 passes as a freshman. Abilene Christian Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense – Mitchell Gale (Jr., QB, 3,595 passing yards, 38 TDs, 3 INTs) Defense – Aston Whiteside (Sr., DE, 14.5 TFL, 7 sacks). Noting the Wildcats: The Wildcats are coming off a perfect 11-0 regular season and the program’s second Lone Star Conference championship in the last three seasons. But it was ACU’s lone playoff game in 2010 which everyone remembers — a 55-41 shootout loss to Central Missouri. Abilene Christian returns one of the top QBs in the nation, Mitchell Gale. The junior threw 38 touchdowns while only totaling three interceptions in a stellar 2010 campaign, when he led the seventh-ranked offense in the nation.

Keep an Eye on These Programs

Minnesota-Duluth
Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Chase Vogler (Jr., QB, 1,913 passing yards, 24 total TDs) Defense — Cameron Harper (Jr., DB, 92 tackles, 5 INT, 4 PBU).

Noting the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs went 15-0 in 2010, en route to the program’s second national championship in three seasons. With do-it-all quarterback Chase Vogler back, UMD will look to once again be one of the top rushing attacks in the nation after averaging 275.8 yards on the ground. Minnesota-Duluth also finished with the 12th ranked defense in the country, allowing opponents only 260.67 yards per game.

Delta State
Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Micah Davis (Sr., QB, 4,097 passing yards, 33 TDs) Defense — Xavier Triplett (So., LB, 100 tackles, 12 TFL).

Noting the Statesmen: The Statesmen fell one win short of claiming their first national title since 2000, losing the 2010 national championship game to Minnesota-Duluth. Delta State returns one of the most prolific passers in college football — Micah Davis. The Statesmen sported the 12th-best offense in the nation a year ago and return second-leading rusher Brandon Lucas, who found the end zone 11 times on the ground.

Northwest Missouri State
Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Jake Soy (WR, Sr., 1,311 receiving yards, 12 TDs) Defense – Chad Kilgore (Sr., LB, 131 total tackles, 3 sacks, 6.5 TFL).

Noting the Bearcats: It was a tough offseason for the Bearcats after the death of new head coach Scott Bostwick, who took over for long-time coach Mel Tjeerdsma. They will look to move on under the watch of Adam Dorrel, following a loss in the national semifinals in 2010 to eventual national champion Minnesota-Duluth. Gone is quarterback Blake Bolles, which may lead to more work for leading rusher Jordan Simmons, who rushed for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Grand Valley State
Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense — Greg Gay (Sr., WR, 50 receptions, 7 TDs) Defense — Luther Ware (So., LB, 77 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 8 sacks).

Noting the Lakers: Grand Valley State will look to bounce back following a “down” year — falling 38-6 in the second round of the playoffs to Augustana (S.D.). The Lakers haven’t won a national title since 2006, which was their fourth in five seasons. If GVSU expects to get back on top in 2011, it will have to replace starting QB Kyle McMahon, who averaged 246.1 yards per game of total offense. Sophomore Heath Parling takes over those duties, after completing 20 of 30 passes as a freshman.

Abilene Christian
Key Players (Yr., Pos., 2010 stats): Offense – Mitchell Gale (Jr., QB, 3,595 passing yards, 38 TDs, 3 INTs) Defense – Aston Whiteside (Sr., DE, 14.5 TFL, 7 sacks).

Noting the Wildcats: The Wildcats are coming off a perfect 11-0 regular season and the program’s second Lone Star Conference championship in the last three seasons. But it was ACU’s lone playoff game in 2010 which everyone remembers — a 55-41 shootout loss to Central Missouri. Abilene Christian returns one of the top QBs in the nation, Mitchell Gale. The junior threw 38 touchdowns while only totaling three interceptions in a stellar 2010 campaign, when he led the seventh-ranked offense in the nation.

Top Contests
	@		Sept. 3 — No. 20 Valdosta State at No. 14 Wingate – Tough way to open season for Blazers having to face high-scoring Bulldogs.
	vs.		Sept. 17 — No. 4 Abilene Christian vs. No. 6 North Alabama– Wildcats and Lions will clash in Arlington at Cowboys Stadium in one of the best matchups of the year.
	@		Oct. 15 — No. 17 Mercyhurst at No. 12 California (Pa.)– Vulcans will look to avenge only regular-season loss of 2010 against Lakers in huge PSAC clash.
	@		Oct. 22 – No. 18 Washburn at No. 3 Northwest Missouri State– One of the biggest MIAA games of the year takes place in Maryville which could decide league title.
	@		Oct. 29 — No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth at No. 13 St. Cloud State– In what should be the defending champs’ toughest test, the Bulldogs travel to St. Cloud in battle of top two NSIC squads.

All photos courtesy of respective school athletic departments.

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