Also in Kickoff 2014:Deeper than the top 25, here are our sleepersIt's human nature to let what we already know color our expectations. But armed with all the information in Kickoff, Keith McMillan goes deeper than the top 25 to tell you which teams to avoid sleeping on.UMHB, North Central out to make their pointAfter losing by one point one game short of the Stagg Bowl in 2013, both the Cru and Cardinals search for the resolve to bounce back.Mount Union eager to rebound from Stagg stunnerLosing is rare at Mount Union, and by blowout even more so. Joe Sager talked with Coach Vince Kehres and quarterback Kevin Burke to decipher the recipe for rebounding from a 52-14 Stagg Bowl loss to UW-Whitewater.2014 Team-by-team previewsEvery year we preview every team in Division III football. Who are the "X' factors and breakout players? What are the top position battles? Here's the bulk of Kickoff 2014: 244 pages previewing 244 teams.2014 conference rankingsEvery year we rank all of the conferences from top to bottom (other than the NESCAC). Where does your league fit into the Division III football pecking order?Where does your team rank?Each year since 2005, Pat Coleman and Keith McMillan have ranked all of the Division III football teams from top to bottom. This year there are 244. Where did your team come in?Catching up with: UW-Whitewater's Jake KumerowThe wide receiver talks with Josh Smith about the differences between D-I and D-III, the Warhawks' goals and the feeling as the seconds tick off at the end of a Stagg Bowl.Muhlenberg's Nick Palladino was raised for thisAttracted to the ability to be in control and dictate tempo, the Mules' sophomore has been quarterbacking since he was young, and excelled as a freshman in a read-option attack.Heidelberg's Cartel Brooks returns for an encoreWhat's left to accomplish for a back that has 46 career touchdowns, nearly 3,800 rushing yards and a 465-yard game under his belt? As it turns out, a lot.Catching up with: Mary Hardin-Baylor's Zach AndersonThe Crusaders' quarterback talks with Adam Turer about the difference between pressure and responsibility, what he'd change about Division III and the one-point semifinal loss last season.Forget 2,000 yards; Domonique Hayden wants to lead Thomas More back to playoffsAfter missing last year's postseason at 9-1, one of the country's best running backs wants team success over individual achievements.Catching up with: Wesley's Joe CallahanWhen we last saw him, the Wolverines' quarterback was passing for 633 yards in a 62-59 quarterfinal loss at Mount Union. Adam Turer caught up with him to ask how his outlook has changed since then.Gustavus aims to recapture history in the MIACThe Gusties are buried behind some nationally known rivals in the MIAC, but they won six games last season and was competitive in its losses. A conference title is the goal now.For UW-Platteville, it's a rebuilding year in a non-traditional senseA tornado hit campus over the summer, and while nobody was hurt, the Pioneers' stadium was damaged, players were shaken up and a community grew closer.As George Fox returns to the field, it takes its cues from a successful neighborWhen George Fox looked to restart football for the first time in nearly half a century, it turned to a former Linfield player and coach.Catching up with: Salve Regina's Hayden StantonSalve Regina defensive tackle Hayden Stanton talks with Roei Biberstain about Touchdown Jesus, getting to the quarterback and advice from Little League.Catching up with: Methodist's Max ReberThe Monarchs' quarterback Max Reber is as quick on his feet as he is with his arm, leading Division III in total offense last year. He spoke with D3football.com's Ryan Tipps.Catching up with: Wisconsin Lutheran's Luke SebaldLuke Sebald originally chose Division II, then chose again to come to Division III. He spoke with D3football.com about those decisions, the recent back-and-forth coaching changes at Wisconsin Lutheran and who the toughest player is to prepare for in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.Husson balances renewed excitement, deep sorrowLinebacker Stephen Colvin died in a skiing accident, and players say they want to win an ECFC title to honor their friend.Catching up with: Hanover's Jake StilwellJake Stilwell has proven to be the star recruit of Hanover coach Steve Baudendistel’s first class. The junior defensive tackle is a second team preseason All-American and a major reason why the Panthers are poised to unseat Franklin in the HCAC.Southern Virginia breaks the NJAC moldThe New Jersey-based conference brings its first southern member, a private school affliated with the LDS church, into a league full of public school teams.Catching up with: Redlands' Kevin RussellRedlands quarterback Kevin Russell talks with Paul Schreel about playing Mary Hardin-Baylor so often, facing his former teammates at Pacific Lutheran and which SCIAC defense gave him the most trouble last year.As Wesleyan improves, so does status of rivalry with TrinityForget Williams-Amherst. The Cardinals have had a checkered history in NESCAC football, but they came into the rivalry game with Trinity 7-0 last season, overshadowing Division III's longest series.Catching up with: Lebanon Valley's Frank GaffneyThe reigning MAC player of the year talks with Tom Pfaff about switching from quarterback to linebacker, transferring into a D-III program and the difference having a fan base makes on game day.Alfred's got a fresh face, but familiar look, at the topBob Rankl takes over for his former boss Dave Murray, and the Saxons plan to keep challenging for Empire 8 titles and NCAA playoff spots.Catching up with: Wartburg's Chris BrinkmeierThe anchor of the Knights' offensive line talks to Nathan Ford about winning in the postseason last year and more.Catching up with: UMass-Dartmouth's Derek TarpeyUMass-Dartmouth linebacker Derek Tarpey talks with Cory Francer about leadership, what drew him to the Corsairs and more.Catching up with: Guilford's Satir StevensonGuilford free safety Satiir Stevenson talks with Adam Turer about the joys and perils of his position, how D-III is tougher than he thought it would be, and why he committed to a program coming off an 0-10 season.And lastly ... 20 questionsOur Kickoff crew of experts predicts how the season will turn out, including the top teams, top rushers and top bounceback performers. |