2008 Football Outlook

The 2008 Trine University football program is poised for a conference championship run after gaining experience in last year’s close games. The Thunder improved on a 2-8 record in 2006 by finishing with a 6-4 overall record and a fourth place finish in the MIAA at 4-3. The Thunder was effective at defending their home field with a 5-0 record at Shive Field.

Much of the Thunder’s strength comes from two areas: a balanced offensive attack and a stout defense. The Thunder offense produced 3,181 total offensive yards, including 1,646 passing yards and 1,535 rushing yards. The Trine University offensive keys will be the strength of the offensive line and the much-needed experience at quarterback.

Last season the Thunder defense created havoc, which led to numerous turnovers. The Trine defense will have to pressure the quarterback and allow the linebackers to make plays. The 2007 MIAA Co-Defensive MVP Courtney Pearson (Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side) returns to lead the defense from the linebacker position. Pearson received D3football.com Honorable Mention All-American honors last season and has been recognized by the Consensus Draft Services (CDS) as a member of the Pre-Season All-American Team.

The best news is that Trine returns a very experienced team for the 2008 season. Coach Land and his staff saw vast improvement in last year’s campaign. Now he expects the program to take the next step. “Our defense will continue to create turnovers and will look to cut down on big plays, while the offense keeps putting big numbers on the board. The team is on the verge of becoming dominant,” he said.

OFFENSE

Quarterback - Sophomore Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) returns as the starting QB. Watt played in nine games last season and threw eight TD passes and averaged 140.3 yards per game. Watt is expected to be more of a leader of the offense and make more mature decisions after a year’s experience. Junior Zack Tuterow (Marion, Ind./Eastbrook) and sophomore Jeremy Pickford (Adrian, Mich./Sand Creek) will back up Watt.

Running Back - Sophomore Jeff Langley (Indian River, Mich./Inland Lakes) will be the primary ball carrier for Trine. Langley led the Thunder last season with seven touchdowns and 44.3 yards per game. Transfer Mario Brown (Battle Creek, Mich./Central ) will provide athleticism to the group and sophomore Jarred McGill (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont) will battle for carries.

Fullback - The fullback position for the Thunder could provide the most competition in camp. Senior Mikeal Glidden (Indianapolis, Ind./Monrovia) and sophomores George Outlaw (Gary, Ind./West Side) and Lucas Rosengarten (Bradford, Ohio/Greenville) will battle for the starting position. Glidden is the returning starter after averaging 24.4 yards per game. Outlaw gained 55 yards on 16 carries last season. Rosengarten averaged 3.5 yards per carry with 67 yards on 19 attempts. Senior Tyler Gearig (Wauseon, Ohio/Wauseon) and junior Chase Coffield (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton) will compete for possessions.

Wide Receivers - Senior Sam Hartman (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger) is the true leader of the offense. Trine will take advantage of Hartman’s athleticism to play him at multiple positions. Junior Adam Kurtz (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) and sophomore Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beatty) will help lead a solid group of receivers. Kurtz had 22 receptions for 286 yards last season. Curtis was the leading receiver with 26 receptions for 304 yards. Also seeing significant playing time will be sophomore Carlos Zepeda (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) and transfers Seth Wilcox (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) and Zach Solmonson (Sand Creek, Mich./Sand Creek)

Tight End - Senior Troy Hirschy (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) will be the starting tight end after making 12 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. Junior Nick Leeman (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Heights) and sophomore Tom Wyman (Lake, Mich./Chippewa Hills) will push Hirschy for playing time.

Offensive Line - Trine University returns two starters from last year’s squad, senior Michael Fowler (St. Johns, Ind./Lake Central) and junior James Greenlee (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North). Greenlee was named to the All-MIAA Second Team for his performance last season. Sophomore Bryce Sims (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City), who saw significant playing time as a freshman, is expected to be in the starting rotation. Senior Michael Rowe (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh), junior Deryck Jefferies (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead), and sophomores Alex Simmons (Avon, Ind./Avon) and Aaron Felger (Churubusco, Ind./Carroll) will be battling for a starting spot.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior Nathaniel Fitzsimmons (Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw) will return for his fourth season carrying the punting load for the Thunder. Fitzsimmons is a three time All-MIAA Second Team selection. Last season he averaged 38.9 yards per punt and placed 17 inside the 20 yard line. Sophomore Jeremy Howard (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) is the front runner to replace Justin Hoover as the place kicker, but will be challenged by fellow sophomore Chris Davis (Fort Wayne, Ind./North Side). Senior Corrie Latta (Battle Creek, Mich./Delton Kellogg) will be back to return punts and kicks for the Thunder after being named to the All-MIAA First Team as a specialist last season. Latta averaged 26.5 yards per kick return with one touchdown and 16.2 yards per punt return last season.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line - The defensive line will utilize a number of bodies in order to put continual pressure on the opposing offense. The line will be much improved from last season and will strengthen the stout Thunder defense. Senior leaders Dan Chase (Sterling Heights, Mich./Ford) and Jeremy Troutman (North Vernon, Ind./South Decatur) will be the core of a revolving defensive line. Chase contributed 34 tackles last season and Troutman added 22 tackles and two quarterback sacks. Junior Eric Walker (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) and sophomores Matt Medina (Decatur, Ind./Adams Central), Chris Eichman (Yoder, Ind./Carroll), Christian Verley (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills), and Nathan Denton (Logansport, Ind./Pioneer) will be active in the rotations. Senior Garrett Day (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon), junior Jake Briggs (South Bend, Ind./Saint Joseph), and sophomore Chris Wolven (Vincennes, Ind./Lincoln) should compete for action.

Linebackers - Pearson will lead this most experienced group for Trine. Pearson will continue to rewrite the Thunder record books as he will increase the career record of 40 tackles for a loss of yardage and is 76 tackles from the career tackles record. Joining Pearson will be fellow senior Joe Curtis (Walkerton, Ind./John Glenn), junior Tab McNally (Williamston, Mich./Dansville), and sophomore Jake Vance (Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton). Curtis will be a four-year starter who produced 56 tackles and two sacks last season. McNally had a breakout season in 2007 with 66 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss. Juniors Travis Reeter (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon), Michael DeVos (Angola, Ind./Angola), and Nathan Massie (Montpelier, Ohio/Hilltop), along with sophomores Corey Mahan (Cutler, Ind./Carroll), Andy Rodriguez (Goodland, Ind./South Newton), Tyler Lemon (Larwill, Ind./Columbia City), and Josh Fracassi (East Leroy, Mich./Athens) will battle for playing time.

Defensive Backs - Latta will be the heart and soul of the defensive backs and will be responsible for making checks and getting everyone in the correct position. Latta was named to the All-MIAA Second Team last season after compiling 61 tackles, 10 for a loss, and one interception. Juniors Brandon Conlin (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville) and Matt Curry (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City) return as starters from last season. Conlin led the Thunder with five interceptions last season and Curry added three interceptions. Sophomores Andrew Pickford (Adrian, Mich./Sand Creek), Daniel Schultz (Hobart, Ind./Hobart), and Paul Smith (Vincennes, Ind./Lincoln) will compete for the final corner position.

Trine will open the 2008 season at home on Sept. 6 against rival Manchester College. After a bye week, the Thunder will travel to Defiance College and then host Franklin College on Sept. 27 for the Homecoming game. MIAA action will begin on Oct. 4, as the Thunder travel to Hope College. Trine will host MIAA foes Alma College (Oct. 11), Olivet College (Oct. 18), and Albion College (Nov. 1). The Thunder will round out the MIAA schedule with trips to Kalamazoo College (Oct. 25), and Adrian College (Nov. 8). With the loss of Wisconsin Lutheran to the MIAA schedule, Trine will travel to Kentucky Christian University on Nov. 15 to conclude the regular season.