GLIAC 2011 Preview

Ferris State Bulldogs
2010 Record: 5-6
The Bulldogs flamed out by losing their final 5 games last fall. Tom Schneider will return as a senior at QB, but will have to do better than 12 TDs to get the Bulldogs back on track. He is the second best passer to return in the conference with 1741 yards last fall.They will also need more than Skylar Stoker's 421 yards rushing last season. Mike Ryan returns as the top target at WR after catching 59 passes for 657 yards last fall. Tayo Moss and Jordan Morgan will lead the defense. Moss collected 89 tackles last fall as a sophomore.
Season Opener: 9/2 Hillsdale


Grand Valley State Lakers
2010 Record: 11-2
The Lakers hit the playoffs again in 2010, falling in the second round to Augustana, 38-6. Expect a drop this fall, as the Lakers have to replace all of their leaders at QB and RB. Norman Shuford, who rushed for 661 yards and 5 scores takes over at RB. Greg Gay returns as the top receiver, after posting 50-769-7. Zach Breen will lead the defense, as the DB collected 101 tackles last fall, but there are losses everywhere on D.
Season Opener: 9/1 Western Oregon


Indianapolis Greyhounds
2010 Record: 6-5
The Hounds were actually pleased with their 6-5 mark last fall, as they have not been incredibly competitive of late. They do need to find a QB, as the passing game was limited last fall. Klay Fietcher returns to lead the run game, but only rushed for 510 yards as a sophomore. He shared carries with Joumeel McLaurine, who ran for 442 yards and also returns. Ryan Forney returns as the top target, having posted 55-752-5 last fall. LB Max Davis collected 118 tackles and returns for his junior season at LB to lead the D, and Nate Jackson will anchor the secondary after defending 8 passes a season ago.
Season Opener: 9/1 Kentucky Wesleyan


Michigan Tech Huskies
2010 Record: 8-2
The Huskies started by winning 4 straight, and ended on a 4 game win streak, but had a 2 game slump in the middle and missed out on the playoffs because of it. They lose their top 2 QBs from last fall, so they are starting over again. Tech also loses RB Phil Milbrath, who led the conference in rushing with 1412 yards and 10 scores. Akeem Cason comes on to attempt to replace him. Jesse Vandenburgh will lead the D from the secondary after recording 83 tackles a year ago. The opener is brutal.
Season Opener: 9/3 Winona State


Northern Michigan Wildcats
2010 Record: 5-6
The Wildcats had some promise early last fall, but stumbled and bumbled from the mid point on. John Privitelli will be the focal point of the offense at RB, but more will be needed, as he rushed for 693 yards and 5 scores. The passing game was abysmal. Erik Knoblock will return at lead the defense, but he was not one of the league leaders with just 73 tackles last fall. Zach Anderson will try to apply pressure from his DE position, where he collected 11.5 TFLs last fall.
Season Opener: 9/1 Mankato State


Northwood Timberwolves
2010 Record: 5-6
Consistency was an issue, as the Wolves could not post a 2 game win streak last fall. Aaron Shavers was all over the place as a sophomore last season, but returns with some experience as a junior. He should improve. Shavers also led the team in rushing with 985 yards and 10 scores, but they lose their top two RBs, and Quillan Mathis, their top receiver. Spencer Remtema will take over as the defensive leader at LB this fall, as he returns after collecting 81 tackles last season.
Season Opener: 9/3 Findlay


Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
2010 Record: 4-7
The Cardinals just never could get going last fall, as a 1 point loss to California (PA) set the tone for the rest of the season. Jonathon Jennings took his lumps as a freshman last season at QB, but returns with a year of experience to run the show. Expect better things. Ronnie Lark rushed for 989 yards and 7 scores as a sophomore, and is a candidate to lead the league this fall. The loss of Andrew Beaver at WR hurts. Grant Caserta led the team with 96 tackles as a sophomore LB last fall, and will be the anchor this season. Valley will need more pressure up front.
Season Opener: 9/10 Ferris State


Ashland Eagles
2010 Record: 8-3
The Eagles won 7 straight after a 1-3 start, including an 87-17 thrashing of Lake Erie in the season finale. Taylor Housewright returns at QB after passing for 2378 yards and 24 TDs on the season. DJ McCoy adds to the fireworks at RB, rushing for 1272 yards and 8 TDs last fall, good for 15th in the country. The Eagles do lose their top 2 receivers from last season., and they lose their top tackler as well. Logan Kerr (DB) defended 9 passes last fall, and is the new defensive leader after picking off 8 passes, which ranked 2nd nationally.
Season Opener: 9/1 @ Bloomsburg


Findlay Oilers
2010 Record: 1-10
It was as bad as it gets for the Oilers last fall as they gave up 30 or more points 6 times. They were held to 10 points or less on offense 9 times on the season. Monty Williams will be back to try to repair the offense at RB after rushing for 1107 yards and 4 scores last fall. Kenny Klatt recorded 114 tackles as a freshman last fall, good for 14th nationally.
Season Opener: 9/3 Tusculum


Hillsdale Chargers
2010 Record: 9-3
The Chargers had a fantastic season, but it was cut short with a 1st round playoff loss to St. Cloud State, 42-28. The Chargers lose some serious talent on offense, including their top 2 QBs. Troy Weatherhead passed for 3215 yards last season and has moved on leaving a gaping hole. Joe Glendening is a serious Harlen Holl candidate at RB, after rushing for 1483 yards and 15 TDs last fall. It's up to him to keep the offense churning. Andre Holmes and Mike Blanchard both departed at WR as well. The defense needs play makers all over the place as well. Rebuilding time.
Season Opener: 9/2 @ Ferris State


Lake Erie Storm
2010 Record: 3-8
The Storm was more like a tropical depression that wasn't so tropical, including giving up 87 points to Ashland in the finale. The Storm gave up 40 or more points 6 times last fall, so there is work to be done. Sean Bedevelsky returns at QB after passing for 2061 yards last fall, but he was picked off 14 times. He was also the leading rusher with just 550 yards. Brandon James will be his top target after catching 44 passes to lead the team last season. Cameron Bryant led the team with 73 tackles last fall at LB, and returns this fall.
Season Opener: 9/1 Gannon


Ohio Dominican Panthers
2010 Record: 2-8
The Panthers are still new to D2 football, and it showed. The Panthers gave up 30 or more points6 times last fall, so the building process is ongoing. Look for more bumps along the way this fall.
Season Opener: 9/3 St. Joseph's (IN)


Tiffin Dragons
2010 Record: 1-10
Another fairly new program to the conference, the Dragons got pounded last fall. Tiffin gave up 30 or more points 10 times, including 71 to Grand Valley State. Jason Young passed for 1705 yards and 15 scores, but was picked 14 times as well. Someone needs to step up at RB, as the Dragons have a very limited at best rushing game. DB Mike Virgin led the team with 85 tackles, and returns for another go.
Season Opener: 9/1 @ Malone


Wayne State (MI) Warriors
2010 Record: 9-2
The Warriors had a fantastic season and yet still missed the playoffs. Mickey Mohner returns at QB after passing for 2015 yards and 14 scores. He will be better if he can improve upon his 10 picks last fall. Josh Renell ranked 8th in the country in rushing with 1249 yards and 8 scores. Tryo Burrell was second in the league with a line of 57-900-6 as the top WR on the team. Jeremy Jones finished tied for 2nd in the conference with 5 picks.
Season Opener: 9/3 Urbane (Ohio)