Directed by head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Cougars finished 14-0 with the school’s second ever national NAIA championship. The Cougars, which finished 10-0 in the GPAC and 8-0 at home, rolled up a 541-to-102 point differential and recorded four shutouts. Led by NAIA National Player of the Year and first-team All-American QB Chad Cavender (246-358-3,674 yards, 38 TDs), the Cougars generated 435.9 yards per game while allowing just 188.3 to opponents.
The 2006 team won four playoff games, including defeating two unbeaten teams (Missouri Valley, 25-18, semifinals; St. Francis, Ind., championship, 23-19) in the semifinals and finals. USF won its second title exactly 10 years after the 1996 won the first championship. In total, USF had four All-Americans, including running back Mike Dvoracek (274-1,374-18 TDs), athlete Trey Erickson (51 rec., 635 yards, 933 return yards, 6 total TDs, two on special teams) and wideout Dusty Hovorka (76 receptions, 1,304 yards, 19 TDs – tied school record). The team also had six honorable mention All-Americans including offensive lineman Zach Campbell, tight end Josiah Fenceroy (50-804-8 TDs), defensive back Jason Glasco (45T, 6 int.), defensive lineman Letarius Lee (31.5T, 10 TFLs, 7 sacks) and line backers Dan DeJong (56.5T, 10.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 FF) and Adam Paulson (63T, 16.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 4 FR, int.).
In total, 17 players were selected all-league with eight named first team, four to second team and five honorable mention.
The 2006 USF Football roster included: Jame Johnikin, Aaron Parker, Ross Cimpl, Derek Varin, Adam Paulsen, Dan Schmeichel, Jim Rawhouser, Brent Tuxhorn, Jason Glasco, Ryan Lowmiller, Luke Hartman, Jeff Nuzum, Nick Benedetto, Aaron Gunderson, Alex Anderson, Nick Haub, Chad Cavender, Tyler Lodermeier, Drew Anderson, Bret Beachner, Dan DeJong, Nick Ramstad, Adam Perry, Kyle Robertson, Jeremy Barnes, Matt Lindgren, Erik Cimpl, Aaron Jensen, Ben Westerfield, Mike Dvoracek, Trebor Holleman, Alex Woolbright, Josh Beurink, Kyle Cummings, Ernest Eaton, Robb Tiff, Lane Mellegaard, Tyson Brown, Joe Moen, Tyler Newman, Cody O'Rielly, Andrew Schoenfelder, Clint Fischer, Trey Erickson, Dominic Studzinski, Kyle Anderson, Brett Elgersman, Matt Miller, Kyle Dreckman, Max Chapman, Doug Carlson, Jon Ross, Josh Smith, Blake Anderson, Tyler Mousel, Chris Opitz, Bryan Supik, Brandon Koolstra, A.J Munger, Joel Kelpe, George Sperry, Nate Everett, Curtis Brown, Brad Maag, Adam Henglefelt, T.J Wendt, Blake Klinsing, Chad Traver, John Lentz, Trevor Bowers, Cameron Horton, Zach Campbell, D.J. Tille, Matt Johnson, Josh Daaniels, Brady Schwebach, Kyle Kidd, Brandon Sexton, Luke Castle, Brooks Underberg, Scott Neu, Todd Kutter, Michael Warren, Josiah Fenceroy, Jon Ryan, Dusty Hovorka, Alex Staebell, Weston Petersen, Matt Norgaard, Glenn Dirksen, Letarius Lee, Mike Hartley, Darren Quaile, Drew DeGroot, Shawn Schnabel, Dan Moen, Brandon Wiliams, Keegan Warwick, Ty Larson, Gregg Jensen
