Football | 8/30/2016 8:58:00 AM

SIOUX FALLS -- The #20/23 USF Football Team (0-0, 0-0 NSIC South), which has won 20-of-24 games with two straight postseason berths, will open the season against St. Cloud State on Thursday, Sept., 1 at 6 p.m. at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud, Minn. Due to a number of games involving area teams, USF's game has been moved to 107.9 FM.

As the season opens, USF will look to continue their unprecedented run of success. The program has 22 straight winning seasons, which is unmatched in DII and the fifth best total overall across all divisions.  A year ago, USF was 9-3 and earned the school's first ever NCAA DII playoff berth.  SCSU finished 6-5, including 4-3 in the NSIC North.
    
USF, which is 34-10 in NSIC games and 40-15 in all DII games. The string of success began with an 8-3 season for legendary head coach Bob Young in 1994. In the four seasons in the NSIC, USF has gone 9-2, 6-5, 11-1 (Mineral Water Bowl champs) and 9-3 in 2015.  

ROAD OPENERS --
The Cougars have gone 8-2 in its past 10 road openers. In NSIC play, USF is 1-1 with a 32-7 road loss to Minnesota Duluth in 2013 and a 32-19 victory over SCSU in 2012 in St. Cloud, Minn. In overall openers, USF has a  3-2 mark in NCAA DII with a 3-1 mark in the NSIC. Over the past 15 seasons, USF is 13-2 in openers (road or home).
 
SERIES - USF 2 SCSU 0
USF owns a 2-0 edge in the series with St. Cloud State, including a 32-19 win in 2012 and a 36-0 decision in 2014.  The win by USF over the Huskies in 2012 was the program's first win over a ranked NCAA DII opponent and came on the road. Interesting the first score in the NSIC was a safety in the first squad. After that early defensive score, two of USF's all-time greats, Carrington Hanna and Taylor Perkins, had big games. Hanna had eight catches for 113 yards and two TDs while Perkins hit on 25-of-42 passes for 254 yards and three TDs.

Preseason Honors
Senior offensive guard Antonio Green has earned three preseason All-American honors, including first team honors by Lindy's Sports Magazine and second team recognition from Football Gameplan and HERO Sports. Meanwhile Westly Johnson has been named second team All-American by Football Gameplan and HERO Sports while also an NSIC Player to Watch. Two-time Harlon Hill candidate Luke Papilion as been named an NSIC Player to Watch in 2015.

On SCSU
The St. Cloud State football team, directed by former USF coach Scott Underwood, posted an eighth consecutive winning season last fall with a 6-5 overall record. SCSU returns a solid core including quarterback Nate Meyer, an Honorable Mention All-NSIC selection, who ran for 431 yards on 91 carries while completing 190 of 312 passes for 2,851 yards plus 22 TDs. He will throw the ball to All-American wide-out Jameson Parsons who had 61 receptions for 1,272 yards and nine TDs. In the rushing game, SCSU will be led by Jaden Huff, who had 741 yards on 148 carries for 13 TDs. The defense returns Craig Szmanski, an NSIC Player to Watch who had 65 tackles, 12 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. They also return Brady Westart with 79 tackles, 10 TFLs and 7.5 sacks.  

SCSU HC Scott Underwood
Underwood will begin his ninth season as the head coach at St. Cloud State in 2016. Underwood is the 12th head football coach in the history of Husky football. Prior to being named the St. Cloud State head coach, Underwood had been the defensive coordinator for the Huskies since 2001.  In eight seasons at the helm of the Husky football program, Underwood has compiled a 64-30 overall record.  He has placed SCSU among the nation's elite NCAA Division II programs with NCAA tournament appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2013. A native of Marion, Iowa, Underwood has a bachelor's degree in social sciences from Augustana College and a master's degree in health, physical education, and recreation from the University of South Dakota.

Numbers to Watch
Luke Papilion ranks 3rd all-time on NSIC Total Offense Chart
Senior quarterback Luke Papilion already ranks as one of the school's all-time greats. Here is a breakdown of some of the milestones that Papilion has reached or is closing in on as a Cougar. He already owns six school marks.
~ Next 100-yard rushing game ties Papilion with Dax Michelena (1997-2001) for most by a quarterback at USF with seven, which ranks seventh most overall at USF
~ Needs 1,232 yards to set USF's all-time total offense record held by Dax Michelena (1997-2001) with 10,410. Papilion has 9, 179 yards in total offense.
~ Ranks third on the NSIC all-time chart in total offense with 297.3 yards per game, trailing only Jeff Loots of Southwest Minnesota State at 343.2 (two seasons) and James McNear at  298.4.
~ Sits eighth on NSIC all-time total offense yardage with 8,624 in 28 league games.
~ Ranks  25th on NSIC all-time rushing yards list with 2,234 or 77.03 game and 6.2 per carry (356 att.), which is fifth best all-time
~ With 2,395 yards, needs 360 yards rushing to go past Dax Michelena (1997-2001, 2,755 yards). With 2,395 yards ranks 7th all-time at USF.
~ Needs four passing TDs to pass Chad Cavender  (4th, 64, 2006-07) and Lorenzo Brown (3rd, 65, 2008-09) for  third in career TDs passes at USF at 66.
~ With 6,783 yards passing, needs 133 passing yards to move into fourth and past Ed Koester (1985-89, 6,915 yards) on USF career passing chart.
~ Needs 217 passing yards for 7,000, which would make him just fourth player in school history to reach 7K passing.
~ With 883 passing moves into all-time passing lead at USF  currently held by Dax Michelena (997-2001), 7,665 yards.
~ Takes over all-time passing attempts leader with 158 attempts

Gentry searching for top 10 in sacks
Evan Gentry, a senior defensive end, is just two sacks from moving into the top 10 all-time at USF. He has 16.5 with Letarius Lee at 18.5.

Angulo moving up charts
Senior wide-out Josh Angulo has 150 career receptions and needs two reception to pass Trey Erickson (151, 2004-07) for fifth on USF's all-time receptions chart. Angulo's next TD reception moves him to sixth place tie with Jason Yurkovich (1994-97) with 22 TDs. Two more TDs and he ties Randy Lang (1979-82) for fifth with 23 TDs. He also needs 883 receiving yards to reach 3,000 yards and 898 to move into fourth on the USF all-time yardage chart.

Rose continues to climb receiving charts
With 309 yards, senior H-Back Brady Rose will reach 2,000 yards and become the sixth receiver in USF history to reach that mark. He needs 61 yards to pass Trey Erickson (2004-07, 1,751 yards) for seventh on the all-time chart. With two receptions Rose can move up to 5th all-time.

Tidwell competing for job with Denver
This spring both All-American Solomon St. Pierre and three time All-NSIC first team cornerback and Academi All-American John Tidwell were part of NFL camps. Tidwell was signed to a free agent contract with his hometown Denver Broncos in the spring. He remains in the Broncos camp, competing for a job. Tidwell, who was a four-year starter for USF, has a fumble recovery and a pick six in scrimmages or exhibition games with Denver.

USF's "lightning fast" offense
During 2015, USF's spread offense was a quick-strike offense in 2015 .  In 2015, USF had 44 TD drives of three minutes or less drive time with 33 in under two minutes and 16 in one minute or less.  In the past two years USF has had 86 TD drives in three minutes or less.

Cougars sit 54-5 all-time at Bob Young Field
Despite a loss at home on Oct. 24, 2015, USF has a home record at Bob Young Field of 54-5 (.915). The Cougars, which has won 9-of-11 home games, were victorious the first 32 games at the stadium and have since taken 23-of-28 at the friendly confines of Young Field. Overall, including play at Howard Wood Field (through 2006), the Cougars have won 74 of the past 79 games and 64-of-68 home conference games, including 47 in the GPAC (NAIA) and 17 as an NSIC member in NCAA DII.  Since 2000, USF is 92-10 at home.   

USF records 22nd straight winning season
At 9-3 in 2015, USF cinched a 22nd consecutive winning season,  a run which began with an 8-3 record in 1994 season with legendary head coach Bob Young. This is the sixth consecutive winning season for the Cougars under the direction of head coach Jed Stugart.

By the numbers under Stugart
USF is 51-3 when leading at halftime in the Coach Stugart era.  They are 1-11 when trailing at halftime and 1-2 when tied at halftime. USF is 42-5 when scoring first and when opponents score first, the Cougars stand 14-11.

Scoring streak hits 125 games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 1,972 points in 45 games or 43.8 ppg. In 2015, USF averaged 39.33 points per game for third in the league and 24th nationally. In 17 of past 23 games, they scored at least 34 points. It has been 125 games since USF has failed to score, which was a 55-0 loss to Carroll College in the final game of the 2005. USF had a DII-best 73 points vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead (Sept. 27) in 2014. The previous high was in 2011 when the Cougars defeated the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 71-0. In the past 28 games, USF has scored over 50 points, eight times.  USF's high point total this year was 59 vs. Wayne State on the road and 55 points in the opener vs. U-Mary.

Cougars are 65-0 all-time when scoring 50
When the Cougars reach 50 points, they are 65-0 all-time and 25-0 when scoring over 60 points. They are 7-0 all-time when breaking the 70-point mark. When the Cougars have scored over 40, USF has a 151-1 mark, including 21-1 in DII. When they have scored over 30 points, USF is 224-8. The only time USF has lost when scoring over 40 points was a 45-40 setback to Winona State on Oct. 12, 2013 at Bob Young Field.

Offense lighting it up
With 984 points in the past 24 games (start of 2014 season), USF is averaging 41.0 points. The league's third-ranked scoring team (39.8 ppg)  in 2015, the Cougars also third in the NSIC in total offense at 472.1 per game of which
190.9 comes on the ground and 281.2 through the air.  In total yards, USF had a league-best, 5,665. In the past 24 games, the Cougars have scored 132 TDs or 5.5 per game.  USF has averaged more than six yards a play in 12 of the last 18 games, including seven yards or better four times this year. With 464 yards on 58 plays vs. UMD on Sept. 19, USF registered a season-best 8.0 yards per play average.

PREVIEW - 2016
With two postseason appearances in succession, a senior-laden University of Sioux Falls Football Team, ranked #23 in the AFCA Preseason DII Poll and #20 by D2Football.com, head into the 2016 season ready to take the next step. That means, the team is focused on trying to win an NCC football crown and making a run in the playoffs.

 If the efforts in the offseason mean anything, this teams is prepared, if not hungry for a special season.

"This group has dedicated themselves to winning at a high level," said USF head football coach Jed Stugart, who begins his seventh season at USF with a 53-16 record. "They have a tremendous bond and have dedicated themselves to working hard this summer after coming off our best spring practice in memory," he said.

In the past two seasons, USF has compiled a 20-4 record with postseason berths in both an 11-1 campaign in 2014 and a 9-3 mark during 2015.
    
Make no mistake, this team has no excuses for any missteps a year ago when USF lost in the first round of the playoffs. Rather they accept full responsibility for the results. In that same vein, they are focused on what it will take to move to the next level.
    
"We are proud of what we have accomplished during our time here," said Stugart. "But to win, it will require more than just hard work but continuing to rely on each other to do their jobs on the field and then take care of their off the field responsibilities in the classroom and with service," he said. "We have embraced lessons learned from a year ago. We didn't get where we wanted to go," said Stugart.
    
Part of the responsibility this team has taken on is one that embraces the tradition of success built in the 1990s and carried forward. Since 1994, USF has compiled 22 consecutive winning seasons, including four national championships at the NAIA level and a 40-15 mark at the NCAA DII level.  
    
It is a squad that has the eye of national polls with 22 straight rankings by the AFCA and D2Football.com.

With the return of 16 starters, including nine on offense, five on defense and two kickers, the Cougars are flush with experience.
  
In 2015, the Cougars ranked third in scoring in the NSIC at 39.3 points per game while finishing third in the league and 19th nationally with 472.1 yards per game, although the total of 5,665 yards (928 plays) was the most in the league.

Breaking down the offense
  
Quarterback: USF's offensive unit is led by one of the league's elite players in two-time Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Luke Papilion, a 6-5, 222 pound quarterback from Denver, Colo. (Cherry Creek HS), who is getting looks from NFL scouts. Papilion, who is on pace to break nearly every quarterback mark in school history, has led the NSIC in total offense yardage in back-to-back seasons. A year ago, Papilion rolled up 4,038 (336.5 per game) yards per game in total offense and was the only NSIC player to crack 4K mark. He hit on 242-of-411 passes for 3, 184 yards and a league-best 30 TDs. In addition, he led the league's quarterbacks with 854 yards rushing, averaging 7.0 yards per tote. He has had at least 738 yards or more in all three seasons at USF. The senior quarterback has completed a school-record 537 passes in 922 attempts for 6,783 yards with 62 TDs (5th all-time at USF) in his career. He has a combined 89 TDs (2nd in school history (Dax Michelena, 1997-01, 119 TDs), and 9,179  yards in total offense (second all-time at USF, Dax Michelena, 1997-01, 10,420 yards).

Backup QB -- Senior Corbin Lawler (6-2, 211, Tea, S.D.); and redshirt freshman Noah Butler (6-1, 180, Aurora, Colo.). Lawler is 18-of-41 for 243 yards and a TD in his career at USF. He threw for 190 yards and a TD a year ago. After his redshirt season, Butler shined in the spring game and is a dual threat QB.
Offensive Line
    
A  year ago, the Cougars led the NCAA DII by allowing just five sacks all season. HERO Sports named USF's offensive front the fourth best offensive line group in DII.
  
Now under the direction of offensive line coach Josh Breske, the Cougars offensive front should again be a tough and talented crew. This summer Antonio Green (6-3, 298, Dublin, Ga.) was named to a pair of preseason All-American  teams (Lindy's Sports Magazine, Football Gameplan).  Green was a 2015 candidate for the Gene Upshaw Award, named to CCA and Don Hansen DII All-Region Team, and was selected NSIC All-Conference First Team for the second straight year. He is a dominating force upfront with 109 knockdowns and just three sacks allowed in 24 games at USF. In fact, he didn't allow a sack a year ago when he graded out at 88 percent and recorded 54 knockdowns or over three per game. Also on the offensive front is senior offensive center Trevor Wescott (6-5, 290, Blue Springs, Mo.), a team captain in 2015 who was named All-NSIC. Wescott graded out at 99 percent in 2015 with 26 knockdowns and did not allow a sack. In the past two years he has 58 knockdowns and just two sacks allowed with a 90 percent grade. The offensive front also includes talented senior tackle Terry Huber (6-4, 298, Yankton, S.D.), who has 67 knockdowns and allowed just 1.5 sacks combined in the past two seasons. Huber has a 88.8 percent grade during that period. In his only season of action, sophomore Trey Pipkins  (6-7, 287, Apple Valley, Minn.) graded out at 90.6 percent with 12 knockdowns and allowed no sacks.  Junior offensive guard Jesse Springer (6-4, 264, Denver, Colo.) has had a solid first two seasons with a 90.5 percent grade, five sacks allowed - none a year ago - and 44 knockdowns.   The offensive line group is a deep group with senior Durant Foote (6-1, 317, Reno, Nev.) back along with senior Richard Guarascio (6-0, 274, Naples, Fla.) and Nick Zimmerman (6-4, 282, Rosendale, Wisc.) is expected back six weeks into the season. Elijah Perine (6-3, 268, Mequon, Wisc.) and Nolan Kern (6-4, 304, Eau Claire, Wisc.) provided depth.
    
Aside from the offensive line group, USF will have depth and talent at tight end and wide receivers with a backfield that returns in tact.
  
 The backfield will be led by junior Max Mickey (5-9, 185, Holden, Mo.). Mickey has cracked 1,000 (226 carries, 1,030 yards) career yards after accumulating 627 yards rushing on 131 carries and nine TDs in 2015. He is part of a rushing attack that produced 2,291 yards on 484 carries and 24 TDs. Also back will be senior Justin Fulks (5-10, 188, Overland Park, Kan.) who had 126 carries for 562 yards and three TDs in his only season with USF. Jason Towns (5-6, 160, Harvey, Ill.), who had 192 yards on 54 carries with a TD, will be joined in the backfield by redshirt freshman Colton Myles (6-0, 196, Richfield, Minn.), who has good speed to go with power . In addition, don't forget about Papilion, who ranked 10th nationally and first in the league with seven yards per carry. He has 122 carries for 854 yards and seven TDs as he led the team in rushing.
    
At wide receiver, the Cougars are deep with several impact players. Senior Josh Angulo (6-0, 200, Sioux Falls, S.D.) is the leader of the group as he ranks in the top seven all-time at USF in all three receiving categories receptions, yards and TDs). In his career, Angulo has 150 receptions (sixth all-time at USF) for 2,115 yards (fifth all-time at USF) and 21 TDs (seventh all-time at USF). A year ago, he had his second straight 60 season with 63 catches for 919 yards and eight TDs. Senior Erik Albeck (6-3, 229, Janesville, Wisc.), who started four games two years ago, had 12 catches for 213  yards and a TD a year  ago. Junior Kyle Groeneweg (5-10, 183, Inwood, Iowa, 6-168-TD in 2015) has won a starting job opposite Angulo. Others competing for time include redshirt freshman A.J. Garrow (5-9, 183, Brandon, S.D.), and senior Kyle Athmann (5-11, 183, Bird Island, Minn., 18-107-TD).

The H-back position will be another strong point on what will be a dangerous offensive unit. Brady Rose (5-11 211, Cumberland, Wisc.), who earned second team All-NSIC honors and was an a second team Academic All-American, ranks in the top 10 at USF in three receiving categories. Rose  has 132 catches (7th all-time at USF) for 1,691 yards (8th all-time at USF) and 16 TDs (10th all-time at USF) in his career. A year ago, he hauled in 62 passes for 880 yards and 10 TDs. Also at H-Back will be redshirt sophomore Rylie Waldie (6-0, 218, Fort Collins, Colo.) , who had seven catches for 55 yards against Henderson State in the DII playoffs. The Cougars will also have Andy Buchele (6-3, 211, Milbank, S.D.), who had four catches for 22 yards before injury ended his sophomore season.
    
At tight end, Nicholas Stanke (6-3, 241, Eau Claire, Wis.) returns as an all-league performer to lead a deep group. A two-year starter,  he has made 24 starts with 52 catches for 507 yards and five TDs in his career. Last year he had 25 catches for 221 yards and two TDs. Joining Stanke at tight end will be Davidson sophomore transfer Clint Sigg (6-4, 236, Longmont, Colo.) as well as Adria Botella (6-5, 241, Barcelona, Spain). Sigg made some noise in the spring game by connected on a pitch and catch for 77 yards TD with Erik Albeck on a throwback play.

Defense includes veterans newcomer mix
    
While USF's offense is senior-laden and returns nearly every starter from a year ago, the Cougars' defense had some holes to fill following graduation of some of the best players in school history.
    
Gone are 16-time All-American Solomon St. Pierre, who set school/conference records with 22 interceptions for 527 yards and six defensive TDs. He had tryouts in several NFL camps while his running mate at corner John Tidwell, who finished with eight interceptions and was a three time All-NSIC selection was signed to a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. Former all-region and all-NSIC selection David Clark, who scored four defensive TDs in his career, also graduated from the defensive secondary. At linebacker, USF lost a ton of experience with the departure of former All-NSIC honorable mention selection Cameron Ostrom and fellow seniors Clint Wilson and 2015 All-NSIC selection Carter Ahlers, who combined for 691 tackles, including 338 solo stops, 52 TFLs, seven interceptions, four sacks and two defensive TDs during their career at USF.  In addition, USF lost two-time all-NSIC defensive tackle Grant Schindler, who was a steadying force in the defensive interior.
    
While the losses were significant, the Cougars return some talented defenders and have added some new pieces that should fill in all gaps.
    
The Cougars return individuals who accounted for 71.7 percent (28 of 39) of the sacks, 53.4 percent (46 of 86) of the TFLs, 20 percent  (four of 20) of the interceptions, 54.7 percent (287 of 524 ) of the solo stops, 49.8 percent (464 of 930) of the total tackles. The group also returns players that accounted for 46.8 percent (22 of 47) of the pass breakups and 61.5 percent (8-of-13 fumble) recoveries along with five of seven blocked kicks.  In 2015, USF will have five returning starters and will fill the gaps with four DI recruits and several newcomers and returners from a year ago.The four DI recruits played at FBS Louisville, Colorado and SMU and FCS Northern Arizona.
    
Replacing two of the nation's top players in the secondary would seem on the face to be a big time challenge. But the Cougars have good experience with all-league junior strong safety Josh Butler (6-0, 179, Aurora, Colo.) and starters Matt Young (5-10, 190, Phoenix, Ariz.) at safety and Cliff Redmond  (5-10, 167, Elk Grove, Calif.) at cornerback returning. Butler had a team leading 104 tackles, including a team--high 67 solo stops, with 3.5 TFLs, sacks, eight pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Redmond, who made a game saving play in a win over #7 Minnesota-Duluth, had 31 tackles, 25 solo stops, 1.5 TFLs, sack, three interceptions and eight pass breakups. Young added 47 tackles, TFL and had a fumble recovery. In addition, the Cougars have brought in a pair of defensive backs that will make this area once again a strength.
    
Delvin Batiste (6-1, 192, Upland, Calif.) will play at USF in his final season after playing for a 7-4 Northern Arizona team at the FCS level a year ago. He had 49 tackles, three sacks and an interception at NAU last year.  Another addition will be safety and kick returner extraordinaire Marques Mosley  (6-1, 183, Upland, Calif.) an honorable mention defensive back and second team returner on the All-PAC 12 choice in 2012 for Colorado, will play his final season in Sioux Falls, playing safety and returning kicks.  Mosley ranks 19th on CU's all-time in kickoff return yards (604). In 2012, he made seven starts for CU while finishing six on the team with 56 tackles while leading the team with a 26.1 average in kickoff returns. Among those returns was a 100-yard return against Utah. Others in the mix will be senior Tosin Adedeji (5-6, 171, Brooklyn Center, Minn.),
    
The Cougars also match experience with youth and newcomers in the linebacking corps. The group will be led by senior Nathan Lucs (6-0, 225, Des Moines, Iowa), who had 41 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks and two fumble recoveries a year ago. He will be joined by Michael Mehling (5-11, 210, Las Vegas, Nev.) who is one of the fastest players on the team. He had 12 tackles and was a special teams dynamo a year ago. Kyle Campiotti (5-11, 195, Livermoore, Calif.) is a junior college transfer and was a ball hawk during the spring. The group also includes newcomer Trevor Coleman (6-2, 215, Atwater, Calif.), who could vie for a starting spot and senior Jess Williams (6-0, 225, Wall, S.D.,) who had 27 tackles, sack, fumble recovery a year ago.  Derek Landis (6-2, 225, Lakewood, Colo.),  who had a sack before injury cut short his season.  
    
Arguably, USF's defensive front could be the strongest area on the defense. USF is led by senior two-time All-NSIC performer Evan Gentry (6-3, 266, Tallahassee, Fla.) and senior honorable mention All-NSIC defensive end Wesley Johnson (6-5, 220, Grand Rapids, Mich.), an NSIC preseason player to watch The Cougars also return senior defensive end Drew Jackson (6-3, 250, San Francisco, Calif.), defensive tackle Zack Tamburo (5-11, 275, Phoenix, Ariz.) and defensive tackle Kray Krolikowski (6-5, 270, Winner, S.D.). USF also will bring in 6-5, 310 pound DI transfer from SMU Spencer Hollie (6-3, 350, Dublin, Calif.) and Louisville  transfer Pedro Sibiea (6-3, 300, Homestead, Fla.).
    
Gentry had 45 tackles, seven TFLs, 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 2015. For the third straight season Gentry recorded five or more sacks in a season and has 16 in his career with 36.5 TFLs and 129 tackles.
    
Johnson, who had 35 tackles including 21 solo stops, was one of the nation's best pass rushers a year ago. He finished 17th nationally and second in the NSIC with 11.5 quarterback sacks. Johnson's 16 TFLs was ninth in the NSIC. Nine times he recorded at least one sack in a game.
    
Jackson, who had an interception return for a TD vs. Augustana on Oct. 24, had 24 tackles, including 11 solo stops, 5.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, interception and fumble recovery. Tamburo recorded 19 tackles and registered three TFLs.
    
Hollie was a three-star 247Sports.com recruit who saw action with SMU in 2014 and 2015. Sibiea was a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, two-star by Scout.com and started three games last year for nationally ranked FBS power Louisville on the offensive front.
Special Teams
    
USF has one of the nation's best special teams units. The Cougars, which has scored six special teams TDs in past two years, ranked in the top-25 nationally in five categories including blocked punts, 9th (four blocks); blocked kicks, 12th (seven overall); blocked punts allowed, 1st (0); kickoff return defense, 10th (16.62 ypr) ;and punt returns, 15th (14.82 ypr). USF had two kickoff returns for TDs and one punt return for a score last year. The kicking game will be handled by sophomore Brett Garner (5-10, 175, Springfield, Mo.) and junior Stuart VandenHuevel (6-2, 180, Watertown, Wisc.).     
    
As a freshman Garner hit on 9-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-5 from over 30 yards. He had a career-best 42-yard field goal. In addition, Garner hit on 61-of-64 extra points and led the Cougars with 88 points. VandenHeuvel averaged 35.0 on punts. He had 59 punts for 2,117 yards, four touchbacks and 13 fair catches. He placed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and had 52-yard punt.
    
The Cougars will also field a dangerous return game with Kyle Groeneweg, Marques Mosley and Jason Towns. Groeneweg has two career kickoff TD returns and 694 career yards. Mosley had a 100-yard kickoff return while playing for Colorado. USF's kickoff coverage team was one of the best in the league last year.