SIOUX FALLS – With high energy, confidence and strong leadership, spring practice for the University of Sioux Falls Football Team is underway and approaching the halfway point with plenty already accomplished.

Directed by third year head coach Jon Anderson, USF is nearly midway through its spring practice schedule with the first scrimmage set for Friday, April 5 at 3:55 p.m., at Bob Young Field. The 2019 USF Football Spring game will be held Saturday, April 27 at 3 p.m., at Bob Young Field.
 
"Since day one (March 25), the guys have come out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm," said USF head coach Jon Anderson, whose team returns 20 starters and 48 letter winners after recording a 25^th straight winning season during a 7-4 campaign, which included three losses by a total of eight points. "The leadership by the seniors has been outstanding. We are seeing guys step up and take command of this spring practice period and use it to prepare for the fall."

The Cougars, which recorded seven wins or more for the fifth straight year and the sixth time in seven seasons, has advanced to the postseason in four of the past five years. From 2015 to 2017 USF was part of the NCAA DII playoffs.  

Senior All-NSIC (2017) defensive end Logan Dykstra (14 tackles, six solo stops)is among the leaders and 10 returning starters on the USF defense, which ranked fourth in the NSIC in total defense and third in scoring defense at 19.0 ppg. USF returns honorable mention All-American defensive back Hakeem Johnson (25 tackles, 15 solo stops, interceptions, six passes defended), who was first-team All-NSIC; All-NSIC linebacker Brody Grantham (70 tackles, 35 solo stops, 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, fumble recovery and three passes defended); honorable mention All-NSIC free safety Tucker Stout (53 tackles, 38 solo stops, two TFLs, two pass breakups and fumble recovery) and honorable mention All-NSIC linebacker Harvey (Michael) Enalls (64 tackles, 35 solo stops, 2.5 TFLs, sack, two pass breakups, fumble recovery). Also back is cornerback Parker Gregston (37 tackles, 27 solo stops, TFL, sack, 10 passes defended – six breakups), who led USF with four interceptions for 85 yards, including a 75-yard pick six.

Others returning on USF's defense will be safety Nate Durfee (41 tackles, 25 solo stops, TFL, interception, two passes defended), defensive end Joey Wehrkamp (38 tackles, 22 solo stops, eight TFLs, three sacks, three passes broke up, fumble recovery), defensive tackle David Vargas (31 tackles, 16 solo stops, two TFLs, sack, fumble recovery), defensive back Ryan Nieman (27 tackles, 22 solo stops, TFL, three interceptions, seven pass breakups), defensive lineman Nick Zimmerman (17 tackles, seven solo stops, 25 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, two pass breakups), defensive lineman Ricky Powers (17 tackles, nine solo stops, 1.5 TFLs, sack), defensive lineman Aaron Ortiz (12 tackles, seven solo stops, sack, TFL) and linebacker Joe Rodino (10 tackles, eight solo stops).

On offense, USF returns nine starters to a squad that led the NSIC in total offense and ranked 14^th in NCAA DII at 466.5 yards per game. USF will be led by Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and five-time All American Gabriel Watson who rushed for a school record 1,957 yards and scored a DII best 26 TDs. He led NCAA DII in rushing yards per game at 177.8 and points per game at 14.2. Watson and an experienced offensive front will be back to try again lead the NSIC in rushing. At 274.2 yards per game, USF led the league and averaged 6.1 yards per carry.

The USF's explosive offense will be directed by returning starting quarterback Caden Walters (146-224-2,033 yards, 14 TDs, 7 int.), who led the NSIC in pass efficiency at 155.8 and was seventh in total offense at 198.0 yards per game. Others back on offense includes first-team All-NSIC tight end Clint Sigg (26 receptions, 351 yards, four TDs, 13.5 yards per catch), second-team All-NSIC offensive guard Nolan Kern (led USF with 117.5 knockdowns and now has 163 in his career; graded at 85 percent - 604 positive reps on 711 snaps), second team All-NSIC receiver and kick returner Nate Johnson (22 receptions, 395 yards, four TDs; 12 punt returns for 137 yards, 11.4 average; 13 kick returns for 362 yards and a TD) and honorable mention All-NSIC center Nick Zimmerman (graded at 85.6 percent, 610 positive reps in 713 plays; with 60.5 knockdowns in 2018 and 192 in career). Other starters back include wide receiver Ty Smith (27 receptions, 361 yards, 13.4 avg., TD) and offensive lineman Elijah Perine. At tight end, USF also returns Kyle Barnetche (5 catches, 27 yards), Jamal Wooton and Ben Sokup (1 catch for 29 yards and a TD). 

The returnees on special teams includes punter Thomas Chapin (37 punts, 1,465 yards, 39.6 average, 14 inside the 20 yard line, seven over 50 yards, and long of 72 yards) and placekicker Mason Laramie (6-12 on field goals with long of 40 and 37-43 extra points).

USF's opener will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Concordia St. Paul with the home opener at 1 p.m., on Sept. 14 against Winona State at Bob Young Field.

Spring Practice Football Schedule
All practices and the spring game on April 27 will be held at Bob Young Field.
Friday, April 5, 3:55 pm (scrimmage #1)
Monday, April 8, 3:55 pm
Wednesday, April 10, 3:55 pm
Saturday, April 13, 9:40 a.m. (scrimmage #2)
Monday, April 15, 3:55 pm
Wednesday, April 17, 3:55 pm
Thursday, April 18, 3:55 pm
Monday, April 22, 3:55 pm
Wednesday, April 24, 3:55 pm
Saturday, April 27, 3 pm - Spring Game