SIOUX FALLS – It is year 100 for University of Sioux Falls Football. As the Cougars start the milestone year, they do it with 443 wins in school history, a 25-year streak of winning seasons, which ranks among the best across all NCAA divisions, and four postseason appearances in the past five years.

Beginning in 1902 and continuing to now, the program has thrived on high expectations through a rich tradition heaped in achievement and excellence both on the field and off.
 

According to third-year USF Head Coach Jon Anderson, expectations for the 2019 team remain high as the Cougars look to compete for an NSIC title and a berth in the postseason.

"We are excited about what our guys did in the offseason," said Anderson, who has a two-year mark of 16-7 as he begins year three with the Cougars. "We accomplished a lot this this summer in strength and conditioning and with leadership. With number of returners and seniors coming back, leadership has been good. The challenge for us is not just a year older but a year better. And, we will try to continue to improve throughout fall camp and be ready to play when we open the season on Sept. 5 against Concordia St. Paul on the road," he said.

USF has had 25 straight winning seasons  

With a 7-4 season in 2018, USF put together its 25th straight winning seasons which ranks fourth best across all divisions of NCAA. USF has had at least six wins in every season in the NSIC and a winning run in DII of eight years, including 5-4 in the transition year from NAIA to DII in 2011.  The Cougars began NSIC play in 2012 and had a 9-2 mark while earning their first DII ranking (as high as No. 17). In 2014 USF opened 10-0 (11-1 overall) and later advanced to the Mineral Water Bowl, which they won 42-10 over Central Oklahoma of the MIAA. The Cougars earned its first NCAA DII playoff berth in 2015 (9-3 season) and won the NSIC with an unbeaten record (11-0, 12-1 overall) while earning a first-ever DII playoff win as USF advanced to Sweet 16 in 2016. In 2017, the Cougars had the league's top defense and was ranked in the top five nationally in a 9-3 season which included another playoff berth in Anderson's first season as head coach. In 2018, the Cougars finished 7-4 with a 5-2 mark tied for second in the NSIC South.

But while USF continuing their winning ways in 2018, the season fell short of the Cougars' standard.  USF has reached the  NCAA DII postseason in four of the past five years and earned NCAA DII playoff berths in three of the past four seasons.

While the 2018 season was one of moderate success, it was mixed with some tough luck. The Cougars lost four games by a combined 18 points and three by a total of eight.

"We feel like we let a few games get away from us and aim to finish stronger this year," said Johnson. In their losses, USF led every game at some point.

Missing the playoffs in 2018 bites at the Cougars but the season produced a lot of success.  And, 18 starters plus both kickers return as USF looks ahead with confidence.
 

The offense, which is directed by third-year coordinator Jim Chapin, has eight starters returning to a unit that led the NSIC in total offense and ranked 19th in NCAA DII with 466.0 per game. Cougars ranked fifth in the league with 33.5 points per game and led the NSIC in yards per play at 7.0, which ranked a yard better than any other team in the lead. At 6.0 rushing yards per carry, USF bettered the rest of the league by at 1.1 yards per carry (Minnesota State, 4.9 yards per carry). USF also had the best per yard average on passing at 8.9 per play which was a half-yard better than second place Minnesota State at 8.2 yards per play.

Led by a stellar offensive front and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Gabriel Watson, the Cougars put up 274.2 yards rushing per game, which not only led the NSIC but ranked fifth in NCAA DII. It is the second time since 2016 that the Cougars ranked top five nationally in rushing.

As Watson returns for his senior season, he will try and build on record-setting numbers. He will be one of the favorites to compete for the Harlon Hill Trophy again after he set eight school marks and led NCAA DII in rushing yards per game at 177.9 yards per game while also hold the nation's lead with 14.2 points per game as he scored 26 rushing TDs, which ranks second all-time at USF.  He had 269 carries for a school record 1,957 yards, or 7.3 yards per carry. Watson, who had a school record 11 straight 100 yard rushing games and three over 200 with a school record 320 on 19 carries with five TDs against MSU Moorhead on the road, carried a 7.3 per carry average. He averaged 2.2 yards better than any other NSIC running back. With that 7.3 yards per carry, Watson ranked sixth in NCAA DII.

"Gabe is a talented player who excels on the off the field. He has done what it takes in the offseason to take off where he finished last season," said Anderson. "Those are high expectations but it is what he is focused on doing. Everything he does he earns. He is a great teammate."

USF will also look for support in the rushing game from three others including redshirt sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer (6-1, 206, Sioux Falls, S.D., 22 carries for 102 yards, 191 all-purpose yards), freshman Ja'Tai Jenkins (5-10, 189, Goodyear, Ariz.) and senior Winston Maxwell (5-6, 161, Albany, Ga., career- 93 carries for 392 yards and three TDs).

Senior quarterback Caden Walters (6-3, 203, Dodge City, Kan.) completed 146-of-224 passes for 2,033 passing yards, 14 TDs. Walters led the NSIC in pass efficiency at 155.8, and passing percentage (65.2) and threw just seven interceptions for a 2:1 TD to interception ratio. Walters, who ranked seventh in the league in total offense at 198.0 yards per game (2,178 yards on 274 plays) will direct the offense after starting 10 games a year ago. Competing for the backup spot will be a group of veterans in redshirt junior Mitchell Martin (6-3, 202, Strasburg, Colo., 6-13-82 yards with no touchdowns and one interception) and redshirt senior Noah Butler (6-2, 174, Aurora, Colo.) along with redshirt freshman Josh Swanson (6-4, 194, Pewaukee, Wisc.).

The offensive front will be experienced at center and the two guard positions. However, USF will have to replace two of the best offensive tackles in school history. Trey Pipkins was a five-time All American who earned USF's first-ever invitation to the NFL Combine before the Upshaw Award finalist was picked with the 27th pick of the third round (91st overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers. He graduated along with his bookend at tackle, Adam Sheffield, who was an honorable mention All-American and had a rookie camp invite with the Indianapolis Colts.

Second team All-NSIC guard Nolan Kern (6-4, 322, Eau Claire, Wisc., 163 career knockdowns and over 80 percent career grade) will be among three starters returning up front on offense. Also back will be Honorable Mention All-NSIC center Nick Zimmerman (6-5, 296, Rosendale, Wisc., career grade of 83 percent and 185 career knockdowns) and two-year starter Elijah Perine (6-1, 283, Mequon, Wisc., 154 knockdowns and 79 percent grade). At offensive tackle several candidates will be in the mix with redshirt junior Noah Daniel (6-6, 170, Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio) redshirt sophomore Jackson Wright (6-6, 288, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa), Terrell Connor (6-7, 280, Owatonna, Minn.) and Brennan Moran (6-5, 285, North Sioux City, S.D.) among leading candidates.
 

"We have a strong group of veterans back up front but losing two of the best tackles in school history will need to be addressed. But we have a good young group who will step up," said Anderson.

USF will be deep at tight end with All-NSIC senior tight end Clint Sigg (6-4, 246, Longmont, Colo., 39 career receptions for 524 yards with 5 TDs), who had 26 receptions for 351 yards and four TDs, including a game-winning grab in the closing seconds of a comeback win over Concordia St. Paul in the 2018 home opener.

"In my opinion, Clint Sigg is one of the premier tight ends in the league and country," said Anderson of Sigg, who averaged 31.9 yards per game and 13.5 yards per catch. "Our tight end group is deep and talented," he said.

Along with Sigg, seniors Kyle Barnetche (6-2, 240, Susanville, Calif., five catches for 27 yards) and Jamal Wooten (6-0, 262, Kansas City, Mo.) as well as redshirt sophomore Ben Sokup (6-7, 237, Altoona, Wisc.) will play in 2018. Another tight end candidate is senior Justin Barlow (6-7, 241, Los Angles, Calif.).

At wideout, USF is deep and talented, noted Anderson. "Everyone understands their roles and have a great connection with Caden (Walters) and the other quarterbacks," he said.

Redshirt junior Ty Smith and All-NSIC WR/KR Nate Johnson are part of a strong core of wideouts. "Ty has worked really hard," said Anderson. "He had some great games a year ago and comes to work every day."

Smith has accumulated 61 career receptions for 857 yards and four TDs with 20 starts in 22 games. He owns two 100-yard receiving games with 110 yards and five receptions with a TD against Minnesota State in 2017 his career-best. A year ago, Smith, who has had at least two catches 14 times in his career, had 27 receptions for 361 yards and a TD.

Johnson (6-3, 203, Vista, Calif.) is a dynamic receiver and return specialist. "Nate is so explosive and a big play kid who we welcome back with open arms," said Anderson of Johnson, was named to the All-NSIC second team as a special teams performer. He had 22 receptions for 395 yards and four TDS while rolling up 894 all-purpose yards. Johnson had 13 kickoff returns for 362 yards, which including a thrilling 85-yard kickoff return just before halftime against MSU Moorhead in 2018. He also had 12 punt returns for 137 yards. Johnson had six receptions of 25 yards or more and a career-high of five catches for 94 yards in USF's 51-13 "Key to the City" victory against Augustana.

Others in the receiving mix include redshirt sophomore Jermaine Broadnax (6-2, 189, Chicago, Ill., four catches for 25 yards), junior Karnell Collier (6-1, 174, Miami, Fla., 52 catches, 818 yards and five TDs with 1,037 all-purpose yards for Chasta College), redshirt junior Austin Vickers (5-10, 176, Broken Arrow, Okla.) and redshirt sophomore Ray'Sean Treadwell-Mason (6-3, 164, St. Paul, Minn.).

USF's defense returns 10 starters to unit that ranked 3rd in defensive scoring

Senior All-NSIC (2017) DE Logan Dykstra (6-3, 248, Hull, Iowa), who has 71 career tackles, 11.5 TFLs, three sacks, is among 10 returning starters on the USF defense, which ranked third in the NSIC in scoring defense (19.0 ppg) in 2018.

"We have a lot of experience back on defense and a group of leaders, who have worked hard this past spring and summer," noted Anderson. "I like the depth upfront, a solid linebacking group and an experienced secondary with playmakers all over the defense," he said.

USF has had strong numbers in two years under the direction of defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto. In 2018, USF was fourth in the NSIC and 54th in DII in total defense after allowing 338.0 yards per game. The Cougars ranked second in the NSIC and 31st in DII in turnover margin at plus-seven or .64 per game. USF was fourth in the league with 14 interceptions and fifth in pass efficiency defense at 114.5.  Benedetto's squad also ranked an impressive third in the NSIC and 21st in DII in red zone defense (.667) while ranking fifth in allowing just 214 first down including 73 on the ground. 
 
 

Dykstra, who was a team captain a year ago, leads a veteran group on the defensive front which includes redshirt junior Joey Wehrkamp (6-2, 253, Sioux Falls, S.D.), who recorded 38 tackles with three tackles and eight TFLs along with three pass breakups. Also returning on the defensive front will be senior defensive end Aaron Ortiz (6-3, 250, Miami, Fla., 12T, sack), senior defensive tackle David Varges (6-1, 286, Randolph, N.J., 31T, sack, 2 TFLs, FR), redshirt sophomore Taj Wyatt (6-2, 263, Avon, Ohio, 12 tackles, seven solos and a pass breakup in eight games in 2018) and senior defensive tackle Nick Zimmerman (6-0, 272, Oceanside, Calif., 17T, 2.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks).  Also upfront will redshirt senior Tyler Heredia (6-0, 297, Minnetonka, Minn., 17 career tackles – seven tackles and pass breakup in 2018). USF also features newcomers and senior defensive end Tristen Leiseth (6-2, 230, Hayti, S.D.), who transferred from FCS DI South Dakota State, and FBS DI Toledo transfer Jake Hudson (6-4, 250, Mission Viejo, Calif.) as well as junior DaMarcus Miles (6-1, 263, Oakland, Calif.), and redshirt freshman Amaurii Grosskopf (6-3, 294, Beloit, Wis.).

At linebacker, USF has a solid core, which should be as solid a group as exists in the league. "The linebacking group has the talent to be very good. Harvey (Michael) Enalls and Brody Grantham rank among the best in the league," Anderson said.

All-NSIC redshirt senior linebacker Brody Grantham (6-1, 236, Hayti, S.D.), returns after registering 70 tackles, 35 solo stops, 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, fumble recovery and three passes defended. He has 102 career stops with 54 solos, 9.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries in 26 games.  

Honorable mention All-NSIC redshirt junior linebacker Harvey (Michael) Enalls  (6-1, 228, Sioux Falls, S.D.), had 64 tackles, 35 solo stops, 2.5 TFLs, sack, two pass breakups, fumble recovery a year ago. In two seasons (16-7 record), Enalls has accumulated 80 tackles, 47 solo stops, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and four or more tackles in a game 10 times. Also back will be senior linebacker Joe Rodino (6-0, 209, Omaha, Neb.), who returns after missing most of last season (two games played before injury and 10 tackles, eight solo stops). He has 37 career tackles with 22 solo stops, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Also in the mix will be senior Zebadiah Selu (6-0, 252, Pearl City, Hawaii), redshirt junior Jack Schelhaas (6-1, 209, Sioux Falls, S.D., 18 tackles, 10 solo stops), redshirt senior Max Sturdevant (6-3, 224, Sioux Falls, S.D., 14 tackles and nine solos with an interception in 2018), and redshirt freshman Cody Jantzen (6-3, 223, St. Germain, Wis..

Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American, All-NSIC junior Hakeem Johnson (6-4, 200, Remington, Va.) is one of the league's best cover corners and had 25 tackles, interception, six PDs. Honorable mention All-NSIC free safety senior Tucker Stout (6-0, 207, Spokane, Wash.), who is a returning team captain, is another leader in a strong secondary. Stout recorded 53 tackles, two tackles for loss and 2 TFLs and a fumble recovery in 2018 and has 79 career tackles with 57 solo stops and made a tackle in 29 games. He has played in 33 straight games.

"It is a talented group with good leadership and full of experience," said Anderson.

Others returning in the back half will be redshirt senior Parker Gregston (6-2, 191, Arvada, Colo.) who had a big season as a junior when he just missed making all-league after accumulating 37 tackles, with a sack, six pass breakups, 10 passes defended and a team-high four interceptions which ranked sixth in the NSIC. He had a 75-yard pick six in USF's 51-13 "Key to the City" win over rival Augustana a year ago while returning a kickoff 56 yards for a TD against Wayne State. Gregston has 51 career stops with 41 solo tackles and played in 26 games.

 

The secondary also includes junior strong safety Nate Durfee (6-0, 197, Sioux Falls, S.D.). Durfee had a big season in 2018 with 41 tackles, including 25 solo stops, TFL, interception plus two passes defended. He has 54 career stops and 29 solos. Senior defensive back Ryan Nieman (6-1, 188, Mentone, Calif.), is back for his second season as a major contributor. A year ago he had 27 tackles with 22 solo stops, TFL, three interceptions and seven pass breakups. Redshirt sophomore Giovanni Purpura (6-1, 185, McHenry, Ill.) had seven tackles and pass breakup a year ago and will add depth to an experienced secondary. Redshirt freshman Edmond Nkwain (6-1, 186, Cottage Grove, Minn.) and junior college transfer Dorian Fedrick (6-1, 197, Rialto, Calif.) also add depth to the secondary.

Special Teams return experience
On special teams, USF will welcome back punter Thomas Chapin (6-3, 199, Fair Haven, N.J.), who also competed on USF's Track and Field squad in 2018 (javelin). A year ago, Chapin proved to be among the top punters in the league after hitting 37 punts for 1,465 yards or a 39.6 yard average, which ranked fourth in the NSIC. Chapin, who had a career-best 72-yard punt in the "Key to the City" win over Augustana, received NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 54.0 yards per punt against Augustana. On the season, Chapin placed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line which was seventh in the NSIC.  Mason Laramie (6-3, 213, Schaumburg, Ill.), returns after converting 6-of-12 field goals and 37-of-43 extra points. He had a 56.9-yard kickoff average on 67 kicks as he helped USF to a 39.2 kick coverage net or third in the lead. He had 27 touchbacks on kickoffs. Daniel Esparza (5-11, 150, Dallas, Texas) and Jack McCabe (6-2, 194, Rochester, Minn.) will also compete in the kicking game.

Junior Antonio Villarreal (6-3, 225, Frisco, Texas) will handle deep snapping duties. One of the top return specialists in the league is Nate Johnson, who should again thrive on special teams for Coach Joe Ford's unit. In addition, Parker Gregston had a kickoff return for a TD and will be joined by Ja'Tai Jenkins and redshirt sophomore Ray'Sean Treadwell-Mason, and perhaps some newcomers.

For the second straight season, USF opens against Concordia St. Paul and will be on the road for a 6 p.m. game at Sea Foam Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 5. The Cougars return to host Winona State in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m., on Military Appreciation Day.