By: Madie Brink
BURNSVILLE, MINN. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) released their 2023 Football Preseason Coaches' Poll today with USF picked to finish 7th, along with Northern State, while receiving 75 points. Veteran players Amaurii Grosskopf and Adam Mullen have also been selected as Sioux Falls' Players to Watch.
"I am really looking forward to seeing the 2023 Cougars take the field this fall," stated head coach Jim Glogowski. "I have been impressed by their desire to work and improve over the offseason. What has maybe been even more impressive is their attitude and willingness to buy into not only new schemes but the vision our staff has for the program as we move forward. I believe we have a squad that will be process oriented and will come ready to compete week in and week out."
The USF Football Team is entering a new era under Coach Glogowski and will look to climb the rankings this season. The Coo posted an 8-3 record last season while finishing tied 4th overall and 4th in the South Division. Sioux Falls averaged 32.82 points a game last season while outscoring their opponents 361-228. The Cougars finished 2nd in the NSIC in total offense and 2nd in total defense while leading the Northern Sun with their rushing offense.
Amaurii Grosskopf, a two-time NSIC All-Conference selection, has picked up his second consecutive Player to Watch honor after an all-conference performance last season. Grosskopf started in all 11 matchups last season for the Coo while recording 22 tackles along with 9 tackles for a loss of 39 yards. Throughout his career, Grosskopf has recorded 94 total tackles, 59 solo and 35 assisted, while tallying 18 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
"Amaurii is our most decorated returning players we have on this year's squad," stated Glogowski. "He is a big physical presence in the middle of the defense and I look for him to pick up where he left off last season. He has all the tools to be the type of player we need to defend the physical run games we will see week in and week out in the Northern Sun."
Adam Mullen, a graduate quarterback for the Coo, picked up his first Player to Watch honor. Mullen started in all 11 contests for the Cougars last season while completing 172 passes for 2,231 yards along with 13 touchdown passes. Throughout his career he has thrown for 4,334 yards while recording 29 touchdown passes and 2 rushing touchdowns.
"Adam is an extremely smart football player. He is a competitor who has earned the respect of his teammates," stated Glogowski. "A leader in every sense of the word, he is one of our most experienced players returning on the offense this fall. We expect him to play a big part in our team's growth and development over the course of the season."
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