Great Northwest Athletic Conference Football: Humboldt State Gets Nod
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Great Northwest Athletic Conference 6901 SE Lake Rd. Suite 1 Portland, OR 97267-2194 503.305.8756 Contact: Bob Guptill 2013 Football Report No. 1 (Aug. 28, 2013) Football: Humboldt State Gets Nod In 2013 GNAC Coaches Poll Great Northwest Coaches Poll 2012 Records Pts Western Oregon coach Arne Ferguson returns a league-best 1. Humboldt State (3) 7-4 (6-4, 2nd-T) 22 seven all-conference picks, matching Central Washington’s 2. Central Washington (2) 7-4 (7-3, 1st) 19 total, led by GNAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Gustave nd 3. Western Oregon (1) 6-5 (6-4, 2 -T) 17 Benthin and wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Azusa Pacific 4-7 (4-6, 4th-T) 17 5. Simon Fraser 5-6 (4-6, 4th-T) 9 6. Dixie State 3-8 (3-7, 6th) 6 Running back Terrell Watson, who rushed for 1,094 yards last season, and starting quarterback Nick Owens are (Note: First-place votes in parentheses. Points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 among a league-best 42 returning lettermen for eighth-year basis. Each coached ranked five other opponents). coach Victor Santa Cruz at Azusa Pacific. PORTLAND, Ore. – Humboldt State, which returns Santa Cruz’s team lost its first seven games a year ago, but record-setting running back Nick Ricciardulli and has two rallied to win its final four contests. former Division I quarterbacks on its roster, is the favorite to win its second Great Northwest Athletic Conference Simon Fraser, meanwhile, has the league’s best 1-2 football title in three seasons. receiving combo and Dixie State has the league’s top returning quarterback. The Lumberjacks finished in a tie for second place with Western Oregon last year after winning their first GNAC The Clan will be led by All-American wide receiver Lemar football title in 2011. Durant, who caught a GNAC-record tying 91 passes and earned two All-American awards, and Bobby Pospischil, HSU received three of six first-place votes and outpointed who grabbed 83 passes. Central Washington, which won its seventh title last fall, 22-19 in the annual GNAC Coaches preseason poll. Griff Robles returns for the Red Storm after passing for 2,033 yards and 16 touchdowns and running for 450 yards The Wildcats finished two points ahead of Azusa Pacific, and five touchdowns. which closed its 2012 season with four consecutive wins, and Western Oregon for second place. Both the Wolves Robles’ support cast will include 2011 consensus All- and Cougars earned 17 ballot points. American Joe Don Duncan who was the nation’s leader in receptions among tight ends two years ago before taking an Simon Fraser ended up in fifth place in the balloting, three injury redshirt season. points ahead of Dixie State. The 2013 season kicks off Saturday, Sept. 7 with five Ricciardulli rushed for a GNAC record 1,579 yards last contests including a conference game between Simon season and is one of six returning all-conference players for Fraser and Humboldt State at Arcata. sixth-year head coach Rob Smith, who has won three GNAC football titles including two with Western Other first-week matchups will feature two Division II Washington in 2001 and 2003. intersectional contests and two contests against Football Championship Series (FCS) teams. Kyle Morris who passed for 671 yards at Idaho State in 2010 is the ‘Jacks probable starter at quarterback. Also Azusa Pacific travels to Michigan to take on Grand Valley available is Murray State transfer Spencer Phillips and while Central Washington hosts Texas A&M – Kingsville 2012 starter Casey Mintz. in Division II contests. Central Washington, under first-year head coach and long- Western Oregon makes its debut at Eastern Washington, time assistant John Picha, should be outstanding on defense while Dixie State opens its season at Idaho State in the with former University of Idaho starter Conrad Scheidt Division II/FCS contests. joining a cast which includes five 2012 GNAC selections including GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Stan Langlow. 1 2013 GNAC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE KEY TRANSFERS: Chase Krivashei (WR, 5-9, 165, Fr. Corona, CA – Centennial); Kelechi Nwadibia (WR, 6-1, 188, Jr., Stockton, SEPTEMBER: 7 – Azusa Pacific at Grand Valley, 7 p.m.; Texas A&M – CA – San Jose City); Eric Paopao (DB, 6-0, 210, Jr., El Camino, Kingsville at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Dixie State at Idaho State, 3 CA – Palomar); Jamal Jones (DB, 5-11, 180, Jr., Dublin, CA – p.m.; Simon Fraser at Humboldt State, 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at Eastern Washington, 4:05 p.m. 14 – Azusa Pacific at Dixie State, 6 p.m.; Western Cabot); Andrew Feaster (LB, 6-0, 230, Jr., Chula Vista, CA – Oregon at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Portland State, Eastlake) 1:05 p.m. 21 – Humboldt State at Azusa Pacific, 6:30 p.m.; Simon Fraser at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Dixie State at Western Oregon, 1 p.m. 28 OUTLOOK – Central Washington at Azusa Pacific, 6:30 p.m.; Dixie State at Humboldt State, 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at Simon Fraser, 12:30 p.m. Nick Ricciardulli (5-8, 190, Sr., Poway, CA) rushed for a conference record 1,579 yards and 12 touchdowns in OCTOBER: 5 – Azusa Pacific at Western Oregon, 1 p.m.; Central Washington at Humboldt State, 6 p.m.; Simon Fraser at Dixie State, 6 earning GNAC Offensive Player of the Year honors last p.m. 12 – Simon Fraser at Azusa Pacific, 6:30 p.m.; Dixie State at Central season and is back to lead a Lumberjack offense which will Washington, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Western Oregon, 1 p.m. 19 – feature three all-conference players. Azusa Pacific at Humboldt State, 6 p.m.; Central Washington at Simon Fraser, 2 p.m.; Western Oregon at Dixie State, 6 p.m. 26 – Azusa Pacific Running back Daniel Wyatt (5-7, 177, Sr., Vallejo, CA – at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Dixie State, 6 p.m.; St. Vincent’s) also returns in the backfield after rushing for Simon Fraser at Western Oregon, 1 p.m. 301 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. NOVEMBER: 2 – Western Oregon at Azusa Pacific, 6:30 p.m.; Humboldt State at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Dixie State at Simon Fraser, 2 p.m. At quarterback, the Lumberjacks look to be deep and 9 – Dixie State at Azusa Pacific, 6:30 p.m.; Central Washington at talented. Western Oregon, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Simon Fraser, 6 p.m. 16 – Azusa Pacific at Simon Fraser, 2 p.m.; Central Washington at Dixie State, “We have great depth at quarterback,” sixth-year head 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at Humboldt State, 1 p.m. coach Rob Smith said. “We are fortunate to have three players who could all be starting quarterbacks in this TEAM CAPSULES league.” HUMBOLDT STATE Lumberjacks That includes Kyle Morris (6-1, 185, Jr., Ukiah, CA), who threw for 671 yards at Idaho State in 2010 before Head Coach: Rob Smith, Washington ’81 (31-22, 5 years; transferring to Humboldt State and redshirting last season. Overall, 139-84-1, 22 years) Assistants: Eric Tripp, offensive coordinator; Shay McClure, Morris earned the starter’s role during spring camp and has defensive coordinator; James Gravelle, defensive backs & special maintained it in fall workouts. teams; Patrick Walsh, offensive line; Shawn Howe, defensive line; Casey Mintz (6-2, 180, So., San Jose, CA – Prospect) Kyle Leitzke, tight ends & running backs. started five games last season passing for 998 yards and 2012 Record: 7-4 Conference: 6-4, 2nd, T nine touchdowns and is competing for the back-up position Returning Letter Winners: Off – 11 Def – 17 Spec - 5 Lost – 19 with Spencer Phillips (6-0, 185, Sr., Eugene, OR – Returning Starters: Off – 7 Def – 4 Spec - 0 Willamette), who transferred from Murray State (Kent.) for Basic Offense: Multiple his senior season. Basic Defense: 4-3 Stadium (Capacity): Redwood Bowl (6,000) The offense will also feature linemen David Kulp (6-2, 295, Sr., Lompoc, CA - Cabrillo) and Dillon Reagan (6-3, TOP RETURNEES: Rushing – Nick Ricciardulli (RB, 5-8, 190, 323, Sr., Issaquah, WA – College of the Redwoods). Sr., 281-1579, 12 TDs); Daniel Wyatt (RB, 5-7, 177, Sr., 64-301, 6 TDs). Passing – Casey Mintz (6-2, 180, So., 63-132-2, 1012, 9 Kulp was a first team GNAC all-conference selection last TDs). Receiving – Marquise Deadwiler (WR, 5-11, 174, Sr., 42- season and Reagan was a second team pick. 658, 4 TDs); Nick Ricciardulli (RB, 21-210, 1 TD). Kick Scoring – Matt Bruder (5-8, 164, Jr., 10-12 FGs 41-43 PATs). Tackles – The top returning receiver for the Lumberjacks is Marquise Alex Markarian (DE, 6-4, 245, Jr., 24-27, TFL 8 ½ - 38); Julius Deadwiler (5-11, 174, Sr., San Diego, CA – Helix & Evans (LB, 5-11, 230, Sr., 22-29); Kevin Cooper (DB, 5-10, 176, Southwestern JV), who caught 42 passes for 658 yards and Sr., 24-8-32, Interc. 4-80); Marcus Graves (DB, 6-0, 176, Jr., 21- four touchdowns. 9). All-Stars – Nick Ricciardulli (RB, 1st team GNAC); David Kulp st (OL, 6-2, 295, Sr., 1 team GNAC); Dillon Reagan (OL, 6-3, 323, Ricciardulli had 21 catches for 210 yards coming out of the nd nd Sr., 2 team GNAC); Matt Bruder (K, 5-8, 164, Jr., 2 team backfield. GNAC); Alex Markarian (DE, 2nd team GNAC); Chris Campbell nd (P, 5-10, 170, Jr., 2 team GNAC). Four starters return on defense including end Alex Markarian (6-4, 245, Jr., Chino Hills, CA – Reuben Ayala), st KEY LOSSES: Brett Frydendall (OL, 1 team GNAC); Victor who had 51 tackles including 8 ½ for losses of 38 yards and nd nd Spencer (WR, 2 team GNAC); Alex Hiebert (TE, 2 team was a second team GNAC all-conference selection.