September 2nd, 2014 12:00am
When Mel Tjeerdsma retired as the head coach at Northwest Missouri State following the 2010 season, most people thought the Bearcat program would go into a period of decline. And who could blame them for thinking that way? Tjeerdsma had set the bar incredibly high with three national championships and eight national championship game appearances between 1998 and 2010.
Before the 2011 season had even begun, Northwest had gone through two more coaching changes. Tjeerdsma*s heir apparent Scott Bostwick died tragically and he was replaced by veteran Bearcat assistant Adam Dorrel, who was just 36 years old at the time.
In the first two seasons under Dorrel, there were certainly signs that the Northwest program was beginning to take on some water. In 2011, the Bearcats blew a 28-point lead in losing to rival Pittsburg State in the regular season. PSU went on to win the national championship, with a dominating playoff win over Northwest along the way.
In 2012, Northwest lost a heartbreaker in the season finale against Missouri Western. That loss to the Griffons cost the Bearcats a MIAA title and they were forced to watch their hated rivals celebrate at Bearcat Stadium. Many Northwest supporters grumbled that Tjeerdsma would never have allowed such a thing to happen. The Northwest season ended a couple of weeks later in an overtime playoff loss at Minnesota State.
Going into the 2013 season there was certainly reason for optimism at Northwest as the Bearcats returned a veteran team loaded with talent. But to make a push toward a national championship the Bearcats would need to first retake control in the MIAA, and it certainly appeared from the results of the previous two seasons that the other top teams in the league were catching up.
Of course, as we all know now, the 2013 Bearcats became one of the top teams in D2 history, finishing with a 15-0 record and a national championship. After a couple of close calls early in the conference schedule, Northwest rolled through the rest of the season including four convincing playoff wins.
With nine defensive starters and several key offensive players returning, the 2014 Bearcats have to be a heavy favorite to repeat as champs. Now that Dorrel and his team have proven many wrong by showing that they have what it takes to get to the top of the mountain, they face an even tougher task: staying there.
My short list of 2014 National Championship Favorites:
Northwest Missouri State (15-0)
As mentioned, the Bearcats return nine defensive starters, including preseason All-Americans Matt Longacre and Brandon Yost on the defensive line and DJ Gnader at linebacker. Also look for junior quarterback Brady Bolles to have a breakout season in his first year as the full-time starter.
Minnesota State (11-1)
Can the Mavericks replace standout quarterback Jon Wolf? MSU brought in Southern Mississippi transfer Ricky Lloyd to replace Wolf, but Lloyd isn*t the dynamic runner that Wolf was. If Lloyd is up to the task, the rest of team looks solid as eight starters return on both sides of the football. Another questions mark is the return of Todd Hoffner as the program*s head coach after a two-year hiatus. When Hoffner was reinstated as the head coach during spring football there were problems so it remains to be seen if there is any chemistry with this team.
Grand Valley State (12-3)
The Lakers had another so-so regular season by their standards in 2013, but turned in on in the playoffs in reaching the semifinals. Quarterback Heath Parling (2441 passing yards, 27 touchdowns) returns for his senior season along with four starters on the offensive line. The strength of the Laker "D" will be line play as well with three returning starters. GVSU needs to come together early: The Lakers play the other GLIAC favorites- Ohio Dominican and Ferris State- in the first two league games. Both of those teams defeated GVSU last season.
CSU-Pueblo (11-1)
The Thunderwolves went 11-0 during the regular season for a third consecutive year in 2013. The problem is that CSU-Pueblo has won just a single playoff game during that timeframe. The Thunderwolves return a great deal of talent this fall, let by quarterback Dustin Bonner and defensive end Darius Allen. Both were named the preseason players of the year in the RMAC. Talented running back J.B. Mathews also returns after sitting out the 2013 season. This would seem to be the Thunderwolves best shot yet of advancing deep into the postseason.
West Chester (13-2)
Yes, I know that no PSAC team has ever won a national title. But the Rams reached the semifinals last season and they have the luxury of returning a sixth-year senior in Sean McCartney at quarterback, a talented offensive line, and a pair of preseason All-Americans- linebacker Ronell Williams and defensive back Al-Hajj Shabazz on defense. The big question mark for WCU will be finding a replacement for Rondell White, who said a D2 record with 406 carries last season.
Ohio Dominican (10-1)
I need at least one dark horse pick and the Panthers are it. ODU rolled through the regular season undefeated but dropped its playoff opener to West Texas A&M. The Panthers graduated just 10 seniors so there is plenty of experience returning, led by quarterback Mark Miller.
Some Storylines to Watch in 2014
The national championship game moves to Kansas City
After over a quarter century in Florence, AL the D2 championship game will be played at Sporting Park in Kansas City, KS this year. As I have stated in the past, I felt it was time for a change of venue for the championship and I have no doubt that Kansas City will do a good job of hosting. The stadium is beautiful and the surrounding area is tailor-made for hosting such an event in regard to the hotels, restaurants, shopping and other amenities. The only possible negative could be the weather, as I*m sure wintry conditions will cause problems at some point in the future.
Todd Hoffner returns to Minnesota State
It*s been two years since Hoffner last coached the Mavericks, and they had a great deal of success under his leadership. Returning to the sidelines under the circumstances (Hoffner was removed as the head coach and charged with possession of child pornography in 2012) is awkward to say the least. MSU has championship caliber talent, but how will the players respond to the situation?
Is the third time the charm for Kevin Rodgers?
The Henderson State senior has already thrown for 10,076 yards and 91 touchdowns in his career and the two-time Harlon Hill finalist has plenty of talent surrounding him to support another big season. I predicted that Rodgers would win the Harlon Hill last year (he finished third) and I*m going with Rodgers as my favorite again this year.
Will Hall now coaching at West Georgia
After a very successful stint at West Alabama, Hall makes the move within the Gulf South Conference to UWG. The Wolves haven*t had much success in the last decade but I would consider this program a sleeping giant in D2 football with their outstanding facilities and access to a deep talent pool. Hall certainly realized this when he left a successful program at UWA. It will be interesting to see how fast the Wolves can turn things around.
Top Games in Week One
St. Cloud State at Minnesota State
These two teams are traditional NSIC rivals that play for the "Training Kit". Expect some more heat than usual this season after SCSU shocked MSU 54-48 in the playoffs last season to end the Mavericks* perfect season. Both teams will have new quarterbacks, but I feel MSU is deeper and more talented overall.
Minnesota State 31 St. Cloud State 24
West Texas A&M at CSU-Pueblo
Despite playing in different conferences, this will be the fourth meeting in four years between these two teams so they should know each other well. WTAMU is in a bit of a rebuilding mode after graduating several key players off of last year*s team. CSU-Pueblo is a veteran team and they should win this game at home.
CSU-Pueblo 34 West Texas A&M 24
Central Missouri at Missouri Western
With the MIAA being such a deep and strong conference neither of these teams can afford an early loss and still stay in the playoff race. Both teams return a lot of talent from last season, but I will give a slight edge to the Mules because they have a returning starter in Hayden Hawk at quarterback while MWSU must replace Travis Partridge at that position.
Central Missouri 28 Missouri Western 21
Grand Valley State at Azusa Pacific
GVSU won 38-17 last season when these two teams met at Lubbers Stadium. Both went on to have fine seasons as the Lakers reached the national semifinals and APU finished 10-2. The Cougars return a veteran offensive line and standout running back Terrell Watson (1812 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns) but with just three returning starters on defense APU may have a hard time stopping the GVSU offense.
Grand Valley 40 Azusa Pacific 21
West Chester at New Haven
WCU came out of nowhere to reach the national semifinals last year while UNH has been a very strong team since reinstating its football program. The Rams have a great deal of experience returning and will be too much for the Chargers in this game.
West Chester 40 New Haven 20
UNC-Pembroke at Winston-Salem State
Both teams were in the playoffs a season ago, but both have new head coaches and some rebuilding to do. The Rams* defense always seems to be up to the task when playing at home so I will take WSSU in a close game.
Winston-Salem 20 UNC-Pembroke 17
Indianapolis at Saginaw Valley State
Both teams were in the playoffs last season, but start off this season under completely different circumstances. SVSU will have brand new players in most key positions on both sides of the ball, but in particular quarterback Jon Jennings and receiver Jeff Janis will be tough to replace. The Greyhounds on the other hand return nine starters on offense, led by junior quarterback Connor Barthel.
Indianapolis 31 Saginaw Valley State 17
Mailbag
As usual, I will have the mailbag open this season for any question you may have that you would like answered in this column.
Feel free to contact me with any comments or criticisms or if you have a question you would like answered in the Mailbag.