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Five Year History
2014: 8-2
2013: 6-5
2012: 3-8
2011: 4-7
2010: 6-5

Head Coach: Brad Rzyczycki (17-15, 4th season as head coach, 9th season at Gannon)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh Hoeg (4th season)
Defensive Coordinator: John Thompson (2nd season)

Five Players to Watch
QB Liam Nadler
RB Brock Jones
WR Jesstin Hamm
DB Mike Zanders
DL Trenton Donald



The Gannon University football program reached new heights in the preseason. The Golden Knights were selected by coaches as the favorite to win the very competitive PSAC Western division in 2015. It's a landmark moment for a program that was 3-8 just two seasons ago and until last year, had not won more than six games in a season since joining the PSAC in 2008. But its recognition that is unquestionably deserved and that shows a great deal of respect for the program's maturation under fourth year head coach Brad Rzyczycki.

The preseason expectations are based on two things. The talent level - which has been maturing over the course of four years - and the progression. Under Rzyczycki's leadership, the Knights have gone from 3-8 to 6-5 to 8-2. They've taken big steps forward in each of the past two years and if they can continue that trend, it could be a very special season in Erie.

The Gannon coaching staff has done a fantastic job of retaining players and helping them grow within the system. The Knights have 21 players in the senior class this season and 12 of them are heading into their fifth year in the program. You don't have that much experience and leadership every year. This class has been building up to this season for four years and they have an opportunity to take Gannon football to places it has never been before. What an exciting time to be a Golden Knight.

The aforementioned senior class is full of players who've been making an impact since their freshman season. It starts on offense, where the Knights have been particularly strong. As a team, they've been one of the most productive and balanced units in the nation for the past two seasons. Last year's unit led the PSAC in scoring, total offense and rushing offense. Sr. running back Brock Jones, the defending PSAC offensive player of the year, led the league in rushing with 1628 yards, despite being the only player in the top 8 to play fewer than 11 games. If he gets off to another hot start (as he did last year) he could pick up a lot of attention for Harlon Hill trophy voting. Jones will run behind veteran linemen Matt Andry and Randy Toth. Both are 5th year seniors entering their third seasons as full time starters. Unfortunately they are the only incumbents in the line. The Knights will have to replace two first team All-PSAC West linemen in Kelson Patterson and Alex Davis, as well as Center Brandon Peacock. They do have a lot of linemen on the roster to fill out the two deep and size certainly won't be a concern. They also have a handful of sophomores and juniors to draw from which should allow them to redshirt all the incoming freshmen.

Of course, the offense keys off the quarterback position and the Knights couldn't be in better shape there. Liam Nadler has started every game since the 2012 season opener and has steadily improved to become one of the top returning quarterbacks in all of Division II. He is one the most experienced QBs in the PSAC - Only Bloom's Tim Kelly has started more games - and his performance shows it. He had the third highest completion percentage in the PSAC last year (62.6) and averaged 275 passing yards per game, which is incredible considering that Gannon was the PSAC's top rushing offense. Turnovers plagued Nadler in his first two years but in 2014, he threw only four interceptions in 318 pass attempts. He is also a very deceptive threat in the rushing game, carrying the ball for 520 gross yards last year (sacks reduced his net to 386) and racking up 12 touchdowns, which was the fourth most in the PSAC.

Running the routes for Nadler this year will be Jesstin Hamm (50 catches, 917 yards, 11 TD) and Quad Law (24 catches, 262 yards in only 6 games). They are the most experienced vets that the Knights will have but So. Brendan Klemensic (13 catches, 183 yards, TD) saw significant action last year. Watch for Sr. Joe Subucki to have an impact after missing the last two seasons due to injury. Sobucki last played in 2012, but started all 10 games that year and averaged more than 15 yards per catch.

On the defensive side of the ball, Gannon will again be under the leadership of defensive coordinatorJohn Thompson who begins his second year with the program. Thompson had a huge impact in year one, propelling the unit to 5th in scoring, 5th in total defense and 4th in rushing defense. The Knights had four games in which they held the opponent to 7 or fewer points. Eight full time starters will return, including leading tackler and All-PSAC West selection Mike Zanders at DB. Also returning in the secondary is Matt Astorino (47 total tackles, INT) and Mike Phillips (71 total tackles. The defensive line retains its entire two deep and is anchored by DTs Trenton Donald (42 total tackles) and Matthew Gawlik (8.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks). Most of the linebacker corps will be back as well, but someone will have to step up to replace Luke Rankie who was one of the best defensive players in program history.

The Final Word
A year ago, I was questioned for ranking the Knights as high as I did in the PSAC West preseason blog (3rd). This year, I may be questioned for picking them too low. The preseason pick of #1 in the coaches' poll is legit, and well deserved. I could easily justify that pick. In looking at all the teams, I felt that Slippery Rock has the best roster and given their recent success, I put them in the number 1 slot. But Gannon is in a prime position to challenge for the conference championship and an invitation to the post season.