FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[cawcdad]

Game pics from yesterday's Oxy - Menlo game have been posted. I'm looking forward to seeing Oxyfan's pics.

Bob, you can save your criticizing and caustic attempts at humor, I already know they are not the best. Just trying to give folks a glimpse at the game.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

From the Oxy website:

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2009-10/news/090509fb_Menlo

Gridiron gang uses strong second half to win season opener


ATHERTON, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2009) – After limited practices in the extreme heat through the last week in Eagle, Rock, a 75 degree cloud laden morning sky was welcomed with open arms as the No. 23 Occidental College football team took to the field for the first time in 2009. Despite a number of injuries, sidelining numerous potential starters, the Tigers were able to recover from a slow start to earn a 17-0 victory over Menlo College this afternoon.

"We did a great job controlling the clock," said head coach Dale Widolff who enters his 28th season at the helm of the Tigers. "We were able to limit penalties and had no turnovers today. Our guys executed on both sides of the ball and our special teams were solid all afternoon."

The perseverance of the black and orange led to a rewarding victory to kick off the season.

A shaky first possession did not discourage the Tigers as they settled down and got in a rhythm. At the end of the first quarter, however, the game was scoreless. The second quarter proved much the same, with the offense unable to score, but timely defensive stops kept the Oaks off the board as Menlo never got into the red zone. Oxy drove the ball  downfield, from their own 11 yard line, before senior Neil Martin's 28-yard field goal kick, with just over three minutes to go in the half, soared through the upright, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

The second half was entirely different for Occidental who used the intermission to make adjustments and alter their game plan.

With 12:30 to play in the third quarter the Tigers got the spark they needed when senior defensive back Aaron Stanton picked off the Oaks' quarterback. The interception set up a 53-yard completion from senior quarterback Scott Saunders to sophomore wide receiver Jordan Washington who picked up where he left off a year ago. J. Washington made the touchdown possible by avoiding defenders, spinning out of the way of potential tackles and using his elusive footwork to battle past the defense and cruise into the end zone.

Late in the third quarter the Oaks moved the ball closer to their end zone in almost déjà vu fashion, Stanton earned his second pick of the game. An errant throw by Menlo's quarterback ended up in Stanton's hands once again. This time he ran the ball back 70-yards for the Tigers' second TD of the game with 3:02 remaining in regulation. Martin finished off both plays to give Occidental a 17-0 lead, and ultimately the win.

The defensive unit was solid all day, limiting the Oaks to 217 total yards. Along with Stanton, sophomore Ayrton Bates nabbed a fourth quarter interception, squashing Menlo's hopes of putting any points on the board.

The junior combination of  Cory Suess and Dillon Tucker recorded six tackles apiece. Suess earned five solo tackles while breaking up another play and Tucker made three solo stops with three assists.

The defensive line was active with the senior duo of Alex Wertheimer and Jesse Fischer and junior Greg Fryan making things happen all game long. Wertheimer was a nuisance for Menlo quarterback, Nick Ruhl (a two-year member of the Stanford Cardinal football team), bringing pressure and taking him out of his groove. Fischer tallied four tackles, adding a QB hurry while junior Greg Fryan recorded the only Tigers' sack of the day.

Special teams also contributed to the success on the field today, with pre-season All-American candidate Alex Groh punting the ball nine times with two 50-yard punts (his longest at 52-yards). Six punts were inside the 20 yard line. Sophomore Josh Mun sent the Occidental kickoffs deep into Menlo territory all afternoon.

In his first start under center, junior Nick Danielson, Saunders was 19-for-26 with no interceptions. Saunders added 54 yards on the ground, including a adding his swift feet to earn a number of first downs for the Tigers. Saunders spread out the passing game with six players catching at least one pass. Chris Washington and Trevor Deussen finished with seven and six catches, respectively. Saunders connected with Tyler Naftz for a 25-yard completion.

C. Washington was effective on both sides of the ball (with a pair of tackles on defense) as well as on special teams.

Plenty of new faces got out on the field today for the first time. Another first in Division III football, on the West coast, occurred today as well when a pair of female referees took the field as part of the officiating crew.

Occidental will enjoy a bye week to rest injuries and prepare for the much anticipated contest with Linfield College, which is scheduled as the Tigers' first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Patterson Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. following a "Meet the Coaches" event hosted by the Tiger Club on the turn of the Bill Henry Track form 5:00-6:45 p.m.

[OxyBob]

Redlands preview from the Riverside Press-Enterprise:

Redlands' swagger is back
QB Selway returns from injury, ready to lead University of Redlands

Looking back at 2008, there are a couple of images that still haunt the University of Redlands football team. The loss to rival Occidental College is right up there. The season-ending heartbreaker to Cal Lutheran that ended postseason hopes for a Bulldogs team ranked as high as 14th in the country still lingers.

But perhaps the toughest thing the Bulldogs had to endure last year was watching their star quarterback shuffling along on crutches, a reminder of how one play or one injury can change the dynamic of a team and a season.

When Dan Selway went down with a broken foot in the second game of the season last year, the Bulldogs lost more than just their quarterback.

"He's got that swagger," receiver Brenden Barkate said.

Selway is back and so is the swagger as the University of Redlands prepares for its 100th season of football. The Bulldogs open the season Sept. 12 when they play host to East Texas Baptist University.

Of course it will take more than swagger to propel the Bulldogs into the postseason, but having the team's offensive leader back on the field is a good start for a team still reeling after missing the playoffs last year despite a 7-2 record.

"It means everything," senior Jared Fink said of Selway's return. "He brings a whole different persona to the team. Everyone just rallies around him."

Selway emerged as the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference offensive player of the year in 2007 and led the Bulldogs to a share of the conference title. He threw 22 touchdown passes and averaged 242.9 yards per game. Selway's athleticism -- he also played on the basketball team -- combined with his ability to absorb the intricacies of Redlands' spread offense allowed him to flourish.

"In our system it's all about the quarterback," Coach Mike Maynard said. "The quarterback needs to play well. He has a lot of responsibilities."

It's a system where quick decision-making is as important as quick feet and a rocket arm. And in the competitive SCIAC, there's not much time for a learning curve.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Thomas described Selway as a "grizzled veteran" who earned his stripes prior to the 2007 season.
...

Selway said he's anxious to get back under center and doesn't expect too many butterflies for the opener. He returned from a concussion in 2006 and, like most football players, has had to deal with his share of injuries. As a "grizzled veteran," he's learned to handle the emotion and adrenaline.

"It was a bummer being on the sideline and watching my teammates," Selway said. "We're coming out this year with a chip on our shoulders. ... I feel like I have something more to prove."

OxyBob

[OxyBob]

Bob, you can save your criticizing and caustic attempts at humor, I already know they are not the best. Just trying to give folks a glimpse at the game.

You might want to increase your intake of unpeeled apples. The skin of apples contain rutin, which has been used to treat swollen legs, circulation problems and varicose veins. It works by nourishing and strengthening small arteries and veins. In your case this would also reduce the risk of easy bruising, which is a common characteristic of someone with thin skin.

OxyBob

[OxyBob]

Article from the Ventura County Star about Cal Lutheran place kicker Jackson Damron:

An extra point to the story

Jackson Damron's story is so unlikely — from college student with no football background to preseason All-American kicker — that it doesn't really need embellishment.

So let's begin by dismissing the myth that has accompanied his rise to prominence with the Cal Lutheran football team: No, he wasn't discovered during a halftime kicking contest at a CLU home game.

Luckily, the truth about Damron — who, in his first year of playing football at any level, led CLU in scoring — is every bit as good: Damron came to the attention of the CLU staff while kicking the ball on the Mount Clef Stadium field one afternoon for his own amusement.

"We were coming back from practice one day," recalls CLU assistant coach Geno Sullivan, " and he was out there barefoot. He kicked off his sandals and started kicking."

And started drilling 40-yard field goals, using a single non-regulation ball being retrieved by his friends.

"I went up to him and said, 'Hey, you've got a pretty good leg. Ever kicked before?' " Sullivan said.

At the time — two years ago, CLU had an established All-America kicker, Connor Pearce, but Pierce was a senior — Sullivan, the special-teams coordinator as well as a defensive assistant, was already thinking ahead a year.

"He said, 'We don't really have anyone next year. Do you want to come out?' " recalls Damron. "I was like, 'Geez, I've never really thought about it.' "

Why would he have? Damron was a baseball and basketball player at Carpinteria High. He'd played soccer when he was younger, giving it up to play basketball in high school. And he'd come to CLU as a baseball player, seeing limited action (two hits in 11 at-bats) as a freshman. But he'd never played football.
...

But Damron did think about it and agreed to give it a try.

Sullivan told him to come out for spring practice that year, 2008, "and we'll see if you can kick a football for real. Put a shoe on, and we'll see.

"He did, and the rest is history, I guess."

At the very least, it's statistics. Damron made 17 of 23 field goals, including the first 10 attempts of his career, one of them from a season-best 49 yards. He also hit 23 of 26 extra points and averaged 61.4 yards for his 53 kickoffs, with seven touchbacks.

You could say Kingsmen coach Ben McEnroe was pleasantly surprised, but massively relieved would probably be more accurate.

"I was scared to death," says McEnroe. "Our kicker had never played football before. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but that made even me nervous.

"He started driving it through, though, and I thought, 'OK, we've got somebody here.' "

Good thing they did, too, because CLU had some trouble finishing off its scoring drives, particularly in the early season. It may not have been the best thing for the team, but it was good news for Damron.
...

It all seems to reflect Damron's overall athleticism, which is fine with McEnroe. He wants Damron to think of himself as an athlete, not a kicker, a point he drove home early last season when Damron missed a couple of extra points in a game at Whittier.

"He started counting steps and became a headcase," recalls McEnroe, "and I told him, 'Quit acting like a kicker. You're not a kicker, you're just a regular guy.' He went out and drilled the next one through, and put the next kickoff through the end zone, and was back to normal."

Says Damron: "I guess I kind of took that advice to heart and just do my own thing, because I'm not the stereotypical kicker."

Which is not to say Damron doesn't work at the task. He spends about 20 minutes on the practice field doing special-teams work with the full team, and another hour of work in Mount Clef Stadium with punter Josh Oosterhof, who also serves as his holder on field goals.

He gets occasional tips from former CLU kicker Ryan Geisler, now a teacher at Thousand Oaks High, and looked into working with a private kicking coach, but found "it's like an arm and a leg to go for an hour," Damron says. So he mostly remains on his own when it comes to technique, which so far seems to be working just fine.

"It was just kind of a hidden talent, I guess," Damron says,

Not that it's hidden anymore. Damron enters the season as one of 18 kickers on the watch list for the Fred Mitchell award, which goes to the top Division II or III kicker in the nation. He's also a second-team selection on a couple of preseason Division III All-America teams.

"I try not to pay too much attention to the preseason stuff," he says. " I haven't even done anything yet this season."
...

"It's crazy that he's a preseason All-American with that story," says the coach. "Come on. That's unbelievable."

Unbelievable or not, it's a story that is going to have a lasting impact on the CLU coaching staff in at least one way.

"I'll tell you what," says McEnroe, "from now on, we keep a close eye on anyone who goes out and does any kind of activity on that field."

OxyBob

[Oxy Fan]

Finally arrived home after fighting the Labor Day traffic on I-5 all the way back.  It was a great late summer afternoon (maybe on the warm side) for some football in Atherton.  Got to meet and talk at length with Cawcdad.  Since his is the only posted first hand account of the game I thought I would post my take as well as a link to some pics:  http://gallery.me.com/aybates#100138

But, in this one person's opinion, either Oxy isn't as good as advertised or Menlo is pretty good. Defensively anyway.

I agree that Oxy started with a slow first half and finished with a slow fourth quarter.  I attribute the slow first half to a team getting used to its first real full speed effort of the season (unlike USC, Oxy does not have All-Americans sitting on the bench who can fill in for the players that get banged up because they practice at full throttle everyday).  The slow fourth quarter was a tactical decision to wind down the clock and minimize the number of opportunities for Menlo to get back into the game.

Although neither team really impressed me. . . .

Have to disagree here.  Maybe it is my defensive bias showing through, but I thought Oxy's defense played lights out.  To hold Menlo to

Menlo had just two decent plays from scrimmage, a run by Souza and a pass play in the second half.

qualifies as impressive in my book.  The offense, while never looking in command of itself, did well with a new QB and a revamped O-Line.  On the other side of the ball, I thought that Menlo's D-Line looked very good.

On a side note, I thought that Menlo QB Angel Molina's play last year against Oxy was outstanding.  Wonder why he was only in for the last series . . . [Just checked the box score and it was Castillo, not Molina, in during the last series]

[Nihon Tiger]

Hi Everyone,

New poster here.  I`m an Oxy supporter and recent alum, dying for someone to talk D3 football with after moving to Japan for a teaching job a month ago.  I also figured OxyBob and co. would need some Post Patterns support against the army of Linfield posters in the next couple of weeks!  Also if any Oxy posters would like to discuss this year's team in depth feel free to message me with position-specific questions and whatnot.  Like I said, I'm stuck at a desk most of the day in a place where half the English-speakers I know think football is a game played with your feet.  Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu (please treat me well  ).

It's not a dome,
Nihon Tiger

[D O.C.]

Welcome
and nice try

It's not a dome

That will not irk many. The real avalanche will come after the LINFIELD faithful have had to endure sitting on the cement for 3 hours.

[OxyBob]

Maybe it is my defensive bias showing through, but I thought Oxy's defense played lights out. 

For the game, Menlo crossed the 50 four times. The farthest they got was the Oxy 37. I'd say that's lights out.

I also figured OxyBob and co. would need some Post Patterns support against the army of Linfield posters in the next couple of weeks!

OxyBob = blue whale
Linfield fans = krill

Eat 'em up, Toras!

どうもありがとうミスターロボット

[D O.C.]

Please make that     The Killer Krill     so many have choked on it in the past.

[MonroviaCat]

 

LINFIELD faithful have had to endure sitting on the cement for 3 hours.

Sounds like I'll have to wear my padded biker shorts to the game in 2 weeks!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Surfs up Dens

GHC

[Gray Fox]

Surfs up Dens

GHC

Watch out for blue whales.

[Oxy Fan]

Whittier Poets 2009 Preview as posted on their athletic website:

Sep 4, 2009
Football 2009 Position Preview: Quarterbacks

WHITTIER, Calif. - In 2008 the Whittier College football team lost starting quarterback Matt Castaneda to injury just four games into the season. Now the Poets lost Castaneda for the year as an injury over the summer has sidelined the junior signal caller for the 2009 campaign.

Returning to the purple and gold is sophomore Pete Mitchell who played in five games in '08 and accounted for 314 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Mitchell completed nearly 66 percent of his passes and added one score on the ground.

Competing with Mitchell is junior college transfer Alesana Sausau who played last season with San Joaquin Delta. The 6-0, 212 pound, sophomore has impressed coaches with his arm strength and his ability to move the pocket.

Sausau completed 51-of-84 passes for 616 yards with eight touchdowns for Delta. He also added 194 yards on the ground with three scores. In nine games he didn't turn the ball over one time through the air.

The coaching staff has also been impressed with a pair of freshman in Ramona, Calif., native Ian Hunt and Aurora, Ore., native Kelly Maguire.

Hunt is listed as 6-0, 185 pounds, while Maguire entered camp at 6-2, 195 pounds.

Sep 6, 2009
Football 2009 Position Preview: Offensive Line

WHITTIER, Calif. - The heart of the offense for the Poets lies up front where Whittier welcomes back all five returning lineman from last year. The purple and gold averaged 131 yards per game on the ground with a four-yard per rush average and had one all-conference selection.

Junior Cody McDermott earned first-team all-conference honors in 2008 as he will be one of the top linemen from his left guard position.

Joining McDermott are returning starters Alex Durazo (right tackle), James Constancio (right guard), Richard Duran (center) and Efrain Gonzalez (left tackle).

Sophomore Eric Colunga will backup Duran while junior Daniel Ackers will see time at both guard positions. Another sophomore, Tyler Portman, is the primary backup at tackles while true freshman Patrick Sweigart will add depth across the front five.

Sep 5, 2009
Football 2009 Position Preview: Backfield

WHITTIER, Calif. - In 2008 the Poet football team rushed for 1179 yards and 13 touchdowns with 920 yards and 10 scores coming by way of graduated senior Anthony Pomponio. Whittier will have to replace 78 percent of its ground offense but the purple and gold is confident the ground could once again be the strong point of the offense.

The back field stole a pair of defensive backs from the opposite side of the football to strength the running game. Senior Paul Schilling will likely be the team's number one back when they open play in El Paso, Texas, on September 12.

The 6-0, 199 pounder, was in the secondary last season but has made a nice transition in the offseason to his natural position.

Schilling is joined by TC Collymore who also made the switch from defensive back to running back. Collymore is an outstanding athlete who earned all-conference honors last spring in the long jump and triple jump.

Sophomore transfer Rodrigo Muratalla and true freshman Daniel Enriquez will add depth to the position.

The fullbacks are led by fifth-year senior Gabe Penaflor who will be tough to unseat from his starting position. Adding to the depth to the block back position is junior Garrett Souza who moved over from linebacker in the spring.

True freshman Marcus Langkilde and sophomore Zachary Trites have looked solid throughout camp while sophomore Karsten Tindal has been a powerback for the Poets.

Sep 6, 2009
Football 2009 Position Preview: WR/TE

WHITTIER, Calif. - The receiving core for the Poets could be the most experienced skill position on the offensive side of the ball. Whittier returns two of its top receivers from 2008 in sophomore Josh Ollison and junior tight end Chris Delgado and the addition of three transfers makes this group one of the most talented on the entire Poet roster.

Ollison is the top returning receiver as he caught 22 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns. As a freshman he produced 550 yards on 35 passes with five touchdowns.

Playing behind Ollison will be sophomore Oreese Hoyes who should see considerable minutes for the purple and gold.

Lining up across the field from Ollison and Hoyes will be a pair of transfers in Wesley Peterson and Giovanni Stanley. Peterson joined the Poets from Hampton University while Stanley was a teammate of transfer quarterback Alesana Sausau at San Joaquin Delta.

One of the most explosive players at the position its Baylor University transfer Eddy Newton.

Sophomore Anthony Bennett can play all three receiver positions and will add depth for the Poets while true freshman Kimble Tillman and senior all-purpose player Karson Kim will make the unit even more dangerous.

Delgado returns as the top tight end on the roster as he is followed on the depth chart by sophomore Greg Sweeney who has had a solid preseason and senior team-captain Garrett Carr.

[Oxy Fan]

2009 CLU Preview as posted on their athletic website:

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Now going on three years under Head Coach Ben McEnroe the Kingsmen football squad has accumulated a 12-6 mark and a share of the conference title in 2007. Now a hungry Cal Lutheran squad hopes to achieve the only thing that has eluded them-an NCAA postseason berth.

Offensive Line
After a horde of injuries to the offensive line last season and the team's rushing game failing to reach the 1,000-yard mark over the past two seasons, special measures have been taken to help the quality and quantity at this position.

"Depth issues have been addressed with the addition of transfers Chris Doukakis (El Segundo, Calif./El Segundo HS) and Marc Valdez (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon Country HS). Both have earned starting jobs in camp and provide collegiate experience and toughness," commented McEnroe, a former all-SCIAC offensive lineman for the Kingsmen.

Three of the five starters in 2009 are returning from last year's squad including the left side of the offensive line. This trio is highlighted by starting left tackle Matt Rosen (Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep) who was named all-SCIAC first team in 2007 and second team in 2008.

The six-foot-two, 340 pound Jeffrey Wurts (Los Angeles, Calif./Westlake HS) will start at left guard after appearing in two games last season. At right guard will be Giovanni Lapp (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) who played in six games as a freshman gaining valuable experience heading into his sophomore campaign.

Freshman Jordan Austin (Bakersfield, Calif./Highland HS) is leading the freshman group and may see action in his first season of collegiate football.

Running Back
The ground game will feature a trio of running backs headlined by senior transfer Brian Stuart (Van Nuys, Calif./College of the Canyons). Senior Antoine Adams (Palmdale, Calif./Quartz Hill HS), the team's leading rusher in 2008 and sophomore Bobby Rodrigues (Glendale, Ariz./Brophy Prep) round out this group of talented members in the backfield.

"All will see significant action and can be used together in certain packages," said third-year Head Coach Ben McEnroe.

Quarterback
Senior quarterback Jericho Toilolo (San Diego, Calif./Helix HS) will enter his third-year as the full-time starter. He has thrown 11 touchdown passes in each of the past two seasons to just 10 total interceptions. The nimble QB poses a threat on the ground as well having rushed for 156 yards and four touchdowns in his career.

Wide Receiver
A familiar face behind center will look out and see some new targets to throw at in 2009. With the graduation of wide outs Danny Hernandez and Jesse Matlock also goes the receiving end of 15 of Toilolo's 22 touchdown tosses.

Moving up the depth charts will be senior Chris Hammond (Camarillo, Calif./Irvine HS) and junior Christian Edwards (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek HS). This duo combined for 40 catches, four touchdowns and nearly 600 yards of receiving yardage. Adams out of the CLU backfield has the next highest total catches of returners with six.

The main candidates in a battle for the third starting wide out spot will include junior Jake Speckhard (Prescott, Ariz./Estrella Foothills HS), along with newcomers Matt O'Brien (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande HS) and Eric Rogers (Duarte, Calif./Charter Oak HS).

"(All) have had strong training camp performances and will see significant playing time," said a confident Coach McEnroe.  "O'Brien is a former quarterback and excellent route-runner; Rogers is a tall target and impressive leaper that can cover a lot of ground quickly; Speckhard has been here two years and knows our system."

Tight End
Sophomore Jake Lins (Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark HS) will likely get the starting nod to begin the season. Last year the top two on the depth chart will not return securing nine catches for 89 yards and a score combined. The position was mostly used in a blocking role to help protect the offensive line and quarterback Toilolo, who was sacked 36 times in '08.

CLU has just three at the position on its roster of 100-plus players including sophomore returner Britt Briscoe (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon) and freshman Hunter Horn (Lancaster, Calif./Quartz Hill HS).

Defensive Line
Senior Sawyer Merrill (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS) was a first team all-SCIAC selection recording 34 tackles and six sacks in 2008 and will be a mainstay this year.

Alexander Moe (Oslo, Norway/Heltberg) will begin his junior season as the starter in the middle of the Cal Lutheran three-man front. Last season he appeared in five games making four tackles.

To his outside along with Merrill he will see junior Jordan Barta (Beaverton, Ore./Southridge HS) to his side. The junior played in eight games last season recording 22 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries including a 12-yard touchdown scoop.

The CLU coaching staff has many options to go to at defensive line with a talented group of newcomers battling for playing time and trying to fill the shoes of 2008 SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year and all-American Jose Calderon who graduated in May.

"Two freshman defensive linemen have been very impressive. Rian Younker (Pasadena, Calif./St. Francis HS) can play every position along the defensive front and is expected to help absorb the loss of (Calderon). Nose guard J.J. Gallagher (Reno, Nev./Bishop Manogue HS) is a pleasant surprise, having played mostly offensive line in high school and will likely see time on the line," said Coach McEnroe.



Linebacker

All-SCIAC second team pick Roland Jenkins (Oakland, Calif./St. Mary's College HS) returns his team-leading 61 tackles from last season to go along with 4.5 sacks.

The CLU coaching staff are looking forward to what transfer Matt Allen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Trinity (CT) College) will start alongside Jenkins. "(He) has stepped in to the starting inside linebacker spot and made an immediate impact. Matt provides great speed and intensity at a position that was a question mark," commented McEnroe.

Allen will try to fill the void of Clayton Cardenas who wrapped up 61 tackles including seven for a loss and also provided solid pass coverage grabbing an interception and four pass breakups last season.

Sophomores Michael Azhocar (Chula Vista, Calif./Otay Ranch HS) and J.T. Duncan (San Diego, Calif./Westview HS) will back up this linebacking duo to start the year.

Defensive Backs
Preseason all-American Victor Edwards (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek HS) returns for his senior campaign after having an impressive junior season and earning one four all-SCIAC first team awards by a CLU defensive player. Lurking in the passing zones he recorded five interceptions, including three in one game, along with six pass breakups and 11 passes defended to lead the team.

Other than Edwards, opposing quarterbacks will attempt to pass through a host of incoming Kingsmen new to the program.

"Freshman J.D. Austin (Corona, Calif./Centennial HS) has earned a starting cornerback job with an impressive camp.  With one of our returning corners suffering a minor injury prior to the start of practice, freshman Patrick Knox (Thousand Oaks, Calif/Thousand Oaks HS) has impressed and earned a starting job at the other corner spot," stated McEnroe.

Derek Wilson (Ventura, Calif.) will also start the season amongst the defensive backfield.

Safeties
Free safety Garrett Redd (Scottsdale, Ariz./Pinnacle HS) and strong safety Eric Lopes (Lake Havasu, Ariz./Lake Havasu HS) are a pair of CLU upperclassmen who combined to start eight of nine games together as the last line of defense.

Freshmen Broc Galbreth (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva HS) and B.J. Scott Jr. (Surprise, Ariz./Willow Canyon HS) will back up the safety positions.

Special Teams
In his first season with the Kingsmen football team kicker Jackson Damron (Carpinteria, Calif./Carpinteria HS) booted 17-of-23 field goals and earned all-American recognition in 2008 and preseason notoriety in 2009. He booted a long of 49 yards, made his first 10 attempts and was 14-for-17 from inside 40 yards.

On kickoffs he booted seven for touchbacks and averaged over 61 yards per kick.

Junior Josh Oosterhof (LaConner, Wash./LaConner HS) will again serve as the CLU punter after putting 11 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line and averaging 38.5 yards per attempt.

Freshman Michael Marusa (Simi Valley, Calif./Chaminade HS) will start the year as the team's long snapper.

Schedule
Cal Lutheran will face the same nine opponents during the regular season as it has for the past three years. The Kingsmen will face its two out-of-state rivals to begin the 2009 campaign on the road against Willamette (OR) University on September 12 and at home hosting Pacific Lutheran (WA) University September 19.

After a perfect regular season, an 11-1 mark overall and a No. 8 D3Football.com preseason ranking in 2009, the Bearcats dropped their season opener 24-17 at Concordia-Moorhead (MN) and fell out of the top-25.

CLU will have four home games without any coming on consecutive weeks. Following its bye week against the Lutes the Kingsmen open conference play with Whittier College on October 3 at Mount Clef Stadium.

After a pair of SCIAC contest CLU will travel to Chapman University on October 24 in the team's final non-conference match-up. It will be the first of three straight road games including last year's SCIAC champions and currently ranked No. 22 Occidental College on Halloween night at 7 p.m. and the University of La Verne on November 7.

The team's home and season finale will be against the University of Redlands on November 14.