2001 Concordia Moorhead Football

2001 Concordia Football Preview Information
Concordia Football Home Page for 2001 | see also | 2000 Season Stats | 2000 Box Scores |

College Information
School: Concordia-Moorhead
Founded : 1891
Location: Moorhead, MN
Enrollment : 2950
President : Rev. Thomas Thomsen
Athletic Director: Dr. Armin Pipho
Team Nickname: Cobbers
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Logo: The Chicago "C"
Faculty Athletic Rep: Jim Forde
Stadium: Jake Christiansen 7,000
Press Box Phone: 218-299-4465
Ticket Information |

Concordia Football History
First year of football: 1920
All-time bowl / play-off record: 8-5-2
Years in post-season play: 8
Last postseason appearance/result: 1997/Loss to Augsburg 34-22
All-time football record: 414-239-39

Football Staff

Head Coach: Terry Horan
Alma Mater/year of grad.: Concordia, 1989
Starting 1st Season
Record/current school: -
All-Time Record/Yrs: -
Coach phone: 218-299-3499
Best time to call: 1:00-2:30

Assistants/Position:
Bob Nick : Concordia, '65, 35th yr, Off Coord,
Dave Klug : Concordia, '80, 14th yr, Def Coord
Doug Perry : Concordia, '65, 19th yr, Off Backs,
Bob Kohler : Valley City, '69, 14th yr, D-Backs
Dan Kostich : Moorhead St., '73, 6th yr O-Line,
Dale Hertel : Concordia, '71, 5th yr, Off Backs,
Scott Lucier : Concordia, '91, 3rd yr, D-line, recruiting coordinator

Sports Information
S.I.D: Jim Cella
Office Ph.: 218-299-3194
Home Ph: 218-233-3698
Fax: 218-299-4189
E-Mail Address: cella@cord.edu
WWW Address: http://www.cord.edu/dept/sports/

1999 Game-by Game Results
(Click here for links to box scores)
H/A Date Opponent/info
A 9/2   MSU-Moorhead L 20-21
A 9/16 St. Thomas   L 22-38
H   9/23 Macalester   W 24-14
A 9/30 Gustavus     L 22-39
H   10/7 Hamline      W 26-9
A 10/14 Bethel       L 21-60
H   10/21 St. Olaf     L 24-27
H   10/28 Carleton     W 38-14
    11/4 Augsburg     W 37-13
A 11/11 St. John’s   L 14-35

2000 Final Record: Overall 4-6, MIAC 4-5 - 6th Place

2000 Cobber Football Schedule
(Players arrive Aug. 15, First Practice Aug. 16, Press Day Aug. 20)
Date     Opponent                    Site Time
Sept. 8 MSU-Moorhead (Power Bowl)   Home 1:30
Sept. 15 St. Thomas (Family Weekend) Home 1:00
Sept. 22 Macalester College          Away 1:00
Sept. 29 Gustavus Adolphus College   Home 1:00
Oct. 6   Hamline University          Away 1:00
Oct. 13 Bethel College (Homecoming) Home 1:00
Oct. 20 St. Olaf College            Away 1:00
Oct. 27 Carleton College            Away 1:00
Nov. 3   St. John's University       Fargo Dome 7:30
Nov. 9   Augsburg College            Metrodome 1:00

Concordia Series Records Against Opponents:
Opponent             W     L    T   Series Started
MSU-Moorhead 44 22 12 1920
St. Thomas   32 26 0 1931
Macalester   53 11 3 1923
Gustavus     29 39 2 1923
Hamline      43 13 0 1936
Bethel       18 5 0 1978
St. Olaf     29 20 2 1921
Carleton     14 5 0 1921
Augsburg     44 12 2 1926
St. John's   26 33 7 1923

Player & Team Information
2000 Overall Record: 4-6
2000 Conference Record/place: 4-5, 6th Place
Starters Returning/Lost: Offense: 5/6 Defense: 5/6 Punt-PK:/ 1/2

Returning Starters

Offense
PosNo Name Pos       Gr Ht   Wt H'town/HS
OG 61 Brian Riley    Sr. 6-5 295 Kerkoven MN/KMS HS
OG 60 Josh Thompson Sr. 6-2 270 West Fargo, ND
OT 79 Mark Haugen    Sr. 6-4 280 Moorhead MN
OT 70 Eric Emmerich Sr. 6-4 290 Princeton MN
QB 01 Jeff Hertel    Sr. 6-2 180 Fargo ND/South
SB 21 Raleigh Schmidt Sr 6-2 175 Tracy MN/Tracy Area HS
TE 87 Brian Martodam Sr. 6-4 225 Hawley MN

Defense
PosNo Name Pos       Gr Ht   Wt H'town/HS
DE 98 Barry Bennett Sr. 6-2 225 Long Prairie MN/LP-Grey Eagle HS
DT 90 Ben Holm       Sr. 6-5 245 Gillette WY/Campbell County HS
FS 07 Travis Olson   Sr. 6-2 200 Hawley MN
CB 04 Josh Vickerman Jr. 6-0 165 Alexandria MN/Jefferson HS
LB 54 Brian Westby   Sr. 6-1 220 Spicer MN/New London-Spicer HS

Key Losses (grad/transfer/injury/misc.)

Graduated players with experience
Offense
PosNo Name Pos       Ht Wt   H'town/HS
C 52 Chad Quamme    6-0 250 Fargo ND/South
OG 63 Joel Nelson    6-1 250 Fargo ND/South
HB 02 Jason Braaten 5-10 180 Dent MN/Perham
WR 81 Adam Strainer 6-3 190 Helena MT/Helena High

Defense
Pos No Name Pos       Ht   Wt H'town/HS
DT 94 Jeff Westrum 6-2 265 Clearbrook MN/Clearbrook-Gonvick
DE 99 Mark Hankel    6-2 235 Mapleton ND/Fargo Oak Grove
MLB 49 Joel Vettleson 6-1 215 Richmond MN/Cold Spring-Rocori
CB 42 Dan Tollefson 5-10 170 Madison MN/Lac Qui Parle Valley
CB 22 Eric Wold      5-11 190 Fargo ND/South

Season Outlook and Notes:
8/15/01
The 2001 edition of the Concordia football team will have a decidedly new look when it takes the field.

The biggest change will be on the sidelines where first-year head coach Terry Horan will be the holder of the torch of coaching tradition at Concordia. An honor that was handed to him when long time coach Jim Christopherson retired last year after 32 years at the helm. Horan is only the third coach the school has employed in the past 60 years.

Horan faces an uphill task in his first year, as he inherits a team that went 4-6 in 2000 and only has 11 total starters returning from that team. He will have to fill holes in both lines and also the offensive backfield, while trying to bring his own style of coaching to a program that has never had two losing seasons in a row since the late 1940's.

The cupboards are not all bare, as the team has several players that filled supporting roles the past few seasons that are waiting to step into a starring position. Among those that are capable of making an impact are four solid lineman. On the offensive line, returning starters Mark Haugen (Sr., Moorhead, Minn.) and Eric Emmerich (Sr., Princeton, Minn.) will offer size at the tackle spots, while defensive tackles Ben Holm (Sr., Gillette, Wyom.) and Derek Flann (Lake Lillian, Minn.) will anchor the defensive front four.

Another group of four players will also be the key to the Cobbers success in 2001. Offensively the team is hoping for big years from returning quarterback Jeff Hertel (Sr., Fargo, N. Dak.) and wide receiver Raleigh Schmidt (Sr., Tracy, Minn.). Two other defensive players have the capabiltiy to be standouts, they are Travis Olson (Sr., Hawley, Minn.) who will be switched to linebacker this year and returning cornerback Josh Vickerman (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.).

A Closer Look:

The Defense:
The Cobbers return five starters from a defense that finished second in the league in total yards allowed. The biggest shoes to fill will be that of two-time Lutheran Brotherhood All American and last year's MIAC Most Outstanding Lineman award winner Mark Hankel ('01, Mapleton, N.Dak.). Hankel was the team's leading "sack man" last season and holds the school record for most sacks in a career. The defense was third in the league in pass defense 204 yds/game) and fourth in rushing (122 yds/game). The Achilles heel came in the points allowed department as the Cobbers fell to eighth in the MIAC in that category, allowing an uncharacteristic 27 points per game. This year's defense is hoping to tighten up the field so opponents have a tougher time finding the end zone.

Defensive Line:
The graduation of defensive end Mark Hankel will leave a void in the pass rush department. Hankel led the team in sacks with 12.5 and was third on the team in tackles. The tough task will fall on the shoulders of tackles Ben Holm (Sr., 6-5, 245 Gillette Wyom.,Campbell County H.S.) and Derek Flann (Jr., 6-1, 265 Lake Lillina, Minn., BOLD H.S.), and end Barry Bennett (Sr., 6-2, 215 Long Prairie MN, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle H.S.). Bennett was third on the team in sacks last season with 6.5, while the trio combined for 11.5 total sacks. Finding an imposing fourth member of the line will be a key ingredient to returning the Cobber defense to it's storied past.

Linebackers:
The Cobbers have another big hole to fill in the linebacker corps. Team leading tackler and All-MIAC player Joel Vettleson ('01, Richmond Minn.) was lost to graduation. His presence in the middle of the defense kept opposing teams from running up the middle, and his ability to cover the pass enabled the defense to shut down the short passing game. Concordia will have game experience on the outside as returning starter Andy Shaffer (Sr., 6-1, 205 Monticello Minn, Monticello H.S.) will solidify one side with safety-turned- linebacker Travis Olson (Sr., 6-0 200 Hawley, Minn., Hawley H.S.) starting at the other outside linebacker spot. Olson played in all 10 games last year and was second on the team in tackles. Eric Gilder (Sr., 6-2, 235 Florence, Mont. Florence-Carlton H.S.) is the leading candidate to fill Vettleson's spot in the middle. Gilder played in nine games last fall and was in on a combined 41 tackles. Returning starter Brian Westby (Sr., 6-1, 220 Spicer Minn., New London-Spicer H.S.), who started several games last year, will also be called on to plug up the middle of the defense.

Cornerbacks and Safeties:
The defensive backfield is another area of concern for the Cobbers as they will have to replace three top starters from a year ago. Gone are standouts Dan Tollefson ('01, Madison Minn.), Jeff Hartquist ('01
Pipestone Minn.) and Eric Wold ('01, Fargo N. Dak.). Between the three they combined for 94 tackles and provided the backbone for a stellar secondary. The only remaining starter is Josh Vickerman (Sr., 6-0, 165 Alexandria Minn., Jefferson H.S.). Vickerman played in all ten games last year and led the team in fumbles recovered while finishing second in intercetions with four. The main candidates to start the year are Shane Satterlee (Jr., 6-3, 175 Litchfield, Minn., Litchfield H.S.), Brian Bjerke (Sr., 5-11, 170 Appleton, Minn., Lac Qui Parle Valley H.S.) and Adam Bakker (6-0, 170 Walker, Minn., Walker-Hackensack-Akeley H.S.). Of the three Satterlee brings the most experience as he played in all 10 games last year and collected two interceptions.

The Offense:
Unlike last season when the offense returned nine players on offense and most of the backfield, this year there will be only six returning starters, and three with experience at the "skilled" positions.

The offense struggled throughout the 2000 season and finished sixth in the league in yards per game. True to form - the Cobbers were among the leagues elite in running as they amassed an average of over 160 yards per game on the ground. The team failed to find consistency through the air as they averaged only 185 yards per game passing. Coach Horan is hoping to bring a new look to the offense that will be able to put more pressure on the opposing teams secondary while continuing to impose a strong running game.

Offensive Line:
As with the defense, the offensive line will have to replace an All-MIAC performer. Lost to graduation this year is two-time All-MIAC guard Joel Nelson ('01, Fargo, N. Dak.). Also lost is two-year starting center Chad Quamme ('01, Fargo, N.Dak.). The outside of the line will remain intact from a year ago and this will help with protecting the quarterback. Tackles Mark Haugen (Sr., 6-4, 280 Moorhead Minn., Moorhead H.S.) and Eric Emmerich (Sr., 6-4, 290 Princeton, Minn., Princeton H.S.) will be back to lead the line. Brian Riley (Sr., 6-5, 295 Kerkoven, Minn., KMS H.S.) and Josh Thompson (Sr., 6-2, 270 West Fargo N. Dak., West Fargo H.S.) return at guard and will help solidify the middle of the line.

Running Backs:
The running back position will feature the least amount of experience for the Cobbers. The combined returning tandem of Joel Ferrie (Sr., 5-9, 190 Moorhead MN, Moorhead H.S.) and Jon Doebler (Jr., 6-0, 205, Warroad MN, Warroad H.S.) had only 41 carries last season. Ferrie is a fifth-year senior who spent most of last year on the bench with an injury, and will be counted on to carry the bulk of the load in 2001. In the 1999 season he had 53 carries and averaged 4.5 yards per rush. Doebler had only 22 rushing attempts last year but in 1999 had a 6.0 yards per carry average. Other players who could factor in the Cobber ground game are Bobby Clark (So., 5-8, 165 Seely Lake, Mont., Seely Swan H.S.) and Jeremy Hinderks (So., 6-1, 225 Renville, Minn. RCW H.S.)

Quarterbacks:
Jeff Hertel (Sr., 6-2, 185 Fargo, N. Dak., South H.S.) will return at the quarteback spot. He led the Cobbers last year with over 150 yards per game in passing yardage. He threw for 15 touchdowns and had a completion rate of over 43 percent. Hertel was ranked ninth in the league last year and will be looking to improve on his overall consistency. If Hertel should falter look for sophomore Ryan Hebrink (6-3, 190 Sacred Heart, Minn., RCW H.S.) to assume command of the Cobber offense. Hebrink starred for the Cobber baseball team in the spring and will carry that confidence to the football field in the fall.

Receivers:
Hertel will have a trio of experienced receivers to throw to this fall. Senior wide out Raleigh Schmidt
(6-2, 175 Tracy, Minn., Tracy Area H.S.) will continue to be a deep threat with his speed and athletic ability. Schmidt had 27 receptions last season with a 16.8 yards per catch average. He finished third on the team in touchdowns in 2000. Jake Olson (Sr., 5-10, 170 Crookston, Minn., Crookston H.S.) led the team in yards per catch last fall with an impressive 22.6 yard average. He was also third on the team in scoring and should give Concordia a potent 1-2 punch from the wide receiver position. Tight End Brian Martodam (Sr., 6-4, 225 Hawley Minn., Hawley H.S.) will add depth and a legitimate third option for the Cobber air attack. His physical presence will help open up the middle of the field.

Kicking Game:
Horan will have to patch together a kicking game that has been unable to replace former All-MIAC punter/kicker Clayton Horgen ('00, Crookston, Minn.). Last year the Cobbers tried out four different punters, and finally settled on Scott Belseth (Jr., 6-1, 180 Breckenridge, Minn., Breckenridge H.S.). Belseth averaged 32 yards per kick and showed signs of excellence by hammering a career-long punt of 75 yards. Belseth will start the year as the number one option but the duo of Jeff Hertel and Travis Olson will be ready to add depth to the punting unit. The Cobbers graduated their lone field goal kicker last year which leaves a question mark for the field goal duties. Conventional kicker Jeremy Hinderks (So., 6-1, 225 Renville, Minn. RCW H.S.) will start the season as the teams field goal kicker. He was used last season as the deep kicker and kickoff specialist.

2001 Preseason Roster:

| See current roster on 2001 roster page |

This page is maintained by the Concordia Sports Information Office | sid@cord.edu |