|
|
|
Falcon Sports Archive |
Meet the Falcons
|
Nick Basham The Falcons need Nick Basham to be the playmaking defensive lineman he has been for the previous three seasons. The coaching staff says he has a nose for the football and a knack to make the big sack or force the big turnover. Defensive coach Kevin Bullis says Basham is in the elite group of defensive lineman he has coached while at UWRF. This playmaking ability was exemplified in his 2000 season where he made 23 solo tackles with 13 assists. Seventeen of those tackles were made behind the line of scrimmage. He was named Falcon Defensive Player of the Week twice last year. He made six tackles, two for loss, against Chadron and had five tackles, two for loss and a sack, in the season finale against Bemidji. He was named to the second All-WIAC team last season. |
|
Dan
Booth Dan Booth hasn’t played much in the past couple years due to a loaded halfback position, but with the graduation of Nick Scribner and Mark Shepherdson, playing time is up for grabs. In his third year, coaches believe he is ready to make a contribution in the 2001 season. |
|
Michael
Brown The fifth-year senior is one of the fastest players on the team and is good in bump and run coverage. Last season, Michael Brown was used heavily as an extra defensive back. This season, he is expected to compete for a starting job. Brown made five solo and six assisted tackles in 2000. |
|
Ramar
Edwards Ramar Edwards can help the Falcons in many ways during the upcoming season. Edwards has a lot of speed that can be used at a number of positions on the field. As a freshman, Edwards was a kickoff return specialist averaging 22.3 yards per return on 12 kickoffs. As a wide receiver, he caught one pass for 13 yards. He has also expressed some interest in joining the backfield as a running back. |
|
Ryan
Eiler As a freshman, Ryan Eiler was not a heavily recruited defensive lineman, but through a tremendous work ethic in the weight room and on the practice field has become a valuable part of the line. Last year he was rotated in at defensive tackle. This season, as a fifth-year senior, Eiler has the opportunity to start. Coaches are excited for Eiler because he has paid his dues and has earned his spot with the Falcons. Last season, Eiler made six solo and seven assisted tackles. |
|
Kyle
Erickson Kyle Erickson has dealt with injuries during much of his career with the Falcons. He has missed playing time with lower back and shoulder problems. When healthy, the coaching staff says he has a world of talent and will play a lot of football as a tackle or possibly a tight end. |
|
Edgar
Foster Edgar Foster was a starter at tackle one year ago and had a very good season. Coaches say Foster was a stabilizing force on an offensive line that has lost three starters. The coaches are counting on him to play well again in 2001. Foster spent last semester in New Zealand. |
|
Terrence
Galbreath Terrencce Galbreath played mostly on special teams in 2000, but hopes to earn time at fullback this season. In limited duty, Galbreath rushed eight times for 33 yards and one touchdown. Coaches say he has worked very hard on his speed and quickness in the offseason. |
|
Ben Gray Part of the Falcons’ talented defensive corps, Ben Gray is a three-year starter at outside linebacker. Although Gray isn’t big at 178 pounds, he is a very physical player. He runs a 4.6-second, 40-yard dash and has only seven percent body fat. He is one of the players that the Falcons will build their defense around. In 2000, Gray was sixth on the team in tackles with 24 solo and 14 assists. He was named Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Stout. Gray made eight tackles, two behind the line of scrimmage, with one sack. |
|
Bryon
Grossenbacher In his third season, Byron Grossenbacher has a chance to crack the starting lineup with a wide open starting halfback race. Physically, Grossenbacher has the talent to play, but knowledge of the Falcon complicated wishbone offense will decide if he is ready to play. |
|
Greg Gunderson Greg Gunderson has not played much in his three-year career with the Falcons, but should compete for playing time this season due to the team’s limited depth in the defensive backfield. Gunderson is smart player, who is a good open field tackler, but needs repetitions. He also will compete to be the team’s long snapper. Gunderson made four tackles in 2000. |
|
Taylor Hall Taylor Hall brings leadership as well as talent to the halfback position. The fifth-year senior received a medical redshirt last season and is penciled in as a starter in 2001. Hall gives the Falcons an outside threat with his tremendous speed. Before getting injured, Hall rushed for 72 yards on nine carries and caught three passes for 73 yards. Hall was named the Falcon Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 33 yards on three carries and making three receptions for 73 yards against La Crosse. |
|
Derek
Hanson Derek Hanson will be battling for a starting position in the offensive line in 2001 after a tremendous work ethic in the offseason. The fifth-year senior did earn playing time as a guard last season. |
|
Mike
Hayward A three-year starter, Mike Hayward is the defensive leader both on and off the field. As a freshman, Hayward solidified the middle of the defense. Now the senior is largely responsible for motivating others. Hayward has also been a valuable playmaker. Last season, he was fourth on the team with 43 tackles, 30 solo and 13 assists. He was named Falcon Defensive Player of the Week twice during the 2000 season. Against La Crosse, Hayward made seven tackles. He made eight tackles, two behind the line of scrimmage, against Whitewater. Hayward was honored with a WIAC second team defensive selection in 2000. |
|
Nate
Hendrickson Nate Hendrickson is a sophomore linebacker from Prescott, Wis. Hendrickson had eight tackles in limited playing time last season. This year he looks to make more of an impact in the Falcon linebacking core. He could also help the team as the long snapper. |
|
Jason
Hespen Jason Hespen is a third year cornerback for the Falcons. He is stronger and quicker this year with a better understanding of the defensive scheme. He is dedicated and has a very good work ethic. Hespen could see some playing time on special teams with the Falcons this year. |
|
Jeff Horton Jeff Horton had eight tackles in seven games played last year. He has good quickness and strength. This year as a sophomore, Horton looks to work his way into more playing time and become more of an impact for the Falcons. |
|
Shaun
Izdepski Shaun Izdepski stepped into the starting lineup for the Falcons last year and is penciled in as a starter in 2001. The junior is one year better and one year more confident. He should be a mainstay in the offensive line. Izdepski is one of the best pulling and trapping guards on the team. |
|
Jed Kennedy Jed Kennedy made an immediate impact on the Falcons ever since his freshman year. He started last year and was a big leader on the team. The senior has great work ethic and a desire to get things done. Last year, Kennedy led the Falcons with 64 tackles, and he also had one sack. He was named Falcon Special Teams Player of the Week when he made three tackles against Whitewater. |
|
Chad
Koranda Chad Koranda is a returning halfback for the Falcons who had limited playing time last year. Koranda played in eight games last year, but carried the ball just once. With the graduation of Mark Shepherdson and Nick Scribner, Koranda should battle for more playing time this year. He made 10 special teams tackles in 2000. |
|
Scott Kusilek Scott Kusilek is the Falcons best receiver and is in his second year as a starter in his junior year. Last year, in the run-orientated offense, Kusilek had 17 catches for 313 yards and five touchdowns. Kusilek is also a very effective blocker as well as running good routes and having good hands. The junior was selected as the team’s Player of the Week when he caught five passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns against UWO. In that game, Kusilek caught scoring passes of 21 and 36 yards. He also received Special Teams Player of the Week for averaging 38 yards on three punts against EC. |
|
Ryan
La Grander Ryan La Grander started as an inside linebacker and moved to defensive end last year. He was a backup last year and played well at the end of the season. This year, the junior will have a chance to start and the Falcons expect bigger and better things out of him. La Grander had 34 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks last season. La Grander was the Falcons Defensive Player of the Week for his eight-tackle, three-tackle for loss performance against Stevens Point. |
|
Jeremy
Larson Jeremy Larson has started since the end of his freshman year. The senior is the pillar of the Falcon defense, and he is a big playmaker. He is very athletic at the defensive tackle spot and is a crucial player to the team. Larson had 32 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks last season. He received honrable mention to the All-WIAC team. |
|
Billy
Lowe Billy Lowe, a backup quarterback for the Falcons, is a transfer student from a Kansas junior college. Lowe knows the offense well and is capable of directing it on the field. He rushed for 15 yards last year and had a long run of 11 yards. |
|
Neil
Mantor Mantor will compete for a starting spot at cornerback this year. He is very quick and has a good feel for the game. He is capable of making plays while the ball is in the air. Last season, Mantor had three tackles and two interceptions in limited playing time. Mantor was named the team’s Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. |
|
Luke
Miska Luke Miska played linebacker last year, but will start at free safety for the Falcons this year. He can make the big play and the sure play. The junior could lead the Falcons in tackles this year. He has great speed, physical ability, and coverage skills. Miska had 50 tackles and one interception last season for the Falcons. |
|
Nate
Mueller Nate Mueller saw limited playing time for the Falcons last year, totaling four tackles in seven games. This year, the sophomore could see some more playing time and continue to improve and grow. |
|
Jake
Norby Jake Norby is a big cornerback who has great speed and work ethic. He is capable of making plays on the ball and is a great competitor. Last season, Norby had 28 tackles and one interception for the Falcons. |
|
Rob
Ohman Rob Ohman was the Falcons leading rusher last season gaining 966 yards on 147 attempts that computes to an amazing 6.6 yards a carry on the season. He ended the 2000 season averaging 96.6 yards a game. He scored five times and he tied the team’s longest run for the 2000 season with an 88-yard dash. Ohman was nominated Player of the Week twice during last season. Ohman is only a junior and is expected to make as much or more of an impact this coming season than his last. |
|
Matt
Palas This hard-hitting linebacker is expected to have a great senior year campaign. Matt Palas finished last season with 39 tackles, 19 were unassisted. The senior can not only stop an offense but push them for negative yardage which he did four times for a -14 yards. Palas had one sack, one forced fumble, and an interception. He also was one of three to lead the team in pass break-ups (3). Palas is known for not making too much commotion while getting the job on the field. He is considered one of the team’s most versatile linebackers. |
|
Shawn Powell Shawn Powell appeared in six games last season averaging 3.8 yards per carry by rushing 75 yards on 20 carries. The junior from Green Bay will look to improve upon his last season and look form him to once again be one of the many backs used in the famous wishbone offense. The team expects him to appear in more games and work his way into the offense a little more than the 2000 season. |
|
Tom
Pulford Tom Pulford will be a part of the heated competition to grab the quarterback spot following the departure of senior Cory Mueller. He will have to battle with Billy Lowe and Dustin Vogelgesang for the starting position. He will compete for playing time this year at QB. As our tradition at the QB position demands he is a real student of the game. Another guy who has gotten himself ready through total commitment to the off season program. The sophomore will look to use the experience he got from the bench last season to help him this season. |
|
Brad
Roy Brad Roy has really developed himself in the last three years. The Falcons expect him to play a lot of football for them this year. A very positive example of what perseverance and commitment to the off season conditioning program can do to develop the type of physical presence needed to compete in the WIAC. |
|
Nic
Rue Nic Rue saw only limited but important playing time last season in three games and assisted on one tackle. Rue will be competing for more playing time on the defensive line. He has the size and determination to develop into an outstanding player. |
|
Justin
Samuelson Justin Samuelson played in seven games last season accumulating one assisted tackle. With so much competition in the backfield look for Samuelson to appear on special teams early on. The team looks to have him be a big contributor in special teams for the coming season. |
|
Korwin
Schmidt Korwin Schmidt moved from defensive line to tight end last year. With few bodies there this year he has a fine chance to get a lot of playing time. He is very big for that position and also has very good athletic ability and could become a top tight end for the Falcons. |
|
Ben
Smith Ben Smith will be in his third season as an offensive lineman. As is the case for most players at those positions the third year is the time when they really begin to make contributions. The Falcons staff will expect Smith to compete for a starting role and get a lot of playing time. |
|
Greg
Spahn Greg Spahn has waited for his turn in the offensive line. He was the backup center last year and has really developed both the physical and mental aspects of that position. He will have the chance to start in 2001. |
|
Richard
Timm Richard Timm was redshirted in 2000. Without question he has the ability to be the best punter in the WIAC. If he can develop the consistency that is needed he will be a major asset to the Falcon program. |
|
Dan
Toninato Dan Toninato is one of the more consistent kickers the Falcons have seen in the past years. He finished the 2000 season going 5-8 in field goal attempts. He was perfect from under 20 yards and 2-3 from 20 to 30 yards. Toninato had a long of 35 yards. He was named the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year. Three times Toninato was named Player of the Week for special teams. He will be asked to do as well this year. |
|
Dustin
Vogelgesang Dustin Vogelgesang is the only other person other than Cory Mueller that saw time at quarterback. He will have to battle three other players to attain the coveted quarterback spot after the departure of Mueller. Vogelgesang, a sophomore, is a great utility man for the Falcons. He ran for 110 yards on the season, appearing in 10 games. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry. Vogelgesang had one touchdown and was a prominent punt and kick returner gaining 92 yards. He was named the team’s Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Look for him to fill the void at quarterback and/or continue to return punts and kicks. |