2009 Season Preview
The 2009 edition of the Taylor University football team will have a vastly different look compared to the team that second-year head coach Ron Korfmacher fielded a year ago. With 30 newcomers added to the roster this offseason, the Trojans will attempt to find the right mix of veteran leadership and young talent to maximize the team's success this season.
Despite the departure of nine starters from last year's team that finished the season with a 2-8 record, the Trojans figure to be a deeper team this season with ten additional players and a full offseason of training and development in the Taylor system. With each assistant coach returning to the staff this season, and the addition of two more assistants in 2009, the program is on level footing and poised to improve on a stepping stone season from a year ago.
Setting the tone for the Trojans will be the groups in the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive lines return key players for the most battle-tested units on the team.
The Offense
With eight offensive starters returning, including three on the offensive line, this unit will play a large role in determining the success of the Taylor offense this season. Starting quarterback Shaun Addison returns for his junior year with a talented and experienced group of wide receivers as targets. However, the offense did take a hit when it was announced last spring that Josh Cook, First Team All-MSFA pick and the team's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1998, would not return for the 2009 season.
Working the trenches will be a trio of returning starters in senior Ross Hayden and juniors Marc Cattrell and Jacob Cooper, along with seasoned veterans Andrew Heffner (Sr.), Jeremy Nelson (Sr.), and Jacob Wasiniak (Sr.). A talented group of underclassmen are also prepared to step in to add depth to this unit.
At the quarterback spot, Addison returns for his junior season after starting all ten games a year ago. Competing for time as the backup signal caller will be Jordan Coffey and Nick Freeman, a pair of highly skilled recruits. This trio combines to give Taylor the most depth at the quarterback position in several years.
The most inexperienced position on the offensive unit heading into the season is the running back spot. With no returning tailbacks, the Trojans will look to a running back-by-committee approach early in the year. Korfmacher expects that one or two will emerge from training camp as the go-to back from a group of five newcomers-Cory Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Sebastian Maybir, Travis Spitnale, and Tyler Wood.
On the opposite end of the experience spectrum is a unit of wide receivers that proved its mettle last season under offensive coordinator Greg Wolfe. Led by junior Ryan Magnuson, who had 37 catches for 508 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2008, the receiving corps also returns junior Trent Schmale and senior Trevor Terrell to round out last season's top three pass receivers. A bumper crop of new talent from the 2009 recruiting class makes this unit one of the strongest on the team.
Topping the depth chart at the tight end position is sophomore Travis Tomaszewski, along with Matt Orvis, a transfer from the Air Force Academy. With limited depth at this position, both players will have ample opportunity to display their talent this season.
The Defense
The loss of six starters, including four MSFA Honorable Mention selections, has changed the face of the defensive unit, but the cupboard is not bare for defensive coordinator Pete Demorest. The performance of the front seven, led by seniors Reed Smith and Chris Wheeler, and sophomore Nahum Masimer, will be a determining factor in the success of the 2009 Trojan defense.
The defensive line will be forced to grow up quickly following the loss of several key players. Masimer will be a staple on the defensive line, with Wheeler seeing action at both tackle and defensive end. Senior Matt Burrell, junior Brandon Irvine, and sophomore transfer Nathan Boland will battle for playing time on the defensive front. Sophomore Nathaniel Causey will also be in the mix at one defensive end spot.
Hit just as hard by the departure of graduating seniors, the linebacker corps will have to replace Paul Passiales and Ty Needler, who each started 31 consecutive games over their final three seasons. The lone returning starter is senior Reed Smith, who tallied 57 tackles in 2008. Front-runners for the other two starting spots are Garrett Wheeler, a transfer from Malone University, and Brent Corbett, who was converted to weakside linebacker from his strong safety position in the offseason.
The defensive backfield is by no means full of depth, but the unit is seasoned and loaded with talent. The MSFA leader in interceptions a year ago with six, junior Marcellus Burton is the headliner. He is joined by transfer Pagel Williams (Sr.) and returning starters Brandon Mitchell (Sr.) and Brandon Onuselogu (Jr.). Opposing quarterbacks will have their hands full with this athletic group.
Specialists
For the fourth straight year, senior Nick Davis returns to handle the kicking duties. Davis recorded his best season in 2008 when he nailed 8-15 on field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder against Olivet Nazarene. He was nearly perfect on PATs with a 16-for-17 efficiency. Davis will again handle the punting duties this year after averaging just over 35 yards per punt last season.
Entering his first year on the field for the Trojans, transfer Pagel Williams is the front-runner to return punts. Taylor's top two kick returners from a year ago, Trent Schmale and Marcellus Burton, both return for the Trojans this season.
The Schedule
Consistent with schedules of the recent past, the Trojans will face a challenging set of opponents in one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA. Of Taylor's six MSFA Mideast League games, three of those opponents are ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll.
The season will begin at home in historic fashion, as Jim Wheeler Memorial Stadium will host its first-ever night game on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. against Anderson in the annual Wagon Wheel Game.
Following the season opener, it will be one full month before the Trojans return home after visits to William Penn (Iowa) and St. Francis (Ill.) followed up by a bye week.
League play opens on Parents' Weekend against No. 17 St. Xavier at home, but the Trojans will hit the road again to Ohio for a battle with No. 25 Malone on Oct. 10.
Taylor then hosts back-to-back home games against Walsh for Homecoming on Oct. 17 and Trinity International the following Saturday.
Road games at Marian and Olivet Nazarene precede Taylor's final game of the regular season at home against preseason No. 4 Saint Francis (Ind.).