Wheaton, Ill. - When the Wheaton College football team opens its 2009 season on September 12 at Bethel University, the Thunder will be looking to continue its tradition of success, particularly during the past decade. Wheaton has won a league-best five CCIW Championships since 2000, with five NCAA Division III Playoff appearances. The Thunder posted an 11-3 overall record in 2008, with the program's first-ever NCAA-III Semifinal appearance and first by a CCIW team since 1988.

Over the past two seasons, two Thunder players have signed NFL contracts. 2008 D3football.com “Defensive Player of the Year” Pete Ittersagen signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in April. Ittersagen's signing followed the drafting of defensive end Andy Studebaker in 2009. Studebaker is currently on the Kansas City Chiefs' roster.

Looking forward to the 2009 season, head coach Mike Swider notes, “We graduated 28 players last year. That was the largest senior class in our program's history.” Swider adds, “The positive of this is that is what we are supposed to be doing – graduating players. The hard part is that you have to replace those kids - not only their leadership on the field, but off of it as well.”

“Even though we had a record number of graduates last year, at Wheaton we do not use the word rebuilding. I prefer to say that we are reloading with players that are ready to step in and fill spots for us, and those kids are not freshmen,” notes Swider. He adds, “We have a number of returning players with experience who understand Wheaton football and have invested in the program. They have worked hard for the opportunity that is in front of them.”

In May, Wheaton hired Joe Davis as offensive coordinator. Davis comes to Wheaton from North Park University where he has spent the last three years as the associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

“We are excited about Joe Davis joining our program. He has brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm.” Swider mentions, “Our offense will be similar to what people have seen in the past. We will still consider ourselves a multiple offense, with a variety of personnel groups and formations.”

Wheaton will open the 2009 campaign with an experienced offense that features eight returning starters and a young defense that returns two starters. Swider mentions, “We took the biggest hit defensively, graduating a lot of kids on that side of the ball. However, we have a lot returning starters on offense.”

OFFENSE: The offense that Joe Davis inherits will have considerable veteran leadership. “We definitely will have some experienced players on offense,” notes Swider.

Quarterback Sean Norris returns for his senior season under center. Norris earned Second Team All-CCIW recognition last season. “Sean is as tough a football player that I have coached,” notes Swider. “He is a tremendous leader and his teammates have great respect for him.” Norris threw for 3,137 yards as a junior, completing 58% of his passes with a school single-season record 32 touchdown tosses. Swider notes of two sophomores, “Garrett Meador and Daniel Harrist will be competing to back up Sean.”

At tailback, junior Rocky Gingg returns after a breakthrough sophomore campaign that saw him earn First Team All-CCIW accolades. Gingg averaged 4.6 yards per carry with 15 touchdowns last season. His 1,290 yards last year is the second-highest single-season total in school history. “Rocky is a tough guy. It takes multiple hits to bring him down. He may not get you a 50-yard run, but he will get you a ton of 10 and 20-yard gains.” Sophomore

Charlie Velling is among a group of players who could see time at tailback. “We are excited about the play of Charlie Velling. He had a great spring,” notes Swider. Juniors Drew Johnson and Brady Wright will also be in the mix at the position.

The Thunder will have an open spot at fullback with the graduation of last year's key contributors. Swider mentions, “There will definitely be some competition for the fullback position.”

Swider says, “At wide receiver we are led by three experienced kids: Freddy Ellis, Danny Hindman and Andy McClain. Ellis and Hindman are returning starters who will bring significant experience.” The Thunder mentor adds, “We will have numerous other players competing for time at receiver.”

Ellis caught 35 passes as a junior, averaging 16.4 yards per catch, with six touchdown receptions. Hindman caught 36 passes for 349 yards, with a touchdown grab. McClain averaged 17.6 yards per catch on eight receptions last year.

All-Conference tight end Mike Berttucci returns for his senior campaign. Last season Berttucci averaged 15.6 yards on his 16 receptions, including five trips into the end zone. Swider notes, “Mike is an excellent receiver. He is capable of being very productive for a tight end.” JJ Clark and Austin Zoerhof will also compete for time as well.

The Thunder will bring back considerable experience on the offensive line this season. “We will have three returning starters,” notes Swider. He adds, “We expect Justin Carpenter, Dan Dipzinski and Nick Biggee to anchor the offensive line. This position requires so many people to be on the same page. Having experienced players, like we do, is critical.” Swider concludes, “We have good depth competing for the other spots alongside those three returners.”

Biggee, a Thunder junior, will move to center after serving as a starter at guard last year. The 6'5” and 270-pound Carpenter will return as a starter at tackle for his senior season and Dipzinski (6' 2” and 270-pounds) will resume his role as a starter at guard.

DEFENSE: On defense, Wheaton returns just two starters. “The defense is where we have the most holes to fill,” notes Swider. He adds, “We graduated a lot of kids on that side of the ball.”

One of the returning starters is 6' 4”, 280-pound defensive tackle Nick Theobald. A Second Team All-CCIW selection last season as a junior, he will be expected to anchor the Thunder defensive line this season. “Theobald is going to be a solid force for us up front,” mentions Swider. He continues, “We are counting on Theo to anchor our defensive line. He is the strongest player on our football team. We expect him to be an impact player for us.” Last season Theobald tallied 37 tackles, including 5-1/2 tackles for loss, with seven quarterback hurries.

Junior Nic O'Neal gained valuable experience on the defensive line last year, recording five tackles for lost yardage. This season he could see increased action. “Nic O'Neal earned some valuable playing time last season and we expect him to contribute this year. He can play inside or outside on our defensive line.” He continues, “He will play an important role on the defensive line for us.” Swider notes, “Ryan Dougan, Grant Tallon, Robert Ramsey, Charley Mitchell and Josh Bishop will compete for the remaining spots on the defensive line.”

Seniors Steve Lutes and Ryan Hoyt are leading candidates to start at linebacker for the Thunder. Swider mentions, “Lutes and Hoyt are experienced seniors who have shown a lot of leadership. Now we need them to step up on the field.” He adds, “They are perfect examples of our model in recent years, that we don't fill spots with freshmen.”

“Kyle Notch, Jordan Langs and Corey Hart will be competing with Lutes for time at outside linebacker,” notes Swider. He adds, “Mike Dozeman, JD East, Joey Anderson, Jordan Chapman, and Austin Driggers will compete with Hoyt at inside linebacker.”

At cornerback, senior Tyler Langs is an experienced veteran who is slated for his third season as a starter. Langs is the leading returning tackler from last year's team. He recorded 79 tackles last year, with 62 solo stops and tied for the team lead with five interceptions, adding seven pass break-ups. Swider says of him, “Tyler is a great player with great instincts. He is an athletic kid who brings a lot of experience as he prepares for his third season as a starter for us.”

Swider mentions, “At the other cornerback spot alongside Tyler we have three guys who will compete for that position: Bryan McBroom, Tim Shaw and Buddy Legens.” The Thunder mentor continues, “Brian Hollett comes back with some experience at safety. He saw time in our nickel package and he did a great job for us in the playoffs.” Hollett recorded 25 tackles last season, with 17 solo tackles and four pass break-ups. Swider concludes of his defensive backs, “Brian Mullen, Jon Sesso and Brian Leffler will also compete for time at the other safety position.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Special teams has been a longstanding strength of the Thunder football program. Sophomore Scott Roche will compete with Tom Aagaard and Dan DeMerchant for the kicker position that had been filled by Tim Ellingsen, an All-CCIW pick last season. 

Sean Norris will return to his role as Wheaton's punter this season. Last year Norris averaged 34.1 yards per punt, with nine kicks inside the 20-yard line. With the use of Norris' foot Wheaton had a net average of 33 yards per punt last season, holding opponents to nearly one yard per return. 

With the loss of All-American return man Pete Ittersagen there are several players who could contribute on kick and punt returns. “Freddy Ellis, Tyler Langs, Teddy Watkins and Drew Johnson are the guys we expect to be in the mix for returns,” mentions Swider.

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Swider says of the newcomers to the Thunder program this year, “We have 32 players in the incoming freshmen class. This in an excellent class with a lot of depth. It is as good as any group of new athletes that we have ever had here.” He adds, “We also have three transfers coming in who are capable of contributing this fall.” The veteran head coach concludes, “When you combine this year's class of new players with last year's group, this is the largest amount of players we have brought into the program in back-to-back years.”

Last season, Wheaton finished as the conference runner-up, but earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Thunder went on to justify its selection with the deepest playoff run in school history. Wheaton's selection and the success of the postseason run could be attributed to the depth and talent of the highly competitive CCIW schedule Wheaton faces each year. Swider mentions of the CCIW, “If you look at our league top to bottom, it is arguably one of the strongest leagues in the country.” He adds, “That was proven out last year when we advanced to the Semifinals of the playoffs as our league's runner-up.”