In 2006 the Wheaton football team returned to the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs, after a one-year absence from the tournament. The squad also won the program's fifth CCIW Championship in the past seven seasons. The 2006 edition of the Thunder posted a 10-2 overall record and tied for the conference title with a 6-1 league record. Head coach Mike Swider notes of last year's return to form, "We had won three CCIW Championships in a row and then in 2005 we went 7-3 and did not win the conference. For many people that would have been a good year, but for us it was a disappointing season." The Thunder mentor adds, "It was great to get back on track by winning another conference championship in 2006."
The 2007 edition of the Thunder returns many experienced people from last year's playoff team, with 72 returning letterwinners. The club returns eight offensive starters and seven defensive starters, along with the placekicker and punter from last season. Many players that saw considerable playing time last year also return with a year of crucial experience in game situations. Swider mentions of the veteran leadership that returns for this season, "We are very excited about the players that we have coming back from a conference championship team." He adds, "I have always been a big proponent of having upperclassmen on your team and this year we return 25 seniors and 25 juniors. Those 50 players have invested a lot in this program and I think the large number of returning upperclassmen will be important for us this season." Swider concludes, "There is great reason to be excited about 2007. We will be good on both sides of the ball."
DEFENSE: Wheaton returns eight starters from a defensive unit that led the CCIW in scoring defense in 2006, holding league foes to just 12.3 points per game. Senior All-American Andy Studebaker (RIGHT) returns at defensive end to serve as a team captain in 2007. Studebaker, the 2006 "CCIW Defensive Player of the Year", led all NCAA football players last season with a school-record 17-1/2 sacks (-142 yards). His 24-1/2 tackles for lost yardage (-161 yards) was also among the Division III leaders in the category. Swider says of the enormously athletic defensive end, "Andy Studebaker is an impact player and has all of the attributes that make him a great one." Junior Ben Kuenzle is likely to start opposite Studebaker at the other defensive end spot. Kuenzle saw considerable playing time last season, with 13 total tackles and three quarterback sacks and Swider mentions of the junior, "Kuenzle had a tremendous off-season." Juniors Aaron Reyes and Jeff Root could also see time at defensive end this season. Reyes comes to the Thunder after transferring into Wheaton from the United States Air Force Academy. The Thunder head coach notes of Reyes, "He was a linebacker at Air Force and we have moved him to defensive end. We expect him to contribute this season."
Senior Javier Almanza returns for his second season as a starter at defensive tackle. Almanza recorded 18 total tackles last season, with 1-1/2 tackles for lost yardage. Juniors Eric Theisen and Grant Roszkowiak, along with sophomore Nick Theobald will also be in the mix at defensive tackle.
Linebacker is the position that boasts the most experience for the Thunder defense this season, with three returning starters and veteran backups. Fifth-year senior Jonathan Toal and senior Mike McKinney (RIGHT) will return to their respective roles, starting at outside linebacker. Toal served as a team captain last season and McKinney will be a defensive captain this year, further pointing out the team's experience and leadership. Toal was second on the squad with 73 total tackles last year, earning Second Team All-CCIW honors. McKinney recorded 59 tackles as a junior and was second on the Thunder defense with nine tackles for lost yardage in earning First Team All-CCIW recognition. Junior middle linebacker Steve Pagh returns for his second season as a starter after recording a team-best 77 total tackles with 8-1/2 tackles for lost yardage as a sophomore. Seniors Jesse Laizure and Brett Latsha have also seen considerable action throughout their careers and will give the linebacker corps tremendous depth. Swider notes, "We are fortunate to have a lot of experience at linebacker. We have a bunch of guys who have seen considerable playing time."
Swider mentions of his defensive backfield, “Our secondary is solid and is loaded with experience.” Junior Pete Ittersagen, a First Team All-CCIW honoree, returns at cornerback. In 2006 Ittersagen recorded a team-high 11 pass deflections, with four interceptions and 60 total tackles. The versatile Ittersagen was an All-North Region pick by Football Gazette last year. Swider notes, “Pete Ittersagen is the kind of player who can turn the game around in one play. He can make an impact at any time.” Juniors David Lindberg and Daniel Meeh join sophomore Tyler Langs as possible contributors opposite Ittersagen at the other cornerback position.
Strong safety Kirk McKenney earned Second Team All-CCIW honors as a junior in 2006. McKenney was among the team leaders with 60 total tackles last year and added two interceptions. Junior Shane Woodward (LEFT) will return to start at free safety after recording 46 tackles, with four tackles for lost yardage and two interceptions as a sophomore. Swider notes of the duo, "Woodward and McKenney are both tough and physical safeties." The Thunder head coach adds, "David Tokar is a senior who gives us solid experience as a backup safety."
OFFENSE: Wheaton returns seven offensive starters from a 2006 unit that led the CCIW in scoring offense with an average of 39 points per game against league competition. Wheaton will look to replace the holes left by the graduation of veteran starters Chaz Black (tailback), Joe Chupp (receiver), Jeremy Chupp (quarterback) and Brad Thornton (fullback). Despite the loss of three All-CCIW players on offense Swider says, "We have tremendous flexibility with what we can do offensively. Plus, we have a senior quarterback in Zach Ullrich who knows how to run this team."
Swider says of Ullrich (LEFT), "He is a fifth-year senior with a lot of poise. Zach has earned the respect and confidence of his teammates over the past year." Ullrich gained considerable experience in 2006, after transferring to Wheaton from Northern Illinois University. He ran 124 plays for the Thunder last year, passing for 822 yards and rushing for 125 yards on the ground. Ullrich completed 51.6% (47-91) of his passing attempts. Swider mentions of the quarterback position, "Kyle Bradley, Ric Radcliffe and Sean Norris and will be battling it out to back-up Ullrich."
Swider says of his offensive backfield, “When you look at our team, the biggest positions that we have to replace are tailback and fullback.” Junior Andrew Hershey and senior Brett Jackson will be in the mix to replace All-CCIW tailback Chaz Black. Swider notes, “Andrew Hershey came in and played very well last year as Chaz' backup. He is a tough back that works hard to get yards.” Hershey stepped in as Black's primary backup midway through the season. He had a strong campaign, averaging 4.6 yards per carry over nine games. He was recognized as the CCIW's “Offensive Player of the Week” for his effort of 115 rushing yards and four touchdowns at North Park on October 21, 2006. The Wheaton mentor adds, “Brett Jackson has been moved from wide receiver to tailback and had a great spring. We expect big things from him this year” There will be an open competition to determine who will replace Brad Thornton at fullback.
Fifth-year senior Chris Fossum and senior Noah Dreyer are returning starters set to lead the receiving corps. Swider says of the duo, "Fossum and Dreyer are big receivers who create tough matchups for the other team's cornerbacks." Fossum (RIGHT), a 2006 First Team All-CCIW pick, led Wheaton with 878 receiving yards on 46 catches. The 6' 5" Fossum will serve as a team captain this year, after averaging 19.1 yards per catch in 2006. Dreyer, a slot receiver for the Thunder, collected 45 catches for 557 yards, with a team-high eight touchdown grabs. Dreyer was tabbed as the CCIW "Offensive Player of the Week" for his effort of nine catches for 98 yards, with three touchdowns against Washington University (Mo.) on September 16, 2006. Junior Alex Pokorny and senior Matt Bradley are experienced players who will compete for the team's third wide receiver position.
Seniors Kirk Sundberg and Jordan Kemper bring valuable experience to the tight end position. The 2006 campaign saw an increased role for tight ends in Wheaton's offensive scheme. Swider says of the position, "We will continue to use and expand the role of the tight end in our offense." He adds, "Sundberg and Kemper are both solid tight ends with experience."
Swider says that Wheaton's offense will be able to count on a veteran group of offensive lineman in 2007, "Five out of our top six linemen from last season return this year. Thomas Christner and Doug Royer return at tackle; Geoff Rowson and Jesse Scott are back at guard and Jeremy Wenger will be our starting center for the second consecutive season." The Thunder mentor adds, "Four of these players are seniors. We know that they will bring poise into the huddle." Rowson (LEFT) is a two-time All-CCIW selection at guard and was tabbed as a First Team All-American by Football Gazette in 2006. Christner, a fifth-year senior, earned Second Team All-CCIW accolades last season. Michael Orr, along with several others, will also have a chance to contribute on the offensive line.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Special teams will be loaded with experience this season, as newcomers stepped into roles and succeeded in 2006. Junior placekicker Tim Ellingsen (RIGHT) had a solid effort in his first full season as the team's kicker in 2006. Ellingsen connected on six of his 10 field goal attempts and was 54-of-58 in extra point attempts. Sophomore Sean Norris will return for his second season as the Thunder punter. Last season Norris averaged 37.1 yards per punt, with five boots inside the 20-yardline and a long of 55 yards.
Pete Ittersagen, Alex Pokorny and Shane Woodward will resume their roles in the return game for Wheaton. Last season the speedy Pokorny led the Thunder with an average of 24.6 yards per kickoff return. Woodward collected a team-high eight kickoff returns, averaging 17.2 yards per return. Ittersagen led the Thunder with 189 yards on punt returns, averaging 18.9 yards per return. He returned a punt for a touchdown against College of Mount St. Joseph in the first round of the Division III Playoffs.
With the consistent success that Wheaton has maintained over that past several years, comes recognition. Wheaton has been in the D3Football.com Top 25 during each of the five years that the poll has existed. Swider notes of the recognition the program has received, "We have worked a long time to establish credibility and respect. It is one thing to be successful in one season, but we have been able to maintain it for several years now." He adds, "Our success is a credit to a lot of people, especially our coaching staff. The stability, commitment and quality of our coaching staff is a large part of our success."
