CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (IIAC) Football Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2017 IIAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2016 Record |
| 1. |
Dubuque (4) |
60 |
8-2, 6-2 IIAC |
| T2. |
Coe (2) |
52 |
11-1, 8-0 IIAC (IIAC Champion) |
| T2. |
Wartburg (2) |
52 |
6-4, 5-3 IIAC |
| 4. |
Central (1) |
50 |
8-2, 6-2 IIAC |
| 5. |
Simpson |
33 |
3-7, 2-6 IIAC |
| 6. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
27 |
4-6, 3-5 IIAC |
| 7. |
Luther |
21 |
3-7, 2-6 IIAC |
| 8. |
Loras |
17 |
1-9, 1-7 IIAC |
| 9. |
Buena Vista |
12 |
3-7, 3-5 IIAC |
The University of Dubuque Spartans are the coaches' choice to win the 2017 IIAC Football title. Dubuque was chosen first on four ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 60 points to take the No. 1 ranking in the Coaches' Preseason Poll. 2016 IIAC champion Coe, earned a tie for the No. 2 ranking with Wartburg, garnering two first place votes each and 52 points each. Central earned one first-place vote and totaled 50 points, garnering the No.4 ranking.
American Football Coaches Association / d3football.com Preseason Polls: The 2016 Iowa Conference Champion Coe College Kohawks come into fall camp receiving votes by d3football.com's Top 25 Preseason Poll. Coe finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 11-1 and an 8-0 record in the Iowa Conference.
New Coaches: Grant Mollring, Buena Vista University. Mollring comes to Buena Vista from Hastings College in Hastings, Neb. where he served as the offensive coordinator. Prior to Hastings, Mollring was the offensive coordinator at Doane College. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in world civilizations and middle school education.
The Schedule: The 2017 season kicks off on August 31 with Buena Vista in action. On September 2 Central, Coe, Dubuque, Loras, Luther, Nebraska Wesleyan and Simpson all make their season debuts. Wartburg will open up their 2017 season on Saturday, September 9. The 2017 Iowa Conference schedule begins on Saturday, September 16 with Nebraska Wesleyan hosting Coe, Central traveling to Buena Vista, Dubuque hosting cross-town rival Loras, and Wartburg playing at Simpson. Luther will play its first conference game on their new blue tuff Saturday, September 23 against Dubuque. The IIAC season is an eight game round robin schedule finishing on November 11. The IIAC champion receives the leagues' automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
| 1st |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Stan Zweifel
2016 Record: 8-2, 6-2 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-IIAC: Michael Joseph (First Team, DB), Conor Feckley (First Team, QB), Derek Trotter (Second Team, DB), LeDevin Smith (Second Team, LB), Daniel Pike (HM, DL), Maurece Herrion (HM, RB), Connor O'Malley (HM, P)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Stan Zweifel - "Our chance in the IIAC football race will depend on how healthy we stay during the course of the year. We return 17 starters on our team, but we will have to develop depth at a lot of key positions. We are led by All-Conference DB, Michael Joseph, who will be one of the premier defensive backs in the country, and returning All-Conference QB Conor Feckley. I expect the race for the championship to be very competitive, with Coe, Central and Wartburg being the favorites. We are expecting our team to also be in the hunt for a league title. Our tough non-conference opener versus Bethel University (Minn.) will be an early indicator of our progress during the 2017 fall camp." |
| Players to Watch: |
| Conor Feckley - QB (Sr.) |
3129yds-passing // 37-TD // 151.5-effic // 312.9-avg/g |
| Michael Joseph - DB (Sr.) |
4-int // 68-tackles // 1-sack // 8-pbu |
| Le'Devin Smith - LB (Sr.) |
2-int // 95-tackles // 1-sack // 4-pbu // 2-ff |
| Derek Trotter - DB (Sr.) |
3-int // 95-tackles // 2-bu // 1-ff |
| Daniel Pike - DL (Sr.) |
1-int // 15-tackles // 1-tfl // 1-pbu |
| Maurece Herrion - RB (Jr.) |
751yds-rushing // 4.2yd-avg // 8-TD // 75.1-avg/g |
| Connor O'Maley - P (Jr.) |
44-punts // 39.9-avg // 65yd-long |
| T-2nd |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Tyler Staker
2016 Record: 11-1, 8-0 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: IIAC Champion
Returning All-IIAC: Robbie Peters (First Team, DL), Drew Heitland (First Team, DL), Dalton Kuehl (First Team, OL), Zak Ranshaw (Second Team, OL), BJ Weepie (HM, OL), Jacob Langenberg (HM, OL)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 2
Defensive Starters Lost: 9
Tyler Staker - "The Kohawks are fired up for the start of the 2017 season. I am excited to see our players compete in what will be a very strong and balanced Iowa Conference. Much of our success will depend on how well our skill players develop during fall camp and throughout the year. The parity throughout the league should make for a very tight race come November." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Robbie Peters - DL (Sr.) |
51-tackles // 15.5-tfl // 6-sacks // 1-int 4-pbu |
| Drew Heitland - DL (Sr.) |
55-tackles // 13.5-tfl // 3-sacks // 4-pbu // 4-ff |
| Dalton Kuehl - OL (Jr.) |
12-games started // First Team All-IIAC |
| Zack Ranshaw - OL (Sr.) |
12-games started // Second Team All-IIAC |
| BJ Weepie - OL (Sr.) |
12-games started // Honorable Mention All-IIAC |
| Jacob Langenberg - OL (Sr.) |
12-games started // Honorable Mention All-IIAC |
| Demetrius Harper - WR (Sr.) |
617yds-receiving // 27-receptions // 9-TD // 51.4yd-avg/g |
| T-2nd |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Rick Willis
2016 Record: 6-4, 5-3 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: 4th
Returning All-IIAC: Tony Anstoetter (First Team, LB), Jake Pisarik (First Team, P), Matt Sacia (Second Team, QB) and Riley Brockway (Second Team, WR/RS)
Offensive Starters Returning: 8
Offensive Starters Lost: 3
Defensive Starters Returning: 8
Defensive Starters Lost: 3
Rick Willis - "We are excited about the talent and experience we return for 2017 and have high expectations. We have the unique opportunity to play six home games. We expect the Iowa Conference to be as challenging as ever." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Matt Sacia - QB (Jr.) |
2700yds-passing // 24-TD // 144.0-effic // 270-avg/g |
| Riley Brockway - WR (Jr.) |
59-receptions // 743yds-receiving // 5-TD // 74.3-avg/g |
| Connor Schrader - RB (Sr.) |
660yds-rushing // 5.9yd-avg // 8-TD // 82.5-avg/g |
| Tony Anstoetter - LB (Sr.) |
70-tackles // 9.5-tfl // 1-sack // 3-int // 5-pbu // 1-ff |
| Connor Frerichs - DB (Jr.) |
66-tackles // 1.5-tfl // 3-int // 2-pbu // 1-ff |
| Jake Pisarik - P (Sr.) |
39-punts // 42.6yd-avg // 58yd-long |
| Griffin Brennecke - WR (Jr.) |
929yds-receiving // 55-receptions // 8-TD // 93yd-long reception |
| 4th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Jeff McMartin
2016 Record: 8-2, 6-2 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-IIAC: Sam Markham (First Team, WR), Sam Norgaard (Second Team, LB), Wes Wheat (Second Team, DL), Collin Erickson (HM, DB) and Josh Brunk (HM, OL)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Lost: 5
Jeff McMartin - "We are ready to get 2017 started. We have a good group of players returning. The Iowa Conference will again be exciting -- every game will be a challenge." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Sam Markham - WR (Sr.) |
1215yds-receiving // 105-receptions // 12-TD // 121.50-avg/g |
| Sam Norgaard - LB (Sr.) |
91-tackles // 4.5-tfl // 2-int // 2-pbu |
| Wes Wheat - DL (Jr.) |
25-tackles // 5.5-tfl // 5-sacks // 1-ff |
| Collin Erickson - DB (Jr.) |
48-tackles // 2.5-tfl // 3-int // 2-pbu |
| Josh Brunk - OL (Sr.) |
Honorable Mention All-IIAC // 10-games started |
| 5th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Matt Jeter
2016 Record: 3-7, 2-6 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: t-7th
Returning All-IIAC: Jake Sterns (Second Team, DL), Ryan Lehr (HM, DB), Nathan Hawkins (HM, P) and Ryan Sarver (HM, LB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 8
Defensive Starters Lost: 3
Matt Jeter - "We are fired up to get the 2017 season started. The Iowa Conference is one of the premier conferences in NCAA Division III, with a rich tradition from top to bottom. It’s going to be very competitive 2017 season. I am extremely excited with the leadership of the storm football program and the growth we have made as team over the last nine months. We are looking to make huge strides throughout camp and weeks to come as we embark on another storm season." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Jake Sterns - DL (Sr.) |
74-tackles // 3-sacks // 8.5-tfl |
| Ryan Lehr - DB (So.) |
67-tackles // 2-tfl // 2-int // 2-pbu |
| Ryan Sarver - LB (Jr.) |
89-tackles // 1-sack // 6-tfl |
| Nathan Hawkins - P (Sr.) |
24-punts // 46.8yd-avg // 70yd-long |
| Jackson Redmond - WR (Sr.) |
704yds-receiving // 49-receptions // 4-TD |
| 6th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Brian Keller
2016 Record: 4-6, 3-5 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: t-5th
Returning All-IIAC: Tyler Sorensen (Second Team, DL)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Brian Keller - "Nebraska Wesleyan looks forward to year two as a member of the IIAC. It appears it will be another exciting fall and another wide-open race for the conference title. NWU returns eight starters on defense and seven on offense and are hoping to to build their experiences in their first go-around in the IIAC. NWU will have to replace 1st team all-leaguers Joe Wiedel (RB), Riley Shoemaker (DB), Garret McCarthy (OL), and two-year starter Ben Green at QB. The strength of the Prairie Wolves in 2017 will be their offensive and defensive lines where eight starters return with eleven letter winners. Shaka Taylor (Jr.) will be the primary RB to replace Wiedel. Taylor missed all of the 2016 season with an injury, after being tabbed as an All-GPAC performer in 2015. Jonathan Curti (So.) and Ethan Andersen (So.) are the front-runners to replace Green at QB. The defensive staff is expecting a big season from senior Dakota Buss in the secondary for the Prairie Wolves." |
| Players to Watch: |
| Tyler Sorensen - DL (Sr.) |
36-tackles // 3-sacks |
| Bryce Darner - WR (Sr.) |
204yds-receiving // 20-recptions // 1-TD |
| Dakota Buss - DB (Sr.) |
72-tackles // 1-pbu // 2-ff // 2-tfl |
| Eli Bricker - LB (Sr.) |
46-tackles // 2.5-sacks // 7-tfl // 1-int |
| Shaka Taylor - RB (Jr.) |
484yds-rushing // 4.0yd-avg // 3-TD (2015 Season Stats) |
| 7th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Aaron Hafner
2016 Record: 3-7, 2-6 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: t-7th
Returning All-IIAC: Luke Pulliam (HM, DB) and Brady Letney (HM, QB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 9
Defensive Starters Lost: 2
Aaron Hafner - "We are very excited about the progress we have made in our program over the last couple years. We have a great group of young men and coaches that understand our visions and goals to have future success. The culture and attitude of our program is at an all-time high in my time at Luther College.
We have several key players back in all three phases of the game. Our defense returns several players that have valuable playing experience in the IIAC. Our offense will see some new faces up front, but we return several key players at the skill positions. Our kicking game will be very solid. We need to win the turnover margin and possession time to compete against the top teams in our conference.
The IIAC is going to be very competitive. There are some great coaches and players that make each year very unique. It will come down to key players staying healthy for each team. There are several teams that will be in the running to win the IIAC." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Luke Pulliam - DB (Sr.) |
46-tackles // 2-int // 3-pbu |
| Brady Letney - QB (Sr.) |
755yds-rushing // 635yds-passing // 6-total TD |
| Josh Olerud - LB (Sr.) |
83-tackles // 2-tfl // 1-pbu |
| Dante Joseph - WS (Jr.) |
72-tackles // 3-int // 2-pbu |
| 8th |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Steve Helminiak
2016 Record: 1-9, 1-7 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: 9th
Returning All-IIAC: Walter Ollie (HM, RS)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 5
Defensive Starters Lost: 6
Steve Helminiak - "We are looking forward to the upcoming season. The IIAC looks to be very competitive and balanced with may teams vying for the top spot. 2017 should prove to be an exciting season." |
| Players to Watch: |
| Walter Ollie - DB/RS (Jr.) |
59-tackles // 2-int // 26.19yd-KORavg // 64yd-KORlong |
| Bob Kelly - QB (R-Jr.) |
1499yds-passing // 9-TD // 113.28-effic // 214.14yd-avg/g |
| Brad Boelkow - WR (Jr.) |
696yds-receiving // 7-TD // 69.6yd-avg/g |
| Brad Brophy - LB (Sr.) |
65-tackles // 5-tfl // 3-pbu |
| 9th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Grant Mollring
2016 Record: 3-7, 3-5 IIAC
2016 IIAC Finish: t-5th
Returning All-IIAC: Mason Frost (HM, DL)
Offensive Starters Returning: 2
Offensive Starters Lost: 9
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Grant Mollring - "The IIAC has traditionally been a top conference in DIII amd I fully expect that to remain the same this year. Talent and high level coaching are evident in each program as we look around the new conference! We will need to build a culture that allows us to be successful this year and integrating 40 newcomers to the program will be our biggest early season challenge." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Mason Frost - DL (Sr.) |
43-tackles // 2.5-sacks // 4.5-tfl // 1-ff |
| Cole Miller - QB (Jr.) |
1,497yds-passing // 16-TD // 143.8-effic // 166.3yds-avg/g |
| TJ Lint - WR (Sr.) |
646-yds-receiving // 46-receptions // 3-TD |
| Nick Amundson - DB (Sr.) |
71-tackles // 3-int // 12-pbu |
