Media Guide - Missouri Western State University Athletics

2011 Season Preview
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2011 MWSU SEASON PREVIEW
THE GRIFFON DEFENSE
The Griffons look to improve on a stellar
defensive campaign in 2011. Western finished
first in the MIAA in pass-defense (198.3 yards
per-game), interceptions (22) and turnover
margin (+10). The Griffons were also second
in the conference in scoring-defense, holding
opponents to 22.2 points per game. The 2011
defense features a preseason All-American, a
2010 All-Region player and three 2010 All-MIAA
selections.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The talented defensive front is anchored by
2011 preseason All-American David Bass (6-4,
254, Jr.). The big, athletic defensive end has
14.5 career sacks and was named second team
All-MIAA in 2010. Defensive end Ben Pister (6-4,
245, Jr.) came on strong late in 2010, finishing
with 33 tackles and 4.5 sacks. In the middle,
John Brown (6-1, 280, Jr.) returns after starting
all 12 games in 2010, finishing with 25 tackles.
Sean Tray Bryson (6-3, 240, Jr.) started 11 games
inside and finished with 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Oliver Pryor (6-4, 260, Sr.) played in 11 games
with 17 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery
and a pass break-up. Austin Baska (6-3, 240, Sr.)
played in 11 games with one start and will see
more playing time this year.
LINEBACKERS
The 2011 defense will feature a deep, but
somewhat inexperienced group. Thomas
Madget (6-3, 225, Sr.) is the only returning
starter. The St. Joseph native has started the
last 24 games for the Griffons, finishing 2010
with 45 total tackles. The athletic Yomi Alli (6-1,
220, R-Fr.) will fight for a starting position and
rotational play with Wallace Carter (6-0, 230,
Jr.), Jake Buckwalter (6-0, 200, Sr.), Cody Kremer
(5-11, 220, Sr.) and Nic Burrell (6-1, 240, Sr.),
among others. Carter, Buckwalter, Kremer and
Burrell appeared in nearly every game in 2010
and combined for 59 total tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
After leading the MIAA in interceptions (22)
in 2010, the Griffons return two All-MIAA
selections at safety, but replace both starting
corners. Safety Jack Long (5-11, 190, Sr.) led
the Griffons with 75 tackles and finished with
two interceptions. Long was named first team
All-MIAA and third team Don Hansen All-Super
Region Four. Shane Simpson (5-10, 175, Sr.)
had three interceptions, 68 total tackles and
was named honorable mention All-MIAA.
Competition departed senior corners Ian
Thompson and Kendall Davis will include Isaac
Collins (5-9, 185, Sr.), Jeremy Weston (5-10,
Missouri Western Two-Deep - Defense/Special Teams
DE
91 David Bass 6-4 254 Jr.
92 Austin Baska 6-3 240 So.
NT
96 Sean Tray Bryson 6-1 285 Jr.
93 Oliver Pryor 6-4 260 Sr.
DT
99 John Brown 6-1 280 Jr.
93 Oliver Pryor 6-4 260 Sr.
DE
90 Ben Pister 6-4 245 Jr.
92 Austin Baska 6-3 240 So
.
OLB
48 Tom Madget 6-3 225 Sr.
36 Nic Burrell 6-1 210 Sr.
ILB
47 Cody Kremer 5-11 220 Sr.
33 Wallace Carter 6-0 230 Jr.
OLB
25 Yomi Alli 6-1 220 Fr.
41 Jake Buckwalter 6-0 200 Sr.
CB
1 Jeremy Weston 5-10 185 Jr.
13 Marcus Thompson 6-0 180 So.
SS
7 Shane Simpson 5-10 175 Sr.
16 Nick Anderson 6-1 190 So.
FS
6 Jack Long 5-11 190 Sr.
16 Nick Anderson 6-1 190 So.
CB
24 Isaac Collins 5-9 185 Sr.
2 Ben Jackson 6-0 180 Jr.
SPECIALISTS
PK
31 Greg Zuerlein 6-0 190 Sr.
82 John Schmiemeier 5-9 165 So.
Griffon Football 2011
185, Jr.), Ben Jackson (6-0, 180, Jr.) and Marcus
Thompson (6-0, 180, So.). All four contributed
in 2010.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Griffons will look to count on both kickoff
teams in 2011. T.J. Fannin led all Griffon
kick returners, averaging 24.7 yards per
return, including a 100-yard kick return for a
touchdown. As a team, the Griffons led the
MIAA with a 26.4 yard per-return average.
The kickoff coverage team will benefit from
the arrival of Nebraska-Omaha transfer Greg
Zuerlein (6-0, 190, Sr.). The All-American led the
MIAA in touchbacks in 2008 and 2009 and has
sent 91 kickoffs into the end zone in three years.
Tarrell Downing was named honorable mention
All-MIAA as a returner in 2010 and will be the
Griffons primary punt returner again in 2011.
Scott Groner (6-5, 180, Jr.), a former Griffon
baseball and Australian-rules football player will
compete with John Schmiemier (5-9, 165, So.)
to punt for the Griffons.
Punter
34 Scott Groner 6-5 180 Jr.
82 John Schmiemeier 5-9 165 So.
Holder
5 Adam Clausen 6-4 225 Sr.
Snapper
42 Tyson Liston 6-1 215 So.
Punt/Kick Returners
11 Tarrell Downing 6-1 180 Jr.
4 TJ Fannin 5-11 205 Jr.