(Ann Arbor, MI) Cardinal Stadium will have sights, sounds, and smells similar to football game days in the fall as the Concordia University Football Program will host their annual Spring Football Game. The game will start at 11am, admission is free, and open to the public. The game will allow fans to see a talented football program that finished the 2015 football season with the program's best record in its short history.
Coach Pries encourages fans to check out the veteran group of players as he has been pleased with how the last four weeks of the spring season has progressed. "Spring practices have given us a great opportunity to see how our players have improved since the fall. Our goal for Saturday is to have our guys execute in a game setting and of course have a ton of fun."
Game Details:
Time: 11am
Location: Cardinal Stadium
Admission: Free
Format: The game will be divided into several offensive and defensive segments which will incorporate a special scoring system that will be available to fans at the game. A special competition segment called "champ time" will encouarge fan participation.
Offensive Outlook
Offensive Coordinator, Coach Andrew Rode now has a full year under his belt with Concordia and he believes his work with the team is starting to show, "the Cardinal offense is on the right track as we prepare for our second season running the spread option. We have taken some big steps forward schematically in order to fit our system to the athletes that we have. Additionally, fundamentally we have become a much better team. We are blocking and moving the ball much better than we did last year in spring. There are still a lot of details and fundamentals we need to improve at, but we are seeing a group of guys growing together as one."
In his first season, Rode already helped turn a unit that averaged 63.2 rushing yards per game in 2014 into a force that was second in the MSFA at 196 rushing yards per game. The increase on the ground creates a balanced attack that pays dividends every play. The Cardinals went from 3.6 yards per play in 2014 to 5.2 per play in 2015 which, over the course of a game, amounts to 366.5 yards of total offense up from 271.8 the year before.
Rode's Thoughts on Saturday:
"This Saturday will be another great opportunity to compete and evaluate where we can continue to grow leading into summer. Our goals are to keep everyone healthy, play with perfect effort and attitudes as well as play outstanding detailed oriented football. If we do those three things very well and play error free football, we are going to have a great day and run into summer with a lot of momentum for the fall. I believe this is a group of guys that will respond well to the challenge that our tough, veteran defense will bring."
Let's Get Defensive
Defensive Coordinator, Joshua Schumacher, returns nearly every starter and several key reserves that saw significant playing time last year. A veteran group has allowed Schumacher to build upon the fundamentals and basic schemes he has established over the last couple of season. "These veterans have literally been around the block; they have practiced on four different fields on this campus since their freshmen year. They know our system and terminology, so we have been able to work on scenarios and situations that we haven't gotten to in the past. These guys have been awesome in learning the nuances of the game and we expect them to show that in the spring game."
Installing new wrinkles and packages has been a priority for Schumacher during the spring as he continues to work with a versatile and dynamic group of players. "I have been most pleased with our corner play and the pass rush from our defensive line. The corners are a very competitive group and the defensive line has really been getting after the QB."
Great Day To Be A Cardinal
The annual Cardinal Spring Game has quickly turned into a tradition for Head Coach, Lonnie Pries and the football program. Not only does it wrap up a four week spring season for the players and coaches, but it give the program to officially welcome future Cardinals to the Concordia family. Coach Pries and the staff recently announced the 2016 recruiting class that will join the program in the fall. Several of these Cardinals and their familes will be in attendace along with other prospective student-athletes.
Associate Head Football Coach, Chance Childers enjoys the added festivities of what the spring ball game offers. "Our Spring game is a special time for a number of reasons. It is a great opportunity for our new commits to see us compete. More importantly, they become acclimated to the family environment we continue to build, not just within the football team, but throughout Concordia University Ann Arbor. They will be introduced to their Cardinal football family leaders."
The day culminates with a post-game tailgate which allows Concordia families to host, feed and visit with their sons' future teammates and parents. "This day continues to be one of the many ways we ensure a fulfilling and unique experience for our current and future student athletes at one of the most loving, nurturing and competitive universities in the Midwest," said Childers.
