The Concordia football team will take to the gridiron Monday afternoon for their first of 15 spring practices. The spring ball schedule will conclude with a featured scrimmage on May 6th at Cardinal Stadium, open to the public.
Tomorrow's team practice is the first under new head coach Joshua Schumacher. The Cardinals are coming off a record breaking season in which the team earned a program high 7 wins and received the program's highest NAIA Coaches Poll ranking at #23.
Schumacher's voice has been familiar among the players and coaches as he has served as Defensive Coordinator the last 4 years under Lonnie Pries. Schumacher will remain in his role as Defensive Coordinator while assuming head coaching responsibilities. Spring practices will be an opportunity for Schumacher to put his wrinkle on the program.
Schumacher's first task after his promotion was finalizing the full-time coaching staff. He didn't have to look far as Matt Strzalkowski and Jonathan Coddington were promoted from within the program. Strzalkowski previously served as an assistant coach the last couple years focusing his attention on the defensive backs. Coddington's primary responsibilities came under Offensive Coordinator, Andrew Rode where he served as the Quarterback Coach. Coddington will remain as the Quarterback Coach while also now serving as the Recruiting Coordinator in his full-time position.
With the full-time staff established, priorities this spring include player development on and off the field while also installing new schemes on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals must replace one of the most talented classes to have ever graduated from CUAA, but are optimistic about a group of talented returners to continue the program's recent success. A balanced attack was one of many areas in which the Cardinals excelled last year. CUAA was among leaders in many other statistical categories in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).
2016 Top 5 Statistical Categories
Scoring Offense – 29.3, #5
Scoring Defense – 22.9, #3
Total Offense – 402.8 avg./game, #4
Total Defense – 330.1 avg./game, #3
Rushing Offense – 228.5 yards/game, #2
Rushing Defense – 120.9 avg/game, #4
Pass Defense – 209.2 avg./game, #4
Pass Efficiency - #5
Pass Defense Efficiency, #3
Punt Return Avg - #2
Interceptions – 15, #4
Kickoff Coverage - #1
Sacks by – 25/191 yds, #4
3rd Down Conversion- 40.6% - #4
Opp 3rd Down Conversion – 30.9%, #2
Time of Possession – 32:38, #1
Red Zone Offense - #3
Red Zone Defense - #5
Spring Ball by the Numbers
10 Offensive Starters Returning
1 Offensive Starter Lost
6 Defensive Starters Returning
5 Defensive Starters Lost
2 Special Teams Guys Returning
2 Special Teams Guy Lost
37 Letterman Returning
22 Lettermen Lost
Top Returners
Joe Conner (SO/Flat Rock, MI) – RB, 1052 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 105 yds/game
Herman Mason (JR/Lansing, MI) – WR, 432 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 39 yds/game
Ed Merhi - OL
Seth Suida (JR/Livonia, MI) – QB, limited to 7 games because of injury. 163.4 Effic., 63-112-3, 989 yards, 13 TD
Kaleb Pohlman (JR/Liberty Center, OH) – DE, 38 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT
Andrew O'Hara (SO/Cleveland, OH) – LB, 65 total tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT
Ra-Heem Hill (SO/Detroit, MI) – S/DB, 46 total tackles, 1 INT
Jay Koski (SO/Portage, MI) – LB, 76 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT,
Key Players Lost
Norm Cyr - OL
Nick Holshoe (SR/Hopkins, MI) – S, 88 total tackles (led team), 2 INT,
Hunter Cox (SR/Laurel, MD) – DE, 40 total tackles, 1.5 sacks
Ty Peterson (SR/Milan, MI) – LB, 65 total tackles, 3.5 sacks
For updates throughout spring practices follow the Concordia football team on Twitter at @CUAA_Football and on Facebook at Concordia University Ann Arbor Cardinals Football
