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Huskies equipped for title run
With 18 returning starters back from a 9-2 season, the no. 8 nationally ranked Huskies are setting their sites for the NCC crown and a national title
 Media Credit: Adam Masloski Sophomore running back Matt Birkel escapes MSU- Mankato defenders in a game last season. Birkel is one of the key returning threatS as he finished with 958 yards and eight rushing touchdowns last year.
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Two years after a 1-9 2000 season, Randy Hedberg and the SCSU football team have the talent to compete with the nation's best. Here's a position-by-position look on why the Huskies are the NCC favorites this season.
Offensive Line
Four of last year's five starters return for the 2003 season.
Senior center Andrew Kaczor (six-foot-three, 305 lbs.) was named to the All-North Central Conference second team last year, despite missing the middle part of the season because of a torn medial collateral ligament.
Junior guards Jim McCarville (six-foot-three, 310 lbs.) and Cory McLouden (six-foot-two, 315 lbs.) are being touted as potential All-NCC picks. McCarville, who battled back problems in the last three games of the 2002 season, was an honorable mention for All-NCC last year.
Junior right tackle Matt Henry (six-foot-three, 325 lbs.) returns after consistently improving last year in the first year as a starter. Two-year starter on the line, Joe Keller finished his eligibility last year. Sophomore Jon Scovil (six-foot-three, 295 lbs.) and senior Lamont Townsend (six-foot-two, 315 lbs.) are numbers one and two respectively on the depth chart starting off the 2003 campaign.
Tight Ends
Tight end is easily SCSU's thinnest position. All-American Matt Huebner finished his final year of eligibility last fall and junior Clint Grundahl (six-foot-four, 250 lbs.) was the clear choice as the starter until he fractured his clavicle against Minnesota-Crookston. That means redshirt freshman Anders Johnson (six-foot-four, 245 lbs.), a native of St. Cloud, or Matt Hammernik will have to fill in the void. The Huskies may also move a defender to tight end and will probably cut down on tight end formations.
Wide Receivers
The loss of All-American (and now part of the practice squad with the Minnesota Vikings), Ben Nelson is huge considering he caught the bulk of last year's passes. Nelson finished the season with 129 catches in his final two seasons for close to 2,100 yards and 39 touchdowns. A big play maker at the position is key for the Huskies' high-powered passing game. Sophomores Daryn Ploeckelman, who accumulated 18 catches for 191 yards and four TDs, Ed DeShazer (17-280-0) and Ryan Koch (31-408-1) all saw time on the field last season. Junior Tim Greene (1-17-0) was a medical redshirt last fall and has converted to the running back position. Junior Jason Koch (5-64-0) and sophomore Jim Bisping (six-foot-two, 220 lbs.) are the others listed down the depth chart.
Quarterbacks
2002 Harlon Hill candidate Keith Heckendorf is the clear starter for the 2003 season. If he can improve on last year's numbers that included an efficiency of 154.08 and a completion rate of 58.2, he could make another stab at the Harlon Hill trophy and a possible NFL career. Heckendorf also threw for a school record 37 touchdown passes and more than 2,800 yards with 12 interceptions. The senior was the NCC's most valuable offensive player and an Academic All-American selection last season.
Sophomore Daniel Kaczor (six-foot-two, 190 lbs.), returns for his second season as backup to Heckendorf. Kaczor saw time in five games last year and could possibly see more as Heckendorf's collegiate career comes closer to an end.
Running Backs
Breakout sophomore Matt Birkel (five-foot-nine, 210 lbs.) is one of the keys to the Huskies' winning ways. He missed the first two games of last season with a hamstring injury, but came on strong with two big touchdown runs of more than 85 yards last season. He also had a 66-yard TD run against North Dakota. Birkel finished with a total of 958 yards and eight rushing TDs. If he improves on last year's numbers he should gain All-NCC first team honors for the second consecutive year.
Senior Josh Williams (five-foot-nine, 190 lbs.) saw time in the starting lineup before Birkel stole the spotlight and will back him up again this year. Williams rushed for 386 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 51 yards last year. Redshirt freshman Dan Kamin (five-foot-ten, 205 lbs.) has also come on strong in the team's recent practices.
Defensive Line
Senior defensive tackle Nick Peterson (five-foot-eleven, 275 lbs.) leads the Husky defense. Peterson was an all-conference honorable mention selection last year. He finished with 46 tackles and five sacks. Sophomore end Charlie Cosgrove (six-foot-three, 265 lbs.) was part-time starter last year after missing a few games with an injury. Cosgrove is expected to start and improve on last year's totals of 21 tackles and four sacks last year. Junior end Kyle Stapleton (six-foot-three, 250 lbs.) and nose tackle Cory Johnsen (six-foot-two, 290 lbs.) both saw time last year and are listed as started this fall.
Linebackers
Seniors Shane Rohman (five-foot-eleven, 215 lbs.) and Reed Hentges (five-foot-ten, 210 lbs.) both return to a strong linebacking core. Rohman, a pre-season All-American this season, led the Huskies with 80 tackles last season. Hentges finished with 52 tackles last fall. Senior Ryan Rutten (six-foot-one, 230 lbs.), a medical redshirt last fall, is listed as the starter. Sophomore John Hackett (six-foot-two, 230 lbs.) is his backup.
Defensive Backs
Senior Eric Mickelson (five-foot-eight, 185 lbs.) returns for his fourth year as a starter. He came in on the second half of last year. He finished with 71 tackles, 15 pass breakups and 37 punt returns for 500 yards. Nate Loughran (six-foot-two, 215 lbs.) moves into the other starting cornerback spot after spending the last two years as the team's strong safety. He had 58 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions. Chad Kruckman (six-foot-one,185 lbs.) returns as the starter at free safety. He finished the 2002 campaign with 66 tackles and three interceptions.
Specialists
Senior Nick Ordorff (five-foot-ten, 190 lbs.) and sophomore Shawn Braunagle (six-foot, 170 lbs.) split time at kicker and both return this fall. Ordorff was 27-33 kicking PATs and six for six kicking field goals. Braunagle was 11-for-11 on PATs and 3-for-5 kicking field goals. Junior Scott Dirkes returns for his third year as the starting punter. He averaged 38.1 yards had 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.
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