2012 'Roo Football Season Preview

After a tough 2011 campaign, the Austin College football team will be looking to lean on its improved experience and a large crop of talented newcomers to get back to its winning ways in 2012. Last season coach Loren Dawson's young squad went 0-10 for the year, but with a strong group of returners combined with the influx of talented new blood the Kangaroos will be looking to turn some heads in the upcoming season. 

Offensively the 'Roos will be led by sophomore quarterback Noah Jesko, who appeared in eight games during his rookie season while throwing for 1,013 yards with five touchdowns and added 101 yards and three more scores on the ground. Jesko faces some stiff competition at the quarterback spot, with fellow sophomore Anthony Johnsen also returning along with freshmen signal callers such as Austin Rainer, Brandon Rawls, Jeremy Halford and Rizwan Gangwani pushing for playing time. 

After being named an All-Conference defensive back and kick returner a season ago, Sean Sweeney will make the switch to offense this season, with the coaching staff looking to take advantage of his speed and elusiveness as a running back. Last season Sweeney was among the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference leaders with a 26.3 kick return average, including an 80 yard touchdown against Rhodes. Also returning to carry the ball is Broc Boyd, who finished third on the team with 114 yards and added a touchdown on the ground a season ago. 

The 'Roos will be forced to replace their three top pass catchers from a year ago in Braydon MaQuar, Jordan Schell and Greg Millerick, but Jesko will have some experienced receivers to throw to this season including senior PJ Fuller, junior Scott Loy, and sophomore Mitch Trentman, along with sophomore tight end Travis McClinton. Gabe McCarthy also gives Jesko another big target at the receiver position, coming in at 6-4 to start his sophomore campaign. 

The offensive line will be anchored by senior Tim Smith, who has been a standout both on the field and in the classroom in his time at Austin College, as well as sophomore Chris Tanner, who had a strong freshman season a year ago. Senior Russell Gentry also returns, helping to make this offensive line one of the most experienced and strongest units on the team. 

On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker De'Andre Holmes is the leading returning tackler after making 57 stops, including 26 solo tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss while earning All-Conference honors. Fellow linebacker Stephen Young also returns after registering 42 tackles a year ago, as does Nathan Packard, who made 12 stops and had an interception last season. Senior defensive end James Roh anchors the line after earning All-SCAC accolades with 30 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and a pair of sacks last season. Sophomores Brett Vaughn and Tre Stewart also showed flashes of being impact players last season and will take on larger roles in 2012, as will senior lineman William Gadberry, who made 22 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss and had a sack last season. Senior interior lineman Cole Joiner also returns and will be integral in stopping the run this season. 

With Sweeney making the switch from defense to offense, defensive coordinator Jake Willrich will be looking to sophomore Andrew Meaux and junior Logan Estes to help shore up the secondary. Meaux made 23 tackles last season, while Estes had 22 stops including 2.0 for loss. Shane Hodge, who played running back last season, switches over to defense and will compete for one of the open defensive back positions. 

On special teams, the 'Roos will be forced to replace All-SCAC placekicker Mitch Anderson, who nailed 10-of-12 field goals and 14-of-15 point after attempts last season, but junior Andrew Klink is an experienced kicker averaged 56.8 yards per kickoff, and will take over kicking duties this season. Fuller returns as the team's punter after averaging 34.7 yards per kick, including eight placed inside the 20-yard line last season. 

While the 'Roos will be forced to replace several key performers on both sides of the ball, coach Dawson returns plenty of experience at important positions, and supplemented by the large group of freshmen and transfers, the 'Roos look to be in line to do some damage in 2012.