Golden – Throughout the offseason, when linebacker Danny Sprague woke up and felt like going back to sleep instead of taking a morning run, one thing motivated him.
Every time the junior got into the weight room and bemoaned the work, he recalled what it felt like to get trampled.
The day he won’t forget is Nov. 20, 2004. That was when the Colorado School of Mines was run over by Pittsburg State, 70-35 in the second round of the Division II playoffs.
“They were really embarrassed with the way they played,” Mines coach Bob Stitt said of his defense.
The shellacking was a rude awakening for a team that was the Cinderella story of Colorado football after being picked fifth in the preseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference coaches poll.
Mines finished 12-1, riding a high-powered offense that in the end couldn’t mask its defensive shortcomings. The defense vows it will hold up its end this season.
“We’re not going to be pushed around anymore. We’re sick and tired of that,” Sprague said. “It’s not going to happen.”
Aside from hitting the weights, the defense hopes to benefit from a new alignment. Defensive coordinator Mat Steinberg has installed a 4-3 base defense, switching from a 4-2-5, in hopes of doing a better job against the run.
“We got by on defense last year, but this year we really need to focus on the run,” Steinberg said. “That Pittsburg State game really woke us up. We realized once we got through our (conference) schedule that there’s still better teams out there.”
The defense allowed 171.1 rushing yards per game for the season and was gouged by Pittsburg State for 359 yards rushing and eight rushing touchdowns. Conference rival Chadron State rumbled through Mines for 345 yards on the ground.
Ten defensive starters return. Leading the attack up front are senior tackles Mark Donnelly, 6-feet-4, 240 pounds, and Pat Carroll, 6-1, 253. The linebacker tandem of Sprague and senior Jared Heath is considered the best in the conference. Each recorded more than 100 tackles last season.
“We’re going to be more physical,” Heath said.
The secondary is spearheaded by senior cornerbacks Nick Gilbreath and Grant Newton, who was all-RMAC two years ago but redshirted last season after surgery on his left shoulder.
Now healthy, Newton sees this year’s defense being stronger than a year ago.
“We’re pounding receivers in the secondary, and linebackers are knocking the heads off of whoever is coming through,” Newton said of early-season practices. “We’re ready.”
Bryan Chu can be reached at 303-820-1979 or bchu@denverpost.com.
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RMAC
ADAMS STATE
Coach: Wayne McGinn, sixth year (21-33)
Last year: 7-4, 6-2
Players to watch: LB Adam McGurk, 6-1, 215, Sr.; NG Ernesto Villasenor, 6-0, 320, Sr.; P Jeff Williams, 6-4, 225, Sr.; QB Scott Coxon, 6-1, 195, Sr.
Bottom line: The Grizzlies could have the best defense in the RMAC and, if Coxon plays as well as expected, that combination could take Adams State to the title.
CHADRON STATE
Coach: Bill O’Boyle, first year
Last year: 7-3, 6-2
Players to watch: RB Danny Woodhead, 5-8, 185, So.; WR Ben Woodhead, 5-8, 180, Sr.; G Ryan O’Dea, 6-1, 225, Sr.; FS Cody Assmann, 5-10, 165, Jr.; CB Eric Barker, 5-10, 180, Jr.
Bottom line: New coach, new quarterback and 19 seniors graduated. The Eagles will go as far as Danny Woodhead, an All-American after rushing for 1,840 yards (6.5 per carry) and scoring 27 touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman, can take them and will depend on how quickly freshmen and sophomores come together.
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Coach: Bob Stitt, sixth year (34-22)
Last year: 12-1, 8-0
Players to watch: QB Danny Medina, 6-1, 209, Sr.; WR Justin Gallas, 6-1, 185, Sr.; LB Jared Heath, 6-0, 220, Sr.; LB Danny Sprague, 6-2, 235, Jr.; RB Bryan Florendo, 5-11, 200, Jr.
Bottom line: The big question is whether Mines can replicate its 40-point per game showing of a year ago after the Orediggers lost star quarterback Chad Friehauf.
MESA STATE
Coach: Joe Ramunno, eighth year (43-37)
Last year: 0-11, 0-8
Players to watch: QB Sean McGraw, 6-3, 220, Jr.; RB Kevin Miller, 6-0, 200, Sr.; FS Kyle Murray, 5-11, 205, Jr.; OL Brian Trautman, 6-2, 285, Sr.
Bottom line: After a rare winless season, the Mavericks’ goal isn’t competing for the RMAC title, but finding a way to win a game or two.
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Coach: Darrell Morris, sixth year (34-18)
Last year: 5-6, 4-4
Players to watch: WR Richie Ross, 6-4, 205, Jr.; OT James Poynter, 6-2, 300, Jr.; DL Danny Ostransky, 6-1, 260, Jr.; S Paul Jimenez, 5-11, 190, So.
Bottom line: Injuries plagued the Antelopes last season. With better health and a more consistent offense, they could top .500.
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
Coach: Santos Carillo, first year
Last year: 3-8, 2-6
Players to watch: RB Jonny Ruff, 5-8, 180, Jr.; QB Monty Hoffman, 6-1, 235, Sr.; WR-K Ikaika Neizman, 5-9, 170, Jr.; WR Josh Vaughn, 5-7, 170, So.
Bottom line: The Cowboys averaged only 18.2 points per game last year but return almost every key player, so they should be more competitive on offense.
FORT HAYS STATE
Coach: Kevin Verdugo, first year
Last year: 6-5, 5-3
Players to watch: QB Reed Gottula, 6-2, 190, Sr.; RB Jordan Hickel, 6-0, 195, So.; FB Jay Allison, 5-9, 215, Jr.; WR Tyler Manwarren, 6-0, 175, Jr.
Bottom line: The RMAC’s best rushing offense last year (245 yards per game) returns with the tandem of Gottula and Hickel, each of whom ran for more than 1,000 yards. To get better, the Tigers need to throw the ball more efficiently.
FORT LEWIS
Coach: Ed Rifilato, second year (4-6)
Last year: 4-6, 3-5
Players to watch: QB Matt Gutierrez, 6-0, 197, Jr.; WR Matt Weaver, 6-0, 185, Sr.; DB Richard Johnson, 5-9, 180, Sr.; LB Nate Swanson, 6-1, 220, Sr.
Bottom line: The Skyhawks’ offense should flourish with the return of Gutierrez, a Thornton product who threw for 439 yards and four touchdowns against Chadron State a year ago.
WESTERN STATE
Coach: Jeff Zenisek, fifth year (20-24)
Last year: 3-8, 2-6
Players to watch: DL Derek Damien, 6-1, 286, Sr.; OL Shane Dickman, 6-8, 255, Sr.; WR Mike Broadnax, 6-4, 206, So.
Bottom line: It looks to be a long season for the Mountaineers, who lost most of their top skill position players.
