2007 Football Preview
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director

August 29, 2007

            The Loras College Football team enters the 2007 season with optimism everywhere. The team finished 2006 with an overall record of 4-6 and an even 4-4 during Iowa Conference competition. Second year head coach Steve Osterberger and the Duhawks will return a host of experience on both sides of the ball, including 2006 All-Iowa Conference selection Brock Hall (116 tackles, 5 sacks in 2006) at linebacker and senior quarterback Matt McLaughlin (8 TD, 1654 yards in 2006) leading the huddles for their respective sides of the ball.

            The offense returns three linemen to the mix – Bob Roe, Jon Pereiro, and Tim Hernandez – each of whom saw regular snaps during 2006. Tim Andrews remains at the top of the depth chart at fullback alongside Alex McGrew in the backfield. The Duhawks will look to fill the receiving core with players who caught a total of 400 yards last season. Mitch Einck will lineup at tight end and a handful of players, including Jon Gill and Ben McMahon, will compete for the starting positions at wide receiver.

            Defensively, senior Brock Hall will be joined by returning tacklers Andy Zeal (Sr.), Reed Peterson (Jr.), Justin Sparrgrove (Sr.), and Zach Wilker (Sr.) up front. The secondary will welcome back Mike Radakowitz at free safety and Tommy Jahnke to corner, each of whom pulled in four interceptions last year. Expect to see Nate Gee and Tyler Carroll regularly as well.

            On special teams the Duhawks will have Taylor Buhmeyer taking the reigns as the kicker from Joe Greenley who graduated in the spring. Tyler Bruening will remain the punter and Bob Roe remains the long snapper with Matt McLaughlin the holder.

            The captains of the 2007 squad are Brock Hall, Andy Zeal, Bob Roe and Jon Pereiro.

This is the 100^th anniversary of the first football game played at Loras College. In 1907 Columbia (now Loras College) played a three game schedule. The programs first win was a 26-0 defeat of Ellsworth under head coach John Chalmers. The all-time record for the Duhawks, as they’ve been named since 1926, is 391-319-31.