2010 Football Season Outlook Coming off of a disappointing 2009 campaign, the William Jewell football team will look to new leadership to turn the program around. The Cardinals finished 2009 at 1-9, and after five years at the helm coach Fran Schwenk announced his retirement in October following a 40-year career in coaching. Jerod Kruse, who spent two years as the Cardinals Defensive Coordinator, was named the new head football coach in December of 2009 and is excited to begin his first season at the helm. “We are really looking forward to our last season in the NAIA,” said Kruse. We have over 20 seniors back on the team that have played big minutes for us and I feel very good about their leadership and their hunger to turn things around.” The College is in the Candidacy Year 2 phase of membership transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Following is a position-by-position look at the 2010 Cardinals: OFFENSE Quarterback As was the case last season, quarterback looks to be a position of great depth for the Cardinals in 2010. Returning in the quarterback position is senior Drew Witman, who started 10 of the 11 games in 2009. Witman threw for 1,686 yards and 6 touchdowns last season for the Cardinals. Senior Tom Farinacci and red-shirt freshman Sean Shelton will also compete for the top spot at the quarterback position for Jewell. Running Back The Cardinals return All-Conference performer in senior Jake Lynch. Lynch rushed for 429 yards and finished fourth on the team in receptions with 20. Coach Kruse is looking for big contributions from a number of young backs and transfers as well. Wide Receiver The Cardinals return all but one of their receiver corps from last season. Along with the addition of some transfer student-athletes and the incoming first-year players this could be one of the deepest receiving groups the Cardinals have had in recent years. Tight End Jewell will look to some players at this position who have moved from previous positions but proved themselves worthy of the move in spring ball. “We believe the players we moved along with our incoming recruits have really helped shore up this position,” said Kruse. Offensive Line The offensive line will be one of change for the Cards this season. The Cards lost several players along the offensive line to graduation. According to Kruse this position was one of major emphasis during recruiting. “We feel very good about who we brought in and we will look to some of the younger guys to step up and play,” said Kruse. “You are only as good as the players up front and I believe we have the ability to be much improved in this position.” DEFENSE The Cardinals will return all of the defensive starters with the exception of two cornerbacks. The Cards finished fourth in pass defense in the HAAC and will look to some young players who have stepped up in spring ball to continue their ascension to the lineup. Defensive Line The Cardinals’ defensive line will be one of familiarity as all the starters return from last year’s team. The line will be anchored by All-Conference performer Mark Gerster. Coach Kruse likes what he saw in the spring and feels good about the depth and competition at this position. Linebacker The linebacker corps will return all the starters from last year’s squad. The group will be led by All-Conference performers David Diener and Zach Traphagan who finished first and second on the team in tackles last season respectively. Secondary The Cardinals return both safeties from last year’s squad and added some transfer student-athletes and incoming recruits that will compete for positions in the defensive backfield. SPECIAL TEAMS With the addition of young place kicker Warren Frevert and the continued growth of Daniel Meegan punting the ball, Jewell appears to have firmed up those positions. The Cardinals look to be further along in the special teams area than in years past according to Coach Kruse. “We really placed a heavy emphasis on this area in regard to schemes and getting players in the right position,” said Kruse. “We have systems in place that utilize our special team players’ strengths and this was one of our most improved areas during spring ball.” Overall Coach Kruse is excited about what lies ahead for this year and the years to come. “With getting a late start last year in recruiting we believe we were able to effectively address most of our needs,” said Kruse. “We appear to have a good start in building the foundation as we move into this season and the future.”