PREVIEW: Bates focused on effort in camp

Source: Steve Frost, Simon Fraser Clan Sports Information

PORTLAND, Ore. – Training camp is well underway for the Simon Fraser University football team and first-year head coach Kelly Bates is focused on getting the Clan ready for the season opener on Sept. 12 at Western Oregon.

“For us training camp is about getting our tempo up and practicing fast and physical,” said Bates, who replaced Jacques Chapdelaine as head coach. “Our guys need to understand that it’s going to take a certain level of conditioning for us to compete at the level we need to compete at to be successful. The one controlling factor that we all have is our effort, and so far that’s what I have liked from my group. Everyone has worked tirelessly in the offseason to get ready and the effort has been outstanding.”

Chapdelaine coached the Clan to a 2-9 record in 2014, his only season as head coach at SFU. Not surprisingly, the Clan has been picked to finish seventh in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s 2015 preseason coaches’ poll.

“That’s understandable based on our record in the past and our guys understand that,” said Bates. “Our guys understand that if they want to change that it will come through their effort on the field. But until we step on the field and prove we are better, than we are not any better.”

“The outside world is not going to impact what we are doing and the process we are going through to get better as a team,” continued Bates. “As we move forward it is all about team and making ourselves better.”

After winning two straight championships in their first three years in the conference, Azusa Pacific is picked to win their third straight crown in the coaches’ poll. The Cougars went undefeated in their third GNAC campaign to win the 2014 championship and have not lost a conference game since a 7-3 defeat at Central Washington on Sept. 28, 2013.

Bates inherits a team that finished fifth in the GNAC while ranking seventh in the league in scoring offense (21 points per game). The Clan was strongest on the offensive line, ranking 54th in Division II with 5.91 tackles for loss allowed per game. The Clan’s 259.5 passing yards per game ranked 51st nationally and their 13.47 yards per punt return ranked 26th.

Simon Fraser’s leading returner is linebacker Jordan Herdman. The GNAC Defensive Player of the Year led the league with 165 tackles and finished second in Division II with 15 tackles per game. The Clan also return First Team All-GNAC offensive lineman Michael Couture along with Second Team All-GNAC selections in defensive lineman Quinn Horton andJamie Puffer.

“A few guys came in and you can see they have it altogether,” said Bates. “Michael (Couture) has really impressed and on the defensive side vets such as Puffer, Horton and (Martin) Duckhorn have stood out and are starting to lead the group.”

Puffer finished second in the conference in tackles for loss. He was the Clan’s leader in sacks with five on the season, and earned a total of 42 tackles in 11 games.  Horton had a total 38 tackles in his junior season, earning 19 solo and 19 assisted.  He had 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season.

Senior quarterback Ryan Stanford, who averaged 213.7 yards passing per game and threw 17 touchdown passes is back to lead the Clan offence, which features multi-purpose offensive threat Earl Anderson. Anderson was SFU’s leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 106.8 per game. He also established himself as the first player in GNAC history to record 100 returns and over 2,000 career yards.  He averaged 19.7 kick-off yards per return and finished third in the conference in punt returns.

Of the freshmen in camp, Bates said that wide receiver Justin (J.J.) DesLauriers and running back David Lagou have stood out.  “Both young guys pop out in my mind because they have really shown some speed,” he said.

Simon Fraser will kickoff their season on Sat., Sept. 12, traveling to Western Oregon for a non-conference contest. The Clan plays at home on Sept. 19 at Swangard Stadium in an evening game beginning at 6:00 pm.

Azusa Pacific
Azusa Pacific also enters the season ranked No. 19 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Preseason Poll, which was released on Monday. The Cougars ended the 2014 season ranked 23rd after spending much of the season ranked in the lower half of the top-25.

The Cougars thrived as a running team, leading the GNAC and 10th in Division II with 269.3 rushing yards per game. All-American running back Tyrell Watson led the charge as he led Division II in rushing touchdowns (29), rushing yards (2,253), rushing yards per game (195.7) and scoring (15.8 points per game). The Cougars finished in top-50 in 23 different Division II statistical categories, including second in turnovers lost (10), third in sacks (3.91 per game), sixth in turnover margin (1.36) and seventh in passes had intercepted (5).

The Cougars return 38 letterwinners, but will be looking to replace a number of key role players including Watson, First Team All-GNAC offensive lineman Cody Clay and first team defensive standouts Steven Fanua and Tyler Thornton. The team returns a pair of First Team All-GNAC selections in tight end Grant Widmer and defensive lineman David Kofovalu and a trio of second teamers in offensive linemen Jaylen Crutchfield and Ahmad Sunda and defensive back CJ Broussard.

While not picking up a single first place vote, Humboldt State received all six possible second place votes to be picked second with 30 points while receiving two votes in the AFCA preseason poll. One of the most balanced teams in all of Division II football in 2014, the Lumberjacks were ranked in the Division II top-100 in all but six team statistical categories. Defensively, they led Division II in fourth down conversion defense (.133) and sacks (4.5 per game), ranked fourth in first downs allowed (155) and third down conversion percentage (.248), eight in total defense (285.7 yards allowed per game) and 17th in scoring defense (18.1 points allowed per game). Offensively, Humboldt State led the league and 20th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 38.8 points per game.

Humboldt State
Like Azusa Pacific, Humboldt State will be looking to replace a lot of starting experience, but return solid players in the specialty positions. Quarterback Robert Webber was named the GNAC Co-Freshman of the Year after leading the GNAC and 28th in Division II in pass efficiency (145.8), averaging 220.8 yards per game. Sophomore offensive lineman Alex Cappa is the lone returner of seven First Team All-GNAC selections, earning GNAC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors as a freshman. The Lumberjacks return six Second Team All-GNAC selections, led on the offensive side of the ball by wide receiver Ja’Quan Gardner and wide receiver Chase Krivashei, who also received honors as a punt retutner. Defensive second teamers returning include defensive lineman Codey Heidebrecht and linebacker Cameron Buell.

Central Washington
Central Washington was picked a close third with 27 points, including one first place vote. They joined Humboldt State among teams receiving votes in the AFCA poll, picking up 11 points. Tying for second last year with Humboldt State and Western Oregon, the Wildcats are arguably the GNAC’s most experienced squad, returning nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters. Second Team All-GNAC running back Jordan Todd leads a Wildcats’ program that finished the 2014 season ranked second in the league in scoring average at 35.5 points per game.

The Wildcats’ experience includes five returning First Team All-GNAC selections, led by double selection Isaiah Davis (first team as both a defensive back and punt returner). Central also returns first teamers in offensive lineman Calvin Hoohuli and kick returner Jesse Zalk, who finished ranked 11th in Division II with an average of 29.1 yards per kick return. Zalk led a Central Washington return game that led Division II (25.73 yards per return).

Western Oregon
Western Oregon, the third team in the 2014 second place logjam, is picked fourth with a total of 23 points. Thw Wolves finished 2014 as the second best passing team in the GNAC, averaging 309.5 yards per game (15th in Division II) behind Second Team All-GNAC quarterback Ryan Bergman. WOU will be replacing Bergman and three-time First Team All-GNAC receiver Tyrell Williams, but do return the GNAC Co-Freshman of the Year in receiver Paul Revis, who ranked seventh in Division II in all-purpose yards as a freshman at 184.45 yards per game.

The Wolves also return a pair of talented Second Team All-GNAC performers in defensive lineman George Swartzlender and defensive back Roger Garrett.

Dixie State
Dixie State and South Dakota Mines are picked fifth and sixth, respectively, in their final year of GNAC play. Both programs will become members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the 2016 season.

Dixie State is aiming to move out of the GNAC cellar in their final season after going 0-6 in conference play last year. Their one win came late in the season, a 28-6 victory on Oct. 25 over NAIA member Menlo. The Red Storm shined brightest on defense last season, ranking third in the GNAC with 233.7 passing yards allowed per game. Dixie State was among the least penalized teams in Division II, ranking 22nd nationally with just 536 penalty yards.

The Red Storm will be led offensively by senior wide receiver Nate Stephens, who earned Second Team All-GNAC honors after finishing second in the league in both reciving yards (89.5 per game) and third in all-purpose yards (120.6 per game). The Red Storm also returns Second Team All-GNAC offensive lineman Lucas Beddow. On defense, Dixie State returns Honorable Mention All-GNAC linebacker Robert Metz, who led the team with 91 tackles.

South Dakota
Despite their 2-9 record and sixth place GNAC finish, South Dakota Mines had one of the most potent passing offenses in Division II. Returning First Team All-GNAC quarterback Trent McKinney, the league’s Newcomer of the Year, finished seventh in Division II in total offense at 333.3 yards per game. He led a Hardrockers’ offense that led the GNAC and finished 12th in Division II in passing offense, averaging 321.8 yards per game. The Hardrockers also ranked 11th In Division II in red zone offense, converting 77.3 percent of the time inside the 20-yard line (51-66).

Supplementing McKinney on the offense will be senior Second Team All-GNAC tight end Elijah Balavitch and Honorable Mention All-GNAC running back Kevin Thompson.