Curtis Meyer reporter
Pitt State football staff and players traveled to Kansas City Tuesday, to participate in the MIAA Football Media Day. They spoke about the upcoming season, as well as the state of the team after summer practices and some new coaching staff.
“I thought Spring went great,” said senior quarterback, Chad Dodson Jr. “(We’re) learning a new offense under a new offensive coordinator with coach Bleil. I think the guys have bought in, (and I’m) really impressed with how the guys picked up the offense, then continuing that into the summer, having a great summer attendance. Everyone is fired up for camp.”
The preseason MIAA coaches rankings were released. Pitt State is sitting at number two with two first place votes and a total of 73 points. MIAA co-champions last season, the Gorillas will be facing their first season without head coach Brian Wright, as former defensive coordinator, Tom Anthony, takes over for the Gorillas.
The University of Central Missouri claimed the preseason number one spot, with 80 points. The Mules finished as co-champions last year. In their lone game against Pitt State last season, the Mules were narrowly defeated 38-37 at their home stadium. The media poll was the same, as Pitt State was given a second place ranking with 231 points and six first place votes, while Central Missouri was given first with 254 points and 20 first place votes.
Despite the second place ranking, the Gorillas have their eyes on competing this season, after losing back-to-back seasons in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Gorillas will have 13 starters back, six on offense and seven on defense. Ten of these players received All-MIAA awards last season.
Redshirt senior linebacker, Jack Barkley, garnered NCAA Division II All-America recognition last year, and redshirt senior linebacker, Alex Gaskill, also received first-team All-MIAA accolades. Dodson, redshirt sophomore cornerback, Jaylen Fuksa, and sophomore placekicker, Austin Schmitt, were second-team All-MIAA selections.
“We got a lot of speed on this football team, on both sides of the ball. I think just bringing the mentality, as a defensive coach, hopefully that’s the mentality that I’m going to bring to this team. The toughness, the grit, that’s just the way we kind of go about our business,” said coach Anthony.
There are 44 letterwinners that have returned to the team, as they prepare to be a veteran presence for some of the newer and younger players that are coming in this season. Preseason camp will begin on August 6 for the Gorillas, while the teams mettle will be tested early as they host recent Division II champs Ferris State on Saturday, August 31, at 7 PM.
“Coach Anthony is a genius; he knows what he is talking about, so having multiple guys in that room, to let the ideas bounce off of each other, and just let the guys play football, our defense will be really good this year. We have a great connection throughout the group, and we are ready to get rolling in Fall camp and get rolling for Ferris State,” said linebacker, Jack Barkley.