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Last year, Pitt State football fans had another solid season to watch as the Gorillas knocked out several top teams in the nation, including the most recent national champ, Ferris State, before losing to Harding University in the first round of the playoffs. Led by second year head coach Tom Anthony, the Gorillas have a lot to build on this upcoming season.
With the first game of the season next Thursday Aug. 28, there will be some notable changes to this upcoming year. One of the most noticeable changes will come at the helm of the offense, with quarterback Chad Dodson graduating, leaving a significant hole. There are a couple of candidates who will vie for qb, with the leading one being new senior transfer Jackson Berry, from Southern Utah, an FCS school.
Redshirt junior, Jake Wolff, and redshirt sophomore, Tre Baker, will also compete for the starting role. Time will tell which player gets the go ahead. Protecting the quarterback is the number one job of the offensive line, and that job will be secured by returning seniors Drew Daniels, Carter Stanchfield, and Coby James.
“We’ve got four power quarterbacks going at it every single day making themselves better, and I’d have it no other way. Those guys are in the film room together, the weight room, and the field, sharpening each other to be the best they possibly can be,” redshirt senior Ryan Medeiros said.
This trio of seniors will continue from the stellar job they performed last season, helping defend the quarterback and push the run game ahead. Redshirt senior Cleo Chandler headlines the backfield, returning from an all-MIAA performance last year.
The changes will be minimal to the receiving corps this season, as veterans like redshirt juniors Kam Gillespie, Greyson Holbert, and Kuron Parchmon look to build on last year’s game. Notable additions include grad transfer Jaelon Travis, redshirt senior TyJuan Atkins Jr, and junior Kye Stone.
The tight end will be a mix of old and new, as redshirt sophomore, Luke Niggeman returns after leading the Gorillas in touchdowns last season. Junior Jaydon Knight is also looking to return after playing for the entire last season. Redshirt senior, Damon Garrison and redshirt sophomore, Jaydon Hill will look for a chance to star in some games this season as well.
The Pitt State defense looks primed to return as a top five defense in the country yet again, led by defensive standouts, Jaylen Fuksa and Jordan Rogers. Fuksa was an all-MIAA performer at cornerback and looks to continue that form his redshirt senior season. Rogers was also all-MIAA at safety, also a redshirt senior this year and will also look to continue his defensive excellence.
Redshirt senior, Kristian Cross, will hold down the other corner yet again, leaving Pitt State with two reliable lockdown corners yet again. Redshirt senior, Ryan Medeiros, will return as well at the safety position, complimenting an already impressive pass defense.
“A couple of years ago we were tied for the most interceptions in the country, and that’s exactly what we are going for this year,” Medeiros said.
The linebacker position will show some familiar faces this year, as redshirt seniors Zach Coenen and Steven Ward II and redshirt junior Bryce Johnson return to lead the defense. The defensive line in front of them will feature a pair of returning starters in redshirt seniors Jeremy Sharp and James Smith as the backbone.
Junior Austin Schmitt will return after being injured last year, where he was extremely reliable as the starting kicker. He will likely get starts this year, while redshirt freshman Hayden Kosciki, who came in for the injured Schmitt last season, waits on the wings. Redshirt freshman transfer Tyler Antle will take over punting duties this season, while junior Justin O’Hara will be the longsnapper to start the season.
All in all, the Gorillas have a promising mix of veterans and new talent, along with one of the toughest schedules in the country. Playing returning champs #1 Ferris State, #5 Central Oklahoma, and #3 Grand Valley State in the first three weeks will be a trial by fire for this team. The first two games will be on the road to boot, as we will quickly learn what this team’s true mettle is.
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