2009 Final StandingsSchool | MVFC | Overall |
Southern Illinois | 8-0 | 11-2 |
South Dakota State | 7-1 | 8-4 |
Northern Iowa | 5-3 | 7-4 |
Illinois State | 5-3 | 6-5 |
Missouri State | 4-4 | 6-5 |
Youngstown State | 4-4 | 6-5 |
North Dakota State | 2-6 | 3-8 |
Indiana State | 1-7 | 1-10 |
Western Illinois | 0-8 | 1-10 |
Team by Team BreakdownIllinois State (6-5)Head Coach: Brock Spack
Offensive Coordinator: Luke Huard
Defensive Coordinator: Phil Elmassian
- The Redbirds return sophomore quarterback Matt Brown who completed 64.2% of his passes in 2009. Brown threw for over 2,300 yards (2369) and connected on 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Tyrone Walker caught 37 passes for an average of 13.1 yards per catch and three scores a year ago. Illinois State’s leading tackler (71) Kelvyn Hemphill is back and so is defensive tackle Eric Brunner (47 tackles). ISU ends the season with games against Youngstown State and Eastern Illinois to finish the campaign at Hancock Stadium.
Notable NFL Alumni: Estus Hood (DB), Dennis Nelson (OT), Mike Prior (S), Mark Rodenhauser (C)
Indiana State (1-10)Head Coach: Trent Miles
Offensive Coordinator: Steve Englehart
Defensive Coordinator: Shannon Jackson
-Since 2005, the Sycamores have won just two games. Indiana State begins their home schedule with St. Joseph’s (D2) and Quincy (NAIA) in Terre Haute. The Sycamores return two defensive studs in linebacker Aaron Archie, led the team in tackles (117), and defensive tackle Rod Hardy, led the team in tackles for loss with 11.
Notable NFL Alumni: Vencie Glenn (CB), Tunch Ilkin (OL), Nate Ramsey (DB)
Missouri State (6-5)Head Coach: Terry Allen
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Christophel
Defensive Coordinator: D.J. Vokolek
-The Bears open the season with a Thursday night home game against Eastern Kentucky on September 2. Will the loss of tight end Clay Harbor (Eagles’ 2010 4
th Round Draft Choice) hurt the play of quarterback Cody Kirby? Number 13 ranks as the Bears’ all-time touchdown passer (37) and is second in passing yards on the career list. Fifth-year defensive coordinator D.J. Vokolek has to be grinning when thinking of the potential his defense has in 2010. Returning is linebacker and leading tackler Antoine Wilkinson (113), defensive end Waylon Richardet (43 tackles), and senior safety Skylar Smith (94 tackles).
Notable NFL Alumni: Brad St. Louis (TE), Jason Whittle (G)
North Dakota State (3-8)Head Coach: Craig Bohl
Offensive Coordinator: Brent Vigen
Defensive Coordinator: Scottie Hazelton
-The Bison return a trio of defensive stalwarts from last year’s team. Along the line, North Dakota State has defensive end Coulter Boyer (led team with 6.5 QB Sacks) and defensive tackle Matthew Gratzek (3 Sacks) back. Also, the team’s leading tackler (96) linebacker Preston Evans is back in 2010 for his junior season. Coach Craig Bohl’s Bison open the campaign at Kansas on September 4. The green and gold finish the year with three of their final four contests at home.
Notable NFL Alumni: Tyrone Braxton (CB), Phil Hansen (DE), Steve Nelson (LB)
Northern Iowa (7-4)Head Coach: Mark Fraley
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Salmon
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Klieman
-The Panthers arrive into the 2010 season as the 14
th ranked team in the nation according to the Sports Network/Fathead.com pre-season poll. Since 2001, UNI has won or shared the league crown five times. Panther running back Carlos Anderson last year rushed for 552 yards and scored 4 touchdowns as a freshman. Place kicker Billy Hallgreen led the team in points scored (82) in 2009. Tight end Schuylar Oordt is also back after being tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions (5). UNI closes out the campaign with three of their final four away from the UNI Dome.
Notable NFL Alumni: James Jones (DT), Brad Meester (OL), Bryce Paup (LB), Benny Sapp (DB), Kurt Warner (QB), Steve Wright (OL)
South Dakota State (8-4)Head Coach: John Stiegelmeier
Co-Defensive Coordinators: Clint Brown & Jay Bubak
-Ranked #9 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com pre-season poll, the Jackrabbits are 13-3 in conference games since joining the Missouri Valley in 2008. Three of South Dakota State’s first four games are away from Coughlin Alumni Stadium including trips to Delaware and Nebraska. The team’s star running back Kyle Minett rushed for 1,337 yards and scored 16 touchdowns on the ground. Leading tackler Derek Domino finished last year with 100 stops and intercepted five passes from his linebacker position. Senior strong safety Conrad Kjerstad had five picks also. Punter Dean Priddy returns for his senior season after booting an average of 41.2 yards per punt, pinning the opposition inside the twenty yard line nineteen times in 2009.
Notable NFL Alumni: Steve Heiden (TE), Pete Retzlaff (E), Jim Langer (OL), Adam Timmerman (G), Adam Vinatieri (K)
Southern Illinois (11-2)Head Coach: Dale Lennon
Offensive Coordinator: Kalen DeBoer
Defensive Coordinator: Bubba Schweigart
-The Salukis are ranked #5 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com pre-season poll. One year ago, SIU advanced to the Division I FCS quarterfinals . Coach Lennon’s group has won or shared the league crown the past two seasons. In Valley Conference games, SIU is 20-2 since 2007. Southern Illinois returns their leading receiver, Joe Allaria, who caught 52 balls for 697 yards and four scores. The Saluki secondary will be stout with Korey Lindsey (cornerback) and Mike McElroy (safety) back after combining for thirteen interceptions in 2009.
Notable NFL Alumni: Houston Antwine (DL), Jim Hart (QB), Brandon Jacobs (RB), Carl Mauck (C), Bart Scott (LB), Terry Taylor (CB)
Western Illinois (1-10)Head Coach: Mark Hendrickson
Offensive Coordinator: Doug Ruse
Defensive Coordinator: Thomas Casey
-The Leathernecks open the campaign with three of their first four contests taking place in Macomb. The exception is a trip to Purdue on September 11. Senior wide out Lito Senatus caught 65 balls for 819 yards and 5 scores one year ago. Return specialist Todd Speight ran back two kicks (93 yard kickoff/88 yard punt) for six points. Senior linebacker Kyle Glazier intercepted two passes and led the team in tackles with 120 (7 for loss).
Notable NFL Alumni: Don Beebe (WR), David Bowens (DE), Bryan Cox (LB), Rodney Harrison (S), Will Peterson (CB), Rich Seubert (G), Aaron Stecker (RB), Mike Wagner (S), Frank Winters (C).
Youngstown State (6-5)Head Coach: Eric Wolford
Offensive Coordinator: Shane Montgomery
Defensive Coordinator: Rick Kravitz
-The Penguins will play three consecutive contests inside the friendly confines of Stambaugh Stadium after beginning the campaign in Happy Valley on September 4. Wide receiver Dominique Barnes finished second in receptions (60) and receiving yards (762) while leading the team in touchdown catches with 8. Cornerback Brandian Ross comes back to play his senior year at the Ice Castle after being tied for the team lead in interceptions (2) and also converging on the opposition for 47 tackles. The Penguins have not enjoyed a winning season in the league since 2006.
Notable NFL Alumni: Ron Jaworski (QB), Paul McFadden (K), Cliff Stoudt (QB), Jeff Wilkins (K)
