2013 Football Preview: Offense

QUARTERBACKS:     by Justy Bullington

Jonn McLain, junior of Chadron. HT: 5’11”; WT: 188 lbs. 2012 SEASON:  Passing – ATT: 362; COMP: 239; TOT YDS: 2,606; YDS/G: 217.17; INT: 6; TD: 30. Rushing – ATT: 50; YDS GAINED: 135; YDS LOST:  123; AVE/G: 0.2. TD: 5. CAREER: Passing – ATT: 638; COMP: 441; TOT YDS: 4,919; AVE/G: 196.8; INT: 14; TD: 49. Rushing – ATT: 90; YDS: 38; TD: 17; AVE/G: 1.5.

“His head, he’s a smart player,” Offensive Coordinator Chris Stein said about McLain. “He knows the offense and he’s extremely accurate. He’s not the fastest player, but that’s kind of two-fold because we don’t ask him to run the ball. We’d rather him throw it.”

McLain’s thoughts: Individually, McLain plans on working hard in the offseason and being ready for fall camp.

“I want to prepare each week and have fun playing with the best teammates and coaches around,” McLain said.

As for the team, McLain expects to compete for the RMAC title and make a run in the playoffs.McLain will be the starting quarterback for the Eagles again this fall.

Patrick O’Boyle, junior of Gering. HT: 6’3”; WT: 200lbs. 2012 SEASON:  Passing – ATT: 11; COMP: 8; TOT YDS: 90; YDS/G: 30; INT: 0; TD: 1. Rushing – ATT: 9; YDS GAINED: 24; YDS LOST:  4; AVE/G: 6.67. TD: 0. CAREER: Passing – ATT: 28; COMP: 17; TOT YDS: 141; AVE/G: 5.0; INT: 0; TD: 1. Rushing – ATT: 14; YDS: 35; TD: 0; AVE/G: 1.7.

“He’s an unbelievable leader,” Stein said, “he gets the people around him to play better.”

Although O’boyle’s accuracy is one of his weaknesses, Stein said he’s improving tremendously this spring season.

“He’s a smart player,” Stein said.

“Individually I am going to continue to learn the game as a whole and gain a better understanding of all the different situations that could possibly happen,” O’boyle said. “I’m going to keep working hard to better myself as a football player.”

The positivity for the team continues with O’boyle’s expectations for the team.

“I’m expecting great things this upcoming season. We have a lot of athleticism and a lot of speed. We have a great bunch of guys on the team and we area very close team,” O’boyle said.

For the team O’boyle expects to be competitive in the RMAC.

“This team has a lot of potential and talent and we all think that our coaching staff, everyone on the team, and the hard work that we put in on a daily basis we can go a long way when the season kicks off in August,” O’boyle said.

RUNNING BACKS:     by Lindsey Ferguson

Glen Clinton, senior of Cody, Wyo. HT: 5’10”; WT: 200 lbs.; 2012 SEASON: Rushing – GP: 12-10; ATT: 217; YDS GAINED: 1368; YDS LOST: 18; Net: 1350; TD: 7; AVG/G: 112.5. Receiving – GP: 12-10; No: 21; YDS: 218; TD: 1; AVG/G: 18.2; TD: 8; Points: 48. Total Offense –Plays: 217; Rush: 1350; Total: 1350; AVG/G: 112.5. CAREER: Rushing – ATT: 587; YDS: 3138; TD: 19; AVG/G: 101.2. Receiving – Rec: 64; YDS: 502; TD: 1; REC/G: 2.1; AVG/G: 16.2. Total Offense – Rush: 3138; Total: 3138; AVG/G: 101.2.

“Glen Clinton is our returning starter,” Graduate Assistant Tailback Coach Jacob Iodence said. “He had a great season and is having a great spring. We feel confident in his ability and feel that some of our younger guys could use more reps than him so he has not taken a whole lot of reps this spring. Glen, being the guy he is has the respect of everyone on the team. He is fearless and although he does not say a whole lot, he is a leader by example.”

Michael Madkins, junior of Elk Grove, Calif. HT: 5’7”; WT: 170 lbs.; 2012 SEASON: Rushing – GP: 12-10; ATT: 89; YDS GAINED: 522; YDS LOST: 35; Net: 487; AVG: 5.5; TD: 5; AVE/G: 44.3. Receiving – GP: 11-1; YDS: 63; AVG: 5.2; TD: 1; AVG/G: 5.7. Punt Returns – YDS: 68; AVG: 34.0; Kick Returns – YDS: 162; AVG: 18.0; TD: 6; Points: 36. Total Offense – GP: 11; Plays: 89; Rush: 487; AVG/G: 44.3. CAREER: Rushing – ATT: 180; YDS: 981; TD: 8; AVG/G: 44.6. Receiving – YDS: 96; TD: 1; AVG/G: 4.4. Punt Returns – NO: 15; YDS: 125; AVG/G: 5.7. Kick Returns – NO: 16; YDS: 367; Long: 48; 22.9; AVG/G: 16.7. Total Offense – G: 22; Rush: 981; AVG/G: 44.6.

“Michael Madkins was our backup last year and right now is in the same roll,” Iodence said. “Michael is a guy that we again feel very confident with. Michael has a great burst and is a great combination with Glen. Michael is the most vocal person in the group. He is a funny, light hearted guy and at times that is needed during the grind of a season.”

Donnie Butler, sophomore of Mathis, Texas. HT: 5’10”; WT: 161 lbs.; 2012 SEASON: Rushing – GP: 6-0; ATT: 9; YDS GAINED: 39; YDS LOST: 0; Net: 39; AVG: 4.3; TD: 0; AVG/G: 6.5. Punt Returns – YDS: 12; AVG: 12.0. Kick Returns – YDS: 43; AVG: 21.5. Total Offense – GP: 6; Plays: 9; Rush: 39; Total: 39; AVG/G: 6.5.

“Each of these three guys bring something different to the table,” Iodence said. Each of them has their strengths and weaknesses. They are all three having a great spring and competing well. It will be tough to say of those three guys who is the #3 running back; however it will depend heavily on who comes back ready to go next fall.”

“My personal expectations of the backs,” Iodence said, “are to be great competitors and constantly improve. I don’t have goals for them in terms of yards or carries. If we do our job, compete and get better we will win football games and that is the ultimate goal.”

WIDE RECEIVERS:     by Ashley Swanson

Nathan Ross, senior of San Diego, Calif. HT: 5’11”; WT: 185 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Number of receptions–54; YARDS: 805; AVE/G: 67.08; TD: 10; Kick Returns: 15; YARDS: 357. AVE/G: 23.8. CAREER:  Number of receptions–133; YARDS: 1771; AVE/G: 52.1; TD: 17; Kick Returns: 35; YARDS: 905. AVE/G: 26.6.

Travis Reeves, senior of Chadron, HT: 5’11”; WT: 200 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Number of receptions–17; YARDS: 177; AVE/G: 22.13; TD: 0. CAREER:  Number of receptions–59; YARDS: 778; AVE/G: 24.3; TD: 4.

“Travis and Nathan are going to be seniors; I want their best season. They’re both solid players,” Joe McLain, Graduate Assistant Wide Receiver Coach, said. “They’re going to be successful because they work hard.”

Danny O’Boyle, sophomore of Gering HT: 6’; WT: 175 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Number of receptions–9; YARDS: 127; AVE/G: 21.17; TD: 0.

“Danny and Kyle Vinch are both up and coming young players.” McLain said. “They’ll be contributors and [will] step up on special teams and be big assets on offense.”

OFFENSIVE LINE:     by Brooke Schumacher

Jake McCrary, senior of Valentine, HT: 6’5”; WT: 260 lbs 2012 SEASON:  GP: 12; Field Goal Blocks: 1. CAREER: GP: 23; Field Goal Blocks: 2.

“Jake McCrary is also a great leader who shows dedication and tough love towards his teammates,” Graduate Assistant Offensive Line Coach Josh Breske said.

Mike Lorenzo, junior of Oak Park, Calif. HT: 6’1”; WT: 270 lbs 2012 SEASON:  GP: 12. CAREER: Total GP: 22

“Mike Lorenzo is one of our most talented offensive linemen,” Breske said.

Sam Parker, junior of Harrison. HT: 6’2”; WT: 280 lbs

“Sam Parker started for us last season and some the season before; not only is he a hardworking athlete he is a great person who never takes the easy way out and is a great academic student while being an athlete,” Breske said.

TEAM AVERAGES: 4.5 per carry; Passing: YDS: 235.6; Total Offense YDS: over 440

“Our goal is to be the top rushing offense this season,” Breske said. “We always tell the boys if you can run you’re going to be hard to stop.”

“This next season we are bringing back a lot of experience and we plan to experiment with some new plays and blocking schemes, while staying focused on our basic fundamentals,” Breske said.

“The top three offensive linemen coming back this next season are Mike Lorenzo, Jake McCrary, and Sam Parker,” coach Breske said, “and the incoming offensive linemen who have been catching the coaches’ eye are Daniel Sotelo, who has worked hard over spring ball, and Tony Hartman, who has stepped up his game and is playing with a lot of confidence.”

INSIDE RECEIVERS:     by Molly Wedan 

Chapman Ham, junior of Rapid City, S.D. HT: 6’ 2”; WT: 235 lbs. 2012 SEASON: REC: 49; YARDS: 503; AVE/G: 41.92; TD: 4. CAREER: REC: 65; YARDS: 661; AVE/G: 20; TD: 7.

Cody Roes, junior of Chadron. HT: 6’2” WT: 217 lbs. 2012 SEASON: REC: 32; YARDS: 317; AVE/G: 28.82; TD: 4. CAREER: REC: 63; YARDS: 685; AVE/G: 22.8; TD: 9.

Austen Stephens, junior of Lincoln, HT: 6’3”; WT: 240 lbs. 2012 SEASON: REC: 10; YARDS: 60; AVE/G: 6.2; TD: 1. CAREER: REC: 10; YARDS: 68; AVE/G: 4.9.