Dec. 17, 2008

Matt Kimsey, NAIA Sports Marketing, mkimsey@naia.org  

Three days, twenty-three hours, 14 minutes, five seconds...four seconds...three seconds.  The ticker in the top right corner of the University of Sioux Falls football website explains it all.  For the players, coaches and fans of the Cougars, December 20th, 2008, at noon (EST) is the beginning of their shot at redemption.  Meeting them on the gridiron is the reigning National Champ and familiar foe, Carroll College, Mont.  In rain and mud and poor field conditions, the Saints of Carroll emerged victorious in the 2007 NAIA Football National Championship in Savannah, Tenn. with a 17-9 win over the Cougars.  A hard fought battle left the Saints with the glory, and the USF team looking on with mud-soaked jerseys.  

Sioux Falls returns a good number of players who remember the agony of last year's loss and who will be key playmakers on Saturday. Linebackers Marlon Lobban (JR) and Demetrius Washington (SR) are arguably the strength of this year's defensive squad.  Running backs Ismael Small (JR) and Ryan Lowmiller (JR) are the epitome of the two-back system; Small brings the physical, pounding style of running, while Lowmiller is a danger with his shifty, agile ability and effectiveness in open space. Shawn Flanagan (SR), Travis Beaver (JR), and Kyle Staudt (JR) anchor the offensive line, while defensive back Trevor Holleman (JR) comes into the game with two interceptions so far in the playoffs and a threat on the special teams unit with four blocked punts throughout the regular season.  The players at USF have had December 20th, 2008, marked on their calendars since last year, waiting.

For quarterback Lorenzo Brown though, a junior transfer from North Iowa Area Community College in his first season as the Cougars lead man, the focus has not been on redemption but rather on living up to the expectations and pressures of this season.  Since his first day on campus, Brown says the challenge has been on leading this team to a second consecutive Championship appearance in as many years.  Such are the expectations of this team and community.  Brown leads the Cougars into the game Saturday, averaging 158.7 passing yards, and 50.5 rushing yards with 38 total touchdowns on the season.  The dual-threat ability of Brown has the attention of the Saints for sure.  That big play ability, and the poise to be able to pull the ball down and run to make plays, puts the Cougars in a much better situation than last year in which they relied solely on the high powered air-attack led by Chad Cavender.  When asked about the 2007 matchup with the Fighting Saints and his teammate's reactions, Brown spoke of the ability of this year Sioux Falls team to present a more balanced attack.

"But both teams played under the same circumstances. It basically came down to who could run the ball more effectively, and that was Carroll's bread and butter. I think if it came down to the same scenario again, this Sioux Falls team is more equipped to pound the football."

Last year's title game apparently has both teams preparing a little differently.  Head coach Kalen DeBoer has made it a point this year to consciously game plan for inclement weather.  The Cougars hope to be able to put the ball in the air more than ten times, as was that case last year, but if the conditions do not allow, DeBoer feels they are a more prepared team.

"[We] decided to make a change since the championship game.  With the weather coming into play, we are making a conscious effort to make sure the offense can operate in those positions."

DeBoer has moved his team towards a control game, focusing on the running game.  The goal? Simple...make sure the offense is able to put points on the board in conditions that are less than desirable.  But with a defense like USF's., who needs offense?

The Sioux Falls defense has enabled the offensive unit to be able to play a controlled game all season. It's not hard when your defensive squad hands out shutouts like free pens at an ink convention.  The Cougars boast a 13-0 record this season and the NAIA's top defense allowing only 11.1 rushing yards per game and a measly 102.5 total yards per game to opposing offenses. USF also leads the NAIA in points allowed at less than six points per game.  The philosophy of defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell has been the key to the aggressive but disciplined unit that has opposing offensive coordinators loosing sleep.

A change of scenery is also in store for this years championship, as Barron Stadium, in Rome, Ga. will be the sight of the 53rd Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship.  Rome.  Where gladiators once battled for the glory of the Roman Empire. Now the Cougars of Sioux Falls meet the Saints of Carroll not on the sands of the Coliseum, but on the gridiron of Barron Stadium.   They will not only be fighting for the glory of victory on the highest stage of NAIA football, but to avenge last year.   They remember the feeling of being left wanting.  It resides in the pit of their stomachs still.

Sioux Falls has been focused on this game for 361 days, 46 minutes, and 57 seconds...58 seconds...59 seconds.

To follow game day action and events leading up to the 2008 Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship visit www.naia.org. To purchase tickets to the championship game visit www.naianationalchampionships.com.  

Learn more...University of Sioux Falls Football | Q&A with Lorenzo Brown/QB