KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After finishing in a tie for fourth last year in the MIAA, the Missouri Western football team has been picked fourth by the media and fifth by the coaches in the 2015 MIAA Preseason Polls.
The Griffons return 15 starters and 36 letter winners from a squad that went 7-4 one season ago. Those returners include the 2014 team’s top passer (Skyler Windmiller) and rusher (Raphael Spencer) along with team leaders in sacks (Cody Lindsay) and interceptions (Michael Jordan) and receiving yards (Dee Toliver). Jordan and Spencer join Travis Anderson as 2014 first team All-MIAA selections returning for 2015. Jordan was also named to four All-American teams in 2014 and Spencer and Anderson were both third team Don Hansen All-Region selections last season. Overall, the team returns eight players named All-MIAA last season.
Offensively, eight starters return from the 2014 squad. Windmiller started nine games after winning a quarterback battle and finished the year with 1,799 yards passing and nine touchdowns. Spencer is back and enters his senior year third on the MWSU career rushing chart with 3,069 yards. He needs 330 yards to move into second and is 1,900 yards behind career leader Michael Hill. Four starters on the offensive line return, including Anderson and 2014 All-MIAA honorable mention tackle Leonard Wester. Tight end Alek Ferbet was also honorable mention All-MIAA last year with 15 catches for 196 yards. Dee Toliver is the leading, returning receiver. The senior was second on the team in 2014 with 31 catches and led the team with 457 yards and four touchdowns.
Seven starters and 17 lettermen return to a defense that allowed the fifth fewest points in MWSU history. One of the MIAA’s best units last season will again be highlighted by Jordan. Lindsay had an outstanding first year with the Griffons, leading the team with seven sacks. Yomi Alli and Lindsay were honorable mention All-MIAA last year and returning defensive lineman Arbanas Elliott was a second team All-MIAA pick. All three starters up front return, with Lindsay and Alli returning as starting linebackers. Jordan and Sam Brown will again form one of the MIAA’s most formidable corner back duos. The defense will have to replace both of 2014’s starting safeties but have a handful of experienced defensive backs to choose from.
Maybe the biggest battle in the 2015 preseason will be in the kicking game. The Griffons must replace an All-American punter (Scott Groner) and an All-American kicker (John Schmiemeier). Groner is now on the coaching staff after breaking nearly every MWSU punting record in his four-year career. Schmiemeier led the MIAA in 2014 on his way to an honorable mention Don Hansen All-American nod. The team added two punters and three kickers in the offseason to battle for those two positions. They won’t have to worry about inconsistent snapping as Cameron Glenn returns for his third year as the Griffons’ long snapper. Brandyyn Clark led the team with 13 punt returns and 91 punt return yards and is back for the 2015 campaign. Clark returned three kicks for 74 yards last season, the most of any returning player.
2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (8) 118
2. Pittsburg State (4) 114
3. Central Missouri 92
4. Central Oklahoma 91
5. Missouri Western 82
6. Fort Hays State 71
T7. Emporia State 59
T7. Washburn 59
9. Nebraska-Kearney 39
10. Lindenwood 34
11. Missouri Southern 17
12. Northeastern State 16
2015 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (28) 478
2. Pittsburg State (13) 455
3. Central Oklahoma 382
4. Missouri Western 350
5. Central Missouri 344
6. Fort Hays State 284
7. Emporia State 226
8. Washburn 213
9. Nebraska-Kearney 153
10. Missouri Southern 144
11. Lindenwood 122
12. Northeastern State 47
— MWSU Athletics —