The Cougar football team would undoubtedly like to duplicate its success from the 2011 season, which was capped off by that season’s NAIA National Championship victory.
Though there was hardly a letdown during the 2012 season, the Cougars did not reach their ultimate goal. They finished 9-1 in the regular season and progressed to the semifinals of the NAIA National Championship Series before a draining loss at the hands of Morningside College (Iowa).
Senior quarterback Joe Gill has some big shoes to fill in his first full season as a starter. He is taking over from former quarterback Jimmy Coy, who was invited to try out for the Chicago Bears. Coy became the first Cougar football player to sign a professional contract when he agreed to terms with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
It remains to be seen exactly what else has changed since the end of the 2012 season, but any questions surrounding the team will begin to be answered this Saturday when the No. 4-ranked Cougars host No. 2-ranked Marian University(Ind.).
Kickoff is at 6pm and the team would be happy to play in front of a packed house at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field as they get their 2013 season under way against their formidable opponent.