The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team may seem a bit
defensive when the topic of defending the NCAA III Championship it captured
last season is addressed.
        And why not? The Eagles return eight starters on defense from the
national championship team which ranked sixth in the nation in scoring
defense and 13th in total defense.
        "I think we can be a dominating defensive team," Harring said. "We
had good capabilities offensively last season, we could strike in the air
and dominate on the ground. This year we have that potential, but we have
to wait and see if that will occur.
        "That's the nice thing about having a solid defense early," Harring
continued. "It can control the game on that side of the ball until we do
the things we need to do to be successful offensively. We have a solid team
coming back."
        A pair of All-America candidates headline the defensive unit.
Senior tackle Mike Ivey and senior linebacker Mike Maslowski are menacing
forces for opponents.
        Ivey is the leader of an extremely deep interior defensive line.
The Eagles controlled the line of scrimmage last season by rotating four
tackles into the lineup. The quartet remains intact with the return of
seniors Dan Kloepping and Eric Baranczak, and junior Ken Grothe. Ivey is a
two-time All-WSUC first team selection, and Kloepping has earned all-league
recognition twice along side of Ivey. Grothe, not to be outdone, may prove
to be just as imposing to the opposition this season. With this depth, the
Eagles should remain fresh in the trenches again this season.
        At the ends, senior Luke Fink returns to one of the positions after
coming on strong at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He recorded
31 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Sophomore John Wilson will compete
for playing time at end as well. He played well in spot duty last season
with 10 tackles and two sacks. Junior Jim Abrams, a pair of potential
transfers or a relocated linebacker may also fill the vacancy at the other
end position.
        Maslowski, another two-time All-WSUC pick, led the Eagles in
tackles last season with 79, including eight behind the line of scrimmage.
He possesses the size, strength and field awareness to put him in the
category with the best linebackers in the NCAA III. A battle for a starting
role at the opposite outside linebacker slot will be waged among several
prospects. Sophomore Kevin Steltz is the early favorite to see the most
time there. However, seniors Chris Woreck and Chris Smith, as well as
sophomores Mike Deans and Mike Seifert will provide plenty of competition.
Junior Andy Alvis is the returning starter in the middle. He missed a
couple of games last season with a knee injury but still compiled 42
tackles.
        At the corners, junior Ric Mathias and senior Todd Goldbeck stepped
into starting roles in the post-season following the suspension of the
starters on both sides. The Eagles hardly missed a beat. Mathias made 22
tackles, five deflections and two interceptions in the playoffs. Goldbeck
knocked down four passes with 19 tackles in the post-season. However, depth
in the secondary is an early concern with senior Tony Jennison and junior
Kaylord Saunders possessing the only other experience at the corners.
        To the chagrin of opposing ball carriers, senior Travis DeFlorian
returns to one of the starting safety roles. He gives the Eagles a
ferocious hitter in the secondary. He was fifth on the team in tackles last
season and had a stellar performance in the NCAA III championship game.
Brad Saron is expected to provide depth behind DeFlorian. Competing for
time at the other safety position are senior Ben Chossek and sophomore
Brian Ghidorzi. Both saw limited time last season. However, reinforcements
in the secondary may also come from several talented newcomers.
        The offensive side of the ball has some holes to fill--to say the
least.  NCAA III Player-of-the-Year Craig Kusick is gone. Also missing are
'95 team MVP Jason Tarkowski and All-WSUC performer Trevor Rogers. UW-L
averaged 406 yards a game last season and led the WSUC in total offense.
        "We're going to continue trying to be the balanced team we have
been in the past," Harring said. "Losing  our whole starting backfield
certainly presents a problem. The key is one of four candidates at
quarterback will have to step up."
        Kusick's replacement will come from a pool of four prospects.
Senior Ryan Antony was Kusick's backup last season, and senior Rob Slavens
was the second-string signal caller in '94. Antony completed 12-of-14
passes last season for 146 yards and a touchdown. Two other candidates are
junior Jeff Baker and sophomore Mike Scheuer. Baker is a pocket passer who
possesses arm strength comparable to Kusick. Scheuer, a talented athlete
with good speed, was one of Wisconsin's top high school prospects coming in
last season. He saw limited time at quarterback and running back as a
freshman.
        They all have gotten a lot of reps; it is just a matter of which
one decides to take charge of the offense," Harring said. "Baker has the
same style as Kusick. The others are more mobile, and with which we can run
a full offense. We can run the option, play-action pass and throw the ball
downfield. With our multiple scheme, I think it creates a lot more problems
for the defense."
        Whoever is inserted at quarterback will have a talented and deep
group of receivers to throw to. Senior Troy Harcey, an All-WSUC first team
performer on the field and GTE Academic All-American in the classroom, led
the Eagles in catches last season with 53 for 807 yards. Junior Jeremy Earp
is the Eagles big-play threat. He averaged 23 yards a catch last season
with seven touchdowns. Senior Erick Jenkins, junior Brandon Hall and
sophomore Mike Winters provide quality depth on the outside.
        Only 33 percent of the yards gained rushing last season returns to
the backfield. Much of that percentage is consumed by elusive junior John
Barrett. He was second on the team with 476 yards rushing for a lofty 6.1
yards-per-rush average. Sophomore Beau Coulter and senior Toby Krause are
also expected to see playing time. Coulter averaged 7.4 yards a carry in
limited action last season, and Krause has responded well every time he has
been called on. The speedster started the opening game of the 1993 playoffs
against Wartburg College and rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in 10
carries. At fullback, senior Brian Steines rushed for 36 yards in a reserve
role last season. He and Jeremy Miller are expected to challenge for a
starting role. The Eagles may also be helped out in this area by the influx
of in-coming talent.
        The offensive line is anchored by senior All-American right guard
Erik Halverson and senior center Chris Schultz. Halverson has been given
All-WSUC recognition in each of his three seasons. Schultz was reliable
last season despite playing through nagging injuries most of last year to
earn All-WSUC honorable mention. Providing insurance behind Schultz at
center will come from junior Jason Trelstad.
        Competing for the left guard position will be seniors Bernie
Domecki and Joe Daniels, and sophomore Louis McGuire, who made the move
from defensive line last season. McGuire has the speed of a fullback
despite his 290-pound frame.
        Junior Rich Jazdzewski returns as the starting left tackle and
Chris Arnett and Sam McNeely, if healthy, will challenge for the most time
at the right tackle slot. Arnett performed well in a back-up role last
season, and McNeely began the season as a starter before going down early
in the season with a knee injury. Also expect to add depth at the tackle
positions are sophomores Matt Repaal and Luis Moroney. Several transfers
may also see substantial playing time immediately.
        Junior Dave Nagel may step into the starting spot at tight end
after serving in a back-up role last season. However, he will receive stiff
competition for playing time with the addition of a fine freshman class and
returnees Mike Sobczak, Jeff Peterson and Rob Olander.
        With the number of returning letter-winners and the quality of
depth, the Eagles should again challenge for the WSUC title. Harring
believes the greatest challenge to the Eagles' defense of the title should
again come from UW-Stevens Point, UW-Whitewater and UW-River Falls.
        In addition to having the quarterback situation solidified, Harring
believes the two keys to success this season will be to overcome an
emergency or challenging situation and to avoid injuries.
        "I think we have a chance to be very successful with the returning
student-athletes we have and the infusion of some quality transfers,"
Harring said. "The most difficult thing is to always keep the members of
the squad in perspective individually. The solid team concept from within
must prevail, rather than individual goals."
        After finishing last season with a perfect 14-0 record and a
national championship, expectations for this season will again be high.
However, the Eagles have enough talent and experience to post a solid
defense of their perfect season.

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