Game preview video with Coach Hafner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSyvGXi4et4

Oskaloosa–A new gridiron season will begin Saturday night as #23 William Penn hosts Missouri Valley in a Heart of America Athletic Conference crossover game.

The Statesmen (7-4 last year, 3-2 North) host the Vikings (6-5 last year, 3-2 South) at Lacey Complex Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

FOLLOW THE STATESMEN: Saturday’s game can also be followed on the internet at:

— (VIDEO & AUDIO) https://portal.stretchinternet.com/wpu/
— (AUDIO) http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/kboe.portal AND radio (KMZN 740 AM)

Live stats will also be available at:

— https://portal.stretchinternet.com/wpu/

The game will have a social media presence as well with updates available on:
— Twitter (@WPUAthletics)
— Facebook (William Penn University Athletics)

SERIES HISTORY: William Penn is 7-0 all-time in its series against Missouri Valley, including winning last year’s game 28-27.

The Statesmen trailed 28-13 early in the third quarter, but WPU scored 22 unanswered to start 2015 with a win.

The squad outgained MVC 427-413 with Tyler Hafner rushing for 92 yards (two scores) and passing for another 82.  Amos Johnson also scored twice.

1960–William Penn, 40-14
1961–William Penn, 35-14
1964–William Penn, 21-7
1965–William Penn, 14-0
1966–William Penn, 26-0
1967–William Penn, 26-19
2015–William Penn, 35-28

WPU ENDED 2015: The Statesmen came up short of a playoff bid in a 26-14 loss to Grand View in the 2015 season finale.

William Penn was outgained 434-237, but was knotted in a scoreless tie at intermission.  The squad cut the deficit to five midway through the fourth quarter only to give up a late score in the loss.

Hafner threw for 149 yards and both touchdowns, while Jatavius Stewart accounted for 139 receiving yards and both scores.

WPU BY THE NUMBERS (2015):

Offense (Team):

Points/Game–37.5

Yards/Game–448.1

Rushing Yards/Game–352.2 (1st in NAIA)

Passing Yards/Game–95.9

Offense (Individual):

Rushing Yards–Tyler Hafner (742)

Passing Yards–Tyler Hafner (909)

Receiving Yards–Jatavius Stewart (660)

Defense (Team):

Points/Game–29.4

Yards/Game–398.0

Rushing Yards/Game–112.9 (10th in NAIA)

Passing Yards/Game–285.1

Defense (Individual):

Tackles–Isaac Samek (86)

Sacks–Cameron Colbert (3)

Interceptions–Two players (4)

Special Teams (Individual):

Punting Avg.–Aaron Allen (34.5)

Kicking–Samson Tamijani (48-53 XP, 4-6 FG) (60 pts)

Return Yards–Jatavius Stewart (457) (26.9 kickoff return avg.)

MISSOURI VALLEY ENDED 2015: The Vikings fell 16-13 to MidAmerica Nazarene in the season finale.

MVC led 13-6 early in the third quarter, but could not hold onto the lead.  The squad was outgained 395-230, including being limited to 87 rushing yards.  The Vikings stayed close by forcing four turnovers.

Dominic Hill passed for 136 yards, while Jakari Johnson had 71 rushing yards.

MISSOURI VALLEY BY THE NUMBERS (2015):

Offense (Team):

Points/Game–29.9

Yards/Game–442.6

Rushing Yards/Game–223.4

Passing Yards/Game–219.3

Offense (Individual):

Rushing Yards–Elliott Hawkins (1,037)

Passing Yards–Joseph Muriel (1,040)

Receiving Yards–Dorian Stanard (582)

Defense (Team):

Points/Game–26.9

Yards/Game–324.6

Rushing Yards/Game–187.4

Passing Yards/Game–137.3 (1st in NAIA)

Defense (Individual):

Tackles–Kyrton Kilgore (74)

Sacks–Kyrton Kilgore (6.5)

Interceptions–Terrence Hollins-White (2)

Special Teams (Individual)

Punting Avg.–Desi Villanueva (42.4 avg.) (2nd in NAIA)

Kicking–Desi Villanueva (37-42 XP, 4-12 FG) (49 pts)

Return Yards–Darrian Turk (537)

SATURDAY’S TWO-DEEPS:

WILLIAM PENN OFFENSE
QB
17-Eric Cooper, 6-2, 175, Jr.

2-Van Parker, 5-10, 180, Sr.

RB
21-Jon Ward, 5-8, 187, Sr.

5-Christian Williams, 5-9, 180, Sr.

RB
26-Carl Sivels, 6-0, 190, Jr.

23-Jesse Bade, 5-11, 172, So.
FB
47-Nate VanVeldhuizen, 5-11, 210, So.

44-Lyle Jennings, 6-0, 235, Jr.
WR
1-Desmond Douglas, 5-11, 190, Sr.

11-Jeremiah Benson, 6-0, 180, Fr.

WR
80-Tyler Phillips, 5-10, 178, So.

81-Tyler Wood, 6-0, 180, Fr.

TE
89-Trey Bennett, 5-11, 210, So.

65-Rafael Belman, 5-11, 220, Fr.
LT
70-Nick Jackson, 6-2, 260, So.

75-Sam Mosiman, 6-2, 270, So.

LG
60-Joe Reschman, 5-10, 270, So.

52-JaNathian Parrish, 6-2, 250, Fr.

C
54-Sione Mafua, 5-9, 255, Fr.

61-Tyler Hern, 6-2, 230, Fr.

RG
63-Beau Picard, 6-1, 270, So.

76-Haydn Stender, 6-1, 250, Fr.

RT
53-Hunter Dailey, 6-0, 240, So.

66-Charles Nelson, 6-1, 230, Fr.

K

10-Samson Tamijani, 5-8, 145, So.

92-Hunter Behm, 6-2, 215, Fr.

HOLDER

81-Tyler Wood, 6-9, 180, Fr.
18-Hunter Anfinsen, 6-1, 190, So.
KR

1-Desmond Douglas, 5-11, 190, Sr.
7-Antonio Brown, 6-0, 175, Sr.

PR

1-Desmond Douglas, 5-11, 190, Sr.
7-Antonio Brown, 6-0, 175, Sr.

WILLIAM PENN DEFENSE
DE
55-Cooper Gosch, 6-2, 230, So.

51-Derek Robinson, 6-2, 240, Jr.

N
90-Hunter Barry, 6-0, 275, Sr.

96-Azia Seei, 5-10, 250, So.

DE
59-Anthony Jackson, 6-3, 240, So.

95-Resean Coleman, 6-4, 240, Fr.

LB
41-Jake Baptiste, 6-0, 200, Jr.

6-Clive Manuao, 5-11, 215, Fr.

LB
31-Mason Wisse, 5-11, 190, So.

29-Austin Cox, 5-8, 178, Sr.

LB
9-LeeAndre Fisher, 6-0, 205, Jr.

39-Pedro Quiroz, 6-0, 180, Fr.

LB
36-Aaron Allen, 5-10, 200, Jr.

38-Justin Beener, 5-11, 180, So.

CB
7-Antonio Brown, 6-0, 175, Sr.

16-Ray Watson, 5-10, 185, Jr.

CB
3-Dajon Shaw, 6-1, 182, Jr.

14-Nate Deadmond, 6-0, 145, Fr.

FS
8-Walter Eastwood, 5-9, 200, Jr.

19-Winston Green, 6-0, 210, Jr.

SS
27-Kyle Baldassarre, 5-10, 185, So.

24-Josh Vasquez, 6-0, 175, Fr.

PUNTER

36-Aaron Allen, 5-10, 200, Sr.

81-Tyler Wood, 6-0, 180, Fr.
LONGSNAPPER

97-Cody Brigham, 6-1, 210, Sr.

53-Hunter Dailey, 6-0, 220, So.

MISSOURI VALLEY OFFENSE
QB
11-Dakota Collins, 6-0, 200, Jr.

17-Joe Muriel, 6-1, 205, So.

RB
10-Kenny Sanford, 5-9, 195, Fr.

28-David Robinson, 5-9, 157, Fr.

WR
3-Jacoby Bellard, 5-10, 180, Sr.

81-Davon Henry, 5-7, 173, Jr.

WR
14-Ch’von Richardson, 5-11, 167, Sr.

22-Raysean Parker, 6-1, 191, So.

WR
4-Dorian Stanard, 6-2, 178, Jr.

12-Khalil Smith, 5-11, 158, Fr.

TE
88-Joe Young, 6-3, 252, Sr.

35-Cody Hendricks, 6-0, 238, Sr.

LT
78-Jay Atherton, 6-4, 265, Fr.

79-Braxton Willis, 6-2, 260, So.

LG
56-Brendan Latham, 6-0, 275, So.

72-Josh Murtaugh, 6-1, 262, Jr.

C
62-Troy Jones, 6-0, 248, So.

63-Tate Greifonor, 6-1, 240, Fr.

RG
74-Brandon McDonald, 6-1, 282, Fr.

66-Thomas Payne, 6-3, 317, Fr.

RT
76-Anasi Sotoa, 6-3, 320, Jr.

53-Akinola Osata, 6-2, 283, Sr.

PK

16-Austin Johnson, 5-11, 161, So.

39-Aaron Baum, 6-2, 231, Fr.

HOLDER
3-Jacoby Bellard, 5-10, 180, Sr.

11-Dakota Collins, 6-0, 200, Jr.

KR
4-Dorian Stanard, 6-2, 178, Jr.

10-Kenny Sanford, 5-9, 195, Fr.

PR
81-Davon Henry, 5-7, 173, Jr.

3-Jacoby Bellard, 5-10, 180, Sr.

MISSOURI VALLEY DEFENSE
DE
98-Justin Aguilar, 6-3, 253, Jr.

54-Myles Campbell, 6-2, 225, Fr.

DE
99-Nate Higgins, 6-5, 242, Jr.

93-Torenzo Vereen, 6-3, 220, So.

N
44-Kyrton Kilgore, 6-1, 305, Jr.

97-Jeff Desir, 5-11, 292, Jr.

LB
42-Elliott Souter, 5-8, 235, So.

45-Patrick Overby, 5-10, 185, So.

LB
55-Dillon Babb, 6-1, 266, Jr.

32-Jake King, 6-1, 200, Jr.

LB
6-Stephen Thayer, 5-9, 202, Sr.

19-Cedric O’Hara, 5 -10, 206, Sr.

LB
2-Ricky Williams, 5-11, 204, Sr.

27-Taylor Palade, 6-2, 205, Jr.

S
7-John Battle, 6-1, 192, Jr.

30-Justin Gallagos, 5-11, 190, Sr.

S
5-Nate Desemone, 5-11, 197, Jr.

8-Antoine Palmer, 5-11, 192, Jr.

CB
9-Juhwan Cassidy, 5-11, 186, Jr.

20-Chaun Smith, 5-7, 150, Fr.

CB
21-Stephan Seals, 5-9, 170, Sr.

33-DeShaun Osbourne, 5-10, 185, Fr.

PUNTER
39-Aaron Baum, 6-2, 231, Fr.

16-Austin Johnson, 5-11, 161, So.

LONGSNAPPER
46-Nik Fields, 5-11, 243, So.

50-Gerald Payoute, 5-10, 200, Fr.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage

Preview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtuGQnEHxm0

2015-2016 Heart Finish: 4th of 11
Letterwinners returning/lost: 5/4

Notable returners:
Frederik Lundsgaard      Jr.        Jebjerg, Denmark
(Letterwinner, 75.8 avg., low of 71)
Brandon Dizon              Sr.        San Leandro, Calif.
(Letterwinner, 77.5 avg., low of 71)
Clay Tucker                   Sr.        Oskaloosa, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 79.1 avg., low of 75)
Zach Swink                   Sr.        Burlington, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 81.6 avg., low of 76)

Notable Losses:
Spencer Skipper
(All-Heart)
Ben Roberts
(Three-time letterwinner)
Justin Bothma
(Two-time letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Zachary Chegmidden     Fr.        England
Skylar Cunningham        So.       Knoxville, Iowa
Sebastian Rulis             Jr.        Denmark
Beau Squires                Sr.        Conrad, Iowa

The Statesmen men’s golf team will look to build off a great inaugural season in its new conference and possibly take another step closer to a league title as it hits the links in 2016-2017.

William Penn placed fourth out of 11 teams at last year’s Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships, and Head Coach Steve Tucker has a lot of talent returning.

Frederik Lundsgaard (Jr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) is at the front of the class with a 75.8 stroke average last year, while Brandon Dizon (Sr., San Leandro, Calif., Sociology) (77.5 avg.), Clay Tucker (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) (79.1 avg.), Zach Swink (Sr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) (81.6 avg.), and Kyle Hashimoto (Sr., Acampo, Calif., Exercise Science) (81.9 avg.) also earned varsity experience last year.

Fellow returners Peter Frederiksen (Jr., Hornslet, Denmark, Mechanical Engineering), Rory Schafer (Jr., Solwezi, Zambia, Mechanical Engineering), Cade Hartman (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management), and Bradley Hamilton (So., Earlham, Iowa, Physical Education) will battle several newcomers to bolster the team.

Zachary Chegmidden (Fr., England) and Sebastian Rulis (Jr., Denmark, Business Management) are coming from Europe this fall, while Skylar Cunningham (So., Knoxville, Iowa, History/Government) is venturing just a few miles down Highway 92.  Beau Squires (Sr., Conrad, Iowa, History/Government and Sociology) is also back on the Statesmen roster after years away.

Schedule/Conference

The fall season begins on August 28-29 as WPU hosts the Midwest Intercollegiate Open in Moravia, while seven additional tournaments will fill up the rest of the schedule.  The Statesmen will also host the William Penn 27 Shootout in September and the William Penn Classic in October.  The NAIA Preview, consisting of some of the best teams in the nation, will wrap up the fall.

2015-2016 national qualifiers Grand View and Mount Mercy will likely serve as favorites to claim the Heart crown, but Tucker can envision his program being a real threat next spring.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage

Omaha, Neb.–A couple of tight sets could have gone the other way, but unfortunately they did not and the William Penn volleyball team came up short against Grace 3-1 in non-conference play Tuesday.

WPU (0-4) fell by scores of 23-25, 18-25, 25-20, 22-25.  The squad was outhit .176-.100, including posting a .135 mark in the second set.

The visitors fought to the bitter end, but failed to overcome 33 attacking errors (both sides tallied 51 kills).  Shawni Wills (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) had an efficient evening, leading the navy and gold with 13 kills and a .346 attack clip.

Savanna Hartman (Sr., Morgan Hill, Calif., Psychology) was also in double figures with 11 winners, while Claire Simmons (So., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) and Lilly Martinez (Jr., Oakland, Calif., Psychology) just missed the mark with nine kills apiece.

Kathleen Steffen (So., Vinton, Iowa, Biology) topped the setting duo with a double-double of 29 assists and 16 digs, while Haley Smith (So., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) added 15 helpers.

Ashley Miller (So., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) paced the defensive effort with 35 digs, while Nesreen Iskandrani (Fr., Lawrence, Kan., History/Government) finished with three block assists.

In addition to her hitting tally, Simmons was also productive at the service line (three aces) and at the defensive net (one solo block, two block assists).

“We are learning, but it is going to take baby steps,” Head Coach Jennifer Carlson said.  “We are making too many errors at this point and that is hurting us as we try to finish games.  We are close, so I know we can do this, but we need to buckle down and continue to remove those unforced errors.”

Next Up: William Penn takes a week off before returning to Oskaloosa for its home opener next Tuesday, hosting Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) in non-conference action at 7 p.m.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage