ARCATA — Last year's season-opener sent the Lumberjacks to Grand Junction, Colo., where they began a journey to one of the most successful football seasons in HSU history with a 29-3 win over the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks. One year later and a drop in elevation of 4,597 feet, the same two teams kickoff the 2012 season at 6 p.m. Thursday in Redwood Bowl.
Head-to-Head
Colorado Mesa University and Humboldt State have met four times previously, three of the games season-openers. The Lumberjacks have defeated the Mavericks three times, the lone loss a 23-21 decision in Grand Junction in 2007.
On-the-Air
Humboldt State football can be once again heard over the airwaves on KATA, 1340 AM, the North Coast's ESPN radio affiliate. Former Lumberjack player and BiCoastal Media Sports Director J.B. Mathers describes the action and HSU Hall-of-Famer Burt Nordstrom adds commentary. Airtime is 5:45 p.m. … All broadcasts are also streamed live through the
hsujacks.com web site. HSU also offers live video streaming of games in Redwood Bowl. The stream can be accessed at
HSU vs. CMU Live and can also be found by following the Live Video link on the
hsujacks.com home page.
LiveStats
All Humboldt State football home games feature LiveStats, viewable through the Lumberjacks' web site at
hsujacks.com. Simply follow the link listed as LIVESTATS on the home page, or paste the following link into your browser:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/football
Promotions
Thursday's game is HSU Staff/Faculty Appreciation night, offering free admission to all Humboldt State employees. Lumberjack alumni will be doing face painting and handing out freebies. Fans will also receive free flowers from Sun Valley Floral Farms, and the national champion HSU women's rowing team will be honored at halftime.
2012 GNAC Coaches Preseason Poll
School 2011 Record Pts.
1. Humboldt State (4) 9-1 (7-1, 1st) 24
2. Central Washington (2) 4-6 (4-4, 3rd) 20
3. Western Oregon 6-5 (6-2, 2nd) 19
4. Azusa Pacific 9-3 (Independent) 13
5. Simon Fraser 3-7 (2-6, 4th) 7
5. Dixie State 1-10 (1-7, 5th) 7
Injury Report
Two scrimmages later, the Lumberjacks remain relatively healthy, if not unscathed, following hard-hitting game simulations. That exertion, combined with everyday practice activity, has resulted in contusions and bruises, but none that should alter the starting lineup. "We held some guys out of Thursday's scrimmage to allow them to heal," HSU head coach Rob Smith said. "If it was a actual game, they would have played. I've also learned that game week is one of the best motivations to heal. We expect to be at full strength Thursday."
Lumberjack Notes
Starting the season on a Thursday has shortened the preseason camp, and positioned the opener four days into fall semester classes. But one major intangible favors Humboldt State – kicking off the campaign on its home turf. "This is the first time we've opened the season during my (five-year) tenure at HSU," Smith said. "If we were traveling, the logistics and planning take time away from game preparation. And of course, being at home with all of the support we get creates one of the best atmospheres in Division II football." …Listed as starters on the Jacks' first depth chart are only eight players who held that role in 2011. On offense, tackle Brett Frydendall, guard-turned center David Kulp, tight end Alex Hiebert, and wide receiver Victor Spencer return. Defensively, tackle Sean McDonald, linebacker Chris Peterson, cornerback Kevin Cooper and safety Jeremiah Maluia will start Thursday, as they did throughout 2011. …HSU's two scrimmages successfully produced a depth chart the coaches have confidence in, and they'll stick with the rotations they've decided upon and let players settle in, Smith said. "We'll let them make mistakes, because mistakes are going to happen. I expect to see some nervousness early on, but they need a chance to prove themselves. You can practice all you want, but that first look during an actual game will tell us a lot about our personnel."
Opponent Notes
Change is in the rare air at Colorado Mesa as the Mavericks begin 2012 under the direction of first-year head coach Russ Martin. Most recently, Martin was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at University of Nebraska-Kearney for eight years. His coaching staff is also brand new to Grand Junction, and all of the program's leadership changes make the Mavericks difficult to scout. "It's a situation in which we have to study the coach and gather information on what he's done at other places he's been," Smith said. "There isn't a lot we can do beyond that to study our opponent, so we're going to focus more on ourselves." …Trevor Stapp, a preseason All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection and starting right tackle, is among the Mavericks' top returners on offense. The senior has been a three-time All-RMAC selection. …Leading the way on defense is free safety Trent deBraga, who received Beyond Sports College Network preseason All-America honorable mention selection. The senior led the RMAC in kick returns with an average of 29.1 yards per return in 2011. …Colorado Mesa posted a 4-7 overall record last season, and was 3-6 in RMAC games. In their preseason poll, RMAC coaches picked the Mavericks to finish fifth in league this season.
Smith Says
“It's always stressful going into the first game of the season, and having the first game on a Thursday is difficult. It forces a lot of changes to your preparation." …"There's definitely a buzz surrounding the Colorado Mesa program this year. The new staff has breathed life into the program. We're going to see a much-improved team." …"We're the defending champs, and there's no sneaking up on anyone anymore. That's the kind of pressure we want. We know we'll get every team's best shot, and our players want to show they can take it. They aren't thinking about what we did last year. They're setting forth to make their own name."
Game Conditions
A cool, calm coastal evening is expected Thursday, with temperatures in the low 50s at game time and very little, if any, chance of precipitation.
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