Contact: Jenna McElroy, Sports Info & Social Media Intern, mcelroy@midwestconference.org
 
Below is a team-by-team preview of all MWC programs:
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Seth Duerr (5th season) 10-30, 3-20 MWC
2017: 1-9, 0-5 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 6th North Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 7
Returning Defensive Starters: 8
Returning All-MWC Performers: Second Team - Jake Karlicek Sr. OL
 
Three-time Second Team All-MWC offensive lineman Jake Karlicek will lead the Buccaneers in 2018 and looks to continue his streak of starting every game in his career. Leading rusher Joey Werner and receiver Tyler Korous also return. Last season, Werner had 25 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns, while Korous had 25 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Linebacker Andrei Prikhodko, the Bucs 2017 Team Defensive Player-of-the-Year, headlines a defense returning 8 starters. Prikhodko led the team with 55 tackles and just behind him with 53 was fellow linebacker and returnee Mike Layfayette. In the secondary, both Kyle Brown and Caleb Wachal return after combining for 14 pass breakups last season.
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Vince Brautigam (9th season) 33-46, 23-18 MWC
2017: 4-6, 2-3 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 5th South Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 6
Returning Defensive Starters: 9
Returning All-MWC Performers: Second Team - Milton Spradley Sr. LB, Zach Yankovich Sr. LB
 
The Rams have 26 newcomers on the 2018 roster, but their offense was particularly hit by graduation after losing All-MWC running back Devan Clark. However, wide receiver Cheyenne Minot returns after starting five games last season with 12 receptions for 181 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per catch. Tight end Tim Monfils is also back after a 2017 where he had two receptions for 31 yards, while kicker Aaron Nicoll looks to build off his record-setting season. Nicoll set a school record for most field goals made in a single season with nine and ranks second for most points scored by a kicker (62).
 
Defense will be key for Cornell as the team returns nine starters, led by Second Team All-MWC linebackers Milton Spradley and Zach Yankovich.  Spradley led the team with 95 tackles, 64 solo, and 5.5 tackles for loss. Yankovich ranks sixth on Cornell’s career list with 36.5 tackles for loss after tying for the team lead in 2017 with 17.5. He is a threat to opposing quarterbacks picking up four sacks last season and he tied for third on the team with 71 tackles to bring his career total to 194. The secondary is led by Trever Greene and Tylor Fairbanks. Greene had a team-high three interceptions and 11 passes defended along with 37 tackles. Only a freshman last season, Fairbanks led all defensive backs with 58 tackles to go with nine passes defended.
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Jeff Pederson (9th season) 21-59, 14-45 MWC
2017: 1-9, 0-5 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 6th South Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 7 offense
Returning Defensive Starters: 9 defense
Returning All-MWC Performers: Second Team - Ryan Slager Sr. LB
 
The Pioneers got back in the overall win column in 2017 and are aiming to do the same in conference play in Coach Jeff Pederson’s ninth season. On offense, seven starters return including key wide receiver David Taylor who was sixth in the MWC with 48 receptions for 578 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow receiver Max Hill and his 32 receptions for 244 yards is also back.
 
Defensively, Grinnell returns back-to-back Division III leading tackler and Second Team All-MWC linebacker Ryan Slager. In 2016, Slager led the nation with 154 tackles and improved on that total last season to again lead the nation with 159 tackles. He also led the conference with 4 fumbles recovered, returning one for a touchdown. Hassan Thompson, second on the team in tackles with 61, returns alongside Slager, while defensive back Vinny Pavoni returns after leading the Pioneers with six pass breakups.
 
Illinois College Blueboys:
Head Coach: Ray DeFrisco (3rd season) 11-9, 8-5 MWC
2017: 5-5, 3-2 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 3rd South Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 7
Returning Defensive Starters: 6
Returning All-MWC performers: First Team - Zach Heren Jr. OL, Second Team - Austin Gruber Jr. OL, Logan West Sr. DL
 
Blueboys’ quarterback Drew Chance is back to the lead the offense after finishing his freshman season second in the conference with 218 completions for 2,562 yards, 20 touchdowns and a 60.4 completion percentage. Adding 215 rushing yards, Chance led the MWC with 2,777 yards of total offense. A top target also returns at wide receiver in Glen Gibbons Jr. who had 35 receptions for 548 yards and seven touchdowns, while second-leading rusher Jason Barbour is back after running for 241 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.
 
South Division Newcomer of the Year Logan West is back on the defensive line after his 13.5 tackles for loss were sixth in the conference. The Blueboys’ defense will also get a boost from the return of linebacker Matt Graef after leading the team with 74 tackles in 2016 before missing all of 2017 with injury. On special teams, one of the top kickers in the conference is back in Zack DeWitt who made 10 of 19 field goal attempts and set a school record with his 50-yarder against Rose-Hulman.
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Damon Tomeo (6th season) 13-37, 5-27 MWC
2017: 5-5, 1-4 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 4th South Division
Returning Starters: 16
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team - Dom Parello Sr. OL, Garrett Rau Jr. P, Second Team - Evan Economos Sr. DB
 
The Midwest Conference coaches are anticipating improvement from Coach Tomeo’s Prairie Fire in 2018. First Team All-MWC offensive lineman Dom Parello returns to lead the offense in his senior season. Fellow senior Malik Hamilton caught 36 passes for 758 yards and nine touchdowns and returns as the team’s top receiver. All-MWC punter Garrett Rau is back after averaging 38.2 yards per punt last season.
 
Second Team All-MWC defensive back Evan Economos and linebacker Quinn Sharp headline Knox’s defense. Last season, Economos recorded two interceptions, five pass breakups and 23 tackles, while Sharp led the team with 69 tackles, eight for loss and 2.5 sacks. Opposing quarterbacks will also have to watch out for the team leader in sacks, defensive lineman Jordan Anderson, who had 5.5 sacks along with 45 tackles, 8.5 for loss.
 
Lake Forest College Foresters:
Head Coach: Jim Catanzaro (10th season) 47-43, 37-31 MWC
2017: 8-2, 4-1 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 2nd South Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 7
Returning Defensive Starters: 4
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team - Jagan Cleary Sr. QB, Chris Edomwande Sr. WR, J.W. Windsor Jr. DL, Johnny Laponte Jr. LB; Second Team - Ethan Sheirer Sr. OL, Noah Recker Jr. TE, Chase Allen So. WR
 
All-MWC duo Jagan Cleary and Chris Edomwande return to lead the Foresters offense in 2018. Cleary’s 65.6 completion percentage was tops in the conference last season as he completed 172 passes for 2,065 yards and 19 touchdowns. Top target Edomwande recorded 64 receptions for 852 yards and seven touchdowns. Fellow wide receiver Chase Allen returns after a successful freshman season where he caught 36 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns to earn Second Team All-MWC honors.
 
Lake Forest also has an All-MWC duo on defense in defensive lineman J.W. Windsor and linebacker Johnny Laponte. Last season, Windsor contributed 41 tackles, while Laponte was second on the team with 71 tackles, eight for loss, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions. The Foresters also return leading tackler Charlie Timmerman who had 83 tackles, eight for loss.
 
Lawrence University Vikings:
Head Coach: Rob McCarthy (4th season) 6-24, 3-15 MWC
2017: 2-8, 1-4 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 5th North Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 11
Returning Defensive Starters: 7
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team – Juan Marin Jr. OL, Terrell Myers Jr. DB; Second Team – Wasonu Allen Jr. RB, John Koeneman Jr. DL
 
Coach Rob McCarthy returns all 11 offense starters from 2017, headlined by do-it-all Second Team All-MWC running back Wasonu Allen. Last season, Allen rushed for 643 yards and four touchdowns, caught 21 receptions for 177 yards and three more TDs and was second in the conference in kick returns. Quarterback D’Andre Weaver returns to lead the offense after throwing for 668 yards and six touchdowns along with wide receiver Nicholas Pastrone who had 13 receptions for 168 yards as a freshman.
 
The Vikings’ defense will be led by All-MWC defensive back Terrell Myers and linebacker John Koeneman. Myers recorded three interceptions, nine pass backups and 27 tackles, while Koeneman had 41 tackles, six for loss and two sacks. Joining them is linebacker Hunter Adams who finished third on the team with 51 tackles, while defensive back Keith Anderson returns after breaking up six passes in 2018.
 
Macalester College Scots
Head Coach: Tony Jennison (11th season) 51-48, 16-7 MWC
2017: 5-5, 3-2 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 3rd North Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 7
Returning Defensive Starters: 5
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team - Alec Beatty Sr. WR
 
Despite losing All-MWC performers Christian Adams and Phil Wettersten, Tony Jennison’s team brings back 12 starters from last season. All-MWC wide receiver Alec Beatty returns for his senior season after leading the conference with 66 receptions for 1035 yards in 2017 and finishing third in the MWC with 10 touchdowns. Fellow receiver, Jack Streibich is back having scored five touchdowns in 2017. The Scots’ return top rusher Jeremy Stephan, who gained 301 yards and scored four TDs last year.
 
Defensively, seniors Ben Lewis and Patrick Haley are back to lead a unit of five returning starters. Last season, Lewis had 38 tackles, 4.5 for a loss and led the team with 3.5 sacks as a defensive lineman. Haley had 29 tackles, one interception and two pass breakups at linebacker, while defensive back Andrew Smith returns after recording three interceptions and one pass breakup.
 
Monmouth College Fighting Scots:
Head Coach: Chad Braun (4th season) 27-5, 18-0 MWC
2017: 9-2, 5-0 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 1st South Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 6
Returning Defensive Starters: 6
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team - Joe Krall Jr. OL, Konnor O’Keefe Sr. FB, Joey Biel Jr. K, DeAndre Wright Sr. RB, Yansay Williams Sr. WR, Thomas Lesniewski Sr. DL, Lamar Watson Sr. DL, Second Team - Clark Gaden Jr. LB
 
South Division Coach-of-the-Year Chad Braun and his Fighting Scots are led by eight All-MWC performers and are looking to three-peat after claiming back-to-back MWC Championships. On offense, quarterback Hayden Nelson threw for 1,934 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2017, while running back DeAndre Wright returns after rushing for the third most yards in the conference with 1286, averaging 110 per game and scoring 14 touchdowns. The offensive line is led by MWC Offensive Skills MVP Joe Krall who returns along with fellow starters Brady Boyd and Blake Smith.
 
The Scots’ defense is headlined by a trio of All-MWC performers with linebacker Clark Gaden and defensive ends Lamar Watson and Thomas Lesniewski. Last season, Gaden was second on the team with 80 tackles, while Watson led the team with 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Lesniewski was named a D3football.com Preseason All-America for 2018 after recording 29 tackles, 6 for loss, 2.5 and 3 pass breakups. Also returning is All-MWC kicker Joey Biel whose 40.1 average yards per punt was second in the conference.
 
Ripon College Red Hawks:
Head Coach: Ron Ernst (28th season) 167-98, 132-69 MWC
2017: 5-5, 3-2 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 4th North Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 10
Returning Defensive Starters: 5
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team – Lane Barnes Jr. DB; Second Team – Jacob Diny Sr. OL, Jeremiah Rein Sr. OL, Julian Patton So. RB
 
Ripon’s offense is highlighted by Second Team All-MWC offensive lineman Jacob Diny and Jem Rein who helped the Red Hawks record a league-leading 232.2 rushing yards per game. The two also assisted quarterback/running back Julian Patton to 846 rushing yards on 183 carries and 13 touchdowns. Patton started nine games at quarterback last season, completing 42 percent of his passes to lead the team with 537 yards and nine touchdowns with an efficiency rating of 110.8.
 
The secondary will be key to Ripon’s defense, headlined by First Team All-MWC safety Lane Barnes. Barnes led the Red Hawks with 70 tackles, 52 solo and 7.5 for loss, to go along with five sacks, six pass breakups and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Fellow safety Cameron Gruenwald led the team with five interceptions, 13 passes defended and eight pass breakups to go with 39 tackles, while cornerback Bennett Groves added 26 tackles, eight passes defended, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
 
St. Norbert College Green Knights:
Head Coach: Dan McCarty (4th season) 24-7, 17-2 MWC
2017: 7-3, 5-0 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 1st North Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 9
Returning Defensive Starters: 7
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team - E.J. Mastrocola So. OL, Kyle Rademaker Sr. OL, Spenser Thompson-Meyers Sr. K, Samuel Staehling Jr. WR, Will Utesch Sr. DL, Matt Barrett Sr. LB, Matt Gurgone Sr. LB, Second Team - Isaac Mears Sr. OL
 
North Division Coach-of-the-Year Dan McCarty and his Green Knights look to defend their North Division title. St. Norbert returns nine offensive starters headlined by All-MWC offensive linemen E.J. Mastrocola and Kyle Rademaker and wide receiver Samuel Staehling. Staehling led the conference with 16 touchdowns and was second with 916 yards on 41 receptions. His 16 touchdowns were a school record for receiving touchdowns in a season and he ended the season tied for seventh in Division III. More big things are expected from Staehling in 2018 as he was named a D3football.com Preseason All-America.
 
Defensively, the Green Knights return three All-MWC performers in defensive lineman Will Utesch and linebackers Matt Gurgone and Matt Barrett. Last season, the two Matt’s were the top tacklers on the team with Barrett racking up 61 and Gurgone just behind him with 50. Gurgone also led the team with 16 tackles for loss. Returning in the secondary is defensive back Hunter Prokash who led the team with three interceptions and five pass breakups in 2017. The Green Knights also return the conference’s top kicker in Spenser Thompson-Meyers who was recently named a 2018 D3football.com Preseason All-America. Thompson-Meyers was 13 of 17 on field goal attempts in 2017 and set a school record, while tying the MWC record, with a 55-yarder. He is the first kicker in conference history with two career field goals of 50-plus yards.
 
University of Chicago Maroons:
Head Coach: Chris Wilkerson (6th season) 30-19, 3-2 MWC
2017: 6-4, 3-2 MWC
Projected 2018 MWC Finish: 2nd North Division
Returning Offensive Starters: 7 
Returning Defensive Starters: 8
Returning All-MWC Performers: First Team - Doug Barkauski Jr. OL, Tucker Squiers Sr. OL, Jeremy Vincent Sr. DB, Second Team - Jackson Ross So. DL, Ryan Montgomery So. DB
 
In the team’s first season in the Midwest Conference, the Maroons finished third as they defeated Lake Forest 33-13 in the 2017 Third-Place Game.  Seven offensive starters return, including All-MWC offensive lineman Doug Barkauski and Tucker Squiers.  Wide receiver Dante Nepa is also back after a 2017 where he had 18 receptions for 278 yards and four touchdowns. Top running back Chandler Carroll is gone, but Riley Trettel and Henry Imburgia look to replace him after rushing for 182 and 120 yards respectively in 2017.
 
Defensive tackle Jackson Ross was the 2017 North Division Newcomer of the Year after leading the team with 85 tackles last season. Fellow Second Team All-MWC performer Ryan Montgomery also returns after finishing second on the team with 63 tackles. The Maroons secondary will be led by safety Jeremy Vincent who led the team with four interceptions while also contributing 42 tackles.
 
Media Day Press Conference Coverage: http://link.lakeforest.edu/midwestconference