GLVC Kickoff Coverage

LEBANON, Ill. - The Truman State Football team was picked to finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches poll that was released on Friday as part of the league's 12th annual "Kickoff Event".

It's the third consecutive season and sixth time in the 12 polls conducted by the league that the Bulldogs were picked second by league coaches. Indianapolis received eight of the nine first place votes with Truman named on the Greyhounds ballot as schools could not vote for themselves. McKendree was selected third, followed by Missouri S&T, Southwest Baptist, Quincy, Upper Iowa, William Jewell and Lincoln.

Under the direction of interim Head Coach Kellen Nesbitt, the squad returns 14 starters from last season's 9-2 team with a 5-2 record in the conference.

"We had a good spring practice and have had fantastic summer workouts as our new coaches and players want to continue our winning tradition," said Coach Nesbitt. "It will be a lot of newness on the offensive side of the ball but a lot of good leaders and we are excited to watch them in action. In addition to the veterans on the defensive side of the ball, we feel that they can help us be competitive early on."

Eight of the 14 starters returning are on the defensive side of the ball as the Bulldogs were the stingiest defensive unit last season allowing a league-low 275 yards per game last year. They were first against the pass at 173.4 and second against the run at 101.6 per game. Returners Jake Closser (DB), Ulysses Ross (LB), Thomas Spaulding (DE) and Jake Weltha (DE) each earned all-conference honors last season.

The offense will look to replace veteran starting quarterback Nolan Hair, top rusher Mason Hussey, top receiver Tate Crane and all-league offensive linemen Dane Eggert and Justin Watson. 

New offensive coordinator and Bulldog alum Austin Zoda used the spring practice season to fill those key roles and will have some experience to work with behind junior running back Denim Cook, all-conference tight end Christopher Kerr and starting offensive lineman Kody Klingensmith.

The Bulldogs will open fall camp next week at Stokes Stadium with their season and home opener scheduled for September 7th against the University of Findlay (Ohio). The following week, Truman will travel to the defending league champion, Indianapolis for an early season showdown with the Greyhounds.