The 2013 Hornets finished the season with a 6-4 record, the program's best since 2003. The memorable season also included a second place finish in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) with a 4-2 record. According to Head Coach Jamie Zorbo, however, last year's success means nothing to the upcoming season.
"Last year, if anything, raises the standard for us," Zorbo said. "2014 is a new year with new challenges. We have to take it one game at a time and be ready for a tough game every week."
Kalamazoo begins 2014 hosting Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Ind.) Sep. 6 for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Hornets defeated the Fightin' Engineers 28-23. In 2012, Kalamazoo left Terre Haute, Ind. with a 1-point victory 29-28.
"Coach [Jeff] Sokol does a great job with his team," Zorbo said of the '96 Kalamazoo College alumnus. "The last two years have been close games and we expect the same this year."
The next week, Kalamazoo hosts Wheaton (Ill.), a Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) member which finished 8-2 a season ago. Kalamazoo travels to Wisconsin Lutheran on Sep. 20 for the MIAA/NACC Challenge before rounding out the non-conference schedule hosting Benedictine (Ill.) on Oct. 4.
"Wheaton will be a nice litmus test for us," Zorbo said. "They will give our team a chance to see how we stack up with one of the better teams in the country. Wisconsin Lutheran and Benedictine will also prepare us well for conference play."
Kalamazoo plays its first MIAA game at defending champion Albion Oct. 11. After returning home for an Oct. 18 date with Alma, the Hornets face the Comets of Olivet College on Oct. 25. A season ago, Kalamazoo came from behind to defeat Olivet 39-37 in the closing seconds in the 2013 season finale.
The final three games of the 2014 regular season are vs. Trine on Nov. 1, vs. Adrian on Nov. 8 and at Hope in the Battle of the Wooden Shoes on Nov. 15.
"The conference is very even across the board," said Zorbo. "Every team has a chance to win every Saturday."
Fifteen seniors will suit up for their final season in 2014. Alex Dietrich and Aaron McGuire highlight the returning senior position players on offense. Dietrich snagged 70 receptions last season for 765 yards and two touchdowns. McGuire, who saw time at wide receiver and quarterback, grabbed 18 passes for 168 yards and two scores while quarterbacking K to a 14-10 win over Adrian on Nov. 2.
Dan Grost and BJ Cagney return on the offensive line. The Hornet offensive line is also bolstered with the return of Clayton Weissenborn from an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2013 season.
On defense, seniors Alan Mencer, Connor Rzeznik and Nick Peters return as multiple year starters for defensive coordinator Ryan McElwain's defense. Mencer had 39 tackles in 2013 including 7.5 for loss while Peters aided the defensive line's efforts with seven tackles. Rzeznik started all 10 games for Kalamazoo at linebacker and averaged 7.7 tackles per game.
"This senior class is a very dedicated group that wants to end their careers on a high note," Zorbo said. "They have gotten better every single year. The leadership will remain strong on this team because of this class."
The junior class, similar to the class above them, is represented by 15 student-athletes who will put on the black and orange this fall. On offense, running back Elijah Hamilton-Wray will likely serve as Kalamazoo's "home run" threat in the backfield. The East Lansing native carried 124 times for 570 yards in 2013 including a 90-yard scamper for a touchdown against Benedictine. KJ Schultz returns as a slot wide receiver who caught 25 passes for 343 yards and three scores last season. Branden Ramirez and Charles Edick will see significant time on the offensive line.
On defense, Octavius Sanders and Hartlee Lucas will likely start at the cornerback positions for the Hornets. Lucas led the team in interceptions in 2013 picking off four passes while Sanders intercepted three. Dylan Zerki returns for his third season after playing in all 20 games in his career. The Waterford native led K in tackles with 108 while recording eight sacks.
"This junior class is a very talented group," Zorbo said. "Many of them have started since their freshman year. They have all been committed since the day they stepped foot on campus."
The sophomore class features 24 members. Many of them saw significant minutes on the field in 2013. Quincy Crosby started every game as a freshman while Dan Palmer will see minutes on the offensive line.
"I expect Quincy [Crosby] to have a breakout season this year," Zorbo said. "Dan [Palmer] has had a wonderful offseason."
Jordan Jabara will serve as Kalamazoo's short-yardage running back having played in nine games in 2013.
"We converted Jordan [Jabara] from linebacker to running back," said Zorbo. "He will be a significant contributor and bring a very physical running style to our offense."
On defense in the sophomore class, Both Eric Hart and Sean Bauer will all fight for time at linebacker while Andrew Theide will challenge for a starting spot on the defensive line. BJ Smith and Ronnie Russell will look to fulfill the voids left by graduation at both safety positions.
On special teams, Jacob Hardy returns as the field goal kicker having converted 6-10 field goals last year with a long of 33 yards. George Fishback will also return as Kalamazoo's punter after averaging 36.6 yards per punt on his 61 punts in 2013.
Zorbo also welcomes his 2014 recruiting class of 37 to the program.
"This is the largest and most talented class I've had since I came to Kalamazoo in 2008," said Zorbo. "Many freshmen will compete for time and make our team better."
Kalamazoo College football has improved from every year since 2010, but Head Coach Jamie Zorbo expects his team to continue its improvement this season both on and off the field.
"We expect the best from our players not only on the field but also in the classroom," said Zorbo. "We also expect our team to be leaders in the community while making the necessary commitment to take our program to the next level."