The 2023 Kalamazoo College football team has arrived on campus and begun preseason workouts that will lead to the season opener at Angell Field on Sept. 2. The Hornets will look to improve on their 3-6 overall in 2022.
Schedule Breakdown
- The Hornets will host Oberlin in the season and home opener on Sept. 2. There will be two non-conference road games at Kenyon (Sept. 9) and Greenville (Nov. 4) and another home game against Defiance (Sept. 16).
- Kalamazoo will begin its conference schedule at Albion (Sept. 30) and will then host Olivet on Homecoming weekend (Oct. 7).
- There will be two more home games against Adrian (Oct. 14) and Hope (Oct. 28), which will also be Senior Day.
- The other two games on the schedule will be on the road at Alma (Oct. 21) and Trine (Nov. 11).
Roster Breakdown
- Kalamazoo brings back 56 players from the 2022 squad and will add another 40 new members for 96 total in 2023.
- The Hornets will be a young team as 38 student-athletes will be playing their first year of college football, and another 26 will have just one year under their belt.
- The team will be led by 13 seniors and 19 juniors.
- The offense has eight returning starters, while the defense brings back five starters from last season.
Returning Statistical Leaders
- Josh Nichols returns at the quarterback position after throwing for 2,097 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 53.8% completion percentage last season.
- The top three running backs combined for 733 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 as Jon Brunette, Sheldon Riley, and Conner Bell look to create more yards on the ground.
- Jonah Spates was the top receiver last season and is back after making 51 catches for 537 yards and three touchdowns.
- On the defensive side of the ball, Carson Deines returns as the team leader with 89 total tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions while adding seven tackles for loss from his linebacker spot.
- Blake Kelsey comes back as a mainstay on the defensive line after leading the team with 11 tackles for loss and adding 40 total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
- Ian Burr handled the kicking and punting duties last season, making six field goals, 18 extra points, averaging 37 yards per punt, and putting 11 punts inside the 20-yard line.
- The main kickoff and punt returner returns as Lucas Hanifan had 24 returns for 433 yards.
Stepping Up
- After losing four of their five top receivers, the Hornets will look to Hanifan and Tyler Houle to make a significant jump, as both have the ability to make big plays with their route-running ability and speed.
- Offensive line depth is crucial as CJ Aldred, Andrew Munger, and Jaden Johnson have an opportunity to make significant contributions.
- Kalamazoo's top three defensive backs graduated as Alex Pepin, Brandon Speed, and Jaylen Bowles-Swain will compete for those open spots.
- The second and third-best linebackers also graduated with Corey Garrison and Tommy Kartes looking to take a step forward, along with Dillon Gacki trying to crack the defensive line rotation.
-
"We have a talented group of freshmen that will push for time at every position and will certainly play a major role in the success of our special teams units," said head coach Jamie Zorbo. Given that we are still early in the preseason, I'm not ready to make major predictions on the impact of our freshmen, but there will be some that will stand out and are sure to have very promising careers."
Head Coach Jamie Zorbo
Coach Zorbo returns for his 16th season at the helm of the Hornet football program. He has seen 45 players receive All-MIAA recognition since taking over in 2008. Zorbo and the Hornets won seven games in 2018, which was the most for a Kalamazoo team since 1983. In addition, the 2018 team allowed just 166 points, the lowest mark since the 1991 team gave up just 76 points.
Quoting Coach Zorbo
"I like our team a lot. I've really enjoyed working with them. We have a strong group of leaders, experienced returners and a very talented freshmen class. I believe this team has the potential to be great and I'm excited to see their continued improvement over the course of this season."