The 2022 Kalamazoo College football team will begin its season on September 3, playing host to Oberlin at Angell Field. The Hornets will look to improve off their 1-9 (0-6 MIAA) record from the 2021 fall season. Preseason camp began on August 11 and will feature a scrimmage on August 20 before starting the regular season.
Schedule Breakdown
- Kalamazoo has four non-conference games in September against Oberlin, Kenyon, Defiance, and Alfred.
- The six remaining games will be against MIAA opponents in October and November.
- The Hornets' home opener at Angell Field is scheduled for September 3 against Oberlin at 1 p.m.
- Their first road test will be against Defiance in Ohio on September 17 at 1:30 p.m.
- Alma is the Kalamazoo homecoming opponent on October 22, beginning at 2 p.m.
- The last regular season game will also be at home against Trine on November 12 at 1 p.m.
Roster Breakdown
- Offensively, the Hornets return eight primary starters from last season, with another seven returning on defense.
- In total, 48 athletes returned from last year's team, accompanied by 29 newcomers.
- The team has 13 seniors who will lead the group, with 14 juniors, 22 sophomores, and 28 freshmen.
Returning Statistical Leaders
- A 2021 All-MIAA First Team wide receiver selection in Bubba Wilson comes back after catching 31 passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns.
- The Hornets had five receivers with over 100 yards last season, with four returning to the offense for 2022.
- The passing leader, Josh Nichols, returns after completing 115 passes for 1,266 yards and seven touchdowns with a 96.2 efficiency rating.
- Payton Fleming was an All-MIAA Second Team honoree defensively, racking up 59 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and an interception in 2021.
- Tying Fleming for the most tackles on the team last season was Micah Groom at 59.
- Ian Burr returns for the kicking responsibilities after making six field goals and eight extra points in 2021. He also averaged 39 yards per punt, with the longest being 69 yards and 14 punts ending up inside the 20.
Stepping Up
- DaShawn Meeks, Lance Taylor, and Hunter Kiesling will all look to make an impact among the wide receiver corps this fall.
- Nate Clark and Sam Hughes will compete to bolster the running game and balance the offense.
- Cody Rigley will fill in one of last year's vacated spots on the offensive line.
- After already being in the rotation, Hunter Bates and Andrew Munger will expand their role on the defensive line.
- Brenden Moat and Carson Deines will look to bring stability to the linebackers after losing two to graduation.
- Jackson Mitchell, Tristan James, and Gabe Meyers join the defensive back rotation, looking to cause more turnovers.
Head Coach Jamie Zorbo
Coach Zorbo returns for his 15th 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, which was the lowest mark since the 1991 team gave up just 76 points.
Quoting Coach Zorbo
"This group energizes me. They are hardworking, eager to learn and help each other become better players. Consequently, we are improving each day, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we perform to start the season. My expectations this season are for our team to play for each other, learn to prepare better than anyone, and take the season one play at a time."