Wolves face early test vs. Sioux Falls

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By KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

Playing Sioux Falls can’t get any scarier.

The Cougars are always good and usually great on the football field.

“Well, you go out and hit somebody and hit them again and try to do all the things you can to be successful, whether it’s Sioux Falls or anybody else,” said Nebraska Wesleyan senior linebacker Jim Tvrdy.

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Nebraska Wesleyan teammates Jordan Stutzman (from left), Cody Smith and John Duff celebrate after Stutzman's 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the Prairie Wolves' 14-0 win over Hastings in Lincoln in this October, 2007 file photo. (Gweneth Roberts)

Nebraska Wesleyan teammates Jordan Stutzman (from left), Cody Smith and John Duff celebrate after Stutzman's 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the Prairie Wolves' 14-0 win over Hastings in Lincoln in this October, 2007 file photo. (Gweneth Roberts)

NWU opens its season today in a 6 p.m. game with all-everything Sioux Falls at Abel Stadium. 

To say Sioux Falls is the dominant team in the Great Plains Athletic Conference is to diminish its  accomplishments.

The Cougars have won 63 of their last 64 games, finished second in the NAIA playoffs last year; won the national title in 2006; reached the semifinals in 2002, 2003 and 2005; and won six of the last seven GPAC titles.

A top team with outstanding players got even better in the offseason despite the graduation of the NAIA player of the year, quarterback Chad Cavender.

For instance, Sioux Falls added transfers Shawn Flanagan, who started at Oregon last year, and Juco All-America Kyle Staudt to an experienced offensive line.

“They are big and strong and talented, and our coaches have made sure we understand all of that,” said Tvrdy, who played quarterback and linebacker at Waverly. “The hype is usually true about Sioux Falls. We get to play the best right away, and that’s a good thing in my mind.”

NWU finished 7-3 last year. Like every other conference team, the Prairie Wolves lost to Sioux Falls. The last three years, Sioux Falls has posted victories over the Prairie Wolves by scores of 49-7, 52-0 and 41-7. The four previous seasons, NWU played Sioux Falls better than any team in the conference.

Wesleyan returns running backs Jordan Stutzman, Kory Kahlandt and Seth Mruz to line up behind new starting quarterback Matt Hegge, who played in six games last year.

The offensive line returns three starters. Dan Peterson suffered a season-ending injury in preseason workouts, and John Duff, who was slated at tight end, will play right tackle. 

The defense is the strength of the team again. All-American Phil Schroer, Tvrdy, Judd Stutzman, Paul Seger and David Duff all return.

NWU coach Brian Keller said his team’s offseason work was better than ever in his 13 years as head coach.

“This is the biggest, strongest, fastest team we’ve put on the playing field since I’ve been at Wesleyan,” he said.

Tvrdy agreed.

“I think our defense is fast and capable of playing some great football,” he said. “Our offense is improved. Hegge can take a hit. They are excited about their potential. I can understand why.”

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.