WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University football team is coming off their best season since 2015, with a 6-4 overall record and a 5-4 CCIW record, a program best since 1990. While many a team and online personalities have their opinions on the Pioneer program, coach Budziszewski and the team are out to prove that this group belongs in the CCIW, "We're out to prove we belong towards the top of the CCIW, and solidifying that last year was for real," says Budziszewski.
 
The Pioneers will return nine of eleven starters on offense and seven of eleven of their defensive starters from a season ago. One new spot in the offense will be the quarterback position. Junior Josh Raby has been named the opening day starter for the team, and he says he's excited to lead the offense this season, "I learned a lot from MJ (Michael Johnson) last season, to learn the ins and outs of this offense," says Raby. "I got a great group that surrounds me, our offensive line up front and our receivers that are the best in the conference." Raby will lean on a steady group of receivers in all-conference receiver Austin Eichstaedt, all-conference kick returner Keon Miller, Josh Hill, and J.R Muth.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, this group has been the talk of campus this pre-season. All aspects of the system have grown, from the secondary brought together by Jonathan Rau, the linebacking core led by Damon Loker, and the defensive line.  Junior captain Nick Mantas anchors the defensive line that has turned some heads, along with running mate Helios Martinez. "We want to be the leaders of the defense this year," says Mantas. "We've worked hard all summer and all fall camp long, I'm really proud of the growth of our defense."
 
Alongside the depth the Pioneers have built, the incoming class provides a breath of fresh bodies, some of which will see significant playing time. On the offensive side of the ball, Reed Breckheimer and Marcus Douglas have impressed coaches over the past month and should see time in the rotation this year. On the other side of the ball, Jordan Pfieffer and Luke Brosig are looking to cause havoc, along with the 2021 Wisconsin HS Football Linebacker of the Year, Will Campbell. "It's pretty special to be able to play," says Campbell. "This team has a great family environment, and I'm excited to play for my teammates this Saturday."
 
The Pioneers will be on display for some huge moments this season, most notably, the home opener against North Park. The 6 PM kickoff time for the game marks the first time in over five years the Pioneers will open under the lights. Homecoming this year brings Augustana to town for a match-up between the two storied programs. After a tied ranking in the CCIW Pre-Season Coaches Poll, coach Budziszewski has that game circled. Finally, Carroll looks to keep the Old Musket Trophy in its rightful home inside Van Male Field House, as Carroll hosts Carthage for a rivalry game on October 29.
 
Week One Preview - Wisconsin Lutheran College
As the Pioneers look towards week one, a new challenger enters the folds. Wisconsin Lutheran College and the Pioneers have never faced off before this week's contest. WLC is entering week two with a 0-1 record after a 7-42 loss to Lake Forest. The Warriors recorded 76 plays for 248 yards of total offense a week ago.
 
This matchup between the Pios and Warriors looks to be a long tradition, after the announcement of the Glazers Bowl: Presented by Kwik Trip. The winning team will claim the newly made 'Golden Glazer' trophy and will celebrate mightily with boxes of Glazers Donuts post-game, provided by the regionally based, convenience store giant Kwik Trip.
 
"We'll have to project a high level of execution, not only this game but throughout the season as well," says Budziszewski on the keys to success for this game. Budziszewski praises their pre-season camp, saying the program improved in all three aspects of the game: offense, defense, and special teams.  
 
Offensively, the game plan is to focus on taking care of the football and establishing a running attack. The Pioneers are no stranger to taking care of the football, proven by last season's 0.30 turnover margin, which stood as third best in the CCIW. The Carroll rush offense poked its head at the end of 2021, running for over 115 yards in two of the last four games.
 
Defensively the Pioneers will impose their will and finish the big plays that define the momentum of the game.  The play-makers on the team like Loker, Campbell, Mantas, and Martinez will be looked upon to increase the sacks per game (1.7) and TFL per game (5.2) from a season ago.
 
Special teams, led by return man Miller and captain kicker Jacob Laurent, spent a lot of time preparing the best units possible in camp. Carroll, who finished second in the CCIW a year ago in yards per kick return (20.39), believes they once again have one of the best return teams in the CCIW, and beyond.
 
The Pioneers will take the field at 6 PM in Wauwatosa on Saturday, September 10 against Wisconsin Lutheran. Live video and statistics will be available for fans to follow along from home at gopios.com/football