WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Carroll University football team is coming off a season that saw them set school records for both points (364) and yards (4,027). With the 2024 campaign set to kickoff in less than a month, the Pioneers are hopeful that the encore will be just as explosive.

"We're excited for the season to start and we're going to be very senior-heavy with 38 players graduating this year," Head Coach Mike Budziszewski said. "We're returning a lot of production, but this team is going to take the philosophy of trying to go 1-0 each week and win each day. We open the season on September 5 when we'll travel to Menomonee to play UW-Stout on a Thursday night, so we're excited about starting the season with that game."

Last year's Pioneers ranked in the top three in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in passing offense (271.4 ypg), yards per completion (13.3), red zone offense (.872), third-down conversion percentage (.446), first downs (21.4/game), and total offense (402.7 ypg). Carroll's offensive unit returns five starters from last season.

"Offensively, we graduated a lot of players, but we have players waiting in the wings that are hoping to prove themselves," Budziszewski said. "We're looking to build off last year's record-setting season."

Conversely, the Pios' defense has the majority of last year's unit intact, returning eight of 11 starters on that side of the ball. Much like the offense, they finished last year ranking in the top three in the CCIW in several different statistical categories, including fourth-down percentage (.263), sacks (36), tackles for loss (82), first downs allowed (18.7/game), rushing defense (99.2 ypg), and total defense (348.3 ypg). With another year of experience and seasoning under their belt, the unit is expected to be even more tenacious in 2024.

"I think we'll be one of the better defensive units in the country with the leadership and talent that we're returning on that side of the ball," said Budziszewski.

QUARTERBACK 
One of the question marks for the team entering Fall Camp is who will be under center in week one. Last year's starter Josh Raby was lost to graduation after a season that saw him break six school records while leading arguably the most potent offense in program history. The All-Conference player will transition to the coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant in 2024, where he'll try to help the team have similar success from the sidelines.

This year's quarterback group consists of seven Pioneers vying for that starting job, with just two, juniors Charlie King and Caden Pendelton, having experience in Budziszewski's system. King is the lone QB on the roster with a pass attempt for the Pios, throwing the ball nine times during his career.

Joining the program, and pushing those two returners, will be freshmen Elisha Nieves, Tyler Hatcher, and Pacey Weber, and transfers Maximos General and Dominick Caruso, who comes to Carroll after spending last season with conference foe and NCAA Division-III National Runner-Up, North Central (IL).

"We have a really talented quarterback group," Budziszewski said. "It's going to be a battle in camp, and we're looking forward to the competition in that room to see who's going to lead this team in our first game."

RUNNING BACK
The Pioneers return their top four rushers from one year ago, as seniors Nick Legnaioli and Jaxon Case, junior Mikey Coleman, and sophomore Marcus Johnson each look to contribute to the Pios' success.

"The running back group may be one of the deepest positions on the team, with several guys having playing experience," Budziszewski said. "We're excited about the depth that we have at that spot."

Legnaioli was the opening day starter last season, scoring two touchdowns in that Glazer Bowl victory against Wisconsin Lutheran. He would battle injuries for a portion of the season, before finishing the year with 278 yards and five TDs on the ground.

Coleman led the team in rushing last year with 416 yards (5.4 ypc) and one touchdown, while also catching eight passes for 141 yards (17.6 ypr), and another score.

Case and Johnson combined for 386 rushing yards and one touchdown, while catching 19 passes for 146 yards.

"In order to win games, we know we need a balanced offense," Budziszewski said. "We'll have to run the ball in order to win some games and we're excited about the possibilities of our running game."

WIDE RECEIVER
The position, other than quarterback, that lost the most production from a year ago is at wide receiver where the Pioneers graduated their top three pass catchers (JR Muth, Josh Hill, and All-Conference selection Austin Eichstaedt), whom accounted for a combined 121 receptions, 1,904 yards, and 17 touchdowns.

"We had a lot of depth at receiver last year, but now that we've lost that core group of players, we'll replace them with other upperclassmen," Budziszewski said. "Sammy Muth is going to be a staple for us at that position, and Santiago Rios and Titan Kilgore have each battled injuries in the past, but both looked great this spring. We also brought in some really talented younger players to contribute, and we're looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Despite playing in just four games last season, Rios enters his junior season as the team's most productive returning receiver, catching 13 passes for 77 yards a year ago. Muth was able to receive valuable playing time due to some injuries, catching five passes for 54 yards, which he will parlay into a bigger role as a senior in 2024. A fellow senior, Kilgore didn't appear in a game last season, but has recorded 10 receptions for 107 yards in 14 career games with the Pios. Seniors Marcell Stewart, Jacob Semmann, Alex Gibson, and Colin Chappel, and junior Cameron Evans also each saw playing time last year and will give the team some added depth at that position.

"All of those returning players had a chance to compete with our top guys on a daily basis last year and competition breeds success. They had an opportunity to learn and develop, and now they'll be stepping into larger roles," Budziszewski said. "I tell them, 'Don't wait for your opportunity to get ready, get ready because you know your opportunity is going to come,' and I think all of our receivers understand that whomever produces and rises to the occasion are going to be the guys that help us catch some touchdowns and win some games."

TIGHT END
All nine of the team's tight ends have at least one year of experience within Carroll's program, making it one of the most experienced and well rounded position groups on the team.

Leading the way are Junior Reed Breckheimer and Senior Trevor Hancock, who finished fourth and sixth on the team, respectively, in receptions, with each player appearing in all 10 games. Breckheimer recorded 16 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while Hancock caught 12 passes for 119 yards and four scores.

"Reed and Trevor are two amazingly talented young men and leaders who put forth a tireless work effort in order to make our team better," said Budziszewski.

Junior Tristan Caudill also earned some playing time at that position last year, and will try to contribute in any way, along with the likes of Senior Adam Anderson and Junior Jackson Parman.

"That trio will round out a really talented tight end group that allows our offense to do what it needs to do and be flexible with our formations," Budziszewski said. "That group really makes the offensive wheel turn and we're excited about all the players we have coming back at that position."

OFFENSIVE LINE
The Pios' offensive line returns three of their five starters from last season, led by Senior All-Conference Tackle Kevin Whittmon, who is the anchor of the O-Line. Also returning for the Pios are juniors Max Kastenos and Louis Corey.

"We have a lot of players with experience up front. Kevin has had a phenomenal offseason entering his final season with the program," Budziszewski said. "Max came in and played center for us last season and will be another staple up front."

Other players that have game experience along the offensive line for Carroll includes seniors Justin Rupnow and Caden Miller, juniors Colton Fakes, Jaylin Pritchett, and Brett Knutsen, and Sophomore Long Snapper Brayden Partlow.

"We have a few other positions (on the line) that guys are battling for, but everyone knows what the expectations are," Budziszewski said. "I imagine we'll be seven or eight players deep at that position with guys that I feel can be on the field at any time."

DEFENSIVE LINE
The only defensive position group to lose more than one starter to graduation is the defensive line, which helped the team finish second in sacks in the CCIW last season with 36, while also holding opposing offenses to less than 100 yards rushing per game.

Senior Tim Nelson returns returns to anchor the interior of the line, coming off a season that saw him record 16 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and one sack, while also playing a big role in stuffing the run. Senior All-Conference Defensive End/Linebacker Steven Lazaris will also try to build on his excellent 2023 campaign, which saw him finish third on the team in tackles (42), which included 9.5 for a loss. He also was third on the team in sacks (9) and QB hurries (4).

In addition to that duo, seniors Riley Stobb and Abe Stockwell, who finished second on the team in sacks last season (4.5), and juniors Luke Brosig, Clayton Huber, and Jordan Pfeiffer all played a role in the defense's recent success, and will all look to build on those performances.

"Our defensive line is not just four guys up front. It's a rotation of players with multiple fronts," Budziszewski said. "Everyone coming back to the team has a ton of game experience, so I don't think we'll miss a beat when it comes to our defensive front."

LINEBACKER
The key to Carroll's defense will be the play of their linebackers, which returns a pair of All-Conference players in Junior Will Campbell and Senior Damon Loker, who finished first and second on the team, respectively, in total tackles.

Campbell recorded 70 tackles in 2023, with 9.5 going for a loss, while also registering five pass breakups, nine quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovered. Loker finished the year with 57 tackles (four for a loss), to go along with two interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown. He also blocked one kick, broke up a pass, and recorded two QB hurries.

"Our linebacker core is the heart of our defense and arguably the most talented position on the team, anchored by Will and Damon," Budziszewski said. "Both players are unbelievably gifted and can do it all, including run, tackle, and cover."

Also returning to that group will be juniors Hayden Hartmann, Braedon Curtin, and Reid Foster. That trio combined for 30 tackles, one sack, and three pass breakups last season, and will look to have a more expanded role this year.

The Pioneers will get additional help at the position from seniors Kaleb Lowney and Jagger Vine, who will make the transition from defensive back, where they began last season. Lowney recorded 14 tackles a year ago, while Vine registered 13, to go along with two interceptions, which was tied for second on the team.

"We have some really talented young linebackers that are learning from Damon and Will, so we're very deep at that position, which will be the anchor of our defense and make us one of the better defensive units in the country."

DEFENSIVE BACK
Carroll's last line of defense - the defensive backfield - is mostly intact from last season, as all four DBs to get the start in week one of the 2023 season are once again back with the team.

At cornerback, Senior Elliot Mueller and Sophomore Jahkai Bohannon will try to secure their starting spots once again. Mueller was fourth on the team in tackles (35), while intercepting two passes and breaking up seven more. Bohannon is coming off a year that saw him earn CCIW Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors, leading the team with three interceptions as a freshman, while breaking up four additional passes and finishing with 26 tackles (18 solo).

"Elliot has been playing for us for three years now and has done an amazing job, while Jahkai has had a phenomenal off-season," Budziszewski said. "We also have some really talented younger players that will compete for some playing time at cornerback."

At safety, the Pios return Seniors Jake Binkowski and Jim Klem, and Junior Drake Emanuel, whom are all anticipated to see a lot of playing time. In an injury-plagued season, Binkowski still managed to play six games last year, finishing with 19 tackles, two pass breakups, and two blocked kicks. Emanuel and Klem each appeared in all 10 games, recording 35 and 26 tackles, respectively, with Emmanuel also posting one INT and two pass breakups.

"Binkowski is now fully healthy and looking great, while Drake is going to find himself playing a ton in the backend of that defense after having a phenomenal spring for us," Budziszewski said. "Klem is really stout in the run game and has improved in coverage during the off-season."

Senior Evan Holm and Sophomore Amarrion Bridges are two other defensive backs that could push for meaningful playing time. Holm recorded 22 tackles last season, while Bridges tallied 19 (14 solo), to go along with one sack and three pass breakups.

"The unit that will see the biggest growth from a year ago will be the defensive backfield," Budziszewski said. "We had some players who had to step up immediately last year when Binkowski got injured, which allowed some of our younger players to gain some valuable game experience that will help us moving forward."

SPECIAL TEAMS
Carroll had arguably the best special teams unit in the CCIW last season, with both Kicker Jacob Laurent and Punter Noah Streveler earning All-Conference and All-Region honors.

Laurent has since graduated, with his kicking duties now going to sophomore Matthew Swink, while Streveler returns for his senior season with the Pios. He is coming off a year that saw him finish second in the CCIW in punting average (40.3), landing nine of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard-line, while also ranking second in the conference with six punts that traveled 50 yards or more.

"Noah has one of the biggest legs in the region, if not the country and he may also handle some kicking duties for us," Budziszewski said. "Swink will be taking on extra point and field goal responsibilities and has worked very hard this offseason to come into camp in great shape."

Carroll's coverage unit was also 'special' at times last season, blocking seven kicks and/or punts on the year and returning one blocked punt for a touchdown, with Cameron Evans doing the honors.

"We're exited about the personnel that we have in our return game and coverage units," Budziszewski said. "Our special teams will be drastically improved with the talent that we have on this team."

SCHEDULE
The Pioneers' 10-game slate includes the usual grueling round-robin conference schedule, which will be preceded by their lone non-conference opponent, UW-Stout, which will serve as the Pios' 2024 season opener on Thursday, September 5 at 6 p.m. in Menomonee, Wis.

"Scheduling a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) school as our non-conference game is something we've wanted to do for the past few years," Budziszewski said. "I think that game is really going to test the resolve of this program and the 2024 Pioneers."

With their annual bye week the very next week, followed by their conference opener in St. Louis at WashU, the Pioneers won't play at the friendly confines of Schneider Stadium until September 28, when they'll battle the always tough Wheaton (IL) Thunder.

"Anyone that has been to a Pioneers' home game in the past couple years knows that it's not just a game day – it's a game experience. From the early morning tailgates to the thousands of fans around the stadium, it's electric," Budziszewski said. "We get a ton of support from not only parents and family members, but also the community as a whole and I'm excited to see that crowd show out for all of our home games."