Article Contributed on: 7/15/2008 8:04:44 AM
The Colorado School of Mines was picked to finish fourth in 2008 RMAC Pre-Season coaches poll; five orediggers named to Pre-Season All-RMAC squad
GOLDEN, Colo. (July 11, 2008) - Colorado School of Mines has been picked to finish fourth (out of 10 teams) in the 2008 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Football Pre-Season Coaches Poll, as announced today by the RMAC. In addition, five Orediggers were named to the 2008 Pre-Season All-RMAC squad, including
J.T. Baum,
Drew Ferren,
Nick Haniszewski,
Tom Kastens and
Marc Schiechl.
Baum, a 6'0", 220-lb. sophomore running back from Littleton, Colo. (Columbine H.S.), led CSM in carries (115) and rushing yards (433) in 2007 while catching 22 passes out of the backfield.
Ferren, a 6'3", 205-lb. senior safety from Lyons, Colo. (Lyons H.S.), garnered First Team All-RMAC and First Team NFF All-Colorado accolades as a junior in 2007. Ferren, who led CSM and tied for second in the RMAC with five interceptions (one touchdown) last fall, concluded the 2007 season ranked third on the team in solo tackles (35) and fourth in both total tackles (64) and assisted tackles (tied - 29). Ferren, who has picked off opposing quarterbacks eight times during his first three seasons at CSM, also earned Second Team Academic All-RMAC recognition in 2007.
Haniszewski, a 6'2", 205-lb. junior linebacker from Honey Creek, Iowa (Roncalli Catholic H.S.), led CSM and finished fourth in the RMAC with 98 total tackles last season. Haniszewski, who also led the Orediggers in solo tackles (41) and assisted tackles (tied - 57) in 2007, finished his sophomore campaign ranked seventh in the RMAC in tackles per game (8.2). The owner of 10.0 tackles for a loss, six passes defended, 4.0 sacks and two blocked kicks in 2007, Haniszewski earned Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition last fall.
A 6'4", 205-lb. sophomore wide receiver from Golden, Colo. (D'Evelyn H.S.), Kastens had seven kickoff returns for 154 yards (22.0 avg.) and 11 punt returns for 152 yards (13.8 avg.) in 2007. Kastens, who returned one punt for a touchdown last fall, also caught 16 passes for 160 yards (10.0 avg.) and two touchdowns as a redshirt freshman.
A 6'3", 220-lb. sophomore defensive lineman from Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek H.S.), Schiechl has also earned Pre-Season Second Team All-NCAA Division II honors from Lindy's Magazine for the 2008 season. Schiechl established new individual single-season school records for tackles-for-a-loss (17.5) and sacks (13.5) as a redshirt freshman in 2007. The owner of 47 total tackles (18 solo) in 2007, Schiechl also finished third in the nation (NCAA Division II) and second in the RMAC in sacks per game (1.13) last fall. An NFF First Team All-Colorado, Second Team All-RMAC and Second Team All-Southwest Region selection last year, Schiechl was selected as the 2007 RMAC Defensive Freshman of the Year. Schiechl established a new individual single-game school record with 4.0 sacks on October 6th, 2007, at N.M. Highlands University, as well.
CSM concluded the 2007 season with a 7-5 overall record and competed in the 2007 Dixie Rotary Bowl (one of two sanctioned NCAA Division II bowl games) on December 1st in St. George, Utah. The Orediggers went 6-2 in the RMAC last fall and secured their sixth winning season in the past seven years.
Mines, which placed 12 players on the 2007 Academic All-RMAC football teams, also landed 14 All-RMAC picks, six NFF All-Colorado selections and a pair of All-Region honorees last fall. Even more, the CSM defense led the nation (NCAA Division II) in sacks per game (4.67) and established a new single-season team record for sacks (56) in 2007. The Orediggers are scheduled to begin their 2008 season on Thursday, August 28th, with a 7:00 p.m. non-conference NCAA Division II game at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.
For more information, please visit http://athletics.mines.edu
Jeff Duggan is the Colorado School of Mines Sports Information Director.