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Nebraska-Omaha Football Looks to Reload
By David Boyce
After four straight years of reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs, Nebraska-Omaha coach Pat Behrns enters this season with many unknowns.
The fact that the tradition-rich Mavericks were picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches' poll indicates the uncertainty Nebraska-Omaha faces this season.
With only 10 seniors, Behrns is as eager as anyone to see how his young squad will perform once the season begins.
"I'm real anxious to see if there will be elation or disappointment," he said. "We just don't know."
One position Behrns has confidence in is at placekicker. Junior Greg Zuerlein was All-MIAA First Team last season.
But Zuerlein will need to make an adjustment, going from a senior holder to a redshirt freshman.
It's the little pieces like finding a holder, Behrns said, which will be part of the process of shaping this year's squad.
The Mavericks, though, are too proud of a program to settle for a season that puts them in the middle of the conference.
Senior safety Jason Zabka comes into the season understanding the preseason prediction, but not accepting that is where the Mavericks will finish.
"We don't mind being the underdogs," Zabka said. "Time will tell if that is a good spot for us. We look forward to opening eyes and showing what we got."
Last year Nebraska-Omaha was picked to finish second in its first season competing in the MIAA.
The Mavericks finished third and had a few eye-opening games early in conference play like a 26-20 double overtime loss at Truman. Truman wound up seventh with a 3-6 mark in the MIAA.
"Well, basically we found out there are no pushovers in the MIAA," Zabka said. "Every week there is a tough game. Nothing is easy. But we came from a tough conference. We are used to it."
The Mavericks showed their playoff pride last season. After going through a stretch of losing three out of four conference games, Nebraska-Omaha won its final three games and earned a spot in the Division II playoffs.
Nebraska-Omaha's season ended in the first-round of the playoffs with a 33-21 loss at Pittsburg State.
"Everybody wanted to get to the playoffs and we busted our tails to get there," Zabka said. "Pittsburg State got us a couple of times last year so we look forward to playing them."
So far Zabka likes what he sees in practice. He likes the team unity. Players came into training camp with a positive attitude.
"Nobody is complaining," Zabka said.
Behrns said it has been quite a while since he's entered a season with so many positions to fill.
For instance, he can't remember a time where he begins a season without a receiver who has caught a pass in a game.
"We will learn on the run," Behrns said. "But I think we will be Ok."
One thing that will help the Mavericks, Behrns said, is playing an 11-game schedule. The two non-conference games will give the young Nebraska-Omaha players another game to figure what it takes to succeed at the Division II level.
In the previous four years, Nebraska-Omaha played a 10-game regular-season schedule.
"That extra game will be beneficial for us," Behrns said.
Offensive player to watch: Senior Greg Wunderlich is expected to start. He's following Zach Miller. Wunderlich is the only player other than Miller to throw a pass in the last three years. Wunderlich completed four of seven passes for 51 yards and a touchdown last season.
Defensive player to watch: Senior safety Steve Janda had two interceptions and made 52 tackles last season. The secondary is where the Mavericks return their most experience. Janda is among a group that will need to make plays.
Key game: Nebraska-Omaha plays at Northwest Missouri Sept. 19. Last year the Bearcats traveled to Nebraska-Omaha and beat the Mavericks 42-0. Northwest Missouri is Nebraska-Omaha's biggest rival in the MIAA and nobody likes losing like that to your rival at home.
On Tuesday: Missouri Southern football preview.
