In looking to make a wide turn and build sustained success, the Friends University Falcons return nine offensive starters and five on the defensive side along with 35 letterwinners overall for the upcoming 2021 campaign.
The Falcons are coming off a truly unique season that forced the entire nation to make unprecedented adjustments throughout.
The wide range of outcomes was evident and perhaps expected considering the circumstances. Friends opened the season with a 70-17 loss at nationally-ranked Kansas Wesleyan University but rebounded to defeat Tabor College 17-7 on the road the following week. The Falcons finished 2-6 overall, including two setbacks by a combined five points along with a 56-21 rout of Sterling College.
Meneley and his staff are no doubt anxiously anticipating a return to "normalcy" this season that should lend to better consistency on a week-to-week basis.
"We are excited to get fall camp started after a long 2020-2021 season," Meneley said. "Although COVID is not behind us, I trust our staff and players to do everything we can to ensure we have as normal a season as possible."
On offense, the Falcons lose all-conference signal-caller Dan Dawdy, but return Mt. Pleasant, Texas native Joshua Morris. Morris saw action in six games in his second year with the program and threw for one touchdown while displaying dual-threat ability with 174 rushing yards along with two scores on the ground.
Morris will enjoy targeting returning All-KCAC performer Cade Nagy. The Broken Arrow, Okla. native proved to be a true No. 1 receiver last year by leading the Falcon receiving corps in receptions (37), receiving yards (453) and yards per catch (12.2).
The Falcons also return their second-leading receiver Kevin Green (25 receptions, 239 yards) and second-leading rusher Dawson Marcum (449 rushing yards, two touchdowns). Marcum also proved to be a viable threat out of the backfield, catching 18 passes for 154 yards and one score.
Up front, the Falcons lose a pair of All-KCAC offensive linemen (Brock Johnston, Jacob Kerby), but the return of Stephen Acosta and Dalton Phillips should allow the Falcons to continue running the ball effectively after ranking fourth in the KCAC and 15th in the NAIA in rushing offense per game (195.6).
Defensively, the Falcons welcome back an all-conference honoree in linebacker Jagger Blubaugh. Blubaugh recorded a team-high seven tackles for loss and was second on the team with 61 tackles. He also had a team-high 2.5 sacks and one interception.
The special teams unit will be bolstered by the return of All-KCAC kicker and punter Bobby Schmidt. The Sapulpa, Okla. native earned KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors (Oct. 12) and ranked first in the KCAC in field goals per game (one) while finishing tied for first in both the league and the NAIA in extra point percentage, hitting all 23 of his extra tries last season.
A trio of freshmen newcomers Meneley noted that could make an impact early include defensive back Senecca Collins (6-2, 170, Muskogee, Okla.), tight end Dante Eldridge (6-3, 245, Coldspring, Texas) and linebacker Marco Torres (6-2, 230, Laredo, Texas).
"We have a great group of returners that we expect to lead the way with some newcomers that will challenge them daily," Meneley said. "We will attack each day and I know that this team's efforts will be rewarded on game day."
The Falcons will again open the season against perennial power Kansas Wesleyan, but this time at home Saturday evening (Sept. 4) at 6 pm in the friendly confines of Adair-Austin Stadium.
Next up is a date at defending KCAC regular season champion Bethel College, followed by a home tilt with Tabor College on Sept. 18.
The annual Homecoming game is set for Oct. 9 vs. McPherson College at 1 pm.
"Every year presents its own challenges, but we have the right people in this program to make this a fun year regardless of what we encounter," Meneley said.
