Concordia vows not to let title slip away this year

Moorhead, Minn. (WDAY TV) - The Concordia football team held its media day today. The Cobbers have to replace 11 starters this season, including the quarterback. Thankfully, most of the offensive and defensive lines stayed in tact and that's a big reason why the Cobbers think they have a chance to win the conference title this year, a title that slipped from their grasp a year ago.

“To be in first place with three games left, 2 of those at home, and to let it slip, that's tough. Why did it happen? Hard to say, I do know this. We turned the ball over too much.”

In fact, the Cobbers were last in the league in turnover margin last season. Which explains why despite finishing in the top 15 in the nation in offense and defense; Concordia failed to win a MIAC Title they were in great position to claim.

“We all have a lump in our throats that we let the MIAC Title get away from us.”

“It kept us motivated in the off-season. We want to get back out there and prove we can win the conference.”

The strength of the Cobbers will be there lines. All five o-linemen have starting experience, which is good, because Concordia lost 90 percent of it scoring personnel from a year ago.

“We know we can get yards straight ahead. That'll open up the passing game and our outside running game.”

The defensive line returns 3 starters, including Travis Aufderheide, last year's MIAC most outstanding lineman.

“The team does well when we do well. The D-line worked hard this off-season. We took it personal that we can put the team on our shoulders sometimes.”

Although the quarterback position is a three man race, senior Andrew Larson is the frontrunner. Larson saw time at q-b early in his sophomore year, but has played d-back the past two seasons.

“He understands what a defense it all about. He looks people off well. I've been impressed.”

“I need to prove myself. Nothing's set in stone.”

Except maybe the fact that the Cobbers are putting a big emphasis on camaraderie this year.

“We’ve been really working on bring the team closer. Trust, players trusting coaches, coaches trusting players, players trusting each other.”

Concordia opens it season at home in two weeks against d-3 power Willamette of Oregon.

Tags: trevor peterson, nathan aamodt, concordia, football, sports, moorhead