Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College football team enters the season with the goal of focusing on itself and showing signs of improvement everyday.
 
Second-year Head Coach Jay Anderson believes with that mindset positive results will happen.
 
"We aren't going to worry about things we can't control," Anderson said. "Right now we need to get better everyday in practice and just continue to work hard."
 
Senior quarterback Lucas Poggiali has the ability and experience to put together the best season of his career. He will need to be more accurate with his throws than he was a year ago, but he still produced 14 touchdowns through the air and added three more on the ground.
 
"I think we finally found the right style of offense for Lucas and his skill set," Anderson added. "Coach (Keith) Grabowski has a good system in place that will allow Lucas to be at his best."
 
Poggiali will have plenty of skilled players around him, including junior wide receiver Justin Cruz who was an All-NCAC Second-Team honoree last year. The Pleasanton, California, native racked up 828 yards and scored a single-season school record of 11 touchdowns through the air.
 
Outside of Cruz, the Yeomen have multiple pass catchers who are looking to come into their own and create chemistry with Poggiali early on. Sophomores Trace McConnell, Corey Fussinger, Federico Consuegra and Jackson Moore have all shown signs of improvement, while rookies Jabari Clemons and Robby Reinheimer have also opened some eyes during camp.
 
Poggiali will be happy to see the return of his top two running backs from a season ago as seniors Blake Buckhannon and Justin Williams are both back after having their respective 2014 seasons cut short due to injury.  Buckhannon was averaging nearly 75 yards per game through the first five contests and still led the team with 371 yards on the ground while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Williams averaged four yards per carry and also caught six passes for 50 yards and a score before he too went down in the fifth game.
 
Sophomores Khalil Rivers and Joseph Myrick got valuable experience filling in for their fallen teammates as rookies and will also factor into the backfield rotation. The duo combined for 552 yards and two scores last year.
 
"I like our backs a lot. I think Blake can be one of the best in our league. Justin gives us great versatility, while the two young guys can also give us a spark when called upon."
 
Making it all come together is the Oberlin offensive line, which is anchored by the two-time All-NCAC selection and USA Football Preseason All-American Nick Blaszak. He, along with junior Jorden Mandel and sophomores Avery McThompson, Sam Meads and Teddy Schroeder will be tasked with keeping the offense in rhythm.
 
On the other side of the line the Yeomen welcome back the return of senior C.J. Ihle after he missed most of last year with an injury. In 2013 he led the team with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Opposite of him is classmate Spencer Conley who earned All-NCAC Honorable-Mention in 2014 after recording 50 tackles.
 
The interior front features sophomores Luis Solorzano and Jonathon Smith who combined to make 69 tackles and 3.5 sacks as rookies.
 
"We are going to need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and win in the trenches on every snap. We need to do a better job of putting pressure on the quarterback while still focusing on shutting down the running game."
 
Junior Justin Bute and sophomore Drew Nolan are an exciting tandem to watch out for at linebacker as both players are poised for breakout seasons. Bute made 49 tackles in nine games, while Nolan impressed during his freshman season with 34 tackles. Senior Dan Bolotsky and freshman Kenny Williams will also factor into the rotation.
 
The defensive backfield is where the Yeomen have the most depth with 15 players, six of which are freshmen.
 
"It is no secret we have to be better against the pass, so we went out and recruited a lot of talented players who can help. However, with that being said I am really excited about the upperclassmen that have been here and are hungry to prove themselves."
 
In the Yeomen's 4-2-5 scheme, expect to see senior Tim Kondo and sophomore Bennett Jackson to be hovering closer to the line of scrimmage to assist with the run and underneath passing game.
 
After playing in just four games due to injury, Coach Anderson is glad to see Adrian Kelly back in uniform as the quarterback of the defense at safety. Joining him is junior Larry Leggett who came on strong last season, totaling 41 tackles and an interception over the final six games.
 
On the outside, senior Gabe Edwards, who was an All-NCAC selection in 2014, will control the left cornerback position while a host of others, including juniors Brad Cole and Ben Venerdi, and freshman Fletcher Quigley are battling for the starting spot on the right side.
 
The Yeomen are set to open the season on September 5, when The College at Brockport comes to town for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The following week, North Coast Athletic Conference play will begin when the Kenyon College Lords make their first-ever visit to Bailey Field for a 6 p.m. kickoff.