Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (40-38, 9th year)
2024 Record: 8-2 overall, 8-2 GPAC (T-2nd)
Key Returners: K Peyton Atwood; WR Max Bartels; RB Carlos Collazo; DL Carson Fehlhafer; S Daylon Henson; LB Grant Huss; S Luke Penrod; CB Will Potratz; S Jaden Seier; QB Gideon Stark; WR Adam Van Cleave.
Key Losses: OL Jackson Anderson; RB Mark Arp; OL Cohen Carpenter; TE John Goodwin; LB Michael Grindey; WR Austin Jablonski; LB Nick Leader; QB DJ McGarvie; DL Devon Polley; TE Daylan Russell; OL Blake Schlegel; OL Christian Schlepp; DL Kyle Sterup; OL Tyler Walford.
2024 NAIA All-America: Austin Jablonski (First Team – AFCA/VSN); Blake Schlegel (Second Team – AFCA/VSN); Daylon Henson (First Team – AP; Honorable Mention – VSN); Mark Arp (Honorable Mention – VSN).
2024 GPAC All-Conference: Mark Arp (First Team); Carson Fehlhafer (First Team); Daylon Henson (First Team); Austin Jablonski (First Team); Devon Polley (First Team); Blake Schlegel (First Team); Kyle Sterup (First Team); Tyler Walford (First Team); John Goodwin (Second Team); DJ McGarvie (Second Team); Adam Van Cleave (Second Team); Cohen Carpenter (Honorable Mention); Grant Huss (Honorable Mention); Christian Schlepp (Honorable Mention).
Outlook
The Concordia University, Nebraska Football program quickly turned the page on the 2024 season as the calendar flipped to the spring semester of 2025. As late August beckons, more than three weeks since preseason camp began, the Bulldogs are beyond ready to line up against another opponent and answer the questions they’ve been asked about ever since their snub from last season’s NAIA playoff bracket. Gone are 33 seniors from the ’24 squad that went 8-2 and landed at No. 18 in the postseason NAIA coaches’ poll.
Of course Concordia will miss the 10 GPAC All-Conference players that graduated and moved on. That list includes prolific quarterback DJ McGarvie, All-American receiver Austin Jablonski, 1,000-yard running back Mark Arp and a bevy of stalwarts along the offensive and defensive lines. But Head Coach Patrick Daberkow exudes confidence when discussing the next men up. Daberkow points to the prevalence of third- and fourth-year guys who have bided their time while preparing themselves to seize the opportunity that now presents itself.
“The program’s healthy,” Daberkow said. “We’re trying to do college football different … I think the camaraderie we have in our locker room shows by the amount of guys who stick it out. The transfer portal has not really had a huge negative impact on our football program. We have winning as a major part of our priority. No one wants to be part of a program that loses. That’s something great to pursue. On top of that, we just do a lot of meaningful work. Our guys are doing things off the field that are very impactful, and they’re growing as men.”
Based in part on what was achieved last season, Concordia landed at No. 4 in the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll and at No. 21 in the NAIA preseason poll. Not since 2002 has the program entered a season with an NAIA national ranking. The aim for the Bulldogs is to show they have staying power when it comes to the national radar. Concordia believes its recruiting and player development have reached a level that will allow it to absorb its personnel losses.
Offense
The transformation of the offense gave the program the shot in the arm it needed to rise to another level in 2024. Last season’s offense rewrote the school record book, setting new single season standards for points per game (38.5), yards per game (469.7), first downs per game (23.4), passing completion percentage (.605) and passing touchdowns (28). The question this preseason has centered upon: how do the Bulldogs repeat that success while returning only two starters?
The answer may start at quarterback, where the 6-foot-7 strong-armed Texan Gideon Stark will emerge as the replacement for DJ McGarvie (36 career starts). Stark is bigger and has a cannon for a right arm. He’ll attempt to steer the offense with the same type of efficiency that McGarvie displayed over his record-breaking career. Stark possesses nine career games of college experience at quarterback and has completed 19-of-30 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown.
“Every season you’re going to have things change a little bit,” Daberkow said. “We have the structure and the system now in place offensively where we feel like we can troubleshoot things. Our offensive staff has done a great job of building on what we’ve done in the past and catering to the strengths of players in different roles now. We’re very confident about where we’re at. We feel like we’re on pace with where we should be. We’re excited for Saturdays.”
Stark’s main target figures to be Columbus, Neb., native Adam Van Cleave, a Second Team All-GPAC receiver in 2024. Van Cleave and senior receiver Max Bartels are the lone two returning offensive starters from last season. In his breakout campaign, Van Cleave snagged 57 receptions for 652 yards and six touchdowns and is someone Daberkow calls “one of the most dynamic players I’ve ever coached.” Van Cleave has the quicks and the elusiveness to turn a short pass reception into a big gainer.
Bartels has drawn rave reviews for his leadership and progression and is due to see more passes come his way this fall. Also at the position, Jonny Puelz and Ian Medeck are former college basketball players with tall frames and the potential to make a significant impact. Plenty of other returners could be a factor. On the topic of pass catchers, Concordia must replace two tight ends (John Goodwin and Daylan Russell) who combined for 10 touchdown catches last season. Maddox Rickertsen and Dustin Kapke are ready to step in. Jesse Herndon has also migrated to tight end.
Van Cleave knows as well as anyone in regard to where Stark and the passing game stand heading into the 2025 opener. Said Van Cleave, “Gideon is kind of on the same lines as Max. He’s been putting in his time over the years. I think he’s in place for a really good year this year. As a leader, he’s in a spot where he can command the offense. He backs that up with his play. Throughout the season, they’re going to realize that this guy is going to be a legit quarterback for us this year.”
In 2024, an offensive line held down by five seniors paved the way for Mark Arp and Carlos Collazo to combine for 1,755 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. As a team, Concordia averaged 5.3 yards per carry and surrendered a grand total of four sacks. Those statistics won’t be easy to duplicate, but Collazo is back in the fold to batter opponents with the help of a revamped offensive line.
The projected starter at center, Brevin Damrow stepped in to start at Doane last season. However, for the majority of the offensive linemen that trot out there on Sept. 6, the 2025 opener will represent their first career starts. The happenings this offseason have eased the concerns Daberkow had when last season ended and the Bulldogs said goodbye to All-American tackle Blake Schlegel and company.
“We replaced five senior starters from last year,” Daberkow said. “Last November I was nervous about that and then we went through the offseason and went through spring ball and grew in confidence. I’ve only grown in confidence with that group. Derek Campbell at left tackle, Kadence Velde at guard, Brevin Damrow at center and we’ve got Carter Meier, Layne Bugarske, Seth Moore, Jeremiah Vazquez, Thomas Thomas and Josh Luehr. All of those guys are going to be contributors this season. I feel really good about our offensive line group with the work they’ve put in and the leadership we have there. I’m excited to see that group get this opportunity because they’ve all been kind of waiting. These opportunities haven’t caught anybody off guard.”
Thus the reason for optimism. In place of the departed starters step a host of players who have been immersed within the program for two and three years. A junior from Marquette, Neb., Collazo could be in line for his big breakout. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a sophomore and produced two 100-yard rushing games. That came on the heels of a freshman season hampered by injury. Collazo is leaner and faster than he was a year ago. Tyler Douglass also saw time at the position last season.
If the offensive line comes together the way that Daberkow expects, the unit as a whole has the potential to churn out points and yards in bunches once again. In this attack, Concordia can spread it out and also play slam ball with a power run game. Daberkow leans on assistant Greg Nelson (former head coach at Lincoln Lutheran) to call the plays.
Says Van Cleave, “I think we’ve changed our offense, making it more spread out and focused on distributing the ball. It’s not just a run heavy team. That takes time to do that. I think last year was the turning point where we really understood what our jobs were and being able to excel in our roles, whether it be the o-line not giving up a sack most of the year or our receivers doing well and then Mark Arp being who he was as a running back.”
As for the new signal caller Stark, he had this to say at a July media event, “I’ve put in my time. I’ve been watching DJ go these last three years. He’s been a great role model, showing me how to be a leader on the team and showing me how to read defenses. I’ve learned a lot through my time here and I’m ready to go.”
Defense
Corby Osten’s tenure as Defensive Coordinator has coincided with Daberkow’s timeline as head coach. The defense made a major leap forward from 2023 to 2024 as the opposition’s scoring average plummeted from 31.9 points per game to 18.4. The improvement was spearheaded by a defensive line that featured starters Carson Fehlhafer, Devon Polley and Kyle Sterup. Fehlhafer returns at nose guard to anchor the unit in 2025.
Seven starters are back on a defense that will be most experienced on the back end, which is headlined by returning All-American safety Daylon Henson. The Pearland, Texas, native emerged as ball hawker who played a major role in opponents turning it over 24 times last season (15 interceptions and nine lost fumbles). At every level of the defense, Concordia boasts at least one high-end, proven veteran performer.
Says Henson of the secondary, “I feel like we’re not where we’re supposed to be yet, but we’ve shown way more growth than the previous years. Everybody’s older now. We used to be the young guys on the defense and let everybody else run the show. I feel like we can run the show now. We have that chemistry and we’re getting better each and every day.” He added, “Coach O holds us to the same expectations every year. Nothing’s different. We just have to keep getting better every day.”
Henson projects as one of the top safeties in the entire NAIA after he notched six interceptions (one pick-six), seven pass breakups, 11.5 tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries as part of his eye-popping junior season. Other returners with starting experience in the secondary include Blake Mosenteen, Luke Penrod, Will Potratz and Jaden Seier. Penrod, Potratz and Seier each collected more than 40 tackles last season. Transfer Jacob Rolen has also been impressive during preseason camp.
On the interior of the defensive line, Fehlhafer’s presence will be felt on every Saturday this fall. The Utica, Neb., native earned NAIA National Player of the Week honors last October after he notched three sacks in the win at No. 2 Northwestern. Not only does Fehlhafer make plays himself, he frees up teammates by eating up blockers. The staff sees Fehlhafer as another All-America caliber player on the defense.
“He should be (at the top of opposing scouting reports),” Daberkow said. “He’s going to be a problem. He’s kind of got Paul Bunyan status with our freshmen. He kind of looks like him too. The legends kind of grow. I think everyone expects him to take the center and guard and knock their heads together and go sack the quarterback every play. We’re not going to ask him to do that. He’s going to be an anchor though. He’s a tough football player.”
On the defensive front, Fehlhafer will be flanked by the likes of Carson Adams, Zachary Downs, AJ Frazey, Luke Laffler, Brock Ostdeik, Terry Sebek and others. It’s their time to make their mark after the graduation of not only Polley and Sterup but Stephen Hughes and Tal Solo. The d-line set the tone for a ’24 defense that held opposing teams to 109.1 rushing yards per game and racked up 28 sacks.
At linebacker, Lincoln Southwest High School alum Grant Huss returns after posting a team high 87 tackles in 2024. Huss headlines a linebacker core that replaces starters Michael Grindey and Nick Leader. On the plus side, Deegan Barnes brings starting experience of his own while Drake Trent is ready to emerge beyond a special teams. A major addition is Dylan Meyer, a transfer from Chadron State College. The list goes on to include Mason Fortney, Logan DeCoste and others. Those who don’t start will have opportunities to excel on special teams.
Says Daberkow, “We have some upperclassmen that have really been putting in time and have worked their way into being contributors. We have a good group of linebackers and I’m excited to see them make an impact this year.” Daberkow also commented, “Grant Huss is going to be a stud for us.”
The 18.4 points per game allowed by the ’24 team were the fewest for a Concordia defense since 2013. If the Bulldogs are able to stop the run and take the ball away once again, they will have a chance to contain the high-powered offenses of the GPAC. Concordia held seven of its 10 opponents last season to fewer than 20 points (7-0 in those games).
Specialists
Daberkow believes the pieces are in place for strong special teams units. The Bulldogs bring back their kicker (Peyton Atwood), punter (Braxtyn Koch), return man (Adam Van Cleave), long snapper (Max Wurdeman) and holders (Gideon Stark and Braylen Muhle). Last season, Atwood broke a school record for PATs in a season (44) and went 4-for-4 on field goals while Koch (the son of former Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch) averaged 37.7 yards per punt as a freshman.
Concordia could choose to use different kickers depending on the situation. John Fehlhafer and Admir Mujkic also bring experience kicking off and sophomore Ashton Gazga is pushing for time. As Daberkow says, “Our specialists are going to be a strength for us this year.”
Final Thoughts
The anticipation will give way to a real countable football game on Saturday, Sept. 6 when the Bulldogs welcome Doane to Bulldog Stadium for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff. While the rival Tigers aspire to show progress under their second-year head coach, Concordia will aim to back up its NAIA preseason top 25 ranking. Thankfully, the talking season is over. It’s now about action.
“I think we have a hungry group,” Daberkow said. “When I think about the leadership on this team, offensively, there are guys stepping into new roles. Defensively, we’re a little more established in some playmaking roles. It’s been fun to see that progress and to see that group coalesce and learn. It’s going to be fun to see it play out on Saturdays.”
Added Van Cleave, “We’re looking at it as it’s a clean slate. They’re not going to give us any wins for what we did last year. We’re starting over and we have to build our way back to that and to the playoffs if we want to make it there. The work has just begun. We have to take that mindset and stay hungry, not taking anything for granted. I think that’s the best way to approach the season regardless if it was successful last year.”
And there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big. Says the All-American Henson, “Going into this season, we’re just a hungry group. We don’t want to put it in anyone’s hands anymore. We want to win the GPAC so they have nothing to say.”
The complete 2025 Concordia Football schedule can be found HERE. Check the team’s homepage each week for game notes previewing upcoming matchups.