The St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees jump into the 2003 season with huge expectations for a team that finished 8-3 in 2002. After winning three consecutive MSFA Midwest conference championships, the Fighting Bees are hungry to advance further in the NAIA playoffs. Over the past three seasons, the Fighting Bees have amassed a 20-1 record in conference play, including an MSFA record 18 consecutive conference victories.

"Our success is a direct result of the quality individuals we have involved, said head coach Todd Sturdy. "Our players and coaches are great people and that is where success starts. This program has built some great things, not only in conference play but also on a national level. We have very high expectations for the 2003 season."

Coach Sturdy and his staff have built the St. Ambrose University football program into a national powerhouse and one that has the chance to go deep into the playoffs every year. The program has received national recognition over the past three seasons after finishing the 2000 season ranked #7, the 2001 season ranked #12 and last year’s team which ranked #14. After finishing the 2002 season with a disappointing loss to the national runner-up Georgetown, the Fighting Bees have the eyes focused on playing football in December for the national championship.

"This team has great focus, great leadership and quality individuals. Our goals are to win conference and go to the playoffs, but we want to play for the national championship," said Sturdy.

In 2003, the Fighting Bees will return 15 starters and provide great depth at every position. The senior core will have the very rare chance to take home four conference championships and make four national playoff appearances. This group of players have played in some of the biggest games in school history and will rely on their past experiences to give the Fighting Bees a chance to make history. The 2003 Fighting Bees will look to continue their "Decade of Dominance."

The Fighting Bees reload at the quarterback position with Jeff Kietzman (6-5, 220, So.) who will look to follow in the footsteps of the great tradition of Ambrose quarterbacks. In limited time last season, Kietzman was 3 of 5 for 31 yards and two touchdowns. He will look to make up for the loss of John McDowell who posted 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Kietzman, a graduate of North Scott and a native of Park View, IA, had a very impressive spring and will provide the Fighting Bees with great potential to lead this year’s team.

Kietzman will be backed up by transfer J.T. Bucy (6-3, 195, Jr.) from Harbor Junior College in California. Bucy provides the Fighting Bees with a quality backup and has the ability to become a great quarterback. Ryan Luttenegger (6-2, 195, So.) from Burlington, IA, gives the team great athleticism as the number three quarterback and will also compete for the starting punter position.

At running back will be first team all-Conference player Joe Schimmel (6-0, 195, Jr.) from Lincoln Way High School. Schimmel is a player that the coaching staff is very excited about. Coach Sturdy describes Schimmel as "a complete player who is bigger, stronger and faster than ever." Last season Schimmel rushed for 582 yards, caught 32 passes for 330 yards and led the team in kickoff returns with 378 yards, while averaging 22.2 yards per return. Schimmel was second on the team with 9 touchdowns and will take over for Brandon Adolphs, who ranked ninth in the country with 1,206 rushing yards and was named second team all-American. Schimmel will look to follow in the footsteps of Adolphs and Nate Norman, who is the school’s all-time leading rusher.

Steve Clary (5-9, 200, So.) from Urbandale, IA, will serve as the starting fullback and backup tailback. As a senior in high school, Clary was named the Des Moines area player of the year. Clary got his feet wet last year and posted 100 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown and caught 6 passes for 60 yards. Larry Williams (5-9, 175, Jr. ), a transfer from San Bernadino Junior College, will also see playing time at the tailback position. Williams provides the Fighting Bees with great speed, quickness and hands. His potential leaves the coaching staff excited about his possibilities.

This season’s wide receiver core is the deepest position on the Fighting Bees roster. The Fighting Bees go six players deep, all of which will see time on the field. Joe DuPage (5-9, 180, Jr.) from Pekin, IL, comes into the season as the Fighting Bees top receiver. DuPage caught 33 passes for 535 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

"Joe is coming off of a great sophomore season and is one of the premiere wide receivers in the MSFA," said Sturdy.

Aaron Washington (6-2, 200, Sr.) from St. Joseph’s High School in Westchester, IL, will start opposite of DuPage. Washington gives the Fighting Bees a deep ball threat with great athletic ability and can bring down the ball with multiple defenders on him. Washington caught 13 balls for 222 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.

Chris Burhans (6-1, 200, Fr.), a transfer from the University of Iowa, gives the Fighting Bees another receiver with size, strength and speed. Burhans will see time along with Matt Ghiglieri (6-0, 200, Sr.) out of Toluca, IL, Nic Gieselman (5-10, 175, So.) from Burlington, IA, and Andy Ford (5-9, 170, Jr.) from Iowa City West who caught 11 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns last season.

First team all-Conference performer Ryan Antonik (6-2, 225, Sr.) will return as the starting tight end for the Fighting Bees. Antonik caught 19 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns last season and will look to increase those numbers, as he provides great pass catching abilities. Jason Lynch (6-4, 240, Jr.) from Joliet Catholic will backup Antonik. Lynch is coming back from a broken wrist and is 

ready to go for the 2003 season. Ryan Mellow (6-3, 265, Jr.), a transfer from Grossmont Junior College in California, will serve as the number three tight end.

Once again the offensive line will be a very strong force for the Fighting Bees this season. Honorable mention all-Conference left tackle Raul Blanco (6-4, 315, Sr.) and second team all-Conference right guard Gabe Barta (6-1, 300, Sr.) will each begin their third seasons’ as starters on the line. Barta ranks as the top offensive lineman on the Fighting Bees roster and had the best year of any lineman on the team last year. Paul Cagle (6-3, 285, Sr.) from Lincoln Way High School returns at right tackle this season. Kurt Gersch (6-0, 275, Jr.) from Rolling Meadows, IL, will start at center and play some guard this season. Gersch saw playing time last season at both positions. The Fighting Bees will be anchored by four experienced offensive linemen who have played in some very big games during their careers.

With the return of seven of their eleven starters, the Fighting Bees defense will look to improve on last year’s performance. The defense ranked sixth in the entire MSFA in points allowed last year, while holding opponents into single digit scoring on four occasions. With the loss of four-year starter Chris Davies, first team all-Conference linebacker Lavill Figgs and cornerbacks Tyrell Newton and De’Mon Baker, the Fighting Bees will reload the defense with experience and depth.

The nucleus of experience is in the secondary led by first team all-Conference safety T.J. Sheedy (5-10, 190, Sr.). Sheedy, a graduate of Davenport North High School, will move from strong to free safety. Sheedy is the foundation of the secondary and big things are expected from him in his senior season. Luke Perry (6-2, 200, Jr.) from Fairfield, IA, will start at strong safety. Perry finished last year with 29 tackles and two interceptions. Adam Panther (6-1, 190, Jr.), a graduate of North Scott High School, remains a starter and shifts from safety to cornerback. Panther recorded 66 tackles and two interceptions during the 2002 season. Alex Romero (5-9, 195, Sr.) will start on the other side where he played in six games in 2002. Kyle Schultz (5-10, 190, Jr.) had a great spring and will make his case for playing time in the secondary.

Despite the loss of Chris Davies, the St. Ambrose defensive line will still remain a strength to the defense. Brandon Graves (6-4, 280, Sr.) will return as a starter at defensive tackle. Graves possesses great talent and the potential to dominate up front. The defensive line did suffer a minor setback, as tackle Jason Kratt (6-5, 290, Jr.) broke his foot in practice. Kratt is expected to be back in the starting lineup as soon as conference play. Rory Quinn (6-1, 250, Jr.) will give the Fighting Bees quality depth at the tackle position. Shawn Giffin (6-0, 235, Sr.) and Jacob Brower (6-4, 250, Jr.) will start at the defensive end positions. Giffin ranks as one of the strongest players in the St. Ambrose football program. Brower played in 10 games last season and had two sacks. Mike Novak (6-4, 225, Jr.) from William Penn will provide the Fighting Bees with a quality backup at defensive end.

The Fighting Bees linebacking core returns two of its’ three starters, Mike Aussiker (6-1, 225, Sr.) returns at middle linebacker and is coming off of what Coach Sturdy referred to as, "one of the best springs of any of our players." Aussiker led the 2002 defense in tackles with 97 and added two sacks and two interceptions. Ricky Shepard (6-2, 225, Sr.) remains on the outside after recording 54 tackles and one sack in 2002. The inside linebacker position will be a battle between Kevin Hopkins (6-0, 215, Jr.) from Cedar Rapids, IA, and Ben Sacco (6-4, 225, So.) from United Township High School. Hopkins recorded 15 tackles in seven games a year ago. Matt Seidel (6-1, 225, Jr.) will provide depth at linebacker for the Fighting Bees.

Matt Webster (6-0, 170, Jr.) will regain the kicking duties for the 2003 season. Last season the Fighting Bees struggled in the kicking game, but Webster has shown great progress and performed well in the spring. The punting job remains a wide-open race, as many candidates will battle for the position during practice.

The Fighting Bees will open the season at home on September 13th versus Division II opponent Quincy. The Hawks finished the 2002 season with a 4-7 record, but won four out of their last five games. This game will already mark Qunicy’s third game of the 2003 season. For the first time in school history, the Fighting Bees will play Waldorf College out of Forest City, IA, in their second game. The final non-conference game will be played in Fort Wayne, IN, versus St. Francis, IN. St. Francis has won four consecutive MSFA Mid-East titles and this will be a showdown of the two teams that have controlled the MSFA in the 21st century. The Fighting Bees then begin conference play in the MSFA Mid-West. The MSFA is one of the premiere conferences in the NAIA and sent four teams to the playoffs last season, including three from the Mid-West.

"Every game is like a playoff game, you have to take it one week at a time," said Sturdy as he referred to MSFA play.

Ambrose will open conference play with two consecutive home games versus Olivet Nazarene and St. Francis, IL. St. Ambrose then travels to Deerfield, IL, to face Trinity International. On October 25th, the Fighting Bees come back home to play Iowa Wesleyan and then travel to Chicago for a showdown with St. Xavier, who has recorded the only conference victory over the Fighting Bees in three years. William Penn travels to Brady Street Stadium on November 8th for senior day. The Fighting Bees will play at McKendree for the last regular season game, which could be the game of the year again in the MSFA. All games will be played at 1:00 p.m. this season.