Sept. 9, 2004
By Dan Tomlin
Sports Editor

If last year was any indication of what one team can do when their back is up against the wall then this year should be the most exciting in recent memory for the St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees.

With second team All-American Joe Schimmel returning in the backfield after having shoulder surgery at the end of last season and junior quarterback Jeff Kietzman set for his second year under center, the core offensive parts are in place.

Schimmel’s surgery sidelined him for the entire spring, but during the summer months he trained twice as hard to get back to his playing shape.

“Joe’s one of the strongest guys in our program right now,” Sturdy said. “He’s just a weightroom type of guy. He wants to make himself better."

Also returning to the Fighting Bees lineup on the defensive side are Kevin Hopkins, Jason Kratt, Mike Novak, and Shawn Giffin. This senior leadership leads head coach Todd Sturdy to believe experience is what will put the team over the top.

“These seniors have been a part of three good years,” Sturdy said. “They’re been challenging years and they’ve been able to handle the adversities.”

For the Fighting Bees team goals come before personal goals, but when the Bees win their first game of the season it will mark Sturdy’s sixty first victory making him the winningest coach in St. Ambrose football history.

The Fighting Bees will open up the 2004 campaign in Dubuque on Sept. 11 against Loras College, reinstating an interstate rivalry that has been dormant for over 20 years. The last time the two teams played was 1983.

“I think it will be a fun atmosphere to play in to start the season,” Kietzman said. “I know it means a lot to our fans and alumni to beat Loras.”

The Duhawks are coming off a 7-3 season, while the Bees notched 8 wins to their 4 losses last year.

One of the biggest differences this season will be the Bees strength of schedule. Last season St. Ambrose started off the schedule with two blowout games outscoring their opponents 104-7 in those two games.

This season looks to be more difficult as several of SAU’s opponents are ranked in the NAIA preseason top 25. Currently St. Ambrose is ranked eighth after finishing in the elite eight last year following a second round playoff loss to St. Francis (Ind.).

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