ALAMOSA, Colo. (August 31, 2015) – The culmination of fall practice has led first year head coach
Timm Rosenbach and staff to Texas as Adams State University takes on Texas A&M University-Commerce in the 2015 season opener. Kickoff is slated for 7pm CT from Memorial Stadium. Live video and stats are provided at the above links. Live audio will be provided by KSPK.
About The GrizzliesWith a 4-7, 3-6 RMAC record in 2014, ASU finished sixth in the conference. The group returns junior signal caller
Auston Hillman along with junior wide receiver
Phil Romero. Last season Hillman amassed 1,600 passing yards and 14 touchdowns while serving as the team's leading rusher with 491 yards along with four touchdowns. Romero is coming off a team-best 30 receptions for 615 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. The run game will return the services of
Addie Brown and Cameron DeChesero. Transfers
Rashad Hall and
Hansley Fleurejus also look to figure into the backfield mix for the Grizzlies.
Austin Andrade is set to anchor the offensive line as the senior started nine games a season ago and has earned the captain nod for 2015.
Defensively, linebackers
John Reed and
Wesley Brandon return after successful sophomore campaigns. Reed tied for a team-high 91 tackles (42 solo) in 2014 as Brandon tallied 73 (36 solo). Senior defensive back
Ryan Holland will serve as the team's defensive captain. Holland battled through an abbreviated junior campaign but made the most of his playing time; earning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after his performance against New Mexico Highlands University.
Quincey Davison returns to the defensive line after being named All-RMAC Honorable Mention.
About The LionsWith a 9-3 overall record last season, the Lions served as Lone Star Conference (LSC) regular season champions in 2014. Last season Commerce's offense produced a pair of 90-plus point games along with a 72-21 victory in the Heart of Texas Bowl against East Central University. Under the direction of third year head coach Colby Carthel the Lions 16 wins in his two seasons with the program is the highest total in back-to-back years in A&M-Commerce history since the 1991 and 1992 seasons.
In 2014 the Lions posted 54.08 points per game while allowing 29.5 points per game. The high-powered offense recorded 10 games of 300-plus passing yards. The program went 5-1 in home contests during 2014.
2014 Season OpenersThe Lions opened 2014 with a 98-20 win at home against East Texas Baptist University on Sept. 4, 2014. Commerce held a commanding 57-20 halftime lead before rattling off 41 unanswered points in the second half.
The Grizzlies posted a 23-7 home opening win against Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Sept. 4, 2014. Hillman finished with a game-high 147 yards rushing and two touchdowns while going 8-of-22 through the air for 127 yards. Reed led the defense with 14 tackles (6 solo) as
John Flowers,
Dejon Scott, and
Cariel Brooks each picked up an interception.
The Rosenbach FileHired by Adams State on Dec. 22, 2014, Rosenbach possesses 13 years of collegiate coaching experience; most notably as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Rosenbach comes to Alamosa after two seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for UNLV. He has also coached at Montana, New Mexico State, Washington State, Eastern Washington, and St. Ambrose University (Iowa). As a collegiate player, Rosenbach finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 while playing for Washington State. In his final season with the Cougars he set single-season program records for total offense (3,422), passing yards (3,097), and touchdown passes (24). That season he was selected honorable mention All-American after leading the nation in passing efficiency.
His playing career extended into the NFL as the second overall pick in the 1989 Supplemental draft by the then-Phoenix Cardinals. He would start all 16 games for the Cardinals in 1990 but saw his career cut short due to injuries. His professional career also included time with the New Orleans Saints and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Preseason PredictionsWith 41 points, ASU was selected to finish sixth in the 2015 RMAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll. Colorado State University-Pueblo was tabbed as the RMAC team to beat after taking home the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship.
Texas A&M-Commerce was picked to finish second in the Lone Star Conference with 111 points and four first-place votes. The Lions served as LSC regular season champs in 2014 with a 9-3 overall record.
New Year, New GearUnveiled for 2015 is a white matte finish helmet as well as a traditional green helmet that has been used in recent seasons. The biggest change comes in the form of the official Adams State U-Paw decal that is prominently displayed on both. Under the Schutt brand, both styles incorporate a green facemask with "Grizz" written on the nose bumper. Adams State last wore white helmets during the 1970's before switching to green.
Both helmets not only incorporate a new style but an upgrade in student-athlete safety by switching to the Schutt Vengeance VTD II and Schutt AiR XP Pro VTD helmet models. Both models have been evaluated and given the highest rating possible (5-Stars) according to
Virginia Tech helmet ratings.
Introducing Your Team CaptainsAdams State University head coach
Timm Rosenbach has announced captains for the 2015 season. Senior lineman
Austin Andrade was named captain of the offensive unit as senior defensive back
Ryan Holland received the defensive nod. Meanwhile junior defensive back
John Flowers was tabbed as the special teams captain.
About ASU FootballSince beginning play in 1930, Adams State has captured 10 conference titles with five seasons of postseason play. The program holds a 6-3 postseason record and served as the NAIA National Runner-up in 1988. The program has produced 32 All-Americans and one National Coach of the Year recipient (Jeff Geiser, 1989-NAIA).Team PostersStop by the athletic department offices in Plachy Hall to pick up your 2015 ASU schedule posters! Fans can also view posters at
www.asugrizzlies.com by navigating to the "Fan Zone" tab.
Stay ConnectedFor any updates regarding Adams State athletics stay connected with
www.asugrizzlies.com! Updates are also available through the Grizzlies official Twitter (@ASUGrizzlies) and Facebook (/TheAsuGrizzlies) accounts.
