The Pigskin Hooligans made several additions to their roster prior to their season opener against the Wamp Rats, and also have an additional signing to announce: ![]() Alissa Papsun, freshman, 1st year Hooligan - Alissa joined the Hooligans for her first season in the team’s game last Sunday. She brings quickness to the team with her background in dance, running solid routes as a receiver and providing a threat on offense. Defensively Alissa made several key flag grabs in the match. ![]() Blake Dean, freshman, 1st year Hooligan - Blake joins the Hooligans for his first season as well in 2017. He brings great athleticism as a member of Concordia’s football team which is currently ranked #15 in the NAIA coaches poll. Blake showed solid speed in the game last Sunday, managing to elude defenders for some positive yardage on offense. Defensively he made a “pick 6” to put the Hooligans on the board. ![]() Kaushik Thallapally, grad student, 1st year Hooligan - Kaushik is another great new signing for the Hooligans this season. He showed toughness and tenacity on defense in last Sunday’s game, pulling several flags to help the Hooligans’ defensive effort. On offense Kaushik showed good route running and provided a threat as a receiver. ![]() Ken Simon, senior (5th year), 1st year Hooligan - Ken joins the Hooligans for his first season in 2017. He brings an athletic background to the team as a former member of the inaugural CUAA men’s tennis team. Ken saw a great deal of time at quarterback in last Sunday’s game, completing several passes. He also saw time at receiver as well. ![]() Ross O’Brien, junior, 1st year Hooligan - Ross will be joining the Hooligans for their next game in the 2017 season. He brings athleticism to the team as a member of CUAA’s nationally-ranked football team, joining football teammates Blake Dean and Darius Wilson. Ross will bring versatility at multiple positions to the Hooligans, likely slotting in at receiver or safety. Remember to check back for updates on the team’s schedule...ROLL HOOLIGANS!
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![]() Sun, Oct 29 – The defending champion Pigskin Hooligans held their much-anticipated season opener on Sunday against the Wamp Rats. The Hooligans featured almost a completely new lineup with great potential while the opposition returned many veteran starters. The team fought hard, but experience paid off for the Wamp Rats as they turned in a stifling defensive effort for a 64-6 win. The Wamp Rats forced 4 turnovers and held the Hooligans to their lowest offensive point total since a 53-6 loss to Ram Rod on November 27, 2007. The Pigskin Hooligans played with a 6-on-7 disadvantage and no subs due to many absent team members. The Hooligans started with Alissa Papsun, co-captain Danielle Thompson, Kaushik Thallpally, Ken Simon, Blake Dean, and co-captain Mike Russell on the field. The Wamp Rats started with the ball and Joel Werner wasted no time hooking up with Harrison Raney in the endzone for an early TD. The Hooligans rotated quarterback on their opening drive as late signee Blake Dean and Ken Simon both saw snaps, but the team would go 3-and-out and punt. Joel Werner then led the Wamp Rats on another scoring drive, this time finding Tyler Tweedale on a deep pass for a 14-0 lead. The Wamp Rats forced a turnover on the next series as Harrison Raney tipped a pass which was intercepted by captain Andrew Ripke for a good return. Facing 3rd and goal from about the 3-yard line they pulled out some trickery – while the Hooligan defense was focused on the threat of a Leah Werner run, Joel Werner tossed a shovel pass to Taylor Kahlstorf to open up a 23-0 lead. The Hooligans would make progress on their next series as Blake Dean highlighted his speed making a few defenders miss, but the team would turn the ball over on downs. The Wamp Rats converted again as captain Andrew Ripke took a short pass from Brandon Bettcher, made a few spin moves, and found a path down the sideline for a touchdown. The Wamp Rats forced a safety on the next possession due to pressure from Joel Werner’s blitz, taking a commanding 31-0 lead. However the Hooligans would gain positive momentum on the ensuing possession – Blake Dean picked off a Tyler Tweedale pass and blazed past the defense for a “pick 6” to get the Hooligans on the scoreboard. Kaushik Thallapally made a nice flag grab for the Hooligans defensively on the next series, but the Wamp Rats would score once more before halftime as Joel Werner connected with Harrison Raney for the second time. The Hooligans trailed 39-6 going into the break. The Hooligans would all make contributions to the team’s effort in the second half. Captain Mike Russell took a short swing pass and eluded several defenders with a few spin moves for about a 5-yard gain. Alissa Papsun made a great flag grab, co-captain Danielle Thompson showed fantastic route running, and Ken Simon and Blake Dean continued to alternate at quarterback. Kaushik Thallapally came up with another flag grab on defense later in the second half. However the Wamp Rats would continue to play great defense and their offense was firing on all cylinders. They forced a punt on the Hooligans’ opening drive of the second half and new quarterback Andrew Ripke found Leah Werner open in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown. Brandon Bettcher then stepped up defensively and made a pick 6 for the Wamp Rats, making the score 56-6. Joel Werner then recovered a fumble on an attempted double-reverse, giving the Wamp Rats a short field which led to Andrew Ripke finding Tyler Tweedale in the endzone. Tyler Tweedale would come up with an interception on the game’s final drive and the Hooligans would fall 64-6. Morgan Raby was present in spirit to cheer on the Hooligans. The game was officiated by the outstanding crew of Brianna Limback, Eric Bug, Nate Gifford, and Tyler Pummell. The Hooligans drop to 0-1 while the Wamp Rats improve to 1-0. The victory was their first non-forfeit win in franchise history, and the Wamp Rats claim the #1 overall rank in the league based on point differential. They had this to say after the game on the milestone: “Soli Deo Gloria! #trusttheprocess". The young Pigskin Hooligans team still showed great promise throughout the match. Many new members received significant playing time, and the team should be strengthened by the arrival of many absent Hooligans next week. We will keep you posted once we know next week’s schedule…ROLL HOOLIGANS! Note: All interceptions listed are on defense. Flag football season is just around the corner at CUAA and the historic Pigskin Hooligans franchise will be entering its 12th season of competition. The Hooligans are the defending champions from the 2016 season, having gone a perfect 3-0 last year. The franchise has won 3 of the last 5 championships dating back to 2012 and has appeared in 7 of the last 8 championship games dating back to 2009. Captain Mike Russell has worked to coordinate with CUAA Student Activities to promote the league and participation looks set to explode this year. There are at least 6 teams on record so far and possibly as many as 8 teams could end up in the league. We are still uncertain of the exact league structure until the number of teams is finalized. to promote the league and participation looks set to explode this year. There are at least 6 teams on record so far and possibly as many as 8 teams could end up in the league. We are still uncertain of the exact league structure until the number of teams is finalized. The Hooligans are projected to play this Sunday (Oct 29) at 3:00pm against the Wamp Rats. This year’s edition of the Pigskin Hooligans will look a bit different from last year with only 2 returning members from the 2016 championship team. Captain Mike Russell brokered a blockbuster deal in the offseason with co-captain Danielle Thompson, merging teams to create a championship-caliber squad. There will probably be more roster additions but let’s take a look at the 2017 Hooligans roster so far: (players listed alphabetically by first name according to number of years played, after captains:) ![]() Danielle Thompson (co-captain), freshman, 1st year Hooligan - Danielle will be a key addition to the Hooligans this season, serving in a leadership role as co-captain. She brings an athletic background to the team as a member of CUAA’s women’s golf team. Danielle has played flag football in the past and brings a competitive spirit and keen knowledge of the game. She had this to say on joining the team: “I am just excited to get out there and play football!” ![]() Mike Russell (co-captain), staff, 12th year Hooligan - Captain Russell returns to lead the Hooligans this year, retaining eligibility as a Sports Information Assistant after graduating grad school last year. Russell has worked hard in the offseason to assemble a competitive roster that can contend for a title. On the field he has worked to improve his game, catching 1 touchdown last year. Russell had this to say: “I am glad things worked out so that I could stay at CUAA and I am proud to lead this team on another title run!” ![]() Hallie Williams, senior, 2nd year Hooligan - Hallie will be the only other returning member of the 2016 Hooligans championship squad. She signed with the team midway through last season, hauling in several receptions and showing great route running. Hallie honed her athletic ability as a goalie on CUAA’s women’s lacrosse team last year, seeing significant playing time and making some key saves. She will continue to help the Hooligans again this year. ![]() Alan Jones, sophomore, 1st year Hooligan - Alan will be the first of many solid newcomers on the Hooligans in the 2017 season. He brings a great athletic background to the team as he is entering his second year as a member of CUAA’s track and field squad. Alan will show great speed this year which will make him a threat on offense and a tremendous defender. ![]() Darius Wilson, freshman, 1st year Hooligan - Darius will be a key new signing for the Hooligans in 2017. He will bring collegiate experience as a member of CUAA football, a team which is currently in the midst of a record-setting year. Darius should show amazing speed and great hands along with a deep knowledge of the game of football. He is expected to make a great impact on both sides of the ball. Darius had this to say on signing: “It’s gonna be fun!!!” ![]() Jacob Brendtke, junior, 1st year Hooligan - Jacob will be another great signing for the Hooligans in the 2017 season. He brings a tremendous athletic background having played three sports for CUAA - soccer, lacrosse, and track and field. Jacob shows leadership skill as he coaches high school soccer and baseball at Captain Russell’s alma mater, Washtenaw Christian. He had this to say on signing: “I’m extremely excited to be a part of such a historic franchise and ready to take it to the next level of excellence!” ![]() Mikayla Hilton, grad student, 1st year Hooligan - Mikayla will be a terrific signing for the Hooligans in 2017. She brings a stellar athletic background to the team, having been a standout two-sport athlete at Lakeland College playing basketball and softball. Mikayla has experience playing the game of football and she also possesses great leadership skills as a graduate assistant coach for CUAA softball. She will be another great receiver for the Hooligans. ![]() Molly Grulke, sophomore, 1st year Hooligan - Molly will be another integral part of the Hooligans in the 2017 season. She brings athleticism to the franchise as a member of CUAA’s women’s basketball team. Molly is listed on the roster as 6-feet tall which will make her a great target as a receiver. She will also be able to use her height to disrupt passes on the defensive side of the football as well. ![]() Nathan Harris, junior, 1st year Hooligan - Nathan will be entering his first year on the Hooligans in 2017. He has showed versatility as a multi-sport athlete at CUAA, competing for the men’s soccer team as well as the track and field team. Nathan will show a variety of skills honed in the two sports and should be a great contributing member of this year’s squad. The Hooligans have a few openings on the roster so there may still be some additions. Remember to come out and cheer on the Hooligans this Sunday, October 29 at 3:00pm against the Wamp Rats! The game location should be Cardinal Stadium. Check back for any schedule changes or updates...ROLL HOOLIGANS! Flag football season is just around the corner at CUAA! Captain Mike Russell has been working with CUAA Student Life to return flag football to the status of an official campus event. Games could potentially begin as early as next Sunday!
Check back this upcoming week for more details as the Hooligans will seek to defend their 2016 championship...ROLL HOOLIGANS! |
Written by Mike Russell
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