Hornet Football picked sixth in MIAA pre-season poll
The Kalamazoo College football team was predicted to finish sixth by the MIAA coaches in the annual MIAA pre-season football poll released on Tuesday, Aug. 10. Kalamazoo received 32 points, seven behind Alma for fifth place and three ahead of Olivet for seventh. Kalamazoo finished sixth in the MIAA in 2009.

Complete Poll (First Place votes in parenthesis): 1. Trine (6), 6 pts. 2. Albion, 13 pts. 3. Adrian (1), 14 pts. 4. Hope, 22 pts. 5. Alma, 25 pts. 6. Kalamazoo, 32 pts. 7. Olivet, 35 pts. Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Kalamazoo reports for camp on Saturday, Aug. 14 and begins practice on Sunday, Aug. 15. The Hornets open the 2010 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Bluffton at 2 p.m.
Schedule - Pre-Season Roster - Season Preview

2010 Football Season Preview
The 2009 Kalamazoo College football team led the nation (NCAA III) in passing offense, and the Hornets broke nearly every school record for passing and total offense. The 2010 team looks to be just as explosive, but third-year coach Jamie Zorbo is ready to see the team take the next step and turn that excitement into more victories.

“The Kalamazoo College football program has made great strides the past two years,” said Zorbo. “We have explosive players and are an exciting team to watch. We’ve had some success in the non-conference portion of our schedule, but our focus right now is on preparing ourselves to do better in the league.” More>>>

Four Football Hornets named to National Football Foundation Honor Society
Four members of the Kalamazoo College football team were named to the 2010 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society: Jared Andrzejewski, Nate Kopydlowski, Brandon Luczak and Jimmy Semelsberger. The honor society recognizes college football players who are starters or significant reserves and maintain a GPA of at least 3.2 during their entire course of undergraduate study. A total of 620 players from 246 school across all divisions qualified for membership in the society's fourth year.

Football team, Luczak named NCAA III statistical champions
The Kalamazoo College football team led the nation (NCAA III) in passing offense in 2009 with 382.3 passing yards per game. Individually, senior quarterback Brandon Luczak led the nation in two categories: passing yards per game (366.3) and total offense (381.80 yards/game). In addition, Luczak ranked second with 32.2 completions per game, third with 23.2 points responsible for per game, and fourth with 3,663 total passing yards. Senior wide receiver Jimmy Semelsberger ranked fourth in the nation with 9.6 receptions per game and was 14th with 111.6 receiving yards per game. Junior wide receiver Cory McCain ranked third in the nation in scoring with 12.67 points per game. He also finished 18th with 107.67 receiving yards per game.

Semelsberger named to D3football.com All-Region Team
Kalamazoo College's Jimmy Semelsberger, a senior wide receiver from Bloomfield Hills (Lahser HS), was selected to the D3football.com All-North Region Second Team. He is one of just six players from the MIAA to be selected to any of the three All-North Region Teams. Also an All-MIAA First Team selection this season, Semelsberger set Kalamazoo College single-season and career records for receptions and receiving yards. He also tied a school record with 15 catches in a game. He finished the year with 96 catches for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns while leading the MIAA in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. Complete All-North Region Teams (PDF)

Luczak, Semelsberger invited to D3 Football Senior Classic
Kalamazoo College football players Brandon Luczak and Jimmy Semelsberger have been invited to play in the inaugural Division Three Football Senior Classic in Salem, Va. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Both players will compete on the North team in Saturday's 2 p.m. game at Salem Stadium. The players will head to Salem on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and will take part in practices, player meetings, a banquet, and Saturday's game. Luczak, a quarterback from Rochester Hills, led the nation in total offense and passing yards. Semelsberger, a wide receiver from Bloomfield Hills, ranked fourth in the nation in receptions per game and 14th in receiving yards per game. Division Three Football Senior Classic

Luczak, Kopydlowski earn Academic All-America honors
Kalamazoo College football players Brandon Luczak and Nate Kopydlowski were selected as CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans (first team) on Tuesday, Nov. 24. They are the sixth and seventh players in school history to be named Academic All-Americans, and just the third and fourth to earn first team recognition.

Luczak, a senior quarterback from Rochester Hills, carries a 3.85 GPA as a chemistry major. Luczak threw for 3,663 yards with 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions and had 3,818 yards of total offense. He set five single-game school records, five single-season school records, and two career records. He also set two MIAA records and was selected as the All-MIAA Second Team quarterback.

Kopydlowski, a senior linebacker from Goodrich, carries a 3.96 GPA as a biology major. He finished second on the team with 81 total tackles including five for lost yardage with two sacks. He had a career-high 14 tackles against Adrian this season.

The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America program is coordinated and voted upon by members of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). To be nominated, a player must be at least a sophomore and a starter or significant reserve with a minimum 3.3 GPA. Previous Kalamazoo College Football Award Winners

Four football players earn All-MIAA honors
Four Kalamazoo College football players received All-MIAA honors as announced on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Jimmy Semelsberger and Brandon Foutz were named to the All-MIAA First Team. Brandon Luczak and Jared Andrzejewski were named to the All-MIAA Second Team.

Jimmy Semelsberger, a senior wide receiver from Bloomfield Hills (Lahser HS), earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the second consecutive year. He set Kalamazoo College single-season and career records for receptions and receiving yards. He also tied a school record with 15 catches in a game. He finished the year with 96 catches for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns while leading the MIAA in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. Brandon Foutz, a senior linebacker from Grand Blanc (Grand Blanc HS), led the Hornets with 99 total tackles, including 8.5 for lost yardage with two sacks and an interception. Foutz ranked second in the MIAA with 10.7 tackles per league game.

Jared Andrzejewski, a senior offensive lineman from Saint Johns (Saint Johns HS), earned All-MIAA Second Team honors for the second consecutive year. Brandon Luczak, a senior quarterback from Rochester Hills (Rochester HS), led the MIAA in passing and total offense. He threw for 3,663 yards with 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions and had 3,818 yards of total offense. Luczak set five single-game school records, five single-season school records, and two career records. He also set MIAA records for pass attempts and completions in a game. Kalamazoo finished the 2009 season with a record of 4-6 (1-5 MIAA).

Brandon Luczak named MIAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Brandon Luczak, a senior from Rochester Hills (Rochester HS), was selected as the MIAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Luczak set MIAA single-game records for passing completions and attempts, completing 56-of-79 passes for 507 yards and five touchdowns in the Hornets’ 45-33 loss to Hope.  Luczak broke the previous MIAA single-game completion mark of 43, set first by Alma’s Bill Nietzke against Hope in 1996 and matched last year by Alma’s Mackenzie McGrady against Albion, and his 79 attempts broke the previous record of 74, also set by Nietzke in 1996 against Hope. He is being honored for the second time this season and in his career.

Football Hornets set records in season-ending loss
The football team suffered a 45-33 loss at Hope on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Flying Dutchmen jumped out to a 31-0 lead and led 31-7 at halftime. Hope led 45-14 early in the fourth quarter, but the Hornets fought back and scored three touchdowns before time expired resulting in the 45-33 defeat. Brandon Luczak set school single-game records with 507 passing yards, 498 yards of total offense, 56 completions and 79 pass attempts. He tied a school record with five touchdown passes. Jimmy Semelsberger tied the school record with 15 catches (142 yards, 2 touchdowns) and set a new single-season record with 1,116 receiving yards. Mikael Lott had 14 catches for 154 yards and a score. More>>

Football defeated in final home game of season
The football team fell 34-14 to Albion in the final home game of the season. The Britons went up 14-0 in the first five minutes and led 24-0 at halftime. The Hornets put up just 297 yards of total offense while allowing 485 total yards. Brandon Luczak was 23-of-49 passing for 229 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Jimmy Semelsberger had eight catches for 71 yards. Semelsberger and Cory McCain each had touchdown receptions. Jake Schell led the defense with 11 total tackles. Andy Herman had a 44-yard interception return. More>>

Four football players earn Academic All-District honors
Four members of the Kalamazoo College football team were awarded ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV honors on Thursday, Nov. 5. Brandon Luczak and Nate Kopydlowski were selected to the first team while Jimmy Semelsberger and Jared Andrzejewski were selected to the second team. As first-team selections, Luczak and Kopydlowski are eligible for Academic All-America consideration.

Luczak, a senior quarterback from Rochester Hills, carries a 3.85 GPA as a chemistry major. He currently leads the nation (NCAA III) in passing yards (2,927) and is second in completions per game, passing yards per game and total offense per game. He set a Kalamazoo College record with 30 touchdown passes this season. Kopydlowski, a senior linebacker from Goodrich, carries a 3.96 GPA as a biology major. He is currently second on the team with 65 tackles this season.

Semelsberger, a senior wide receiver from Bloomfield Hills, carries a 3.58 GPA as an economics and business major. Semelsberger set school records for career receptions (241) and career receiving yards(2,783), and is currently ranked eighth in NCAA III in receptions per game. Andrzejewski, a senior offensive lineman from Saint Johns, carries a 3.48 GPA and is majoring in economics and business as well as psychology. Andrzejewski was an All-MIAA second team offensive lineman last season.

The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America/All-District program is coordinated and voted upon by members of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). To be nominated, a player must be a starter or significant reserve with a minimum 3.3 GPA.

Jimmy Semelsberger named MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Jimmy Semelsberger, a senior from Bloomfield Hills (Lahser HS), was named MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week. Semelsberger accounted for more than 200 yards of all-purpose running in Kalamazoo’s 41-20 loss to Trine. He caught a school record-tying 15 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, ran back four kickoffs for 68 yards and added 15 yards rushing on two attempts. Semelsberger, who leads the MIAA with 34 catches in league play, is being honored as Offensive Player of the Week for the first time this season and second time in his career.

Football suffers 41-20 loss at Trine
The football team suffered a 41-20 loss at league-leading Trine on Saturday, Oct. 24. The two teams were tied 7-7 midway through the second quarter, but Trine scored just before halftime to take a 14-7 lead into the break. Trine scored 20 straight points in the third quarter to go up 34-7. The Thunder rushed for 297 yards and had 496 yards of total offense. Kalamazoo passed for 325 yards and had 430 yards of total offense. Brandon Luczak passed for 299 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He set a new school record with his 30th touchdown pass of the season. Jimmy Semelsberger tied a school record with 15 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Cory McCain had six catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns to tie the school record with 23 career touchdown receptions. more>>

Football falls 33-23 to Alma on Homecoming
The football team suffered a 33-23 loss to Alma on Saturday, Oct. 17. Alma returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and took a 20-14 lead into halftime. Kalamazoo got within three points (26-23) with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter, but Alma came right back with a five minute scoring drive to go up 33-23. Kalamazoo drove to the Alma 34, but could not convert on fourth down and Alma was able to run out the clock for the win. Brandon Luczak passed for 279 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Ryan Bizzis had nine catches for 112 yards. Cory McCain had six catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Jimmy Semelsberger had five catches for 52 yards and became Kalamazoo College's all-time leading receiver with 2,663 yards. more>>

Football team and players among NCAA III leaders
The Kalamazoo College football team and several players currently rank among the national leaders in NCAA Division III through games of Oct. 10. The Hornets currently rank second in the nation in passing offense with 397.3 yards per game. Brandon Luczak leads the nation in passing yards with 2,358. He ranks second in completions per game (30.67), passing yards per game (393.0) and total offense yards per game (408.17). Cory McCain ranks fourth in scoring (14.0 pts/game) and sixth in receiving (132.83 yards/game). Jimmy Semelsberger ranks eighth in receptions per game (8.67) and 13th in receiving (117.83 yards/game). Kalamazoo hosts Alma on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Football wins 24-14 at Olivet
The football team won 24-14 at Olivet on Saturday, Oct. 14. Brandon Luczak passed for 393 yards with three touchdown passes to Cory McCain (139 yards receiving). McCain set a new school record with his 14th touchdown reception this season. Kalamazoo scored on three of its first four possessions, and took advantage of six Olivet turnovers in the win. more>>

Jimmy Semelsberger sets school record for career receptions
With six catches against Adrian College on Saturday, Oct. 3, Jimmy Semelsberger set the Kalamazoo College record for career receptions with 212. He currently ranks second in career receiving yards wtih 2,492.

Football suffers loss in MIAA opener
The football team suffered a 62-15 loss to Adrian in the MIAA opener on Saturday, Oct. 3. Adrian led 14-3 after the first quarter and took advantage of a huge second quarter to take a 41-15 lead into halftime. Adrian passed for 443 yards and rushed for 194 while holding Kalamazoo to 335 total yards. Brandon Luczak passed for 215 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Mikael Lott had four catches for 72 yards with a 60-yard touchdown reception. Dimeko Price rushed for 58 yards on eight carries and had a four-yard touchdown reception. more>>

Football Team/Players in NCAA National Rankings
The Kalamazoo College football team leads NCAA Division III with 440.75 passing yards per game. The Hornets are ninth in total offense (504.5 yards/game), 18th in scoring offense (39.75 points/game) and 16th in punt returns (15.88 yards/return). Brandon Luczak leads the nation in passing yards (437.5 per game) and total offense (446.75 yards/game). Cory McCain ranks third in receiving yards per game (156.75), sixth in scoring (16.5 points/game) and eighth in receptions per game (9.25). Jimmy Semelsberger ranks sixth in receiving yards per game (140.75), seventh in receptions per game (9.5) and 14th in punt returns (15.86 yards/return). Kalamazoo opens MIAA play at home on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Adrian.

Brandon Luczak named MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Brandon Luczak, a senior from Rochester Hills (Rochester HS), was selected as the MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week. Luczak set single-game school records for passing yardage and total offense in the Hornets’ 47-27 victory over Bluffton, Ohio. He completed 34-of-47 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns, and added 51 yards rushing on 11 carries and another score, adding up to 524 yards in total offense. Luczak, who is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time in his career, is averaging 437.5 yards through the air and has thrown for 19 touchdowns in helping Kalamazoo to a 3-1 start.

Football improves to 3-1 with 47-27 win over Bluffton
The football team improved to 3-1 on the season with a 47-27 win over Bluffton University on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kalamazoo scored the first 31 points of the game and took a 31-7 lead into halftime. Brandon Luczak set school records with 473 passing yards and 524 yards of total offense. With three touchdown receptions today, Cory McCain tied the school record with 11 touchdown receptions in a season. More >>

Football scores 34 second-half points to win 48-37 at Manchester
The football team scored 34 points in the second half to win 48-37 at Manchester College (Ind.) on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kalamazoo trailed 30-14 at halftime and 37-14 just over a minute into the third quarter, but Kalamazoo answered with 20 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth to claim the road victory. Brandon Luczak threw for 452 yards with six touchdown passes for the second straight week. Cory McCain had 13 catches for 192 yards with four touchdowns. Jimmy Semelsberger had 11 catches for 159 yards and a score. more>>

Cory McCain named MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Cory McCain, a junior wide receiver from Harper Woods (Grosse Pointe North HS), was selected as the MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week. McCain caught seven passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns Saturday as the Hornets trounced Rockford, Ill., 44-9. McCain caught a 45-yard touchdown strike on Kalamazoo’s first possession, and later caught touchdown passes of 13 and 15 yards.

Football wins home opener 44-9 over Rockford College
The football team took advantage of a huge second quarter on the way to a 44-9 win over visiting Rockford College on Saturday, Sept. 12. Leading 10-7 after the first quarter, Kalamazoo's Brandon Luczak threw four touchdown passes in the second quarter to take a 37-7 lead into halftime. Luczak finished with 417 passing yards and a school-record six touchdown passes. Jimmy Semelsberger had eight catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Cory McCain had seven catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Stephen Johnston rushed for 79 yards. Kalamazoo returns to action next Saturday at Manchester (Ind.) College. More>>

Football falls 37-20 at Denison in season opener
The football team lost its season opener 37-20 to Denison University on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kalamazoo trailed 30-20 in the fourth quarter and was in Denison territory, but the Big Red intercepted a pass and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown to go up 37-20. Brandon Luczak threw for 408 yards with two touchdowns and the interception. Cory McCain (136 yards) and Jimmy Semelsberger (108 yards) each had a receiving touchdown. Stephen Johnston had a rushing touchdown. Brandon Foutz led the defense with 12 total tackles. Brian Flahie had two tackles for loss. The Hornets face Rockford (Ill.) College at home at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. More>>

2009 Season Preview
Jamie Zorbo enters his second season as the Hornets’ head football coach in 2009. A 2000 graduate of Kalamazoo College, Zorbo led his alma mater to a 2-8 record last year, finishing 1-5 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The 2009 schedule should look familiar as the Hornets will face the same opponents from their 2008 campaign, culminating Nov. 14 at their archrival Hope in the battle for the “Wooden Shoes.”

OFFENSE
Last year was a record breaking year for the Kalamazoo offense. The Hornets’ high powered passing attack returns its two main cogs in quarterback Brandon Luczak and wide receiver Jimmy Semelsberger.

Brandon Luczak had a very memorable 2008 season, putting his name all over the Kalamazoo College record books. He set the single game record for total yardage against Trine, racking up 485 total yards. He also has the seventh most total yards in a game, recording 416 total yards against Albion. Other notable records from Luczak in 2008 include: passing yards in a game (3rd, 432 vs. Trine and t-6th, 416 vs. Albion); completions in a game (2nd, 38 vs. Albion); pass attempts in a game (t-2nd, 63 vs. Albion; 3rd, 57 vs. Trine and 13th, 46 vs. Alma); touchdown passes in a game (t-3rd, twice); total yards in a single season (2nd, 3,028); passing yards in a single season (3rd, 2,836); touchdown passes in a single season (t-3rd, 20); completions in a single season (1st, 247); and pass attempts in a single season (1st, 454).

Not to be outdone, Jimmy Semelsberger made a name for himself as Luczak’s favorite target. He recorded 12 catches in a game twice in 2008 (Adrian and Alma) which ties him for fifth most in Kalamazoo College history. He also had 11 catches against Trine and Hope, which ties him for ninth most in “K” history. Semelsberger also set the record for most receptions in a season with 90, and ranks third in school history with 1,053 yards receiving in a season while being selected to the All-MIAA First Team. During the 2009 season, Semelsberger has a chance to become the record holder in some very prestigious career marks. He needs only 44 receptions and 844 yards receiving to be the all time career leader in both statistical categories.

The offensive line that will be in charge of protecting this potent passing attack will be led by second-team All-MIAA player Jared Andrzejewski.

DEFENSE
A key to the 2009 season will be the improvement of the Hornet defense which gave up 357 points last year.
Three key seniors will be returning to the Hornet defense in linebackers Brandon Foutz, Nate Kopydlowski and defensive end Adam Manix.

Foutz led the team with 101 tackles in 2008. Kopydlowski had 67 tackles.

Adam Manix is going to be the veteran leader on the defensive line. Last year, Manix recorded 37 tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks. His 5.5 sacks in a season was good enough to tie him for seventh most in Kalamazoo College football history.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Hornets will look for a new kick returner following the graduation of Shane Nolan. Nolan handled the majority of the kick returns last year, averaging 23.6 yards per return. Jimmy Semelsberger fielded every punt last year netting a 17.8 yard average, including a 65-yard return.

The Hornets lose both their punter and kicker due to graduation. Brandon Baity had an average of 34.8 yard per punt last year and a long of 55 while kicker Jon Rea was a perfect five-for-five last year on field goals.

2009 MIAA Football Poll Announced
The 2009 MIAA Football Preseason Poll was announced at the 40th MIAA Fall Press Day on Thursday, Aug. 6th in Holland. Last year's conference champion Trine was picked in the combined poll to repeat as league champion. Coaches and media had differing views on their preseason predictions, however, with Adrian being picked as the favorite of coaches with four first-place votes. Trine, however, received four first-place votes among media to rank as their favorite. Kalamazoo was picked to finish sixth, the same spot as last year's finish. Poll Results (First-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Trine (7) 23 pts. 2. Adrian (5) 28. 3. Hope (2) 44. 4. Alma (1) 52. 5. Albion 53. 6. Kalamazoo 84. 7. Olivet 87.

Football Team volunteers with Race for the Cure
Sixteen members of the Kalamazoo College football team helped out behind the scenes at the 2009 Susan G. Komen Southwest Michigan Race for the Cure in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, May 16. The players and head coach Jamie Zorbo helped with everything from setting up on Friday to putting things away on Saturday. The football team provided assistance to a race that saw approximately 2,500 participants and raised over $250,000. For more information on Susan G. Komen Southwest Michigan or to make a donation, please visit: http://www.komenswmichigan.org/