Mike McCabe '13 Named MWC Player of the Week!

Pioneer quarterback Mike McCabe '13 was named Midwest Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his 7 touchdown performance in Saturday's 49-34 win over Lake Forest.

Mike completed 26 of 37 passes for 320 yards 5 touchdowns and no interceptions.  He also rushed for 28 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

See the official MWC release here.

Pioneers Explode Against Lake Forest!

On a beautiful fall afternoon at Rosenbloom Field, in front of a terrific Family Weekend crowd, the Pioneers handled the visitors from Lake Forest 49-34.

Quarterback Mike McCabe '13 led the Pioneer offensive output

Quarterback Mike McCabe '13 had a hand in all 7 offensive touchdowns, throwing 5 and running for 2.  Receivers Robert Seer '12 (11 receptions for 156 yards and 3 TDs) and Logan Granera '12 (6 for 81 yards and 2 TDs) helped the offense score more points in any game since 2001.

Safety Kelsey Davis '12 and linebacker Richard Renteria '15 led the defensive effort with 13 tackles each, while cornerback Seth Gustafson '14 had an interception and nose tackle Tom Brinkman '13 had a fumble recovery and a crucial 4th-down pass breakup.

Pioneer Players of the Week were awarded to:
Mike McCabe '13 - Offense
Brian Taylor '13 - Defense
Daniel Munger '15 - Special Teams
Max Keller '14 - Practice
David Ternes '15 - Rookie

More photos and video highlights to follow!

See the official game story here.

Ripon Pulls Away From Pioneers

After leading on two different occasions in the first half and only trailing 17-14 at halftime, the Grinnell College Pioneers weren't able to stay with the Ripon Redhawks, losing 38-20.  After restraining the Redhawks triple option offense to just two touchdowns in the first half, the hosts took to the air and threw more pass attempts than they had in the season's first two games combined.

Cody Weber '13

 Standouts for the Pioneers include safeties Drew Blumberg '13 (14 tackles) and Kelsey Davis '12 (11 tackles), wide receiver/running back Cody Weber '13 (100 yards of total offense and one touchdown), and cornerback/kick returner Andrew Clark '14 (1 INT and 55 kick return yards).

Check out the official game story here.

2011 Senior Profiles: Kelsey Davis

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each Thursday, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior free safety Kelsey Davis...

 Name: Kelsey Davis
Hometown: Claremore/ Broken Arrow, OK

High School: Broken Arrow High School
Major: Biology

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
Coming out of high school I had several opportunities in terms of where I could go for college, Grinnell was by far the best educational opportunity as well as one of the few I could still play football. Also I had to weigh in the opinions of my parents who agreed that Grinnell would be the best place of opportunity for me to secure my future.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My favorite pioneer moment would have to be when I scored the opening touchdown of the season my sophomore year.

Plans after graduation?
I plan to go to a cardio-pulmonary perfusion grad program and become a licensed perfusionist.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
I don't really have a favorite professional team because my state doesn't have any for me to be loyal too (except for the Thunder basketball team but that is very recent), but it is definitely not any team from Dallas!

Favorite Division I team:
Boomer Sooner baby! Have to support my home state heroes! (being number one doesn't hurt their fan base either) Face it Jimmy, OK > IL

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:
My favorite song at the moment is probably Drop the World by Lil Wayne & Eminem, It talks about overcoming all of the doubters and adversities in life and coming back stronger; it is inspirational in saying to pick yourself up when you get knocked down.

Favorite Course at Grinnell:
My favorite course is a toss up between Physics II and Biology 395 (virology), both courses catch my interest so there really is no clear winner.

Interesting facts about you:

Spring semester of my senior year in high school I was part of a national championship cheerleading team.

Pioneers Fall To Monmouth

Both teams observed a moment of silence in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11

Despite almost 400 yards of total offense the Pioneers couldn't keep up with the visiting Monmouth College Scots in Saturday's home opener at Rosenbloom Field, losing 61-20.

Nick Hinojosa '13

Suffering a couple key defensive injuries early, the Scots opened up a good lead very quickly and never looked back.  It's on to Ripon College next Saturday to keep that road record spotless!

Richard Renteria '15 closes in for a tackle

See the official game story here.

Chris Jarmon '12 Is Back To Blogging!

Grinnell College's own, Chris Jarmon, has been running his blog site, The D3 Experience, since he started his college football career at Colorado College.  Since transferring to Grinnell, he's continued to provide insightful, humorous, and fresh material.  His latest post, published last night, talks a bit about his summer internship at ESPN and about the start of his senior season...

I said goodbye to the wonderful employees and fellow interns at ESPN on August 5th, and the following Monday I started driving back to Iowa for camp. I was overjoyed to see my teammates again, since they are what makes the game of football truly fun.

Read the full post here.

2011 Senior Profiles: Ryan Creps

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each Thursday, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior linebacker and captain, Ryan Creps...

Name: Ryan Creps

Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa

High School: Grinnell High School           

Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?

Out of all of the schools I considered, Grinnell presented me the most unique college experience. Grinnell has a great academic reputation and the best academic and athletic facilities in D3. Moreover, the school’s diverse and international focus meant I was able to stay in my hometown and develop a global perspective. The icing on the cake was the chance to continue playing football in front of my friends and family. Most importantly, Grinnell was able to make this experience very affordable for my family.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Check back with me in December.

Plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to live and work abroad for a few years before returning to the United States, where I plan to pursue a career in higher education administration.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
Kansas City Chiefs

Favorite Division I team:
Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:
Colder Weather, Zac Brown Band
Freakonomics and Super Freakonomics, Steven Levitt

Forrest Gump

Mexican food

Favorite Course at Grinnell:
Historical Perspectives on U.S. Education, Deborah Michaels

Interesting facts about you:
Before coming to Grinnell, I had never been on an airplane or outside the Central Standard Time Zone. Proudly, I can say neither of those are true anymore.

Rob Seer '12 Earns MWC Player of Week Honors!

Pioneer Wide Receiver, Rob Seer '12, has earned the first MWC Offensive Player of the Year honor of 2011!

From the MWC release:
Seer caught seven passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns as Grinnell won its season opener, 31-6 over Macalester College. Among his TDs were a 5-yard catch from Trent Baker early in the fourth period and a 78-yard completion from Mike McCabe later in the period.

See the complete weekly football release here.

Highlights From Saturday's Win Over Macalester!

Check out a short highlight video of the 31-6 victory this past weekend.

Pioneers are in the black jerseys...

Pioneers Open With a W!

The visiting Grinnell Pioneers christened their 2011 season in a big way, with a 31-6 victory over Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota this afternoon.

Mike McCabe '13    Courtesy: Jody Russell

After a scoreless 1st quarter, the guests tacked on 10 quick points just before the half using a successful onside kick sandwiched between the scores.  Things were put away in the 4th, with three scoring aerial strikes, two to Rob Seer '12 and one to Cody Weber '13.

Check out the official game story here and the box score here.

Photos and highlights to follow early this week.

2011 home opener is Saturday against Monmouth!  Come out to Rosenbloom and support the Scarlet and Black!

2011 Senior Profiles: Jimmy Borrasso

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each Thursday, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  To begin with... quarterback, Jimmy Borrasso.

 Name:  Jimmy Borrasso

Hometown: Lake Forest, IL

High School: Lake Forest High School
Major:  Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? Obviously Grinnell offers an education that rivals any in the nation, which was very important to me when I was deciding where to go to school.  However, what set Grinnell apart from everywhere else I was looking was the guys on the team.  I visited Kenyon, which essentially is the same school as Grinnell just in Ohio not Iowa, and I never truly felt welcome there.  But when I visited Grinnell there was an instant connection and warm atmosphere, you knew that everyone wanted you there.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment? My favorite football moment was my freshman year against Ripon.  We had been beaten badly that day (we were shut out up to this point) but in the fourth quarter I got in, led a drive down the field and threw my first collegiate touchdown to Rob Seer.  Having my first touchdown be thrown to a close friend was a pretty sweet moment.

Plans after graduation?  I plan on getting a job in the field of finance, preferably as an investment consultant

Favorite Professional Sports Team:  Chicago Bears (clearly the best team in the NFC North, despite any argument by Matt John or Robert Seer)

Favorite Division I team:  Northwestern 

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:  Favorite book: Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Taleb

Favorite Course at Grinnell:  Applied Game Theory (Economics class)

Interesting facts about you: I also play on the golf team at Grinnell and was voted the most improved player last year.  

Media Day Photos

Our second annual Media Day was held this past Saturday before our scrimmage.  Here are some of the more memorable photos taken...

Issac Chadri '15 can do what most offensive linemen can't

The Pioneer Defensive Line

Pioneer Receiving Threats

California Crew

2011 Pioneer Seniors

Strength and Speed!

Here's a mini-highlight video of our pre-season speed and strength testing workouts:



One week from today we open up our season at Macalester College!

Pictures from Camp!

With classes starting tomorrow, today was the last day of "training camp".  The past two weeks have flown by but we continue to be excited about this year's Pioneer Football team.  All signs point to a great season opener next weekend up at Macalester College!

Below are some pictures taken during practice by Alysia Horcher '15.  Thanks Alysia!

Down the line of scrimmage during an Inside Run period

Getting some extra work in!

Rob Seer '12 hauls in a deep ball during Competition

Coming together at the end of the day...

We're Back!

The Pioneers 2011 campaign is officially underway.  Players reported to campus on Thursday and with only 3 practices under our belt it's clear we are headed for a great season!

We've had plenty of fun in the first few days as well, including the annual fishing derby where safety Drew Blumberg '13 caught this 28-inch catfish!

More videos, updates, and photos to come as we inch closer to opening our season September 3rd at Macalester College!

Pioneer Summer Workout Videos

These two videos are demonstrations of our 2011 Summer Workout program.  First one is the strength portion and the second is the speed portion.

High School Football Camp!

The 3rd Annual Pioneer High School Football Camp is this June 24th and 25th!

The non-padded camp will consist of 3 sessions, including a 7-on-7 Competition, Offensive and Defensive Line Challenge, individual instruction on the fundamentals of the game, and instruction on: hang clean, bench press, vertical jump, and 40-yard dash.

For more information, including how to register, get the 2011 brochure!

Ryan Creps Study Abroad in South Africa!

Linebacker Ryan Creps '12 is studying abroad this semester in Cape Town, South Africa.  We asked Ryan to update us a little bit on his experience and this is what he had to say:

After spending every winter in the snowy Midwest, I decided to take a tip from the birds and head south this winter for a semester abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. As a small town Iowan, who had never left the central time zone or been on an airplane before heading to college, I have found my time in Cape Town to be quite a learning experience.  Not to mention, the enrollment of UCT is 23,000, over twice the size of my hometown! However, I have yet to be overwhelmed and I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Cape Town thus far.

With the mountains and beaches each within thirty minutes of my apartment, my weekends have been filled with plenty of outdoor adventures. As midterm break is fast approaching, I have made plans to spend a week at Kruger National Park on a safari and a few days in Gaborone, Botswana, where other Grinnellians are currently studying. Likewise, over the Easter holiday, I will be spending a week with a group of friends camping and sand surfing in deserts of Namibia. I have had a blast this semester and would study abroad again if given the opportunity. However, spending the offseason thousands of miles away from my teammates has been difficult. I found an excellent gym that allows me to complete my workouts and email, Skype, and Facebook have made staying in contact with the team simple. Yet, the camaraderie developed during 6 am workouts, the competitive intensity of 7-on-7, and the constant presences of forty other guys working towards a common goal cannot be replicated by technology. Though I could stay in Cape Town forever, I am exciting to get back to Grinnell and spend the summer with my teammates, preparing for the 2011 season.

Marquis Trains for Post-Season Combines

Coming off his succesful performance in the Aztec Bowl, senior linebacker Marquis Bradley has decided to try to continue his playing career beyond his four years at Grinnell College.  Marquis has been training for several post-season combines, and he'll compete at his first one Saturday, March 26th in Los Angeles.  We'll keep you posted on his progress.  Good luck Marquis!

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