The D3 Experience!

Junior offensive lineman, Chris Jarmon, writes a very popular blog entitled The D3 Experience that he started when he was at Colorado College.  Obviously, Chris' loyalties have turned in favor of the Scarlet & Black and we couldn't be happier to have him as a leader and a player for us.  Not to mention as a fellow blogger he's a pretty entertaining and informative writer.  Enjoy Chris' latest post and please check out all his previous work on his site.

The D3 Experience

Pioneers at Lambeau Field

On our way up to St. Norbert in De Pere, WI this past weekend, the Grinnell College Pioneers were able to take a tour of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI and here are some of the photos from the trip!

The Pioneer Offense

Walking out of the Packer Tunnel

The Pioneer Defense

Marquis Bradley '11 overlooks the field from one of the corporate suites

Marquis Bradley '11 Chosen to Play in Stars & Stripes All-Star Game!

Grinnell College’s Marquis Bradley ’11 has been chosen by a panel of NCAA Division III coaches to represent Team Stars & Stripes in the second annual Tázon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars).

The D-III All-Star team’s contest against the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico is slated for Dec. 18 at Tec de Monterrey Stadium in Toluca, Mexico.

Bradley, a 5-foot-11, 202-pound linebacker from Wichita, Kan. (Independence HS), has earned his share of honors this season. He was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week once and was also tabbed a Midwest Conference Defensive Performer of the Week.

Through eight games, Bradley has team-highs of 82 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also has two sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries for the Pioneers, who sit at 5-3 and are tied for 2nd place in the MWC.

Grinnell's Granera Named to D3Football.com Team of the Week!

 

For the second time this year, the Pioneers have a player named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week!  After his versatile performance in the dramatic comeback against Lawrence, Logan Granera was named to the team as a Special Teams performer.

Not only did he boot a 42-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half, he also returned two kickoffs for 74 yards including a 50-yard return, punted three times and kicked off six times for a 53.3-yard average.


He also had an 18-yard touchdown catch for the final score of the game while finishing with six catches for 69 yards overall.

See the full team here at D3Football.com.

Pioneers Serve Community Meal!

Last night, the Grinnell Pioneers took a couple hours to help prepare, serve, and clean up at the SAJG Community Meal here in town.  The community meal is free and helps senior citizens and the underprivileged and is put on by SAJG along with helpful groups like the Pioneer Football program.  Here are some photos from the meal:

Quinn Rosenthal '14, Hart Russell '14, Ki Harris '14, and Drew Blumberg '13 stir some chili

The Pioneer serving line

Logan Granera '12 helps carry a tray for a senior citizen

TJ Goetz '14 sits and chats with some dinner guests

Bradley and Granera Named MWC Players of the Week

Grinnell College players have claimed two of the three Midwest Conference Football Players of the Week honors.

Marquis Bradley ’11 (left), a 5-11, 218-pound linebacker from Wichita, Kan., was named Defensive Player of the Week and Logan Granera ’13 (right), a 5-11, 180-pound wide receiver/kicker/kick returner from Keokuk, Iowa, was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week.

Bradley and Granera both had dominating performances in the Pioneers’ 31-17 come-from-behind win over Lawrence University Saturday.

Bradley had a coming up with a game-high 13 tackles to go along with a momentum-shifting interception and fumble recovery. He now has 75 tackles on the season.

Granera put his versatility on display against Lawrence. Not only did he boot a 42-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half, he also returned two kickoffs for 74 yards including a 50-yard return, punted three times and kicked off six times for a 53.3-yard average. He also had an 18-yard touchdown catch for the final score of the game while finishing with six catches for 69 yards overall.

It was the second time this year that Granera was named Player of the Week, having earned the honor as the Offensive Performer of the Week back on September 20 for his performance against Ripon.

The efforts of Bradley and Granera helped Grinnell rally from a 17-0 deficit against Lawrence with 31 unanswered points as the Pioneers improved to 5-2, their best start since 1998.

Big Rally Secures Fifth Win of Season!

Saturday afternoon at Rosenbloom Field provided the stage for a phenomenal comeback as the Pioneers overcame an early three-score deficit to rally and triumph over the visiting Lawrence Vikings 31-17.  The victory improved Grinnell's record to 5-2 overall and they remained tied for 2nd place in the MWC just one game behind conference leader, Ripon.

Leading the fervent rally were Mike McCabe '13, who threw 4 TDs and 240 yards, and Robert Seer '12, who hauled in 3 TDs and 113 yards on 7 catches.  Defensively, Marquis Bradley '11 led the home team with 13 tackles, an INT and a fumble recovery.

Read the full game story here.

The Pioneers head to battle St. Norbert, also 4-2 in MWC play, on their Homecoming this Saturday! 
Go Pioneers!

Grinnell Falls to Knox

Committing 8 turnovers and 11 penalties, the Pioneers lost to the Knox Prairie Fire 31-21 on Saturday on a hot October day in Galesburg, IL.  The win drops Grinnell to 4-2 on the season and at 3-2 in MWC play, still just one game back of league leaders Ripon and Carroll with four to play. 

The game got off to a great start as the offense took the first series down and scored on a Mike Bogard '12 to Kelsey Davis '12 17-yard strike.  From that point forward however, nothing went right for the visiting Pioneers.  Trailing 17-7 at halftime, the Pioneers had plenty of fight in them as they cut the lead to 3 points twice in the 2nd half, to 17-14 on a Robert Seer '12 28 yard catch and run with 5:30 left in the 3rd quarter and then again cut the lead to 24-21 on a Jason Peters '14 two yard scoring plunge with 13:00 minutes left in the game. 

Knox proved up to the challenge and played the better game on Saturday, now it's time to regroup and get back to playing Pioneer football!  With energy, pride, and passion!

Next game brings the Vikings of Lawrence University to Rosenbloom Field this Saturday for a 1 pm kickoff!

Go Pioneers!

Game Photos!

Grinnell College student Ben Brewer '11 took some more action photos during the Pioneers win over Beloit this Saturday.  Here are some of the best.  Thanks Ben!

Ryan Fletcher '11 corrals a Beloit returner

The Pioneers line up for another extra-point attempt

TJ Schaid '13 finds a crease behind Jake McVeigh '11

Logan Granera '12 hauls in one of his 11 catches

Colton Feller '14 and Ryan Fletcher '11 celebrate Feller's fumble recovery

Pioneers Victorious Over Beloit!

Jumping out to a 24-7 halftime lead was plenty for Grinnell on Saturday afternoon at Rosenbloom field as the Pioneers beat the visiting Beloit Buccaneers 24-21.  Grinnell now sits at 4-1 overall and 3-1 in MWC and is tied for 2nd place in the MWC standings trailing only the Ripon Red Hawks.  Grinnell is off to their best start since the 1999 season.

Colton Feller '14

The game was a balanced affair aside from the Pioneers collecting 4 turnovers defensively and only giving away 1 on offense.  Colton Feller '14 had an interception and a fumble recovery, while Ryan Fletcher '11 had a pick off a batted ball by defensive end Matt John '12.  Marc Heronemus '11 also had a fumble recovery and 3 pass break-ups.

TJ Schaid '13

Offensively, the men in black were led by running back T.J. Schaid '13, collecting 1 TD and 89 yards on 23 carries.  Schaid's help in pass protection also kept quarterback Mike Bogard '12 from being sacked and allowed receiver Logan Granera '12 to haul in another big day with 11 catches for 126 yards.

Read the full game story here.

The Pioneers head back on the road next Saturday to take on Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

Go Pioneers!