2011 Senior Profiles: Stephen Hudak

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each week, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior offensive tackle Stephen Hudak...

 

Name:  Stephen Hudak
Hometown: Anacortes, Washington

High School: Anacortes High School
Major: Political Science and Environmental Science Concentration

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? 

Grinnell was academically the best school i was accepted to. It was an easy choice as i wanted the best education i could get.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?  

My favorite Pioneer moment was our 17-15 victory over Monmouth last year. There was so much energy and enthusiasm on that field as the clock wound down and our win was assured. Beating Monmouth was a huge leap forward for our team, and this win far surpassed my last dark-horse win from high school. I knew great things would come for us after that moment.

Plans after graduation?
Nothing solid, but i have plenty of pathways i can see myself headed on. Potentially working in the state department foreign service, or alternately in environmental resource management. But i will go wherever the opportunities open up.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
Coming from the Seattle area, I am a big Seahawks supporter.

Favorite Division I team:
I am not a huge fan of D1 football, but as a Navy brat, I love watching the Navy Midshipmen, especially in the Army-Navy game. I make it a point to see that game every year.

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food: 
Favorite food: Pizza Margherita ... Favorite Movie: Aliens ... Favorite Book: Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card ... No favorite song as my tastes are always changing.

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 
A toss up between Roman Art and Archaeology and Earth Systems Science

Interesting facts about you:
I am a Navy brat so I have been around the world. I was born in Japan, have lived on both US coasts, and spent three fondly remembered years living in Naples, Italy. Enjoyed some fine food there.

Inside Grinnell

On the College's homepage there is a great photo essay on all relevant information about Grinnell, from the website:

Join us for a quick look at life at Grinnell. Meet a few of our students, along with our exceptional faculty, our world-class facilities, and our charming prairie town location.

Feel the warm welcome and strong sense of community that awaits you here. See our discussion-based, inquiry-focused, collaborative teaching and learning philosophy in action. Experience our long heritage of social justice activism. Get a taste of this exceptional and surprising place … a place called Grinnell College.

Photos from Lake Forest Game

Our own Alysia Horcher '15 takes some great photos for us and she delivered again this past Saturday.  Here's some of the best from the Pioneer victory:

The Family Weekend crowd reacts to a Pioneer win!

Jason Peters '14 fights for yards after one of his 4 catches

Seth Gustafson '14 makes a crucial touchdown saving tackle

Mike McCabe '13 extends for the pylon to get the Pioneers to 49 points, the team's highest output since 2001

2011 Senior Profiles: Logan Granera

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each week, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior wide receiver Logan Granera...

Name: Logan Granera

Hometown:  Keokuk, IA

High School: Keokuk High School
Major:  Biology

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? 

Coming out of high school, I debated going to Grinnell or going to Truman State.  I chose Truman State because I thought it would be cool to play Division II football despite feeling much more comfortable on my visit to Grinnell.  I soon realized the mistake I had made and as soon as I finished my first year I looked in to transferring to Grinnell.  I really wish I would have come here straight out of high school because as a senior, an extra year at Grinnell seems invaluable.  It is my teammates and coaches that truly make the difference here.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?

It is too difficult to choose one moment as my favorite, but watching Rob Seer drop kick a pylon in practice has to be up there.

Plans after graduation?

I plan on going to Chiropractic school upon graduation.

Favorite Professional Sports Team: 

Indianapolis Colts

Favorite Division I team:

The Ohio State University

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food: 

Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World/The Bible/Good Will Hunting/Mac&Cheese

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 

Animal Physiology

Interesting facts about you:

I have never been in the Laurel Leaf Lounge

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.