The Muskingum University football team, under the direction of veteran Head Coach Al Logan, returns a wealth of talent to the field in 2016. The Muskies have 24 lettermen back, including nine starters on offense, 10 starters on defense and two starters on special teams.
The Muskies' spread-option offense, which racked up 275.2 yards and 18.1 points per game, will be directed by senior quarterback Griffin Degener. Last season, Degener played in seven games.
Joining Degener in the backfield will be sophomore running back Jordan Scanlon. Scanlon rushed for 326 yards and three touchdowns and also added 55 receiving yards.
Junior Damon Jones returns as the top receiver for the Muskies. Jones hauled in 16 catches for 334 yards. He averaged 37.1 receiving yards per game and scored three touchdowns.
Sophomore Granger Long will be returning at tight end. Last season, Long had 13 receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown.
The offensive line will be anchored by senior Christopher Hoffman.
Senior Samuel Green, who was named Third Team All-North Region and First Team All-OAC in 2014, will return from injury as one of the top punters in the nation. He is a two-time all-league selection.
On the defensive side, senior linebacker Chaney Fulton will lead the unit. Fulton, who was named an Honorable Mention All-American and the OAC Gene Slaughter Co-Most Outstanding Linebacker in 2014, led the OAC with 98 tackles, which included 44 solo stops. He ranked second in the conference in tackles per game with 10.9.
Joining Fulton to help anchor the defensive unit will be junior linebacker Mick Fishel, sophomore linebacker Traci Wilson, and sophomore nose tackle Staci Wilson. Fishel recorded one fumble recovery and had one interception. Traci Wilson had 17 tackles in eight games. Staci Wilson recorded 26 stops.
The defensive secondary will be led by seniors Dorian Maynard and Melvin Smith. Maynard had 34 tackles and was second on the team with two interceptions. Smith will be making his career-debut in the secondary, coming from his former position at running back where he has rushed for over 1,000 yards.
Muskingum will also benefit from a blue-chip recruiting class that will add talent and depth to the team.
Muskingum opens the season at Waynesburg on Saturday, September 3 at 1:30 p.m. Muskingum's first home and Ohio Athletic Conference game is against Capital on Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. at McConagha Stadium. All home games will feature Live Video, Stats and Audio on fightingmuskies.com.
