The Muskingum University football team, under the direction of first-year head coach Erik Ieuter, will look to challenge for an upper-tier spot in their 2018 Ohio Athletic Conference campaign. 

 

Ieuter, an effective, championship-winning coach with a record of success and student achievement at every level, has instilled a new energy and commitment to the Fighting Muskie program. Ieuter's winning vision for the Muskies will be spearheaded by a strong group of 30 returning letterwinners which include sophomore quarterback Brody Hahn, senior tight end Granger Long, sophomore offensive lineman TJ Boyd, senior defensive lineman Staci Wilson, senior linebacker Brandon Schon, and sophomore defensive back Brian Brown.

 

Hahn led the Muskie offense last season en route to setting numerous school marks. Hahn set marks for passing yards in season (2,026), pass completions in a season (177), pass attempts in a season (326), total offense for a season (2,396 - 2,026 pass/370 rush) and tied the record for touchdown passes in a season (14). Furthermore, he became the first-ever Muskie to amass 400 yards of total offense in a game with his 427-yard performance (364 passing/63 rushing) at Otterbein.

 

Long was second on the team with 38 receptions for 361 yards and three touchdowns. He will enter his final season having amassed 90 catches for 885 yards and six scores.

 

Boyd helped anchor the offensive line which allowed the Muskies to churn out 324.2 yards and 18.6 points per game. 

 

Wilson, Schon, and Brown all return to lead the Muskie defense.

 

Wilson, a Second Team All-OAC honoree, finished last season with 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. He recorded a season-high nine tackles against Baldwin Wallace while adding one sack and three tackles for loss. Wilson will enter his final campaign with 103 career stops.

 

Schon racked up 56 tackles including two sacks for 15 yards and six tackles for loss for 33 yards. He tied a career-best with eight stops in several games.

 

Brown led the defensive secondary with 47 tackles and ranked second in the OAC with six interceptions which included a career-high two against Wilmington. 

 

With the return of a talented veteran-laden squad, combined with a strong recruiting class, Coach Ieuter will have plenty of options to field a potent team. 

 

Muskingum opens the season on Saturday, September 1, at Waynesburg. The Muskies begin Ohio Athletic Conference play at Ohio Northern on Saturday, September 8. Muskingum's home-opener is slated for Saturday, September 15, against Marietta in the annual Shriners Game in McConagha Stadium.