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BUIES CREEK, N.C. – In its sixth season of football in the modern era, Campbell begins a new direction in 2013, following first year head coach and former NFL great Mike Minter.
The former Carolina Panthers standout and Nebraska Football Hall of Famer was named the Camels' second head coach of its modern program on November 27, and Minter has hit the ground running, officially announcing his first coaching staff on Dec. 20 and his first recruiting class on Feb. 7.
The mindset surrounding the program has seen significant change since the 2012 Camels went 1-10 overall and 0-8 in Pioneer Football League play. Changing that mindset is one of Minter's pillars when he speaks about the future success of Campbell University Football.
Talk to almost anyone involved with CU Football, faculty, staff, fans, students, and there is almost no mention of the 2012 season. Their focus is forward and full of excitement for what the Camels, led by Minter, can bring to Buies Creek and the PFL.
Barker-Lane Stadium expansion
Another reason for excitement around Buies Creek is the expansion of Barker-Lane Stadium, which has been the home of Campbell Football since the program restarted in 2008. The stadium has served the Camels in a temporary capacity since then, and will host games in its completed version for the first time in 2013.
The completion of the project includes a new grandstand, to serve as the "home side" for the Camels, as well as a state of the art, two deck press box. The first level of the tower will be the presidential suite, with the second hosting all media and game day operations, as well as coaches. Areas for video and observation will also be available on the roof of the tower.
The temporary configuration was removed in December 2012, and progress began on the facility immediately after with foundation, ground and utility work. In June, the facility began to rise, and in weeks, the structure began to take shape.
The project is set to be completed before the Camels' home opener against UVa.-Wise on Sept. 7.
Schedule
Before that home opener, the Camels first open the season at football newcomer Charlotte on Aug. 31 at brand new Richardson Stadium. The 49ers will be playing their first ever football game.
The Camels will host UVa.-Wise in their 2013 home opener, playing the Cavaliers for the third time in four seasons. CU is 2-0 all-time against UVa.-Wise with a 10-0 home win last season and a 20-16 victory on the road in 2010. The Cavaliers were 3-8 last year.
Charleston Southern then comes to Buies Creek on Sept. 14. The game will be the Camels' first in the modern era against the Buccaneers or a Big South Conference member. CSU was 5-6 overall in 2012.
After an open week, Campbell dives into PFL play, opening on the road at Valparaiso on Sept. 28, while hosting its first conference game of the year on Oct. 5 with Morehead State.
Campbell also hosts Jacksonville on Oct. 19, Mercer on Oct. 26 and Marist on Nov. 9 at Barker-Lane Stadium.
The Camels will also travel to Butler on Oct. 12 and PFL newcomer Stetson on Nov. 2 before closing the regular season at Davidson on Nov. 2.
A late addition to the team's 2013 slate, Campbell will play at first year FBS member Old Dominion on Nov. 16 in the team's final nonconference test. With the addition, the Camels will be playing 12 games in a season for the first time since the program was relaunched in 2008. ODU will also be Campbell's first FBS opponent, with the Monarchs transitioning to FBS classification after spending their first four seasons at the FCS level.
The Camels and Monarchs have matched up in each of the last four seasons.
Charlotte, Mercer and Stetson are all first-year football programs on the Camels' 2013 schedule.
PFL preseason poll: Camels picked eighth
Campbell has been picked to finish eighth in the 2013 Pioneer Football League Coaches Poll.
San Diego, which has won a share of the last two PFL regular season titles, was picked to win the 2013 crown, with an automatic bid into the now 24-team 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship on the line for the first time in the conference's history.
USD received five of a possible 12 first-place votes and 111 of a maximum 121 points. Butler was ranked second by one point after receiving four first-place votes. Drake and Jacksonville were picked to finish tied for third with 99 points, receiving one and two first-place votes, respectively.
Dayton (5th, 85 points), Marist (6th, 67 points) and Morehead State (7th, 65 points) take slots 5-7.
Campbell (8th, 49 points), Davidson (9th, 42) and Valparaiso (10th, 32) occupy the poll's next three spots, while newcomers Mercer (11th, 20) and Stetson (12th, 13) round out the 12-team poll.
Lutz represents Camels on PFL Preseason All-Conference team
Junior punter Adam Lutz has been named to the 2013 Preseason All-Pioneer Football League team.
Lutz was named Second Team All-PFL at punter as a sophomore in 2012, punting 67 times for 2705 yards with a 40.4 per kick average. He tallied a long punt of 68 yards with 16 punts inside the 20, 13 fair catches and two touchbacks, also kicking off 31 times for 1657 yards, averaging 53.5 yards per kick with three touchbacks.
Lutz also collected Second Team Academic All-PFL honors and earned PFL Academic Honor Roll recognition. He tallied an Honorable Mention for National Punter of the Week from the CFPA after punting five times for a 47.4 average with a career long of 62 yards and two punts inside the 20 against Valparaiso.
The Waxhaw, N.C. native was also named to Phil Steele's 2013 Preseason All-PFL squad.
Camels by position
Quarterback – The Camels enter their 2013 training camp with a position battle at quarterback with returning starter Dakota Wolf and Liberty transfer Brian Hudson. The pair, both seniors, slightly different approaches to the position. Wolf led the Camels in rushing once penciled in starter Braden Smith was lost for much of the season due to injury, putting up 617 yards on the ground and another 801 passing. Hudson was the starting signal caller for the Flames entering the 2012, passing for 498 yards and four touchdowns with 70 yards rushing in 11 games, making two starts.
Highly touted freshman David Salmon from nearby Middle Creek High School, plus returners Riley Gallaher and Luke Sirgo will provide depth at the position.
Running back – 2012 starter, senior Kurt Odom, returns for the Camels. Odom, who tied a Campbell single-game record with 170 rushing yards at Morehead State last season, totaled 489 yards on 111 carries with six touchdowns for the year, also topping the team in receptions. A number of others could share the load with the senior, including returners Kyle Clark and Josh Williams, who received carries for CU last season. Damien Booe, Derice Mills and Akile Jones, all coming off redshirt years, also could enter the mix, while freshmen Keith Goss, DeShawn Jones or David Mayaka could provide immediate impact.
Fullback – Returning 2012 Second Team All-PFL fullback Dalton Dillon played nearly every down at fullback for the Camels in 2012, posted 146 yards on the ground with a score. The sophomore will be joined by Georgia Southern transfer, bruiser Michael Benis. Kevin Collins and Andrew Gonzalez will also provide depth.
Wide receiver – The CU receiving corps will feature a mix of veterans and talented newcomers. A.J. Artis, Ben Bolling, Jordan Hildreth, Chad McMichael and Jabri Ridenhour, who all return, made up five of the Camels' leading receivers in 2012, along with Odom out of the backfield. Bolling paced the team in yards with 210 on 18 catches. Artis and Ridenhour also posted 18 catches during the year, while McMichael and Hildreth posted 12 and 17, respectively, for a combined 294 yards.
Darius Carter, Brandon Jones and Jonathon Rogers could also see expanded roles, while a host of others could enter the fold.
Tight end – Two-year starter Alex Green is the leading candidate at tight end. Hunter Somerville, who started two games as a redshirt freshman in 2012, will also see time, while Michael Jorgenson and Shawn Millsap, both coming off redshirt seasons, as well as freshman Sheldon Williams will provide added security. Green hauled in 11 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in 2012.
Offensive line – On the offensive line, where the Camels were, perhaps the youngest last season, the team returns nearly the most experience of any position in 2013. Five returners started six or more games last season, including tackles Dylan McSteen (7) and Laurin O'Briant (6), with guard Will Sawyer, center Dalton Brown and guard Jacob Brewer starting all 11 contests. On top of those five, fifth-year senior guard Daniel Ritter, who started the first three games of 2012 before being sidelined with an injury, is also back.
Brice Sessoms, who also started a game while playing in eight as a freshman at center and guard, will see time, while Corey Smart and Brooks Gross, coming off redshirt years, plus seven freshman will provide needed depth to the Camels' front line.
Defensive line – On the defensive side of the trenches, the Camels' line remains intact with Isaac Scott, Lucas Smith and Dwan Hanshaw, though Andrew Yost moves back to linebacker with the switch from a 4-2-5 to a traditional 4-3 defense. Scott, an honorable mention All-PFL performer as a redshirt sophomore last season after notching 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 12.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Smith added 52 tackles, 6.0 for loss and 4.0 sacks, also recovering a fumble.
The trio of Taurean Lynch, Bobby Gazak and Dustin Young also combined for 3.5 sacks a year ago, while Alvin Adebule, LeShawn Edouard and Ugonna Awuruonye will add impact at the position.
Linebacker – Matt Farris, the Camels' leading returning tackler from 2012, will anchor the linebacker unit after posting 88 stops last season. Staple Michael Rudisill, a redshirt senior who made 29 tackles last season, and Yost, who registered 56 stops as a redshirt freshman, will make up the base of the group. Fellow returners Hassan Williamson, Luke Hill, John Alford and Jake Barr add to the unit's depth, while Darren Flowers will lead a group of talented freshmen linebackers looking to enter the lineup.
Defensive line – After losing stalwarts Steth Monroe, Brandon Chandler and Paul Pizzuti in the defensive backfield, the Camels' will have a new look in 2013. Aaron Nichols, Jaylan Adlam, Brandon Stegall, Brandon Mobley and Avonte Williams, who all logged significant time in 2012 will be expected to take on the load, while Nick Drew will also serve an expanded role. Nine newcomers will also vie for position on the Campbell two-deep.
Special teams – Junior punter Adam Lutz, a 2012 Second Team All-PFL performer and 2013 Preseason All-PFL team member, returns to anchor the Campbell specialists. Lutz boasted a 40.4 per kick average with 16 punts inside the 20. Long snapper Danny Dillon, a redshirt sophomore, also returns, while a position battle will sorted out during camp to secure the Camels' placekicking duties. Last season's starter Sam Eberwein, lost to graduation, will be replaced by either Jarrett Ozimek, Alex Biby or Michael McNeely.
PFL gains FCS championship AQ with 2013 bracket expansion
Beginning in 2013, the Pioneer Football League will gain access to the Division I Football Championship through an automatic bid as a result of the NCAA Board of Directors approving a budget that will allow expansion of the tournament to 24 teams.
The championship's 2013 expansion is the second this decade. The bracket grew from 16 to 20 teams in 2010, its first expansion since 1978.
The PFL joins 10 conferences currently awarded an automatic bid, placed into the 24-team bracket by the NCAA Football Championship selection committee along with 13 at-large qualifiers. The committee will select its eight national seeds which will receive first-round byes. The remaining 16 teams will then be placed in the bracket with an emphasis on geographical proximity.
The PFL, which began with four members upon its inception in 1991, expands to 12 members in 2013. It is the nation's only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference.
