New excitement surrounds Rams camp

MOUNT VERNON - A new attitude emanated from Ash Park.

There is a renewed energy surrounding the Cornell football program. Something that had dwindled in recent years.

"It's exciting," sophomore Nick Brautigam said. "It's completely different atmosphere from last year."

The hope is it leads to different results than last year, too. Cornell will look to rebound from an 0-10 season when it opens the 2011 football schedule Sept. 3 at Olivet (Mich.) College. It also marks the 14th and final season in the Iowa Conference after a 15-year relationship.

Second-year Cornell head coach Vince Brautigam has 33 freshman from his first full recruiting class and compose more than half of the roster. The infusion has benefitted the entire team.

"They're bringing a little big of new energy," senior linebacker and former West Branch prep Tyler Bailey said. "They help us and we feed off of it. So far, we've had a lot of fun, but worked pretty hard in camp."

This class will make an immediate impact, providing some depth for a team that ranked near the bottom of the conference in most categories. Brautigam expects their enthusiasm and work ethic to overcome some of the youthful mistakes that accompany first-year players. They provide potential for a bright future as well.

"It's only going to get better," Brautigam said. "We're going to build a solid team, not only by play but by numbers also, and what they bring to the table is competition for positions.

"We have some kids that are going to play and do pretty well this year for us."

Preseason emphasis has been on better and more consistent play. The Rams were in contention in a few games, but let wins slip away. The focus is to be strong in the fourth quarter.

"I think we're going to surprise a lot of people," lineman Aaron Spickermann said. "We were close in a lot of games last year. Real close. A big concept that coach is stressing this year is to finish.

"I think we're going to capitalize on that concept and we're going to win some football games."

The defense boasts three all-conference selections from last year. Bailey, Spickermann, a North Cedar prep, and safety Nick Brautigam earned second-team all-IIAC honors. The Rams will have an established veteran on each level of the defense.

"They are our cornerstone," Brautigam said. "All three phases of our defense we have a proven leader and they have done a great job so far in camp."

Bailey was third in the conference with 110 total tackles, including 70 solo. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside linebacker added two sacks for a defense that also returns all-conference honorable mention linebacker Geoffrey Miller. Spickermann and Bailey tied for second on the team last year with 10 tackles for loss. Coach Brautigam said he is as good as any inside linebacker in the country.

"His experience, athleticism for how big he is, and he covers a lot of ground and does a great job now of understanding the defense," Brautigam said. "Last year he understood a lot of it, but now he understands all of it. It's only going to make him and his teammates better."

Bailey has drawn national attention. He was named Division III Preseason first-team All-American by Consensus Draft Services. Honors mean more to him at the end of the season, calling preseason accolades more of a "pony show."

"It motivates me to do better," Bailey said. "I want to live up to it. I want to do as good as I possibly can."

Brautigam is also high on punter/kicker Anthony Bridges, who averaged 35.3 yards per punt and connected on 5-of-10 field goals and all but one extra point attempt.

"People forget special teams are one-third of the game," Brautigam said. "Being able to have a young man that can kick and punt gives us an opportunity to have good field position on both sides. We rely on him quite a bit."

The offense boasts all-conference honorable mention lineman Jeff North and two capable quarterbacks. Andrew Burdick and Juan Flores will battle for the starting spot. Brautigam said he hasn't name a starter and will learn more after the upcoming scrimmage.

The two split time last year with Burdick more of a passing threat and Flores a stronger runner, according to Brautigam. Burdick tallied 1,524 total yards, including 1,354 passing in 10 games. Flores rushed for 292 yards with 668 total in nine games. Either could be a catalyst to a better Rams offense.

"During the offseason, both have worked on what they need to improve on," said Brautigam, noting they both have earned the respect of their teammates. "They improved immensely, so they're better than they were last year, which in essence, makes us better from an offensive standpoint."

Wide receiver James Scully will be one of their top targets. Scully came on strong at the end of the season, gaining 194 receiving yards and scoring once.

"They both bring different aspects to the game," Scully said. "I think it will be good for us in the long run."

The Rams long run in the IIAC will end, returning to the Midwest Conference next season. Cornell was an original member of the Midwest Conference in 1921, but objective is to tally some wins in whichever conference the Rams compete.

"No matter what conference we're going to be in we still have to play somebody on Saturday," Brautigam said. "I don't make a big deal out of it."

Cornell has posted only one winning season (6-3 in 2001) in its time with the IIAC, going just 3-53 in conference since 2003. The Rams endured a 34-game losing streak, snapping it with a 23-16 win over Loras near the end of 2009. Some have a desire to end the conference relationship in more successful manner.

"There is motivation to finish our history with the Iowa Conference on a positive note," Bailey said, "so we can carry it into a new conference."

Nick Brautigam praised the competition and tradition of the Iowa Conference. He will be a part of the team that opens the new era in the Midwest Conference for Cornell, which ended its previous stint with eight straight winning seasons and conference titles in 1992 and 1995. The sport ranks higher than the conference.

"As a whole, we like the IIAC," Nick Brautigam said. "Whatever conference we're in then that's where we will play. We can't control it. It's out of our control.

"We're going to go out there and try to win no matter who it's against or where it is."