Changes have been challenging for University of Dubuque football

The coaching change this season was tough. Getting used to new philosophies, new personalities is challenging, especially for a quarterback.

But something else totally flummoxed Colton Hansen. Something supposedly so simple.

“I haven't run under center since my freshman year in high school,” said the University of Dubuque senior. “We were always five wide and shotgun in high school. Then I came up to Dubuque for the spread. It's been a big change, but it's been a needed change.”

“One of the first things we did was teach him to take a snap from center,” said head coach Stan Zweifel, who arrived in the tri-state region from NCAA Division III power Wisconsin-Whitewater. “Because he hadn't done it in three years.”

The Spartans are competitive again after a dismal 2-8 2008. They go into their Iowa Conference game today at Coe with a 2-2 record, both losses close and to good football teams (Central and Wisconsin-Platteville),

Leading the way offensively is Hansen. The former Olin prep is tops in the Iowa Conference with 1,115 passing yards, an average of 278.8 per game.

He's second in total offense and pass efficiency. The latter is a really big deal, considering the 16 interceptions he threw last season. That TD-pick ratio is 12-to-4 right now.

“When we came in in January, we looked at all the game tapes,” Zweifel said. “He was just asked to do so much for them last year. I think he led them in passing and rushing, but he also had a lot of turnovers because of that. So one of the first things I told him was he was not going to do as much. We wanted to minimize his turnovers. He has done a great job of directing our offense.”

Hansen rushed for 605 yards and threw for 1,852 last season. A more traditional under-center offensive attack has taken away most of his running chances but helped him be more consistent through the air.

It has helped that Zweifel brought his son, Michael, with him from Whitewater. He leads the IIAC with 42 catches.

But that doesn't diminish the job Hansen has done.

“Colton is really the leader of our offense,” Coach Zweifel said. “He's a talent. He took a lot of blame last year for the things they didn't get done as a team. But when you have to run and throw on every down, that's going to wear you out.”