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Treadwell prepping Juniata football for new season, era
HUNTINGDON -- The Juniata College football program has been through rough waters in recent seasons, but new head coach Blake Treadwell is looking to give the fans something to cheer about in 2023 and beyond.
The former Michigan State Spartan knows what it's like to win at the collegiate level. Treadwell won two Big 10 titles at MSU and reached four bowl games, including a Rose Bowl matchup with Stanford in 2014 -- a game the Spartans won, 24-20.
What drew Treadwell to Juniata College?
"Anytime you get to coach football you are building relationships with players, administrators, and the community. Juniata College has a rich tradition of great football; you can look at Chuck Knox and many other great people that have had their lives transformed by being here at Juniata," the former offensive and defensive lineman said.
As with most great teams, a huge component is team unity which Treadwell is looking for as a stepping stone to future success.
"One of the things we have been working on since spring football is being a family. We spent a lot of time developing relationships with one another and will need to jump start that again for fall camp. When you have a close football team you can be demanding and yet not demeaning," the coach explained.
As time goes on the Eagles are trying to iron out a few things in practice.
"As we continue to build our program, the priority will always be building and strengthening our relationships with every single player. It's especially exciting this year as we have a large freshmen class reporting to camp. What we will also prioritize is our practice tempo--it will be efficient, intense and with a lot of hustle," Treadwell noted.
Juniata has their three captains set up for the new year.
"At the end of spring football our team voted for three captains. Chris Mignanelli, Ian Brunner, and Hunter Wolfley. All three players have shown the ability to communicate with teammates and help them grow on and off the football field. All three players have put in the work over the summer as well. Creating group chats with the team and having constant communication over the summer," said the former South Florida offensive line graduate assistant.
Treadwell wants his Eagles to avoid turnovers and put an emphasis on the running game.
"Offensively, we aim to be both dynamic and efficient while leaning into the run and protecting the football. Defensively, we must be able to stop the run and create turnovers to have that balance of efficiency and dynamic effect," the coach added.
Juniata College averaged two yards per rush in 2022. Wolfley led the team as a sophomore with 440 yards on 117 carries. The former Midd-West Mustang also had 273 yards receiving on 16 catches. The running back had two total scores.
The JC defense did force 10 interceptions and recovered three fumbles last season. Linebacker Dontey Rogan led the Eagles in tackles with 81 total takedowns (42 assisted). Quintin Stephens corralled four picks.
Beginning the year on the right foot can be important for the Eagles. They'll face Gettysburg, Alfred and Hartwick in their first three games of the '23 campaign. Combined the three foes finished with just five victories last season.
In Week 4, Juniata visits Shenandoah, a team that tallied eight wins a season ago. Then the following week, the Eagles take a trip to Wilkes. Last season, the Colonels posted seven wins. After a bye week, Juniata hosts Susquehanna, which captured 10 victories in '22.
"Building confidence for a young team is an important building block for this program. This will be one of the main things we will be focusing on as a team. In order to build this confidence, the goal will be to have challenging practices and push each other to the max," Treadwell said about the importance of starting the year on a good note.
It was announced back in January that Treadwell would be the new Eagles' football coach and since then it's been crucial for him to recruit and set new standards.
"The transition was smooth, a lot of late nights getting caught up with recruiting and implementing our new standards of how we do things as a staff and student athletes. The freshmen class will be a cornerstone for this program. We will have some more great competition for practices. We were able to add some transfers to the RBs room and DBs," Treadwell said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing who competes and takes command. No position is safe, everything will be open. 'Earn the jersey' is a thing Mark Dantonio would always tell us as coaches and players. Everyone who is a part of this team will earn the jersey," the coach confirmed.
Throughout Treadwell's football journey he has encountered coaches that have helped shape his mindset. It's not always easy to get players to buy into a new system or coaching philosophy, but Treadwell has embraced vital nuggets of information along the way to help with his transition to Juniata College.
"Being a player at Michigan State and a graduate assistant coach for Mark Dantonio, you will quickly learn how to be organized and how every detail matters. Coach D often said, 'It's a game of inches, and you've got to find those inches, somehow, some way.' Those words stick with me and reverberate with me and our Juniata football program," Treadwell said.
"The preparation of practice, planning, game planning, how to manage your staff and roster was a huge learning experience for me. Mark Dantonio was a coach that demanded a lot from his players and staff. Each day you were expected to contribute to the program. Michigan State has built me into the coach I am today," the Eagles' coach explained.
"At South Florida, I learned from a coach named Danny Hope. He was the former head coach at Purdue at one time. The biggest lesson I learned from him was how to take care of your players."
The Eagles will be joining the newly-formed Landmark Conference this season after spending time in the Centennial Conference. Catholic, Keystone, Lycoming, Moravian, Susquehanna and Wilkes will also join the Landmark Conference.
If Juniata football fans are wondering about the future of the program just believe in the process.
"I believe in the process of things. Trust the process and the score will take care of itself as perfectly stated by Bill Walsh, former head coach for the 49ers -- Super Bowl Champions (with Walsh in 1988, '84 and '81 season)," Treadwell said.
Juniata kicks off their football season on Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. versus Gettysburg.
Juniata College 2023 Football Schedule
Sept. 2 at Gettysburg, 1 p.m.
Sept. 9 vs Alfred, 11 a.m.
Sept. 16 vs Hartwick, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Shenandoah, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 at Wilkes, 1 p.m.
Oct. 7 BYE
Oct. 14 vs Susquehanna, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 vs Moravian, 12 p.m.
Oct. 28 at Lycoming, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 vs Keystone, 12 p.m.
Nov. 11 at Catholic, 1 p.m.