WATERTOWN, Wis. - The 2015 season was a building year for the Sabercats, as the team focused on improvement as the season wore on when the results did not fall in their favor.  After a scoring fest, 52-46 win at Trinity Bible in North Dakota, the Sabercats did not see the winning side of the scoresheet for the remainder of the season.

Yet, the team and the coach recognized the positives of the season and the necessity for growth.

“We played together as a team," reflected head coach Nate Spate at the end of the season. "The guys were great to be around, and they rallied around the fact that we are building something for the future." That team had their bright moments despite the losses, as they posted promising showings at Concordia-Chicago, Finlandia, and Alfred State towards the end of the year.

In 2016, the Sabercats bring multiple new faces to the roster, and will look to build even more on the 2015 season with an exciting 10-game schedule for this year. Key contests are highlighted below:

• 9/3 at Martin Luther: the Sabercats were shut out on their last trip to Minnesota to face the Knights, and will attempt to even the odds on the return trip north this year.
• 9/10 vs Rockford: in 2013, the Regents took home a 34-13 win when they came to MBU. The year before, the Sabercats lost 14-34 in Rockford. With a similar scoreline from the last two meetings to motivate them, the Sabercats will look to flip those numbers on the Regents and take the win this year.
• 9/17, 10/29 vs Trinity Bible: in a unique, two-game series against the Lions, the Sabercats will be keen to increase their all-time series lead, which stands at 9-6 after the 98-point showdown in North Dakota last year.

Players to Watch

Ben Schulz - the returning NCCAA All-American finished second in the total tackles category for the NCAA DIII last year, and will look to make the most of his final year in the Blue and Gold. All told, the Senior from Lake Mills, Wis. registered 13.9 tackles per game in 2015 while forcing three fumbles.

Clayton Morrison - Morrison, who was named an All-American honorable mention, led the team in TD's in 2015 with seven. Morrison's mobility as well as his ability to receive will keep opponents on their heels.

Clint Saxon - another senior, Saxon has been a vital piece of the Sabercats' offense, and was their go-to running back during the 2015 season. Saxon's experience will be called upon during the upcoming year, as the four-year player boasts seven career touchdowns and over 1,000 career yards.

Zach Starnes - the South Carolina native is an integral part of the Sabercats' defense. Last year, Starnes registered 55 tackles and recovered a fumble. Starnes will look to build on a solid rookie season for 2016.

From Coach Spate

"We have a good balance of youth  and experience. This is a year of progress. We have stressed the importance of competing and challenging ourselves to get better in the small things. I'm excited because the players have started to gel together as a team and we had a good showing on Saturday [in the Alumni Scrimmage]. We have more athleticism on the team this year than previous years. I am looking forward to us moving this program forward."

"We have started to come together as a team and the players are buying into our expectation for them on and off the field. They have a good spirit and enjoy being around each other. We have good leadership and a good group of young talent. I'm encouraged by their effort and their ability to learn our system quickly."

"Our goals this year are to compete in every game, win a least 5 games, and use football to develop men for Gods glory."