After making it to the national championship game a year ago, Brock Spack’s football team had one objective this past season: return to the finals and bring home the trophy. Although falling short of that goal, the men had a spectacular 10-3 season. They retained the Missouri Valley Football Conference championship title and took a No. 2 seed into the FCS playoffs.
Appears InThe Redbirds advanced to the quarterfinals, but fell to the Richmond Spiders. While the loss was a disappointment, Spack praised his players for achieving a 23-5 record over two seasons.
“That is always going to be our goal here. Everybody in the program knows that,” Spack said of a national title. “It was a struggle. This season could have gone south in a heartbeat, but the players didn’t let that happen. I think it was a successful year to get this far and win 10 games.”
Spack noted that the team advanced despite obstacles that weren’t a factor a year ago. “We won differently this year than last year. It wasn’t as easy, it wasn’t as smooth,” he said. “We had kids banged up. It was a tough year from that standpoint. The kids just fought through it.”
Quarterback Tre Roberson and tailback Marshaun Coprich, both seniors, were the offensive force that led the Redbirds through a season that started with a battle against the University of Iowa on the Hawkeyes’ field.
In just two seasons of play as a transfer, Roberson made his way into ISU’s record books for yardage and pass completion.
The season ended with Coprich nominated as one of three finalists for the national FCS Offensive Player of the Year. He and wide receiver Anthony Warrum captured All-America honors, with Coprich selected as first-team.
“Our players have nothing to hang their heads about. They have done a great job here. They have set a level of performance never before seen at ISU, and that’s something to be very, very proud of,” Spack said.
