2015 VMI Keydets football team

2015 VMI Keydets football
File:VMI Keydets logo.svg
Conference	Southern Conference
2015 record	2–9 (1–6 SoCon)
Head coach	Scott Wachenheim (1st year)
Offensive coordinator	Dustin Ward (1st year)
Offensive scheme	Pro Style
Defensive coordinator	Tom Clark (1st year)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Alumni Memorial Field (Capacity: 10,000)
Seasons « 2014 2016 »

Template:2015 Southern Conference football standings The 2015 VMI Keydets football team represented the Virginia Military Institute in the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was VMI's 125th football season and the Keydets were led by first year head coach Scott Wachenheim. They played their home games at 10,000–seat Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium, as they have since 1962. This was VMI's second season as a member of the Southern Conference, following 11 seasons in the Big South Conference, which followed 78 years in the Southern Conference. They finished the season 2–9, 1–6 in SoCon play to finish in last place.

Personnel

Coaching staff

VMI will be led by first-year head coach Scott Wachenheim, a native of California and a 1984 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Wachenheim was previously the offensive line coach at Virginia under head coach Mike London. He replaces Sparky Woods, who compiled a 17–62 record in seven seasons at VMI. Shortly following a home loss to The Citadel, VMI chose not to renew Woods' contract, and several weeks later announced the hire of Wachenheim.

Wachenheim introduced an almost entirely new coaching staff his first year on post. Coordinating the offense is Dustin Ward, while the defensive coordinator is Tom Clark who served two stints at William & Mary as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. There were only two holdovers from Woods' staff: wide receivers and tight ends coach Brad Robbins, and linebackers coach Justin Hamilton, a 2006 graduate of Virginia Tech. Also new to the staff is running backs coach Tim Maypray, who played football at VMI and graduated in 2010 before a brief stint in the Canadian Football League.

Name	Position	Seasons at VMI	Alma mater
Scott Wachenheim	Head coach	1st	Air Force (1984)
Dustin Ward	Offensive Coordinator	1st	Illinois (2003)
Tom Clark	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary	1st	Maryland (1986)
Tim Maypray	Running Backs	1st	VMI (2010)
Justin Wood	Inside Linebackers	1st	Christopher Newport (2006)
Justin Hamilton	Outside Linebackers	2nd	Virginia Tech
Brad Robbins	Wide Receivers	3rd	UVA–Wise (2010)
Gordon Sammis	Offensive Line	1st	Virginia (2007)
Mike Saint Germain	Defensive Line	1st	Lafayette (2007)
Josh Zidenberg	Asst. Secondary/Special Teams	1st	Virginia (2008)
Jimmy Whitten	Strength & Conditioning	12th	Virginia Tech (1991)
Reference:

Returning starters

Offense Player Class Position Al Cobb R–Sophomore Quarterback Pat Doucette Sophomore Offensive Line Bradley Hann R–Junior Offensive Line Andrew Lewis Junior Offensive Line Nate Murray R–Senior Offensive Line Derrick Ziglar R–Senior Running Back Matthew Nicholson Junior Wide Receiver Sam Patterson Senior Wide Receiver Aaron Sanders Junior Wide Receiver Reference:

Defense Player Class Position Damian Jones R–Junior Cornerback Denton Ensminger Senior Defensive Line Joe Nelson R–Sophomore Defensive Line Ryan Francis R–Sophomore Linebacker Allan Cratsenberg Sophomore Linebacker Alex Keys R–Junior Safety Alijah Robinson Junior Safety Reference:

Special teams Player Class Position Dillon Christopher Junior Placekicker Hayden Alford R–Junior Punter Dane Forlines Junior Punt returner Taylor Stout Dane Forlines Junior Junior Kick returner Reference:

Roster

2015 VMI Keydets football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 4 Burton, JohnJohn Burton File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr QB 4 Paladino, JakeJake Paladino 1.0 !Fr WR 6 Forlines, DaneDane Forlines 5.0 !Jr QB 8 Cobb, AlAl Cobb File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So WR 9 Stout, TaylorTaylor Stout 5.0 !Jr WR 11 Johnson, DarrianDarrian Johnson File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr TE 13 Swingle, RyanRyan Swingle File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So WR 15 Brown, JoeyJoey Brown File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So QB 16 Maher, JadeJade Maher File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So RB 17 Tucker, BriceBrice Tucker File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So QB 18 Coulling, AustinAustin Coulling 1.0 !Fr WR 21 Sanders, AaronAaron Sanders 5.0 !Jr WR 22 Mauck, DontaeDontae Mauck 1.0 !Fr FB 23 Shirley, CodyCody Shirley File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 24 Myers, QuanQuan Myers 1.0 !Fr RB 26 Dermott, MasonMason Dermott 1.0 !Fr RB 37 Gavin, ChrisChris Gavin 1.0 !Fr FB 39 Ziglar, DerrickDerrick Ziglar File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr RB 40 Marshall, HunterHunter Marshall File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So WR 43 Harrell, KyleKyle Harrell File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So TE 47 Royston, ZanderZander Royston 1.0 !Fr WR 48 Wilkins, JohnJohn Wilkins File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 49 Vardo, KyleKyle Vardo File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So C 50 Smith, ChaseChase Smith File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So OG 57 Hann, BradleyBradley Hann File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr OT 61 Miller, StephenStephen Miller File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So C 62 Doucette, PatrickPatrick Doucette File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So OG 63 Murray, NateNate Murray File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr OG 65 Milner, MattMatt Milner File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So OT 66 Roseborough, IyanIyan Roseborough File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr OT 71 Williams, ChristianChristian Williams File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So OT 72 Lewis, AndrewAndrew Lewis 5.0 !Jr OL 73 Brummit, ColeCole Brummit 1.0 !Fr OL 76 Morris, WillWill Morris 1.0 !Fr OL 77 Thacker, TylerTyler Thacker 1.0 !Fr OG 78 Reed, ChadChad Reed File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr OL 79 Barker, GarrettGarrett Barker 1.0 !Fr WR 80 Patterson, SamuelSamuel Patterson 7.0 !Sr TE 81 Jacob, ChadChad Jacob File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr WR 82 Nicholson, MatthewMatthew Nicholson 5.0 !Jr WR 83 Parker, IsaiahIsaiah Parker 1.0 !Fr TE 85 Carson, KevinKevin Carson 3.0 !So TE 86 Mobley, JohnJohn Mobley File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So WR 89 Wampler, WillWill Wampler 1.0 !Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 Furlow, CalebCaleb Furlow File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr LB 2 Lipscomb, BradleyBradley Lipscomb File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr LB 3 Richardson, TonyTony Richardson 3.0 !So LB 5 Ashton, DarnellDarnell Ashton 5.0 !Jr CB 7 Jones, DamianDamian Jones File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr S 14 Sanders, GregGreg Sanders 3.0 !So CB 19 Moore, DougDoug Moore 7.0 !Sr S 20 James, AlexAlex James 7.0 !Sr S 25 Keys, AlexAlex Keys File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DB 28 Porter, JohnJohn Porter 1.0 !Fr DB 29 Carter, KareeKaree Carter 1.0 !Fr DB 30 Sutherland, GabeGabe Sutherland File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DB 31 Stawowczyk, EddieEddie Stawowczyk File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DB 32 Strozyk, JohnJohn Strozyk File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So CB 33 Trotman, TyruigTyruig Trotman 1.0 !Fr LB/P 34 Hogan, BillBill Hogan File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DB 35 Frazier, ScottScott Frazier File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So CB 36 Williams, MichaelMichael Williams File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So S 38 Robinson, AlijahAlijah Robinson 5.0 !Jr DB 41 Kpaduwa, UzomaUzoma Kpaduwa 1.0 !Fr LB 42 Barden, TroyTroy Barden File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 44 Francis, RyanRyan Francis File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr LB 45 Fedison, TylerTyler Fedison 1.0 !Fr LB 46 Cratsenberg, AllanAllan Cratsenberg 3.0 !So DE 52 Baker, ZackZack Baker 3.0 !So LB 53 Roots, ArnoldArnold Roots 1.0 !Fr DL 55 Rader, DanielDaniel Rader File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 56 Ellis, BrianBrian Ellis File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr LB 58 Lipscomb, BrianBrian Lipscomb File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 59 Copeland, ChrisChris Copeland File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr DL 60 Stevenson-Panchisin, ThadThad Stevenson-Panchisin 1.0 !Fr LB 67 Wilson, DerekDerek Wilson 1.0 !Fr LB 68 Mallory, BradBrad Mallory 1.0 !Fr LB 69 Donahue, JamesonJameson Donahue 1.0 !Fr DL 73 Mildrum, ConnorConnor Mildrum File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DB 84 Kabi, MandelaMandela Kabi 1.0 !Fr LB 87 Peregoy, CodyCody Peregoy 1.0 !Fr DE 88 Garvin, J. C.J. C. Garvin File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DE 90 de Wolff, RobertRobert de Wolff File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DL 91 Greenfield, XavierXavier Greenfield 3.0 !So DT 92 Hays, WalkerWalker Hays 5.0 !Jr DT 93 Ensminger, DentonDenton Ensminger 7.0 !Sr DT 94 Clay, Amon-RaAmon-Ra Clay File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DL 95 Henderson, ShavonShavon Henderson File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 96 Mallory, SethSeth Mallory File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DE 97 Richmond, JarrodJarrod Richmond 1.0 !Fr DL 98 Phillips, CaseyCasey Phillips 1.0 !Fr DE 99 Nelson, JoeJoe Nelson File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class P/QB 12 Alford, HaydenHayden Alford File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr PK 27 Christopher, DillonDillon Christopher 5.0 !Jr PK 64 Smith, TommyTommy Smith 1.0 !Fr	Head coach Scott Wachenheim – 1st year Coordinators/assistant coaches Dustin Ward (Offensive Coordinator – 1st year Tom Clark (Defensive Coordinator/Secondary) – 1st year Tim Maypray (Running Backs) – 1st year Justin Wood (Inside Linebackers) – 1st year Justin Hamilton (Outside Linebackers) – 2nd year Brad Robbins (Wide Receivers) – 3rd year Gordon Sammis (Offensive Line) – 1st year Josh Zidenberg (Secondary) – 1st year Mike Saint Germain (Defensive Line) – 1st year Jimmy Whitten (Strength & Conditioning) – 12th year Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: August 27, 2015

Projected depth chart

Defensive Starters FS Greg Sanders Alex Keys WLB ILB ILB SLB Tony Richardson Allen Cratsenburg Ryan Francis Brian Lipscomb Alex James Darnell Ashton Arnold Roots Chris Copeland SS Alijah Robinson Jon Strozyk CB Caleb Furlow Doug Moore DE NT DE J. C. Garvin Amon-Ra Clay Joe Nelson Seth Mallory Shavon Henderson Robert de Wolff CB Damian Jones Michael Williams Offensive Starters WR Dontae Mauck Matthew Nicholson LT LG C RG RT Andrew Lewis Nate Murray Bradley Hann Chad Reed Iyan Roseborough Christian Williams Chase Smith Walker Hays Matt Milner Stephen Miller TE Sam Patterson Chad Jacob WR Aaron Sanders Isaiah Parker QB Al Cobb Hayden Alford RB Derrick Ziglar Quan Myers FB Ryan Swingle Cody Shirley Special Teams PK Dillon Christopher P Hayden Alford P Bill Hogan KR Dontae Mauck Greg Sanders PR Dane Forlines LS Ryan Swingle Walker Hays H Ryan Swingle

Schedule

VMI released its schedule on February 3, 2015. The schedule features six home games and five road contests. VMI will face Ball State on the road in the season opener on a Thursday night. The home opener will be September 12 against Pioneer League member Morehead State. The Keydets will play one team from the commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, after not playing a team from Virginia in 2014. VMI will host conference rivals Samford, Chattanooga, Wofford, and Western Carolina, and will travel to Furman, Mercer, and The Citadel.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	7:00 PM	at Ball State*	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN3	L 36–48	10,473
September 12	1:30 PM	Morehead State*	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN3	W 43–40	5,016
September 19	6:00 PM	at No. 22 Richmond*	Robins Stadium Richmond, VA (Rivalry)	CSN MA+	L 10–42	8,700
September 26	3:00 PM	at Furman	Paladin Stadium Greenville, SC	ESPN3	L 21–24	7,915
October 3	1:30 PM	Bucknell*	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN3	L 22–28 OT	3,713
October 10	1:30 PM	Samford	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN3	L 13–49	4,875
October 17	1:30 PM	No. 6 Chattanooga	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN3	L 27–33	6,104
October 24	3:00 PM	at Mercer	Moye Complex Macon, GA	ESPN3	W 28–21	9,754
October 31	1:30 PM	Wofford	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN3	L 20–41	4,437
November 7	2:00 PM	at No. 25 The Citadel	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC (Military Classic of the South)	ESPN3	L 14–35	14,925
November 21	1:30 PM	Western Carolina	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN3	L 20–24	4,523
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS FCS Poll released prior to game Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

• Source: Schedule

Game summaries

Ball State

See also: 2015 Ball State Cardinals football team

1 2 3 4 Total VMI 0 10 7 19 36 Ball State 3 17 14 14 48 at Scheumann Stadium (Muncie, IN) Date: September 3, 2015 Game time: 7:00 PM Game weather: Temperature: 85 • Wind: WNW 5 mph • Weather: Sunny Game attendance: 10,473 Referee: Tony Cannella TV: ESPN3

Morehead State

See also: 2015 Morehead State Eagles football team

1 2 3 4 Total Morehead State 14 3 13 10 40 VMI 8 15 10 10 43 at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA) Date: September 12, 2015 Game time: 1:30 PM Game attendance: 5,016 Referee: Thomas Graham TV: ESPN3

Richmond

See also: 2015 Richmond Spiders football team

1 2 3 4 Total VMI 3 7 0 0 10 #22 Richmond 7 14 14 7 42 at Robins Stadium (Richmond, VA) Date: September 19, 2015 Game time: 6:00 PM Game attendance: 8,700 Referee: Hank Johns TV: CSN MA+

Furman

See also: 2015 Furman Paladins football team

1 2 3 4 Total VMI 7 7 0 7 21 Furman 0 7 14 3 24 at Paladin Stadium (Greenville, SC) Date: September 26, 2015 Game time: 3:00 PM Game weather: Temperature: 66 • Wind: SW 13 mph • Weather: Light Rain Game attendance: 7,915 Referee: Marshall Lewis TV: ESPN3

Bucknell

See also: 2015 Bucknell Bison football team

1 2 3 4 Total Bucknell 7 0 0 15 28 VMI 7 6 0 9 22 at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA) Game time: 1:30 PM Game weather: Temperature: 52 • Wind: 8 mph • Weather: Cold, Rainy, Ick Game attendance: 3,713 Referee: Bob Johnson TV: ESPN3

Samford

See also: 2015 Samford Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total Samford 7 14 7 21 49 VMI 0 10 3 0 13 at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA) Game time: 1:30 PM Game weather: Temperature: 51 • Wind: 6–8 mph • Weather: Vintage fall day Game attendance: 4,875 Referee: Edwin Lee TV: ESPN3

Chattanooga

See also: 2015 Chattanooga Mocs football team

1 2 3 4 Total #6 Chattanooga 3 17 3 10 33 VMI 7 14 0 6 27 at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA) Game time: 1:30 PM Game weather: Temperature: 58 • Wind: 8–12 MPH • Weather: Cool and gorgeous Game attendance: 6,104 Referee: Marshall Lewis TV: ESPN3

Mercer

See also: 2015 Mercer Bears football team

1 2 3 4 Total VMI 14 14 0 0 28 Mercer 0 14 7 0 21 at Moye Complex (Macon, GA) Game time: 3:00 PM Game weather: Temperature: 81 • Wind: 4 mph • Weather: Partly Sunny Game attendance: 9,754 Referee: Larry Saunders TV: ESPN3

Wofford

See also: 2015 Wofford Terriers football team

1 2 3 4 Total Wofford 7 7 21 6 41 VMI 7 3 7 3 20 at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA) Game time: 1:30 PM Game attendance: 4,473 TV: ESPN3

The Citadel

See also: 2015 The Citadel Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total VMI 7 0 7 0 14 #25 The Citadel 14 6 6 9 35 at Johnson Hagood Stadium (Charleston, SC) Game time: 2:00 PM Game attendance: 14,925 TV: ESPN3

Western Carolina

See also: 2015 Western Carolina Catamounts football team

1 2 3 4 Total Western Carolina 0 7 7 10 24 VMI 7 6 0 7 20 at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA) Game time: 1:30 PM Game attendance: 4,523 TV: ESPN3