MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Winded players scrambled for water while others interlocked their hands above their heads, doing anything to catch their breath. It was a typical, humid, August morning, and they were so close to completing the annual rite of Millersville football fall camp: the conditioning test. Three periods down, one to go.
 
With a whistle draped around his neck, Coach J.C. Morgan roamed the Biemesderfer Stadium turf between the two groups of 50 players separated by 20 yards like a general examining his front lines.
 
"The close games are going our way this year!" Morgan shouted before putting the whistle back between his lips and starting the final period of sprints.
 
Morgan's confident exaltation wasn't just encouragement to his 100 players with burning lungs and jelly legs, who were trying to find the energy reserves to push through sprint after sprint. The team was less than one hour into preseason camp and those narrow losses gnawed at Morgan all offseason. He was speaking it into existence. His words were a battle cry.
 
Just 11 months earlier, Millersville started 2-0 for the first time in 18 years. The Marauders were tied 21-21 at the half at nationally ranked Slippery Rock the next week. In week four, the Marauders ended a 19-game skid against West Chester to start 3-1 for the first time in 20 years. Millersville was on the cusp of being a PSAC East contender for the first time in more than two decades. But the next week, after building a 21-7 lead against Lock Haven, Millersville committed five turnovers, surrendered 24 unanswered points, and failed to score a game-tying touchdown despite having first-and-goal from the Lock Haven 4-yard line.
 
It was a nightmarish meltdown that precipitated a seven-game losing streak. It was the first of four one-score losses. In the four games against NCAA playoff teams, Millersville stood tied at the half twice and lost 17-12 against eventual PSAC champ and NCAA semifinalist Kutztown despite a true freshman quarterback making his first career appearance taking the bulk of the snaps.
 
After enduring that stretch, Millersville realized the margin between 3-8 and an NCAA playoff berth is razor thin.
 
"We recognize that we were good enough to win those ball games," said Morgan. "There is no doubt in our minds that we belong with the top teams in this conference."
 
Pouring over the game film, Morgan compiled a catalog of what he calls, "teachable moments" --the singular penalty, missed block, bad read, or miscommunication during 60 minutes of football that inevitably leads to a loss instead of a victory. Morgan says that to take the next step as a program, the team can't repress the hardships of 2023. They have to learn from it.
 
"There are two schools of thought. One is that it is a new season, don't punish the team for what happened in the past, you can only control what we are moving forward," said Morgan. "But the other is that when you look back on the season, there were so many teachable moments and so much we could learn from that you have to draw from those experiences to get better. If we had handled those situations better, we would have won those games."
 
Morgan and his three coordinators—Jeff Tomassetti, Matt Sutjak and Dan Beard—have worked together for five years. The continuity has provided a steady vision resulting in sparks of success. From Oct. 8, 2022, through Sept. 23, 2023, Millersville went 8-3. Those eight wins spanning two seasons are the most for Millersville since 2005-06. What Morgan wants Millersville to be was evident in those wins—an overwhelming running attack with a dynamic quarterback making big plays with his legs and his arm, and a stingy defense that plays with maniacal intensity. In those 11 games, Millersville rushed for 1,945 yards (176.8 per game) and held opponents to fewer than 20 points per game. But that needs to happen with consistency, play-by-play, and game-by-game over an 11-week season.
 
"The formula doesn't change," said Morgan. "You want to teach the game of football. You want to be great with your technique. You have to play great situational football. There are a lot of things from last season that we can learn from that will be helpful in the development of this season's team."
 

Millersville's last two rollercoaster seasons are embodied in its quarterback play. Rob Footman Jr., has given the Marauders some incredible thrills but has also experienced his share of twists, turns, and dips in his first two seasons. Since coming off the bench to lead Millersville to a win at Lock Haven in his freshman season, Footman is 6-5 as the Marauders' primary quarterback, throwing nine touchdown passes to three interceptions in those wins. In the first five games of 2023, Footman totaled 12 touchdowns and threw just two picks, but after his career-high 329 yards against Lock Haven, he completed just 36 passes and recorded one touchdown in the final six games, matching the downward spiral of the team.
 
"Rob had some good moments," said Morgan. "He started out 3-1 and made some big plays in key moments in those games. He went out to Slippery Rock and got us out to a lead in the first half. It was up and down for him. He'll be the first to tell you that. What is evident is that when he is at his best, he is very productive. We have to continue to keep him healthy, keep him on course with what his strengths are and continue to develop him. We expect big things from him this year."
 
Health was certainly a factor. Footman missed the week seven game against Shepherd and never returned to the form he displayed when he led Millersville on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives at Gannon, tossing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kam Taylor in the final minute. Footman admitted that the late-season struggles were more about the mental approach to the game. And he's learned from that.
 
"Mental toughness," said Footman. "I got into a real bad hole mentally, but it built my character. It made me more vocal and overall better. That's what I definitely learned from last year—have that barrier that only the guys who are here and seeing it every day, not the people in the crowd with their opinions, the guys in the locker room, that's who matters."
 
Refined through the fire, Footman, with his ever-present smile, is healthy and happy entering 2024.
 
"I feel really good," said Footman. "I'm healthy. If that can stay consistent, then anything can happen."
 
Footman's offseason focus was building a mental mastery of the offense and improving his decision-making, which will allow his natural athletic gifts to take over.
 
"It starts with having complete knowledge of the system and what we ask him to do," said Morgan. "That's with any quarterback. You have to continue to stress good decisions being made, throwing the ball away and not forcing it into traffic, taking the check-downs. He's dynamic enough to make plays in a lot of different ways, so we continued to teach the game. He's a smart young man. He knows a lot of football, so we want to help him see the big picture, where he fits in, and how he can be dangerous."
 
Impossibly, it was 14 years ago that a Millersville quarterback started 11 games in a season. Footman would like to end that curse, but if the Marauders need to go to the bench, Morgan has full confidence in sophomore Ryan Zeltt and redshirt freshman Brett Nye. Zeltt, 6-3 with a big arm, played in four games last season, throwing a touchdown pass against NCAA playoff qualifier East Stroudsburg. Nye preserved a redshirt despite playing in two games. He went 8-for-14 for 135 yards and a TD in relief against Kutztown, completed 23-of-34 passes for 156 yards and rushed for 72 and a score in a start at Bloomsburg. Their performances affirmed what Morgan and his offensive staff already knew--they had recruited a talented and capable trio of quarterbacks.
 
"(Zeltt and Nye) got thrown into the fire," said Morgan. "We knew that was a possibility. They did well. We love that quarterback room. We loved it last year with them being true freshmen, and we love it even more with the way they are developing. One thing that backs that up is that we didn't run out to the transfer portal and grab a bunch of guys. We believe in these guys. We want to develop these guys have them lead us to victories. There are a lot of teams in the PSAC who have to play multiple quarterbacks. For us, it's important to have everyone ready to play."
 
 
The best way to support young quarterbacks is with a proficient run game. If Millersville breaks through in 2024, Jaheim Morris will likely have a historical season. Already Millersville's first two-time All-PSAC East running back since 2000, Morris has rushed for over 1,400 yards in the last two seasons. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 2022 and 5.5 per carry in 2023. He's respected by the conference's coaches as evidenced by his first-team selection with three full games missed and just 16 carries in the first three weeks of the season. Morris rumbled for 177 yards against West Chester and 229 against Shepherd, including a school-record-tying 93-yard run. Millersville is 7-4 when he scores a touchdown and 3-1 when he rushes for over 100 yards.
 
Morris is the engine of the offense, but that doesn't mean there wasn't room for a tune-up. His slow start was a result of a training camp injury, and it nagged him throughout the season. Morgan, also Morris' position coach, pushed the running back to return to camp in 2024 in the best shape of his life and prepare himself to be the workhorse the Marauders' need.
 
"I'm biased, but I feel like we have the best back in the conference," said Morgan. "The league recognizes that. Jaheim got off to a slow start and wasn't in the best possible position to start to the season. He needed to come back ready to go, and we talked about him needing to be a leader. It seems like yesterday that he came to camp for the first time, but he's a fifth-year guy. Asserting himself as a leader, and setting a great example, he's put a lot of attention into that and done well in that. We want him to put in 11 strong games this season. If he's successful, the team is successful."
 
Behind Morris is a blend of youth and experience. Senior Jaiden Abrams averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 25 totes in 2023. Jose Lopez is a graduate transfer from Albany, and freshman Jordan Miller, a powerful and low-to-the-ground runner from Morgan's home state of Delaware, has earned first-team reps in camp. It is rare to see a true, old-school fullback in the modern game, but Millersville will use junior Darrion Thomas not just as a lead blocker, but also as an option in the passing game.
 
"We put a lot of stock in that backfield and make sure we have a lot of quality guys," said Morgan. "I like the depth of this group and the way they will push each other."
 

The pass catchers are also a match for the Marauders' brand of football. It is a physical group that doesn't mind mixing it up with the defense. Morgan lauds their ability to block in the run game, and he's just as high on their playmaking.
 
"It's the most athletic group we've had since we've got here," said Morgan. "There are a lot of different components. You have big play ability. We have good size. We have good speed."
                                                                     
On the outside, Hakim Melvin seems poised for a big season. He's been consistent, totaling 26, 23, and 27 catches for between 344 and 409 yards in each of his first three seasons as Millersville's No. 2 target. He's averaged 15.1 yards per catch and is the only Marauder to score a receiving, rushing and kick return touchdown in the same season. He's a constant big-play threat as he was the only PSAC player with two kickoff return touchdowns last season.
 
Kam Taylor, voted one of the team's captains as a junior, is a big, strong target with 30 catches in 20 games the last two seasons. Sophomore Isaac Sines will play in the slot after showing flashes in 2023. Morgan called Titus Kruah, another slot option, arguably the team's most improved player from spring ball to fall camp. Cliff Harris has been with the program since 2021, and Steven Graves III, who transferred in from Cal U last season, has impressed with his speed in camp.
 
"The one thing that stands out is that they are unselfish," said Morgan. "Just watch them block and the attention they put into blocking on downfield and perimeter runs. They know how to run their routes. I'm excited to see this group put it all together with Rob and the running game."
 
At tight end, the succession plan is now in full effect. For five years, Millersville counted on two reliable players in Eli Workinger and Brian Richardson. Now, it is Brady Russell and Isaiah Armand's turn. Both are redshirt sophomores, and Russell started to make an impact last season with two touchdown catches. Millersville frequently deploys two tight end packages so both players will play significant roles.
 
"Those guys had solid springs and they continue to grow," said Morgan. "When we recruited them a few years ago, we had a plan in mind, and that plan is going exactly how we thought it would."
 

However, all the speed, talent, and experience at the skill positions won't mean much without a capable offensive line. Building up that room has been a priority since Morgan's first day in recruiting. It shows. Millersville entered camp with 21 offensive linemen on the roster. Millersville lost three long-time starters following the 2023 season, but they have built the roster to seamlessly transition. The days of replacing graduated seniors with freshmen are long gone. Now, it is the next veteran up.
 
"We did lose experience in that room, but the one difference here and now compared to when we arrived six years ago is we are replacing guys with veterans," said Morgan. "Up and down the depth chart, there are third, fourth, and fifth-year players—guys with a lot of reps in practice."
 
The keystone of the line is team captain and two-year starter at right tackle Lex Rivera, who has played in 30 games with 22 consecutive starts. Zac Shelley, a redshirt junior, brings 22 starts to right guard. At center, Mason Sowers takes over for four-year starter Michael Bennett. Sowers is 6-5, 305 pounds, and started the final game of the 2023 season. Morgan says that Sowers brings a nastiness to the line.
 
"Last year's group was good in a lot of ways," said Morgan. "They were athletic and smart. This group gives you that, but this group has an edge to them. As a former fullback and a running backs coach, I appreciate that. They have a little something to them."
 
Competing for the starting role at left tackle is redshirt junior Vance Metzger and redshirt junior Josh Denis is in the mix to play tackle and guard. The 310-pound redshirt freshman Mikai Greene has gotten work with the first team at left tackle. Redshirt sophomore Donovan Saunders and redshirt freshman Tre Spahr are battling for time at right and left guard respectively.
 
"The key for that group is having eight to nine guys who you know can play," said Morgan. "The potential is there for us to have that. They have pushed each other and competed against each other, and that makes me believe they will take a jump this camp."