For a fourth straight season, Valparaiso University linebacker Nick Turner is surrounded by many of the same faces.
That familiarity is breeding success for Turner, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior.
“I go into every game with the same mentality,” Turner said. “Not only are we trying to win, but we’re trying to dominate our opponent. And I know that every guy next to me has the same mentality.
“It’s given me a comfort level I may not have had as a freshman.”
Turner, a team captain and preseason All-Pioneer Football League selection, leads a veteran VU team looking to improve upon last year’s 6-5 finish that was the program’s first winning season since 2003.
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Joining Turner as returning starters at linebacker are classmates Drew Snouffer and Mike Wheeler, indicative of a team VU coach Dave Cecchini said is the most experienced he’s had in his four years.
“We’re not looking at our two-deep (chart) and saying to have to pencil in a freshman,” Cecchini said. “We may have a few players who earn their way into one of those spots, but it’s good to be in this type of shape from a depth standpoint.”
That depth could be a factor at the quarterback position, where returning starter Jimmy Seewald is still recovering from offseason surgery on his right throwing shoulder.
Seewald has been participating in practice, including a 4-for-4 performance during Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage, but said he’s still not 100 percent.
“It’s feeling good,” Seewald said of his shoulder. “The coaches have been cautious working me back in. Every day, I test it more and it’s been responsive.”
When asked if he would be ready for VU’s season opener on Sept. 8 at Duquesne, Seewald was noncommittal.
“That’s the goal,” he said. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. I don’t need to go 100 percent at the next practice. I’m trying to be 100 percent for 11 games.”
Redshirt sophomore Chris Duncan would be the starter if Seewald can’t go. Cecchini said he’s been impressed by Duncan’s performance in camp.
“We’re confident if Jimmy isn’t ready to go, Chris will help us win,” Cecchini said. “We’re going to be very careful with (Seewald). We’ll make sure he’s 100 percent before we throw him into game action.”
The season opener for VU comes after a Week 1 bye, meaning the Crusaders will play on 11 consecutive Saturdays — an unusual circumstance Cecchini had experience with at previous coaching stops.
“That can be tough, especially if we get banged up early in the season,” Cecchini said.
Coming off the program’s best season in 15 years, Cecchini said VU’s approach hasn’t changed.
“The message isn’t necessarily any different,” he said. “We had the type of season we had last year because we didn’t take anything for granted.
“If anything, it’s going to be even more difficult (this year) because we’re not going to sneak up on teams like we did last season.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.