Football: Marauders entering year two under Shann Schillinger

BISMARCK, N.D. — As we enter the fall season, football is set to begin in the coming weeks across the Peace Garden State. For the University of Mary, it is year two under Shann Schillinger.

After being hired late in the spring a year ago, the Marauders were unable to have a complete offseason, missing out on key workouts and practices. Flash forward to now, with a full offseason under their belts, this UMary squad feels lightyears ahead of where they were to start last season.

“We really didn’t get a winter conditioning and spring ball,” Schillinger says. “Got hired late, and so really last year this was our first time out here with the guys. So, we didn’t totally get to transform things that we maybe would have in a full cycle. So, it’s a little different, but now it’s been good. I’ve sure enjoyed it. The kids are great kids that do what we ask to. [They] work hard and as a coach, that’s all you ask for.”

“Having that spring time really made the world of a difference,” receiver Mujeeb Rufai adds. “Everybody just kind of kind of settled in a bit more. We’re more comfortable with formations and everything and honestly, we got to know our teammates a lot better too. We have a lot better team camaraderie than we did, I feel like, the year prior.”

After battling injuries and having a young team in 2023, the Marauders emphasized depth heading into this year. Adding veteran pieces across the field and integrating the younger players from the start.

“We were young,” Schillinger says. “We had a lot of guys out, so we learned that we had to get some more depth, some maturity. We kind of got beat up, pushed around at times last year. And so we went out and addressed that with some older guys to come in and help us. So far, I think we’ve made strides.”

“We’re a lot deeper than we were last year,” linebacker Mason Phillips adds. “We struggled through injuries last year, and this year we really focus on coming in and getting some older guys, getting our young guys up to pace. If someone does fall, we have someone stepping up. Schillinger emphasizes it a lot, next man up; next man up. So, I think coming in this year, we have a lot more depth and if something does happen will be perfectly fine. I feel really confident about this year.”

The Marauders open their season on August 29th at home against the University of Jamestown.

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