HIRAM, Ohio - September 3, 2021 – Hiram football heads into their first season under Head Coach Jack Mrozinski Jr. looking to make a name for themselves in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).
 
After not playing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Terriers will open the 2021 season, playing their first game in almost 365 days, under the lights of Charles A. Henry Field against Bethany (W. Va.) on Friday, Sept. 3, before kicking off conference play against Wabash on Sept. 10.
 
"We couldn't be more excited to kickoff the 2021 season on September 3rd," Mrozinski said. "With everything that has gone on, our players, coaches and support staff have worked tirelessly to be sure that we have an opportunity to play and coach the game that we love. It is going to be fun!"
 
The Terriers enter their first season and second year with Mrozinski at the helm. Mrozinski joined the Terriers in Dec. 2019 from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., where he served as the Defensive Coordinator for the past three seasons. Eighth assistants will join Mrozinski on the sidelines or in the press box this season, seven of which will be making their Hiram coaching debuts.
 
Offensively, Zach Shaw leads the Terriers as the offensive coordinator and is joined by offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Dalton Maska, wide receivers coach Xavier Dupree and H-backs and tight ends coach Dallas Burton.
 
On defense, Mrozinski serves as the defensive coordinator, and Dan McKenna coaches defensive backs while also serving as the special teams coordinator, Tanner Murat handles the linebackers and Alec Eldridge `19 coaches the defensive line along with volunteer assistant Floyd Shackleford.
 
With McKenna overseeing the special teams unit, Michael Soltis `77 coaches the specialists.
 
"This coaching staff has been a joy to work with," Mrozinski said. "They bring juice every day and make those around them better."
 
Mrozinski and his staff have hit the recruiting trail hard this past year, bringing in more than 70 new student-athletes in the past two classes, including almost 50 incoming freshmen.
 
Mrozinski and co. have recruited nationally, bringing in student-athletes from across the country, from California and New Mexico to Ohio and Pennsylvania as they look to get the team ready for the 2021 campaign.
 
In addition to all the newcomers, the Terriers also return several key contributors from the 2019 team. Junior QB Xavier Reyero, the Terriers' leading passer in 2019, returns, along with two starting offensive linemen: seniors Tim Murton and Udarius Strawter. Reyero led the Terriers in 2019, completing 89 of his 192 pass attempts for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.
 
On defense, Hiram returns three key contributors in the defensive backfield, led by senior Delanoe Harris, who led the NCAC and finished eighth in NCAA Division III with 118 total tackles in 2019.
 
In total, the Terriers return 27 letter winners from their 2019 squad and are led by their three senior captains: Sherman Cox, Delanoe Harris and Tim Murton.
 
"The players worked really hard this preseason, through a lot of adversity," Mrozinski said. "I am eager to watch them thrive on the game field."
 
Following their home opener against the Bison, the Terriers host Wabash in their NCAC conference opener on Saturday, Sept. 11 at noon.
 
Please note: Hiram Athletics is currently permitting fans without limitations on the number at outdoor contests, however, we ask that fans social distance throughout the stands. We thank you for your continued support of Hiram College Athletics and your cooperation regarding our COVID-19 protocols and spectator policies.
 
The Little Giants topped the NCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, while the Terriers were picked to finish tenth, one vote shy of ninth.
 
The Terriers then hit the road for the first time in 2021, with a three-game road trip, visiting Wittenberg on Sept. 18, DePauw on Oct. 2 and Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 9.
 
Hiram is then back home, hosting the Allegheny College Gators on Saturday, Oct. 16, before the Terriers' Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 23 against the Oberlin College Yeomen. Both games are slated for 1:00 p.m.
 
The Terriers hit the road once again for a matchup against Wooster on Oct. 30, before wrapping up their home slate with a senior day matchup against Denison on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m.
 
Hiram football wraps up the 2021 campaign on the road in Gambier, Ohio against Kenyon on Nov. 13.
 
Be sure to keep up to date with all the latest in Hiram Athletics and Hiram Football online at HiramTerriers.com, or by following the Terriers on social media on Facebook at @HiramCollegeAthletics or on Instagram and Twitter @Hiram_Athletics.