STORM LAKE, Iowa (Sept. 2, 2026) - The Buena Vista University football team, now under the direction of fourth-year head coach Austin Dickinson, brings back a veteran group of experienced players in all facets this season. The team averaged over 17.0ppg and finished 3-7 overall (2-6 A-R-C) in 2025.

Five starters  are returning to an offensive group that was much improved last year in the ground game. As a team, the Beavers ranked fourth in the league by averaging over 150.0 yards rushing per game. Senior Adriel Fussell will again put on the navy and gold after he led the attack and ranked fourth in the A-R-C with over 800 yards gained and five touchdowns. No other current player on the roster had more than two carries a season ago. 

“Adriel had a great season for us last fall, and we look for him to continue that this year,” added Dickinson.

The team returns multiple starters on the O-line which is expected to bolster the run game and add continued protection in the passing game.

“Aiden (Phillips) and Anthony (Courtney) have been constants on our offensive line for the last two and three years. The two of them will anchor the line and we look forward to big things out of them in 2026.” 

BVU hopes to be more consistent under center in 2026 following a season in which it completed under 59 percent of its pass attempts and ranked eighth in the A-R-C with only 177.7 yards passing per game. Junior quarterback Brett Garcia will be the most experienced passer entering the year after tossing for 544 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a sophomore last season. The team’s top two pass catchers are also back with senior Johnny Messerly and junior Aedan Hays. Messerly led the team in receptions (40), yards (700) and touchdowns (6). Hays ranked second on the team a year ago with 28 catches and 254 yards. Senior tight end Gavin Honkomp bolsters the group after hauling in 11 receptions and a pair of touchdowns last season.

“We look for Johnny to continue being that big play threat downfield for us while Aedan has continued to develop heading into this season,” says Dickinson. Gavin, meanwhile, holds a big leadership role for us and will become a four-year starter for us this fall.”

Defensively, the Beavers will look to be stronger in stopping the run after allowing a league-worst 229.5 yards rushing per game. The team was the best in the A-R-C in defending the pass by surrendering only 168.8 yards through the air per contest.

“Defensively, we need to be better against the run, and that has been a big focus for us the last 10 months,” states Dickinson. “We bring back a lot of experience on that side of the ball that has played a lot of snaps over the last couple years.”

Overall, the defense is set to return four starters, including three of its top four tacklers from 2025. Senior linebacker Drew Volkman registered 53 total tackles a year ago along with a team-leading four interceptions. Senior Brody Boeckman was third in tackles with 44, third with four pass breakups and tops in forced fumbles with two.

The Beavers open the season with three straight non-conference games, including the season opener at home versus Benedictine (IL). The A-R-C slate gets underway when the team hosts Simpson College on Oct. 3 for Homecoming. Coe College, the University of Dubuque and Nebraska Wesleyan will also make their way to Storm Lake to round out the home slate of conference foes.

“The A-R-C is always a tough schedule,” commented Dickinson. “Every week you are playing is going to be against solid competition. Benedictine to begin the year, will be  a good test for us to see where we’re at as a team.”