Merrill native Alex Mueske had a tough decision to make last year, but now he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Mueske had a chance at one more year of college football eligibility, although he could have called it a career.
Instead, the biggest shift he made was from right tackle to right guard, and the switch came off without a hitch. Alex wrapped up All-WIAC Second Team honors for the second consecutive year for UW-Osh??????kosh.
“I took just two classes in spring (of 2010) so I could come back full time in fall and I’m glad I did it,” he said. “I didn’t want that regret, sitting there watching, thinking, ‘I could be playing with these guys.’ “
The change in position was proposed by his coach, but just felt right.
“We talked about it the last game of 2009,” Mueske said. “Coach though it would suit me better. Each has a unique ability, but I think I like guard more. It’s a little more downhill with big D tackles in your face. At tackle, you’re out on an island. You also have to pull a lot more, which I’ve always liked doing.”
The squad finished 4-6 overall, the same record for all three years since Mueske transferred from North Dakota.
“We played the fourth-hardest schedule in (D3) football this year,” he noted. “We were only the second team ever to play the national champion (UW-Whitewater) and the runner-up (Mount Union, Ohio) in the same year. We scored the most points anybody had in 10 years with 28 against Mount Union. Even though we lost we came out with a lot of positives. You don’t fear anyone the rest of the year because you’ve already played the best.”
Injuries greater than the ankle sprain which kept Mueske out of the Whitewater game, will help the Titans for next year.
“We’ve got a lot of guys back that were supposed to be done,” Mueske said. “We were #2 in the WIAC in the second year of the spread offense. Our quarterback is only a sophomore but he’s unbelievable. We only lose like four guys on offense, so we should be positioned to make a run.”
Mueske will be counted in that minority.
“I’ve been playing football for 15 years,” he said. “Come August I won’t be strapping on a helmet. It’s not that bad now because I would just be lifting weights, but come fall it’s going to be a very awkward feeling just sitting around.”