Melvin Blanks vs. Mercyhurst
Ed Mailliard

Football Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Gridders Begin Spring Practice on Saturday

ERIE, Pa. – Gannon head football coach Erik Raeburn will begin preparations for his third season as head coach when the Golden Knights begin spring football drills on Saturday, March 19. Raeburn will put the Golden Knights through 15 spring practices between Saturday and Wednesday, April 13. Spring practices will take place either at McConnell Family Stadium or the Recreation and Wellness Center.
 
"I'm really excited for spring practice," commented Raeburn. "With so many players returning with game experience, it will be a great opportunity to focus on technique and improve our fundamentals. It also gives some of our new coaches a chance to build stronger relationships with our players."
 
The Golden Knights come off a 5-6 finish in 2021 and return numerous key performers. In fact, the Golden Knights bid farewell to just three players on Senior Day. While a few other players are no longer with the program, the vast majority of the squad is back looking to improve on last season.
 
There has been some turnover on the coaching staff, with Reilly Murphy taking over as offensive coordinator and Bryan Nardo assuming the defensive coordinator duties.
 
The offense returns first team All-PSAC West running back Melvin Blanks (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills). The rising senior finished as the second-leading rusher in the PSAC with 1,187 yards and 8 TDs, adding two more touchdowns receiving. He was named a Don Hansen Football Gazette honorable mention All-American. Offensive guard Montana Nietert (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora), a second team All-PSAC West selection, headlines an offensive line that returns all five starters.
 
Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) threw for 2,255 yards and 20 TDs with just 7 INTs in his first season as a Golden Knights. He welcomes back his favorite receivers, including leading receiver Johnny Freeman (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) (32 rec.-570 yards-4 TDs), plus Damerisse Freeman Jr. (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward) (25 rec.-423 yards-1 TD), Sam East (Jackson Township, N.J./Saint John Vianney) (25 rec.-350 yards-3 TDs), and Bransen Stanley (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) (23 rec.-319 yards-2 TDs). 
 
Defensively, Nick White (Randallstown, Md./Milford Mill Academy) was accorded first team All-PSAC West honors and was also an honorable mention Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American. The 6'3", 240 lb. defensive end finished with 60 tackles, leading Gannon with 10.5 TFL and 5.0 sacks. He's flanked at defensive end by
 
Chris Farnsworth (Bristol, Pa./Milton Hershey), a rising junior, was a fourth Golden Knight to earn All-PSAC West honors, and he also returns. He started all 11 games at safety, the only player to start every game in the secondary. Farnsworth finished second on the team in tackles with 74, tiying for the team lead with two interceptions, and second on the Knights with six passes broken up.
 
Following the spring drills, Gannon will open the 2022 campaign on Thursday, September 1 hosting Charleston(WV). Kickoff at a McConnell Family Stadium will be 7:00 p.m.
 
SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 19 -- 12 noon
Monday, March 21 -- 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 -- 6 p.m.
Friday, March 25 -- 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 26 -- 12 noon
Monday, March 28 -- 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30   6 p.m.
Friday, April 1 -- 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 2 .. 12 noon
Monday, April 4 -- 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6 -- 4 p.m.
Friday, April 8 -- 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 9 -- 10 a.m.
Monday, April 11 -- 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 13 -- 6 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Melvin Blanks

#2 Melvin Blanks

RB
6' 0"
Junior
Business
Sam East

#20 Sam East

WR
6' 0"
Junior
Undeclared
Chris Farnsworth

#39 Chris Farnsworth

DB
5' 11"
Sophomore
Johnny Freeman

#18 Johnny Freeman

WR
6' 1"
Sophomore
Montana Nietert

#76 Montana Nietert

OL
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Business
Bransen Stanley

#4 Bransen Stanley

WR
6' 1"
Sophomore
Nick White

#51 Nick White

DL
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sports Management
Kory Curtis

#17 Kory Curtis

QB
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Damerisse Freeman Jr.

#6 Damerisse Freeman Jr.

WR
6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Melvin Blanks

#2 Melvin Blanks

6' 0"
Junior
Business
RB
Sam East

#20 Sam East

6' 0"
Junior
Undeclared
WR
Chris Farnsworth

#39 Chris Farnsworth

5' 11"
Sophomore
DB
Johnny Freeman

#18 Johnny Freeman

6' 1"
Sophomore
WR
Montana Nietert

#76 Montana Nietert

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Business
OL
Bransen Stanley

#4 Bransen Stanley

6' 1"
Sophomore
WR
Nick White

#51 Nick White

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sports Management
DL
Kory Curtis

#17 Kory Curtis

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
QB
Damerisse Freeman Jr.

#6 Damerisse Freeman Jr.

6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
WR