It is no secret the North Central football team has high hopes for 2022. Coming off two consecutive Stagg Bowls, the Cardinals have quickly established themselves as one of the premier programs in all of Division III football. With defending champion Mary Hardin-Baylor falling to Wisconsin-Whitewater this past weekend, NCC once again finds itself sitting atop of the Division III rankings.
As exciting as this is for the Cardinals, their goal for this season remains the same: Win their second national title in three years, and one of the biggest keys to that is a familiar face in a new role, wide receiver DeAngelo Hardy. Ever since arriving on campus, Hardy has made it clear what he brings to the table. His combination of speed and agility has made him one of the most explosive players in Division III football. Hardy averaged a whopping 19.8 yards per catch in 2021 and was an integral part of the Cardinals’ elite offense. He finished his sophomore season with 1,009 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns.
The challenge of replacing Andrew Kamienski’s production.
It would be normal to expect a lot from a returner like Hardy. He took a massive step forward in 2021 and still has two years of eligibility. However, Hardy’s larger role in 2022 has more to do with who left the Cardinals than who returned. For the first time since 2016, the offense will be without receiver Andrew Kamienski. To call Kamienski the heart of the Cardinals’ offense would be an understatement. He led the team in receiving yards in his final three years and broke several school and NCAA records. It isn’t just replacing Kamienski’s production that will be challenging, but the attention Kamienski demanded from opposing defenses opened opportunities for other receivers like Hardy to make plays.
Asking Hardy to replicate the production of one of the greatest receivers in Division III history wouldn’t be rational, but he will need to take on greater responsibility this season. After spending last season as the team’s primary deep threat, we may see more of a more extensive route tree from Hardy. Quarterback Luke Lehnen may look to him more in the short to intermediate passing game. Hardy’s 51 catches over 14 games made him the ultimate low-usage, high-efficiency player. He will have to operate on high volume this year now that he is the team’s top returning pass catcher. So far, Hardy has been up for the test, recording 198 yards and two touchdowns in the Cardinals’ first two games.
At the end of the day, no single player can completely control the outcome of the game. The Cardinals should be one of the best teams in the country. But the difference between finishing the year as champions and runner ups often comes down to the smallest details. That’s why Hardy’s expanded role in the offense could be the difference in 2022.
