Wed Aug 27 22:17:36 2008

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Around FCS: PFL Must Replace Stars

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Philadelphia (Sports Network) - The Pioneer Football League has experienced something of a renaissance era in the past few years with players like San Diego's Josh Johnson and Eric Bakhtiari and Dayton's Kevin Hoyng passing through the league.

With those players having graduated, the PFL must find a new identity with new stars this season.

San Diego has some name players back with J.T. Rogan at running back, John Matthews at wide receiver, Gabe Derricks at cornerback and versatile Ben Hannula moving to quarterback after playing receiver and defensive back.

Dayton has some great defenders returning, but must replace Hoyng at quarterback. Davidson returns the league's most experienced quarterback with Ryan Alexander and could challenge with him leading the way.

Morehead State and Drake also hope to get into the mix for title contention, while Jacksonville, Valparaiso and Butler look to improve.

The league adds Campbell this year as the Camels return to football for the first time since 1939. Marist, which is playing as an independent this year after the disbanding of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Association, will move to the PFL in 2009.

1. San Diego (9-2 overall, 6-1 conference, tied for first 2007)

Johnson (43 TD passes, one interception, 3,714 yards of total offense) has moved on to the NFL after putting up some of the best numbers in NCAA history and finishing third in last year's Payton Award voting.

Hannula looks to be his replacement and has the athleticism to keep the Torero's offense clicking. Andre Rolin was Johnson's backup in 2007 and started one game (249 yards, five TDs), but was sidelined by a shoulder injury in the spring.

Rogan rushed for 1,021 yards and 10 TDs and is also one of the best kick returners in FCS. Matthews averaged 23.1 yards with 16 TDs on 47 catches.

Bakhtiari will be missed after being a Buchanan Award finalist last year and helping USD roll up 32 sacks last season. But there are enough good players to rebuild the defense around with Patrick O'Neill (65 tackles) and Derricks (55 tackles) keying the defense.

Kicker Hutch Parker (9-of-12 on field goals) and punter John McSorley (30.2 net punting average) give the Toreros good special teams play.

Ron Caragher had a strong first year as coach after replacing Stanford-bound Jim Harbaugh and should be a strength for the team again this year. San Diego has piled up five straight winning seasons, has won or shared three consecutive PFL titles and should be the favorite to win the title again.

2. Dayton (11-1, 6-1, tied for first)

The biggest change at Dayton is the retirement of legendary coach Mike Kelly after 27 years and only one losing season, but Rick Chamberlain moves from defensive coordinator to head coach to keep the continuity in the program.

Chamberlain takes over a team that won a share of the PFL title, the Gridiron Classic and The Sports Network Cup as the top mid-major school.

Hoyng rushed for 640 yards, passed for 3,317 and accounted for 40 TDs in the Flyers' new spread attack last year, so new starter Rob Florian will have some big shoes to fill. The strong-armed Florian had 411 yards passing in one start in 2006.

Ben Shappie is the best returning running back (529 yards, 4.9 average, six TDs). Dayton will also miss All-American tight end Matt Champa (59 catches, 15.9 average, nine TDs).

Defense will again be a Flyer strength with Steve McDonald (79 tackles) Corey Vossler (71 tackles), Scott Vossler (68 tackles, nine sacks) and Kalen Hemmelgarn (41 tackles, 8.5 sacks) among the six returning starters. Dayton was ranked fourth nationally in defense last year.

3. Davidson (6-4, 4-3, fourth)

The Wildcats will likely go as far as Alexander's strong arm will take them. Alexander passed for 2,238 yards and 18 TDs last year as Davidson closed ground on the top of the PFL.

Chad Barnes, Justin Williams and Kenny Mantao combined for 1,055 yards rushing last year, while Kirk Konert and Myles Potter had 27 receptions each. The line must replace a standout center in George Zoeckler.

The Wildcats averaged 31 points per game, but gave up 28 on average last year, but the defense should improve with eight starters returning. Free safety Matt Easton and linebacker Peter Bakke (71 tackles each) and nose guard Will Funderburg will be the leaders of the unit.

4. Morehead State (7-4, 5-2, third)

The Eagles were the only team to beat Dayton last year, but they missed a chance to qualify for the Gridiron Classic and win a share of the PFL title when they dropped a 27-14 decision to San Diego in their final league game.

MSU will have to replace plenty of offense with the graduation of quarterback Brian Yost (2,142 yards, 20 TDs), but new starter Evan Sawyer will have Nick Feldman (45 catches, 16.3 average) and Erick Fitzpatrick (312 yards rushing, 425 yards receiving) to rely on.

The Eagles ranked first nationally in rushing defense, giving up just 54 yards per game and were 10th overall. Six starters return from that group, including linebacker Wes McDermott (64 tackles, 7.5 tackles per loss). All-American defensive back David Hyland had eight interceptions and 11 pass breakups last season and also caught 10 passes on offense.

5. Valparaiso (5-6, 2-5, tied for sixth)

After four consecutive losing seasons, the Crusaders hope to make some headway this season. Warren Arnold has a chance to become an elite quarterback in the league after rushing for 750 yards, passing for 1,912 yards and accounting for 17 TDs last season.

Valpo loses running back Jeff Horton (3,072 career yards) and will look for Ross Wiemer (397 yards) and John Popper (291 yards) to take up the slack. Steve Ogden (42 catches, 15.9 average, seven TDs) should be Arnold's top receiving target again and Ryan Kozay anchors what should be a solid line.

On defense, the Crusaders are excited to have 19 of their top 20 tacklers returning from a unit that ranked 39th defensively last year in FCS. Adam Rundh (7.5 sacks) and Andrew Mack (5.5 sacks) head up an experienced defensive line and Ryan Koepke (79 tackles) leads the linebackers. Cornerback Kyle Himmelwright is the top returner among a secondary that returns four starters.

6. Drake (6-5, 3-4, fifth)

It was a strange year for a senior-oriented Bulldog squad last year. Veteran coach Rob Ash took the Montana State head coaching job during the spring and Steve Loney was named as interim coach.

Loney's team managed to upset No. 7 ranked Illinois State in the first game and was ranked No. 1 in the Sports Network for part of the year. Drake won five of its first six games, losing only to Northern Iowa, but dropped four of its final five and brought in Chris Creighton as the new coach.

The offense loses its all-time leading rusher, Scott Phaydavong (5,830 career yards), but can build around quarterback Cole Ingle (1,387 yards, 11 TDs). Michael Bialas (122 yards five TDs) is the top returning rusher, while Zach Brower (47 catches, 13.9 average) is a receiving threat.

The offensive line lost All-American Dave Pammer, but returns Quinn McVey.

Drake has six starters back on defense, including linebackers Ben Morrison (87 tackles) and Stephen Platek (74 tackles) and defensive tackle Andrew Asbell (32 tackles, six sacks), but must replace top-notch safety Andy Green.

7. Jacksonville (3-8, 2-5, tied for sixth)

The Dolphins took some steps forward and others backwards in Kerwin Bell's first year as coach. They struggled running the ball and defending the run to finish 87th in scoring offense (21.8 points per game and 99th in scoring defense (31.9).

Jacksonville found a gifted running back in freshman Rudell Small, who ran for 490 yards and nine TDs in partial year as a starter. Small, Tommie Rogers and Ron Harris combined for 1,036 yards. Erik Stapleton takes over a quarterback after throwing for 657 yards in a backup role for a team that returns six offensive starters, including receiver Geavon Tribble (41 catches, 17.1 average, five TDs).

The defense only has five starters returning. Free safety Robson Noel (80 tackles) has been the Dolphins' most productive performer.

8. Butler (4-7, 0-7, eighth)

Hopes were high when the Bulldogs won their first four games last year, but then they failed to win again in PFL play. Butler has compiled six straight losing years, but the four wins were the most since 2002.

The offense ranked 105th nationally offense and can only improve. Matt Kobli (575 yards of total offense) takes over at quarterback and has Scott Gray (547 yards, 15 TDs) to count on as a running back. Dan Bohrer is the best returning receiver with 36 catches for a 10.8 average last season.

The defense was solid against the run (33rd nationally), but struggled against the pass (100th). Six starters are back, including defensive end Derek Guggenberger (68 tackles, three sacks) and safety Mike Bennett (57 tackles, eight tackles for loss), but the Bulldogs could struggle again on this side of the ball.

9. Campbell (first year program)

Dale Steele, a longtime assistant coach with Southern Conference and FBS roots, takes over a program that will play for the first time in 58 years. The Camels will play a non-Division I schedule before embarking on their PFL slate.

Wesley Snow is expected to be the quarterback in the spread offense, while Carl Smith rushed for 114 yards in the spring game and looks to be the top rusher, along with Earl Kemp. Ray Griffis has established himself as a go-to receiver, while guard Andy Johnson has opened eyes on the offensive line.

The 4-3 defense will likely be one of the smallest in the league, averaging 242 pounds, but Steele has found a couple of gems in defensive tackle Randal Herring and free safety Chris Dixon.

10. Marist (3-8, 2-1 MAAC, tied for first)

The Red Foxes will try to get through an independent season before being eligible for the PFL title in 2009. With no league title to compete for, motivation could be difficult for the team.

Marist will again feature a strong rushing attack with Obozua Ehikioya (631 yards, seven TDs) and Keith Mitchell (405 yards) returning. Will Brown (35 catches, 11.0 average) is the best experienced receiver, but the Red Foxes will be inexperienced at quarterback. John Schaeffer is the likely starter.

Rory Foley (66 tackles) may move from linebacker to safety, while Kurt Steubing (63 tackles) will continue to bolster the linebacking corps. The defensive line must replace all three starters, though Terrence Turner has come on strong.

The Red Foxes must improve on both sides of the ball after being ranked 90th offensively and 82nd defensively last year.