2008 football preview: other area schools

By JOEL RIPPEL, Star Tribune

Last update: September 2, 2008 - 11:31 PM

UMAC

THE FAVORITE: NORTHWESTERN

Northwestern (Roseville), which won its 11th UMAC championship last season, was picked to repeat as conference champion. The Eagles bring an eight-game winning streak into the season.

They return 14 starters, including nine who received all-conference honors. Leading that group is quarterback Zach Tarter, who was the UMAC's co-offensive player of the year. Tarter, a junior from Crystal Falls, Mich., completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,269 yards and 23 touchdowns (all three are school records).

Also returning is cornerback Mike Polley, who had 51 tackles and six interceptions last season.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Martin Luther: Returns 17 starters from a team that went 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the conference. Senior Seth Scheuerlin was the 2007 UMAC defensive player of the year .

Minnesota-Morris: Begins its second season under coach Todd Hickman. On offense, Matt Throngard (405 yards, seven touchdowns) and Matt Fragodt (38 receptions, eight touchdowns) return.

Crown: Returns nine starters from an offense that averaged 35 points per game en route to a 5-4 record, but coach John Auer will have to replace quarterback Matt Bremer, the school's all-time leader in passing yards, and six starters on defense.

St. Scholastica: Will field a team for the first time, and coach Greg Carlson welcomed 92 players for the start of practice last month.

INDEPENDENTS

Macalester: Tony Jennison is in his first season as the Scots' head coach after two seasons as defensive coordinator. Fifteen starters return from last season's 4-5 squad. Among them are quarterback Trevor Miehe (1,070 yards, 11 touchdowns), running back Jacob McDonnell (1,116 yards rushing/receiving and 16 touchdowns), and linebackers Gavin Keisling and Brian Foster, the Scots' leading tacklers last season.

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