2008 MIAC football preview: team-by-team capsules

St. John's is favored despite losing a four-year starter at quarterback.

By JOEL RIPPEL, Star Tribune

Last update: September 2, 2008 - 9:21 PM

THE FAVORITE: ST. JOHN'S

Despite having to replace four-year starting quarterback Alex Kofoed, the MIAC's all-time leading passer, the Johnnies were picked as the favorite in the MIAC preseason coaches' poll.

Sophomore Joe Boyle and junior Jordan Hansel are the leading contenders to replace Kofoed, who led an offense that averaged 36 points per game.

Coach John Gagliardi, who begins his 60th season as a college coach, has nine returning starters, including preseason All-America defensive lineman Nick Gunderson and All-MIAC selections Mike Schumacher (DL) and Ryan Wimmer (LB).

The Johnnies, who reached the second round of the NCAA playoffs last season, play five of their first six games at home.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Bethel: Returns 12 starters from a team that went 12-2 and reached the NCAA Division III semifinals for the first time in school history. But coach Steve Johnson will have to find replacements for QB Ben Wetzell, the conference MVP, and All-America defensive back Brandon Carr. Logan Flannery returns. He led the conference in rushing with 841 yards.

Concordia (Moorhead): QB Jesse Nelson and RB Cory Johnson return from an offense that set a school record for points scored (416) in a season. Nelson passed for 1,609 yards and Johnson rushed for 879 yards to become the school's all-time leading rusher (2,424). Seven starters return on defense.

St. Thomas: In his first season as Tommies coach, Glenn Caruso has 13 returning starters among 61 returning lettermen. Among the returning starters are QB David Sauer, who passed for 2,074 yards and 16 TDs in eight conference games last season, and receiver Tony Margarit, who had 51 receptions. The Tommies will have to improve defensively (they gave up 35 points per game last season) and their turnover ratio (they had 31 turnovers in eight losses).

St. Olaf: The Oles begins their first season under Jerry Olszewski. He takes over for Chris Meidt, who accepted a job with the Washington Redskins. Thirteen starters return, but QB Matt Penz and receivers Horace Gant and Andrew Schmiesing are gone from last year's offense, which averaged 49 points per game. RBs Evan Endsley (1,256 all-purpose yards) and Cory Watkins (653 yards, 16 TDs) are back.

Augsburg: The Auggies return 19 starters from a team that won four of its final six games to finish 5-5. QB Jordan Berg and three starting receivers return from an offense that averaged 30 points per game. All but one starter returns on defense, including safety Garrett Adamson, who led the Auggies with 101 tackles and five interceptions last season.

Gustavus Adolphus: Jay Schoenebeck begins his 15th and final season as the Gusties coach with eight returning starters on defense. Returning on offense is receiver Chad Arlt, a preseason All-America who caught 100 passes for 1,294 yards last season. Schoenebeck will have to find a replacement for QB Jordan Stolp, a four-year starter.

Carleton: Coach Kurt Ramler has 14 returning starters but will have to replace six of the seven in the Knights defensive front. On offense, Shane Heffling, who passed for 1,900 yards despite missing two games, and the top three receivers return.

Hamline: Coach Jim Good begins his second season with 14 returning starters. The Pipers have eight returning starters on offense. James Leary, who passed for 489 yards and rushed for 283 yards as a part-time starter last season, will run the offense. The offensive line is anchored by Ace Huff, who was second-team All-MIAC last season.

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