NORTH DIVISION

Bemidji State Beavers

Location: Bemidji, Minn.

Coach: Jeff Tesch, 13th season at BSU (78-51)

2007 record: 6-3 NSIC (fourth), 7-4 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Erick Newman, sr., RB (151-638, six TD). Anthony Schreiber, jr., WR (56-770, seven TD).

Top defensive returnees: Jake Anderson, jr. LB (68 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception). Jeremiah Johnson, jr., S (86 tackles, three interceptions)

Top special teams returner: Paul Potemra, so., K/P (71 points, 10-for-13 FG, 41.3 punt average).

n NOTES: After the 2007 season, coach Tesch signed a four-year contract extension which will keep him at the helm through the 2011 season. … Picked fourth in North Division of preseason poll. … Potemra was first-team, all-NSIC selection.

Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles

Location: Crookston, Minn.

Coach: Shannon Stassen, sixth season

2007 record: 1-8 NSIC (10th); 2-8 overall.

Top offensive returnee: Aaron Wall, jr., WR (27-542, two TD).

Top defensive returnee: Tayler Michels, sr., DB (66 tackles, three interceptions).

Top special teams returner: Travis Coulson, sr., P (38.2 average).

n NOTES: Was shut out four times last season. … Averaged 12.4 points per game. … Scored 17 touchdowns and surrendered 48. … Was outscored 131-34 in the second quarter.

University of Mary Marauders

Location: Bismarck

Coach: Myron Schulz, 10th season (75-22)

2007 record: 7-2 NSIC (tied for second), 7-4 overall

Top offensive returnees: Mike Williams, sr., WR (55-870, nine TD). Jamal Lomax, so., RB (83-367 yards, one TD).

Top defensive returnees: Shawn Melland, sr., OLB (82 tackles, five interceptions for 160 yards).

Top special teams returner: Rett Thibodeaux, jr., K (11-for-17 FG, 66 points).

n NOTES: Melland named preseason North defensive player of the year. He was an all-NSIC first-team selection last season. … Williams had three games where he surpassed 100 yards receiving. U-Mary has won 69.1 percent of its games in its 20-year history. … Led NSIC in attendance with 4,138 fans per game.

UM-Duluth Bulldogs

Location: Duluth, Minn.

Coach: Bob Nielson, sixth season at UM-D, 15th overall (108-52-1)

2007 record: 3-5 NCC (sixth), 4-6 overall.

Top offensive returnee: Ted Schlafke, sr., QB (319.8 passing yards per game, 176-500 rushing).

Top defensive returnees: Tyler Yelk, sr., DB (78 tackles, three interceptions, one TD). Jim Johnson, sr., DB (77 tackles, four interceptions).

Top special teams returner: Bryan Gambuzza, so. (8.2 punt return average, 23.4 kickoff return average).

n NOTES: UM-D's home opener on Sept. 11 against Southwest Minnesota State will be televised nationally. … Nielson coached at UM-D from 1999-2003. He is returning after a four-year hiatus, replacing Kyle Schweigert. … Picked to win the North Division with six first-place votes, ranked 22nd in the Division II preseason poll. … Yelk is 24 stops shy of a school record.

MSU-Moorhead Dragons

Location: Moorhead, Minn.

Coach: Damon Tomeo, thjrd season

2007 record: 3-6 NSIC (tied for sixth), 4-7 overall (10-12).

Top offensive returnees: Jabari Taylor, jr., WR (90-1,147, 13 TD). Enol Gilles, jr., RB (186-930, four TD).

Top defensive returnees: Jon Miller, sr., LB (122 tackles, one and one half sacks). Dennis Oswald, sr., ILB (74 tackles).

Top special teams returners: Kyle Wilcox, sr., P/K (31.0 punt average, 9-for-13 FG, 67 points). Chauncey Ames, so. (18.2 kickoff return average, 11.8 punt return average).

n NOTES: In 2007, the Dragons lost five games by five points or fewer. … Return 31 lettermen. … WR Taylor's numbers ranked second nationally, making him an All-American second team choice. He is the career receiving leader with 140 catches in two years.

Northern State Wolves

Location: Aberdeen, S.D.

Coach: Chris Boden, fourth season (15-18)

2007 record: 5-4 NSIC (fifth), 5-6 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Tavis Ve'e, sr., RB (63-345, one TD). Eric Ellingson, so., QB (233 completions, 2,672 yards, 24 TD). Brian Jark, jr., WR (76-1,008 yards, eight TD).

Top defensive returnees: Nate McGruder, sr., DB (36 tackles, four interceptions). Mike Preciado, sr., LB (59 tackles).

Top special teams returners: Thomas Parrott, so., K (4-for-9 field goals, 51.9 kickoff average). Jark, KR/PR (six and one half average yards punt return, 20.5 kickoff return average).

n NOTES: Ryan Gatch joined the NSU staff as defensive line coach. Gatch played for Dickinson State. He has coached at Minot State, Black Hills State, Montana State-Northern and Chadron State. … Ve'e was the first player to reach 100-plus rushing yards for the Wolves in 2007. He reached the century mark with 112 yards against Upper Iowa on Nov. 3. … NSU scored 74 percent of the time in the red zone last season.

St. Cloud State Huskies

Location: St. Cloud, Minn.

Coach: Scott Underwood, first (0-0)

2007 record: 1-7 NCC (eighth), 4-7 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Fred Williams, so., WR (48-648, five TD). Michael Graham, sr., RB (109-554, three TD).

Top defensive returnees: Ryan Kees, sr., DT (55 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, six sacks). Matt McLagan, sr., LB (73 tackles, three sacks).

Top special teams returners: Brian Cristan, sr., P (38.4 punt average, 56.0 kickoff average). Rocky Horn, jr., KR (24.2 average kickoff return average).

n NOTES: Underwood was introduced as head coach on March 25. He succeeded Randy Hedberg, who grew up in Parshall. Underwood is a former linebackers coach for the University of North Dakota. … Received one first-place vote in the preseason North Division. Picked to finish third, behind U-Mary.

SOUTH DIVISION

Augustana Vikings

Location: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Coach: Brad Salem, fourth season (15-18)

2007 record: 2-6 NCC (seventh), 4-7 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Jeremy Huber, sr. RB (500 yards, six TD). Joe Klumper, jr., WR (296 yards, one TD).

Top defensive returnees: Jason Donnelly, sr. DB (57 tackles, four interceptions). Brandon McMichael, sr., LB (94 tackles, five and one half sacks). Brian Baumgartner, sr. DB (91 tackles).

Top special teams returner: Ryan Grossman, sr., K (8-for-14 FG, 23-for-26 PAT).

n NOTES: Returning 60 letterwinners. … Were penalized 76 times for 599 yards in 2007. … The Vikings scored 68 percent of the time they entered the red zone last season.

Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears

Location: St. Paul, Minn.

Coach: Mark Mauer, fifth season (25-19)

2007 record: 3-6 NSIC (tied for sixth), 4-7 overall.

Top offensive returnee: Tyrone Ruffin, sr., WR (54-859, 11 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Duy Huynh, sr., LB (103 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, two defensive TD). Dario Moore, sr., DB (44 tackles, four interceptions).

Top special teams returners: Dario Moore, sr. (21.4 kickoff return average). Stephan Bjerke, jr., K (7-for-18 FG, 51.2 kickoff average). T.G. Schoenberg, so., P/K (35.3 punt average).

n NOTES: Ruffin had five 100-yard performances in 2007. He is within reach of virtually every career receiving record at C-SP. … QB Mitch Brecke transferred from North Dakota State to C-SP for his junior season. Last year's starting QB, Kole Goodchild, used up his eligibility. … The Golden Bears averaged 305.8 yards of offense per game last season.

MSU-Mankato Mavericks

Location: Mankato, Minn.

Coach: Todd Hoffner, first season at MSU-Mankato, eighth season overall.

2007 record: 3-5 NCC (fifth), 5-6 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Donte Schackelford, sr., RB (40-187 yards, three TD rushing, 38-598, eight TD receiving). Chris Nowlin, jr., WR (52-822, six TD).

Top defensive returnees: Blake Freese, sr., LB (82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss). Ryan Weinzierl, sr., DB (70 tackles).

Top special teams returners: Kelvin Rodgers, jr., PR/KR (11.4 punt return average, 25.8 kickoffs return average). Gerard DeWet, so., P (38.0 average).

n NOTES: Hoffner was head coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire for seven seasons. Hoffner, a native of Esmond, was the offensive coordinator at University of South Dakota in 2006-07. … MSU-M averaged 417.8 yards of offense per game last season.

Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs

Location: Marshall, Minn.

Coach: Eric Eidsness, fifth season (15-29).

2007 record: 2-7 NSIC (tied for eighth), 2-9 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Josh Shudlick, sr., QB (250 completions, 2,942 yards, 18 TD). Zach Wysong, jr., RB (164-711, six TD). Derek Townsend, jr., WR (50 -698, four TD).

Top defensive returnees: Tyler Reed, sr., S (101 tackles, two and one half tackles for loss, three interceptions, two TD). Bryce Haessly, jr., S (74 tackles, two interceptions).

Top special teams returners: Scott Talcott, sr., K (10-for-21 FG). Korey Roethler, sr., P (37.6 average). Wysong, jr., 8.1 punt return average).

n NOTES: Return 42 letterwinners. … The season opener will mark SMSU's first game in the new Regional Events Center. … The Sept. 11 game at UM-Duluth will be aired on national television. … In the last two seasons, 10 of SMSU's 16 losses have been by an average of just 4.8 points. … Shudlick finished 2007 with a 119.04 passing efficiency. He finished 2007 with five straight games with 300-plus yards, becoming the first SMSU quarterback to do so since 1992. … Reed was named South Division preseason defensive player of the year. He set a school record with a 100-yard interception return.

Upper Iowa Peacocks

Location: Fayette, Iowa

Coach: Mike Knoll, fourth season at UI, eighth overall.

2007 record: 2-7 NSIC (tied for eighth), 3-8 overall.

Top offensive returnee: Jerad Jandrain, sr. OL.

Top defensive returnee: Doug Akins, sr., DL (98 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, all career numbers).

Top special teams returner: None.

n NOTES: Last season, the Peacocks allowed 22 sacks, an improvement of seven from the year before. … Coach Knoll was the head coach at New Mexico State from 1986-89 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Miami.

Wayne State Wildcats

Location: Wayne, Neb.

Coach: Dan McLaughlin, fourth season (16-18).

2007 record: 7-2 NSIC (tied for second), 7-5 overall.

Top offensive returnees: Silas Fluellen, jr., QB (216 completions, 2,828 yards, 21 TD). Travis Rhone, sr., RB (213-1,130 yards, 13 TD). Logan Masters, jr., WR (64-1,097, six TD).

Top defensive returnees: Darius Davis, jr., DL (62 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss). Luke Hoffman, sr. (90 tackles, one interception).

Top special teams returners: Nick Hope, jr., K (6-for-8 FG). Frederick Bruno, so., KR (20.5 kickoff return average).

n NOTES: Fluellen was named NSIC South Division preseason offensive player of the year. … The 2007 season was WSC's first since 1995. … Defeated U-Mary last season to earn a berth in the Mineral Water Bowl. It was WSC's second bowl appearance in 91 years. … McLaughlin was named 2007 NSIC coach of the year. … In the high school ranks, McLaughlin coached three different schools to a Nebraska state championship.

Winona State Warriors

Location: Winona, Minn.

Coach: Tom Sawyer, 13th season.

2007 record: 9-0 NSIC (first), 10-2 overall.

Top offensive returnee: Tyrre Burks, sr., WR (46-687, six TD).

Top defensive returnees: Tyler Perkette, sr., SS (83 tackles, one interception, four fumble recoveries). Brent Yule, sr., LB (81 tackles, two sacks).

Top special teams returners: Ryan Abbott, jr. (10-for-15 FG). Adam Linbo, sr. (33.4 punt average).

n NOTES: Lost 44-2 to the University of North Dakota in last season's playoffs. … Only regular season loss inflicted by non-conference opponent University of South Dakota. … WSU has won five NSIC championships this decade. … Sawyer, a WSU alumnus, has been named NSIC coach of the year in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2004.

Compiled by Cindy Peterson