NORTH DIVISION

Bemidji State Beavers

Location: Bemidji, Minn.

Coach: Jeff Tesch, 14th year, 83-57.

2008 record: 5-6 overall, 3-3 NSIC North, third.

Top offensive returnees: Derek Edholm, jr., QB (192-295-5 2,122 yards, 17 TD). Brandon Miles, jr., RB (98 carries, 410 yards, 5 TD). Andrew Schultz, jr., WR (48 catches, 482 yards, 2 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Jake Anderson, sr., LB (70 tackles, 4½ sacks, three interceptions). Andrew Eagan, jr., LB (68 tackles, two sacks). Tiger Ellison, sr., CB (54 tackles, one interception).

Top special teams returnee: Brandon Miles, jr., KR (12 returns, 223 yards).

Notes: The Beavers averaged 324.6 yards per game in total offense last season. … BSU is ranked ninth in NSIC preseason poll..

Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles

Location: Crookston, Minn.

Coach: Shannon Stassen, seventh year.

2008 record: 2-9 overall, 1-5 NSIC North, sixth.

Top offensive returnees: Mario Perez, jr., G. Jeff Schiller, so., C. Tim Ennis, jr., QB (72-146-12, 7 TD, 939 yards, 83 carries, 368 yards, 3 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Tom Melhorn, sr., LB (44 tackles, three interceptions). Cody Brekken, jr., DB (40 tackles, one sack). Kyle Myers, sr., LB (30 tackles, one sack).

Top special teams returnee: Chris Wooding, sr., KR (17 returns, 255 yards).

Notes: The Golden Eagles are ranked in the cellar at 14th in the NSIC preseason poll. … UMC defeated MSU-Moorhead in 2008, '07, '05 and '04. … Perez and Schiller were NSIC North Division all-conference honorable mention in 2008.

University of Mary Marauders

Location: Bismarck.

Coach: Myron Schulz, 11th year, 79-29.

2008 record: 4-7 overall, 3-3 NSIC North, fourth.

Top offensive returnees: L.T. Brown, sr., C. Jamal Lomax, sr., RB (189 carries, 834 yards, nine TD). Henry Lau, sr., QB (72-142-3, 853 yards, six TD).

Top defensive returnees: Phillip Thomas, sr., CB (36 tackles). Caleb Thompson, sr., LB (62 tackles, one sack). Sean Ziehlke, jr., DB (56 tackles).

Top special teams returnee: Rett Thibodeaux, sr., K/P (7 of 9 field goals, 23 of 24 PAT, 21 punts, 706 yards).

Notes: Brown is a two-time All-NSIC second-team selection. … The Marauders won back-to-back games in overtime in 2008, defeating MSU-Moorhead and Northern State. … U-Mary scored just 17 points in the first quarter last season. … Ranked eighth in the NSIC preseason poll.

UM-Duluth Bulldogs

Location: Duluth, Minn.

Coach: Bob Nielson, 17th year, 123-52-1.

2008 record: 15-0 overall, national champions, 6-0 NSIC North, first.

Top offensive returnees: Tobias Lemke, sr., OL. Isaac Odim, sr., RB (244 carries, 1,638 yards, 26 TD). D.J. Winfield, jr., WR (71 catches, 1,201 yards, 14 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Cole Strilzuk, sr., DB (48 tackles, six interceptions, 10 pass breakups). Robbie Aurich, sr., LB (101 tackles, three sacks). Kiel Fechtelkotter, sr., LB (58 tackles, three interceptions).

Top special teams returner: David Nadeau, so., K (8 of 14 field goals, 69 of 78 PAT).

n NOTES: Ranked No. 1 in the NSIC preseason poll. … Lemke was a Football Gazette second team All-American selection in 2008. … Nielson was named NCAA Division II coach of the year by three different publications. … Last season, the Bulldogs scored 40.9 points a game and gave up 11.5.

MSU-Moorhead Dragons

Location: Moorhead, Minn.

Coach: Damon Tomeo, fourth year, 12-21.

2008 record: 2-9 overall, 2-4 NSIC North, fifth.

Top offensive returnees: Joe Johnson, sr., WR (29 passes, 264 yards, one TD). Enol Gilles, sr., RB (109 carries, 449 yards, three TD). Tyrone Small III, jr., WR (42 catches, 468 yards, three TD).

Top defensive returnees: Jon Swart, sr., NG (29 tackles, 3½ sacks). Brandon Larson, jr., SS (44 tackles). Jake Larsen, jr., ILB (39 tackles).

Top special teams returners: Joe Johnson, PR/KR (14 Pr, 148 yards, five KR, 55 yards).

Notes: The Dragons are ranked 12 in the NSIC preseason poll. … At 32, Tomeo is the youngest head coach in the NSIC. … The Dragons' two wins last season came against Bemidji State and Northern State.

Northern State Wolves

Location: Aberdeen, S.D.

Coach: Chris Boden, fifth year, 16-28.

2008 record: 1-10 overall, 1-5 NSIC North, seventh.

Top offensive returnee: Brian Jark, sr., WR (52 catches, 484 yards, two TD).

Top defensive returnees: Anthony Ponzo, sr., LB (98 tackles, 2½ sacks). David Alvarez, sr., OLB (60 tackles, three sacks). Ryan Olerud, sr., OLB (51 tackles).

Top special teams returnees: Thomas Parrott, jr., K/P (40 punts, 1,354 yards).

Notes: Ranked 11th in NSIC preseason poll. … The Wolves' lone win last season came against Minnesota-Crookston. … Jark was nominated to the AFCA Good Works Team for his involvement in the community.

St. Cloud State Huskies

Location: St. Cloud, Minn.

Coach: Scott Underwood, second year, 7-4.

2008 record: 7-4 overall, 5-1 NSIC North, second).

Top offensive returnees: Brandon Geiss, so., RB (178 carries, 798 yards, 11 TD). Mitch Watkins, sr., QB (145-260-16, 1,828 yards, 13 TD). Fred Williams, jr., WR (49 catches, 659 yards, 6 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Paul Denne, sr., LB (51 tackles, 2½ sacks). Brian Kampa, sr., DB (33 tackles, one interception). Gyangelo Bradden (29 tackles).

Top special teams returnees: Brandon Geiss, so., KR (five returns, 110 yards).

Notes: The Huskies and Wayne State are tied for the No. 4 ranking in the NSIC preseason poll. … St. Cloud State returns 19 letterwinners, including seven starters, from last season. … The Huskies scored 25 touchdowns on the ground.

SOUTH DIVISION

Augustana Vikings

Location: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Coach: Brad Salem, fifth year, 23-22.

2008 record: 8-4 overall, 4-2 NSIC South, third.

Top offensive returnees: Luke Butler, sr., QB (131-239-8, 1,854 yards, 10 TD). Joe Clark, jr., RB (229 carries, 1,114 yards, 16 TD). Tyler Schulte, jr., WR (46 catches, 802 yards, seven TD).

Top defensive returnees: Brandon McMichael, sr., LB (94 tackles, 5½ sacks, 2007). Andrew Keel, jr., LB (112 tackles). Chris Janisch, jr., LB (100 tackles, two sacks).

Top special teams returnee: Tyler Schulte, jr., KR (12 returns, 249 yards).

Notes: Augustana was rated third in the NSIC preseason poll. … McMichael sat out 2008 season with a medical redshirt. … Butler joined the Vikings after playing two seasons at Idaho State.

Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears

Location: St. Paul, Minn.

Coach: Mark Mauer, sixth year, 29-26.

2008 record: 4-7 overall, 1-5 NSIC South, sixth.

Top offensive returnees: Calvin Simon, jr., WR (35 catches, 517 yards, four TD). Sam Campbell, so., RB (77 carries, 281 yards, three TD). Mitch Brecke, sr., QB(118-205-14, 1,618 yards, nine TD).

Top defensive returnees: Joe Butler, sr., DB (19 tackles). Joey Lehman, sr., DB (46 tackles, two interceptions). Travis Meyer, sr., DB (46 tackles, one interception).

Top special teams returnee: TG Schoenberg, jr., K/P (49 punts, 1,894 yards).

Notes: Ranked 10th in the NSIC preseason poll. … In two years, Simon already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He holds multiple school records. … Butler transferred to the Golden Bears from the NDSCS-Wahpeton.

MSU-Mankato Mavericks

Location: Mankato, Minn.

Coach: Todd Hoffner, second year, 13-10.

2008 record: 9-3 overall, 5-1 NCC South, first.

Top offensive returnees: Jake Aberg, r-fr., RB (116 yards, two games in 2008). Vincent Flury, sr., WR (55 catches, 715 yards, seven TD). Ryan Fick, sr., QB (159-278-10, 2,020 yards, 14 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Kelvin Rodgers, sr., DB (23 tackles, three interceptions). Randy Earl, sr., DT (40 tackles, four sacks). Matt Quiston, jr., LB (99 tackles, four sacks). Tony Hunter, sr., LB (76 tackles, two interceptions).

Top special teams returnees: Spencer Goff, so., K (3 of 7 field goals).

Notes: The Mavericks are ranked No. 2 in the NSIC preseason poll and projected to with the South Division. … Aberg played in only two games last season before shutting down due to injury. … MSU-Mankato's only NSIC loss last season came against Augustana.

SW Minnesota State Mustangs

Location: Marshall, Minn.

Coach: Eric Eidsness, sixth year, 21-34.

2008 record: 6-5 overall, 3-3 NSIC South, fourth.

Top offensive returnees: Zach Wysong, sr., RB (234 carries, 1,016 yards, nine TD, 64 catches, 470 yards, one TD, 1,497 all-purpose yards). Blake Wilson, sr., WR (61 catches, 720 yards, nine TD). Derek Townsend, sr., WR (37 grabs, 530 yards, nine TD).

Top defensive returnees: Derek Klinkner, so., LB (68 tackles, 9½ tackles for loss). Matt Carmody, sr., DL (38 tackles). Paul Muecke, jr., LB (34 tackles, one sack).

Top special teams returnees: Sean Patrick O'Leary, jr., KR(22 returns, 398 yards).

Notes: The Mustangs are projected to finish seventh in the NSIC preseason poll. … Wysong needs 283 yards to become the school's all-time rushing leader. … SMSU was penalized 69 times for 554 yards.

Upper Iowa Peacocks

Location: Fayette, Iowa

Coach: Tom Shea, first season at UI.

2008 record: 2-9 overall, 0-6 NSIC South, seventh.

Top offensive returnees: Sam Epsteen, sr., RB (181 carries, 868 yards, seven TD). Ben Curran, jr., QB (142-265-8, 1,367 yards, seven TD). La'Mont Williams, jr., WR (40 receptions, 222 yards).

Top defensive returnees: Dominique Jackson, sr., DB (51 tackles, two interceptions). Nate Curran, jr., DB (61 tackles, two interceptions). Craig Henry, jr., DB (59 tackles, one interception).

Top special teams returnee: Jason Price, jr., K (6 of 10 field goals, 30 of 30 PAT).

Notes: The Peacocks are projected to finish 13th in the Northern Sun preseason poll. … Shea came to Upper Iowa from the Dakota Athletic Conference's Dakota State in Madison, S.D. … Shea was once the head coach at the University of Mary.

Wayne State Wildcats

Location: Wayne, Neb.

Coach: Dan McLaughlin, fifth year, 25-21.

2008 record: 9-3 overall, 5-1 NSIC South, second.

Top offensive returnees: Silas Fluellen, sr., QB (222-375-15, 2,902 yards, 16 TD, 518 rushing yards. Logan Masters, sr., WR (80 catches, 1,179 yards, six TD). Eric Meyer, sr., RB (107 carries, 500 yards, five TD).

Top defensive returnees: Ryan Reeves, sr., LB (125 tackles, three interceptions). Matt Greenway, sr., S (56 tackles, two interceptions). Robert Manuel, sr., DB (46 tackles, one interceptions).

Top special teams returnee: Nick Hope, sr., K (14 of 17 field goals, 44 of 46 PAT).

n NOTES: Wayne State is tied with St. Cloud State for the No. 4 spot in the NSIC preseason rankings. … The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the first time last season. … Reeves led the NSIC in tackles last season.

Winona State Warriors

Location: Winona, Minn.

Coach: Tom Sawyer, 14th year.

2008 record: 3-3 NSIC South (fifth), 6-5 overall.

Top offensive returnee: Marcus Greatens, sr., OL. Greg Preston, sr., QB (141-249-4, 1,622 yards, 10 TD).

Top defensive returnees: Ryan Rothwell, sr., DT (26 tackles, two sacks). Lucas Wolfe, so., CB (56 tackles, six interceptions). Elliott Gaulke, jr., LB (56 tackles, one interception).

Top special teams returners: Cullen Fahey, so., K/P (6 of 11 field goals, 22 of 26 PAT, 48 punts, 1,815 yards).

Notes: The Warriors are projected to finish sixth in the Northern Sun preseason poll. … Greatens was a first team All-American last season.

Compiled by Cindy Peterson