NCAA DIVISION I-AA

Northeast Conference

DUQUESNE

Coach: Jerry Schmitt (20-10, fourth year)

2007 record: 6-4

The skinny: The Dukes hope to make their first season in the league a success after winning 11 of 14 championships in the now-defunct Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Incumbent Kevin Rombach and Michigan State transfer Connor Dixon have waged a spirited competition at quarterback at fall camp. Greg Hough, the team's leading rusher last season, is at linebacker. Cornerback Aaron Strader is the defensive leader.

ROBERT MORRIS

Coach: Joe Walton (86-55-1, 15th year)

2007 record: 4-6

The skinny: The Colonials are headed into the season with two main objectives: Run the football better and stop opponents from running the football. If Myles Russ and Raphael Johnson can provide ground support, Erik Cwalinski's passing will be more effective and consistent. The return of Sherrod Evers, who missed last season with injuries, will add experience to an untested group of receivers. The cornerstones of the defense are linebacker Adam Lawrence and lineman Mark Szymanski.

SAINT FRANCIS

Coach: Dave Opfar (13-40, sixth year) 2007 record: 3-7

The skinny: Cautious optimism describes the Red Flash, who are banking on a late-season surge in 2007 to help them post their first winning record in 15 years in 2008. They won three of their final four games last season and return a more veteran defense led by linebacker Scott Lewis, the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Continued improvement by quarterback George Little and wideout Antoine Rivera will give the offense a huge lift.

YOUNGSTOWN STATE

Coach: Jon Hancock (50-31, eighth year)

2007 record: 7-4

The skinny: Once the Penguins get over the shock of opening the season at Ohio State, the "Y" should bounce back and challenge in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (Formerly Gateway Conference). Ranked 12th in the country in the preseason poll, the Penguins will look to new quarterback Brandon Summers, a transfer from Toledo who sat out last season. Wideout Ferlando Williams scored a team-high 11 touchdowns last season.

---

NCAA DIVISION II

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West

CALIFORNIA

Coach: John Luckhardt (45-22, 7th year)

2007 record: 13-1

The skinny: On the strength of 11 returning starters from a 13-1 team that reached the semifinals of the playoffs and the addition of 13 Division I transfers, the Vulcans have been ranked as high as No. 2 in the country in preseason polls and are favored to win their fourth consecutive league title. Quarterback Kevin McCabe (Virginia) and wideout Marcel Pestano (Pitt) will jazz up the passing game and veterans Daine Williams and Brandon Lombardy are crunching runners. Headliners on a rock-solid defense will be linebacker Darren Burns and lineman Willie Walker.

CLARION

Coach: Jay Foster (1-21-2, 3rd year)

2007 record: 0-11

The skinny: The Golden Eagles are experienced with 15 starters back, but they are inexperienced when it comes to winning. A woeful defense that allowed nearly 40 points per game will get a boost from tackle Jimmy Simmons, an all-league performer in 2006 who sat out last season. Versatile Alfonso Hoggard, the West Rookie of the Year last season, is a threat catching, running and returning kicks.

EDINBORO

Coach: Scott Browning (13-9, third year)

2007 record: 7-4

The skinny: The pass-happy Fighting Scots feature quarterback Trevor Harris, the West Offensive Player of the Year who set school records completing 68.5 percent of his throws for 3,268 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was intercepted 10 times. Big-play receiving corps is back: Rich Cerro, Ryan Rybicki, Jeremy Burr and Gary Nolen. If the defense stiffens, look for Fighting Scots to make a run at a playoff berth.

GANNON

Coach: Jim Kiernan (1-10, 2nd year)

2007 record: 1-10

The skinny: It's unlikely the move from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to the PSAC will make life any easier for the Golden Knights although they return 17 starters, led by running back Jon Richardson and defensive back Anthony Weaver. They must punch up an offense that averaged just 11.8 points and shore up a defense that gave up 48.3 points and 523 yards -- 266.3 rushing, 256.7 passing -- last season.

IUP

Coach: Lou Tepper (17-5, third year)

2007 record: 9-3

The skinny: There's a ton of talent on both sides of the ball for the Crimson Hawks from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA playoffs. One of the league's most prolific passing combos is back, with quarterback Andrew Krewatch and wideout Ken Witter, but the big question is at running back. Jim O'Rourke anchors the line. The marquee defenders are linebackers Terrence Jackson and Rob Plowman and lineman Anthony Guerra.

LOCK HAVEN

Coach: John Klacik (5-28, 4th year)

2007 record:1-10

The skinny: Although last year basically was a disaster, the Bald Eagles hope to build on the fond memories of a season-ending 17-14 victory against Clarion with 14 starters back -- 6 offense, 8 defense. They need breakout performances from quarterback Ilio DiPaolo, receiver DaMarr Dowell and running back Ibrahim Smith to become more competitive. Linebacker Shawn Crebs and cornerback Shane Barie are defensive stalwarts.

MERCYHURST

Coach: Marty Schaetzle (21-43, seventh year)

2007 record: 4-7

The skinny: The Lakers should provide a lot of excitement in their inaugural season in the PSAC after spending the past decade in the GLIAC. The biggest loss from an offense that averaged 32.1 points is at quarterback, where Joe Laffey will have to step up. Richard Stokes, the school's all-time rusher, will handle the ground game. Linebackers Bryan Boyce and Jimmy Kodrak, who both missed 2007 with injuries, will bolster the defense.

SLIPPERY ROCK

Coach: George Mihalik (136-79-4, 21st year) 2007 record: 9-2

The skinny: This will be a rebuilding season for the Rock, which returns just eight starters from a team that almost reached the playoffs. There are numerous holes in the lineup, with the most pressing need at quarterback. The offensive strengths will be running backs Corey Manfull, Ryan Lehmeier and Damarcus Cleckley, wideout Terry Grossetti and linemen Brandon Fusco and Grant Hrabovsky. Lineman Tyler Boudreau is the defensive centerpiece.

Others

SETON HILL

Coach: Joel Dolinski (first year)

2007 record: 3-7

The skinny: The Griffins are growing up and with 21 of 22 starters back this could be the season they move up in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings in the fourth year of the program. Quarterback Matt Dowdell, running back Antwarn Jones and wide receivers Derek Thompson and Sammy Tranks will provide the offensive fireworks

and linebackers Mark Hartz and Rob Ellis will solidify the defense.

WEST LIBERTY STATE

Coach: Roger Waialae (21-22, fourth year)

2007 record: 8-3

The skinny: It might be time for the Hilltoppers to take the next step up and finally dethrone four-time defending champion Shepherd in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They have playmakers on both side of the ball. Quarterback Zach Amedro threw for a school-record 3,297 yards last season, running back Eddie Hills rushed for 1,107yards and defensive back Darren Banks led the country with 13 interceptions to give him 28 career thefts.

---

NCAA DIVISION III

Presidents' Athletic Conference

BETHANY

Coach: Tim Weaver (8-12, 3rd year)

2007 record: 4-6

The skinny: After consecutive 4-6 seasons, the Bison are in position to crack the .500 barrier if one of the quarterback candidates steps up and the defense stiffens. A healthy Marcus Santini should trigger a strong running game and wide receivers Matt Cruse, who tied a school record with nine touchdowns, and Taylor McNeil are two of the best in the league. A seasoned secondary is the backbone of the defense.

GENEVA

Coach: Geno DeMarco (103-55, 16th year)

2007 record: 8-3

The skinny: The Golden Tornadoes, a longtime NAIA power, are entering their second season as a provisional member of the league and their games won't count in the standings. The biggest hole in the lineup is at quarterback with the loss of do-everything Bobby Bondi. The offense will be led by wide receiver Luke Duriancik and halfback Matt Dean and the nucleus of the defense will be linebacker Zach Feltrop and free safety Greg Eberhart.

GROVE CITY

Coach: Chris Smith (92-136, 25th year)

2007 record: 4-6

The skinny: If a couple bounces go their way, the Wolverines could easily reverse last year's record when they lost five games by a total of 26 points. It all starts with quarterback Andrew DiDonato, the school's all-time passing leader who also has rushed for nine career touchdowns. Tailback Brian Mercer will run behind a battle-tested front line that boasts Brandon McHugh and All-PAC selection Dave Salena. Eight starters are back on defense, led by cornerback Mike Baker (five interceptions).

SAINT VINCENT

Coach: Bob Colbert (0-10, second year)

2007 record: 0-10

The skinny: The Bearcats are a provisional member and their games won't count in the standings. They reinstated the football program last season after a 40-year absence and found it difficult to be competitive with mostly freshmen and sophomores in the lineup. Those players are a year older and possibly a year better, which may not translate into victories but the scores should be closer than last season when they lost by an average of 50.0-11.1.

THIEL

Coach: Jack Leipheimer (34-38, eighth year)

2007 record: 3-7

The skinny: The Tomcats have offensive weapons with quarterback Willie Bova and tailback Dan Hess and are solid on defense with linebackers Sam Swartzfager and Mike Clemens. They have enough ingredients to make trouble for most of the teams in the league, but they still aren't in the same class as Washington & Jefferson and Waynesburg.

WAYNESBURG

Coach: Rick Shepas (18-13, fourth year)

2007 record:8-3

The skinny: There's a lot of buzz surrounding the Yellow Jackets, who return 16 starters led by sophomore running back Robert Heller. He led the country with 197.8 yards rushing per game and was third in scoring with 14.7 points per game. He set school records with 2,176 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing. A better-than-average defense features end D.J. DeWitt. If W&J slips even a little, Waynesburg could take over the top spot in the league.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON

Coach: Mike Sirianni (50-8, sixth year)

2007 record: 10-1

The skinny: With 16 starters back from a 10-1 team that reached the playoffs, the Presidents are ranked in most preseason Top 10s and favored to win the league championship. A high-octane offense that averaged 46.2 points and 518.7 yards returns quarterback Bobby Swallow (3,106 yards passing, 46 TDs), running back Kevin Mathews, wide receiver David Ravida and All-America linemen Matt Houy and Dave Bucar. Linebacker David Gitlitz heads a veteran defense.

WESTMINSTER

Coach: Jeff Hand (11-19, fourth year)

2007 record: 5-5

The skinny: The Titans showed signs of improvement under Hand and could be ready to take the next step and move into the first division of the league. They will have a well-balanced attack with quarterback Kevin Franz throwing and tailback Nick McKolosky running. The defense will revolve around end Andrew Robison and linebacker Jordan Blinn, the team's leading tackler the past two seasons.

Others

ALLEGHENY

Coach: Mark Matlak (31-30, seventh year) 2007 record: 5-5

The skinny: The Gators have been treading water the past few seasons and are predicted to again finish in the middle of the pack in the North Coast Athletic Conference. They could pull a surprise or two if quarterback T.J. Salopek has a big year and the defense matches last season when it finished first in the league in total defense. Linemen Billy Jones and Doug Macik and linebacker Craig Lawrence are the defensive mainstays.

CARNEGIE-MELLON

Coach: Rich Lackner (156-64-2, 23rd year)

2007 record: 7-4

The skinny: The Tartans are looking to continue the momentum from a five-game winning streak to end last year, but they're going to have to fill some major holes if they're going to post their 34th consecutive non-losing season. Gone are Travis Sivek and Robert Gimson, the school's No. 1 and No.3 all-time rushers. Quarterback Phil Pantalone will be asked to do more. Defensively, the leaders are safety Jon Scholl and lineman Clay Crites.

JUNIATA

Coach: Darrell Alt (4-36, fifth year)

2007 record: 1-9

The skinny: The years have been lean of late for the Eagles, who were picked to finish last in the Centennial Conference in a preseason poll. They have 12 returning starters -- four offense, eight defense. Quarterback Jay Leonard and running backs Kyle McKechnie and Derek Kramer will again provide most of the offensive sparks. A veteran defense should improve upon last season when it allowed 34.0 points and 452.4 yards per game.