St.

Paul Pioneer Press (MN)

September 6, 1992 Section: College Football Preview Edition: Metro Final Page: 11H

NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE

BYLINE: Mike Augustin, Staff Writer Coach: Jim Heinitz 1991 record: 0-8, 0-10 Key players: Corbin Lacina (OT, Sr.), Brian Schwartz (LB, So.), Brad Murkins (DB, Sr.), Heath Rylance (QB, So.), Mike Willey (NG, Sr.), Steve Schneider (RB, Jr.), Kurt Hendrickson (LB, Jr.), Ted Johnson (RB, Jr.). Outlook: Nine starters return on both offense and defense, but the Vikings have much ground to make up before they can challenge for a first-division spot. Lacina, a former St. Paul Cretin standout, is an AllAmerica candidate. Mankato State Coach: Dan Runkle 1991 record: 5-3, 8-4 Key players: Josh Nelsen (WR, So.), Jamie Pass (QB, Jr.), Stephen Henley (DB, So.), Steve Connelly (DL, Sr.), Tim Quinlan (DT, Sr.), Lance Dunn (SB, Sr.), David Klawitter (DB, Sr.), Joe Jacox (RB, Sr.), Jason Elias (OT, Sr.), Todd Lindemann (DL, Sr.), Joe Eykyn (C, Jr.). Outlook: Mankato started the transition from option to a multiple offense last season, and wound up in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Runkle believes the move will be even more successful this year following a productive spring session. Morningside Coach: Dave Dolch 1991 record: 1-7, 2-8 Key players: Anthony Fieldings (LB, Sr.), Ray Cooling (TE, Sr.), Antone Jones (NG, Sr.), Dean Jones (DT, Sr.), Rob Niemeyer (RB, Jr.), Scott Griffin (LB, Jr.), Richard Doty (LB, Jr.), Todd Henningfeld (QB, Sr.). Outlook: The defense will be sound, but Dolch must discover a way to improve a stagnant offense. Nebraska-Omaha Coach: Tom Mueller 1991 record: 4-4, 6-4 Key players: Rodney Bradley (CB, Sr.), Steve Kurtz (LB, Sr.), Roy Napora (RB, Sr.), Jeff Jennings (TE, Sr.), Don Ballard (C, Jr.), Chris Bantner (LB, Sr.), Brian Ruch (K, So.). Outlook: The Mavericks are a year away. Most of the talent is young. There are only 10 seniors on the roster. North Dakota Coach: Roger Thomas 1991 record: 6-2, 7-2 Key players: Shannon Burrell (RB, Jr.), Kory Wahl (QB, Sr.), Monte Shaide (NG, Sr.), Tim Gelinske (WR, Sr.), Chad Holder (CB, Sr.), Blaine O'Gorman (CB, Sr.), Craig Koller (LB, Sr.), Jeff Tatur (LB, Sr.). Outlook: Burnell (5-9, 225) earned All-America honors as a sophomore. The former Duluth East star set a UND season record with 1,461 yards. Nearly the entire defense that limited foes to 14.6 points a game is back. North Dakota State Coach: Rocky Hager 1991 record: 7-1, 7-3 Key players: Arden Beachy (QB, Jr.), T.R. McDonald (WR, Jr.), Shawn Stewart (NG, Sr.), Kevin Bloom (OG, Jr.), Brian Sweeney (DT, Sr.), Erik Skie (TE, Sr.), Craig Geren (WR, Sr.), Dan Reszka (CB, Sr.), Erik Hegerle (DB, Jr.). Outlook: The Bison have qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs 10 times in the past 11 years. They

have reached the title game seven times and won five championships during that period. NDSU has not gone two consecutive years without a national championship since 1981-82. Get the picture? Northern Colorado Coach: Joe Glenn 1991 record: 6-2, 8-3 Key players: V.J. Lechman (QB, Sr.), Gaynor Blackmon (RB, So.), Casey Morelock (DL, Sr.), Cecil Dixon (LB, Jr.), Tashe Williams (DL, So.), Harvey Patton (FB, Jr.). Outlook: Any team with talent such as Lechman (more than 5,000 career passing yards and 34 TDs) and Blackmon (1,027 rushing yards and 13 TDs as a freshman) in the same backfield is going to be prolific. Yet Glenn says defense will be the Bears' strength. The NCC title could reside in Greeley at season's end. St. Cloud State Coach: Noel Martin 1991 record: 5-3, 6-3 Key players: Jim Mauer (QB, Sr.), Dean Dirkes (OT, Jr.), Jesse Akemann (DB, Jr.), Coddy Harris (WR, Sr.), Kenny Pierce (WR, Sr.), Shawn O'Brien (LB, Sr.), Mike Thissen (OG, Sr.), Todd Hodapp (TE, Sr.), Matt Steensland (CB, Sr.). Outlook: Mauer, a former St. Paul Harding star, returns for a third year as a charismatic leader of the offense. Harris and Pierce provide great speed at the receiver spots, and Dirkes (6-4, 312) is a preseason Division II All-American. The Huskies must find some running backs and fill some big holes on defense. South Dakota Coach: Dennis Creehan 1991 record: 1-7, 1-8 Key players: Jason Seurer (QB, Sr.), Tom Menage (RB, Jr.), Matt Madsen (CB, So.), Shayne Maker (NG, Jr.), Wes Niles (DT, Sr.), James Gregory (WR, Sr.), John Boyd (RB, So.), Rahn Bertram (LB, So.). Outlook: First-year coach Creehan inherits a green defense and an offense that will go as far as Seurer (who holds nine school records) can take it. Gregory has big-play potential. South Dakota State Coach: Mike Daly 1991 record: 5-3, 7-3 Key players: Todd McDonald (QB, Jr.), Tim Burns (TE, Sr.), Dave Peterson (CB, Sr.), Mike Myers (WR, Jr.), Dan Hoke (NG, Sr.), Paul Klinger (RB, Jr.), Dan Nelson (RB, Jr.), Jeff Goble (LB, Jr.). Outlook: Daly did a tremendous job in his first season last year, and with 34 lettermen returning the future looks bright. Copyright (c) 1992 St. Paul Pioneer Press