2008 Woodie Awards
Missouri Valley Football Conference Preview
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Sports
No. 2 North Dakota State Bison, 2007 Record: 10-1
Already a heavy favorite to win the conference title in its first year as a Missouri Valley member, the Bison are 20-2 over the last two seasons and blew away several opponents during its last season in the Great West conference. North Dakota State put up more than 40 points six times in 2007. Much of the offense is generated by the perennial senior running back Tyler Roehl, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and finished the year with 1,454 yards and 21 touchdowns.
No. 3 Northern Iowa Panthers, 2007 Record: 12-1
The Penguins haven't been able to figure out how to beat the Panthers, and neither did anyone else last season. The Panthers' perfect season was erased in the FCS playoffs by Delaware, which was then quarterbacked by Joe Flacco, now with the Baltimore Ravens. The bad news is that Payton Award runner-up Eric Sanders is no longer available at quarterback, but the good news is senior Corey Lewis reprises his role at running back. A lightening fast back, Lewis had 1,513 yards and 16 scores in 2007.
No. 11 Southern Illinois Salukis, 2007 Record: 12-2
It was a season of domination for the Salukis as they muscled their way to a playoff berth in 2007. Southern Illinois blew out opponents and even scored a 34-31 victory of Northern Illinois of the Football Bowl Subdivision. Despite an amazing campaign last season, the Salukis five-year stretch of playoff berths is in trouble as the team returns no starters at the skill positions. New head coach Dale Lennon is a proven winner with a 90-24 career record, but Lennon will be tested with a depleted depth chart in his first season.
No. 19 South Dakota State Jackrabbits, 2007 Record: 7-4
Whoever made the 2008 schedule must not be a fan of the Jackrabbits. South Dakota State opens at Iowa State and must play Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and North Dakota State all on the road this season. After going 1-3 against Missouri Valley teams last season, the Jackrabbits will have a better idea as to where they are headed as a program after 2008. Senior quarterback Ryan Berry returns with his favorite target, senior receiver JaRon Harris. The two hooked up 40 times for 664 and a team-best seven touchdowns.
Already a heavy favorite to win the conference title in its first year as a Missouri Valley member, the Bison are 20-2 over the last two seasons and blew away several opponents during its last season in the Great West conference. North Dakota State put up more than 40 points six times in 2007. Much of the offense is generated by the perennial senior running back Tyler Roehl, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and finished the year with 1,454 yards and 21 touchdowns.
No. 3 Northern Iowa Panthers, 2007 Record: 12-1
The Penguins haven't been able to figure out how to beat the Panthers, and neither did anyone else last season. The Panthers' perfect season was erased in the FCS playoffs by Delaware, which was then quarterbacked by Joe Flacco, now with the Baltimore Ravens. The bad news is that Payton Award runner-up Eric Sanders is no longer available at quarterback, but the good news is senior Corey Lewis reprises his role at running back. A lightening fast back, Lewis had 1,513 yards and 16 scores in 2007.
No. 11 Southern Illinois Salukis, 2007 Record: 12-2
It was a season of domination for the Salukis as they muscled their way to a playoff berth in 2007. Southern Illinois blew out opponents and even scored a 34-31 victory of Northern Illinois of the Football Bowl Subdivision. Despite an amazing campaign last season, the Salukis five-year stretch of playoff berths is in trouble as the team returns no starters at the skill positions. New head coach Dale Lennon is a proven winner with a 90-24 career record, but Lennon will be tested with a depleted depth chart in his first season.
No. 19 South Dakota State Jackrabbits, 2007 Record: 7-4
Whoever made the 2008 schedule must not be a fan of the Jackrabbits. South Dakota State opens at Iowa State and must play Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and North Dakota State all on the road this season. After going 1-3 against Missouri Valley teams last season, the Jackrabbits will have a better idea as to where they are headed as a program after 2008. Senior quarterback Ryan Berry returns with his favorite target, senior receiver JaRon Harris. The two hooked up 40 times for 664 and a team-best seven touchdowns.
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