To the shock of very few who follow Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Football, Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State are predicted to finish on top of the league again. Either Northwest and/or Pitt State have won at least a share of the conference crown in all but three of the last 25 years of MIAA football. Could this be the year that Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma or Missouri Western break the lock held by the Bearcats or the Gorillas? Or could a surprise sleeper team sneak in and shake things up? Before we take a team-by-team look at all 12 MIAA football teams, let's take a look at where they stand going into the season, according to BennettRank.

Complete D2 Football preseason rankings by BennettRank

Complete D2 Football Conference Power Rankings and Previews

[divider]

2015 MIAA FOOTBALL PREVIEW

BR-126 Northeastern State Riverhawks

2014 Record: 0-11, 0-11 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 12th Head Coach: Rob Robinson (2nd season, 0-11) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 5 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 3 There’s nowhere to go but up for Northeastern State, fresh off a winless season in Rob Robinson’s first season as head coach. Even so, there’s optimism brewing in Tahlequah, starting with a brand new Poligras artificial turf at Doc Wadley Stadium. “That’s just a step we needed to take in the right direction,” Robinson said. “Just look at the conference and what everyone in the conference has. It’s a conference built to play with the big boys. Every year you’ve got to do something to make yourself better.” Offensively, junior quarterback Kevin Pantastico (51.5 percent completion, 2,166 yards, 8 TDs, 14 INTs) and senior tailback Joel Rockmore (86 carries, 272 yards, 1 TD) will be key returnees, as will senior wideout Garrett Powell (57 catches, 728 yards, 5 TDs). The big changes, however, will be up front. “We’ll probably have four new offensive line starters, and that’s where we’re either going to be good or we’re going to be bad,” Robinson said. We’ve got to got those guys to come in and just eat, sleep and live it of getting better, understanding the offense and getting ready to get after people.” The front seven will see several new faces, primarily transfers on the defensive line and at linebacker, with only three defensive returnees this year. Sophomore transfer Jake Roach (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M) Junior linebacker Kenneth Davis (10.5 TFLs) and junior defensive lineman Dakota Moran (4.5 TFLs) are expected to take on bigger leadership roles this season. Robinson was especially high on junior safety Steffon Herd (77 tackles, 1 INT). “Steffon moved from wide receiver to safety right before camp started (last season),” Robinson said. “It was a glowing need and he fit the bill. It took him about three or four games last year to get it and now he fully gets it.” Much like Davis and Moran in their respective positions, Herd’s veteran presence in the backfield gives the Riverhawks stability in the defensive backfield. “Anytime you can get your back end controlled, you feel that much better,” Robinson said. “It allows you to do some other things up front with your linebackers and defensive line if you’ve got a secondary you can trust.” [divider]

BR-57 Missouri Southern Lions

2014 Record: 4-7, 4-7 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 11th Head Coach: Denver Johnson (1st season; 13th overall, 69-66) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 5 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 3 With head coach Denver Johnson being hired at the beginning of April, the transition to a new system has been difficult for Missouri Southern. “It’s been a tremendous burden to be hired late and we’ve just in the last couple weeks finally got our staff completed,” Johnson said. “We went through an abbreviated spring practice with a less-than-full staff, and certainly that’s not ideal. But we’ve our staff completed now so finally we’re to a point where the kids report and can focus some on football.” Senior quarterback Scott Lathrop (45-for-78, 921 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs) and a trio of veteran tailbacks, senior Michael Nelson (85-497-7), senior Giresse Forchu (149-719-15) and junior Will Gregory (58-428-2) bring depth to the backfield in what has been a run-centered offense. One player who was supposed to give the offensive line a boost was senior Lars Lindquist, who would’ve moved from defensive line before a blood clot ended his season. “We thought he would be a good player for us over there,” Johnson said. “Hopefully we can put a bunch up there that can grow and give us a good front.” Lindquist’s loss leaves senior Marcos Guiterres as the only returning lineman for Southern. While the Lions transition from a 3-3-5 to a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, Johnson is pleased with the defense’s progress. “We feel like the defense is closer to where we want it to be than the offense,” Johnson said. “We’ll know a lot more in about four weeks.” Junior safety Johnquavious McBride (4 INTs, 3.5 sacks) is expected to play a key role in the secondary, while senior linebackers Justin Tomlinson (5 TFLs, 2 sacks) and Kyjuan Tate (5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks) solidify the middle of the Missouri Southern defense. “He’s a big run stopper in the middle,” Tomlinson said of Tate. “It’ll take me and him doing a lot of communicating to make this defense work.” [divider]  

BR-99 Lindenwood Lions

2014 Record: 2-9, 2-9 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 10th Head Coach: Patrick Ross (12th season, 87-41; 14th season, 101-48) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 9 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 Depth can be a double-edge sword for some teams, especially after a 2-9 season. Lindenwood’s second straight losing season follows a run of six straight winning season and a transition from the NAIA to D2. “When you struggle, sometimes it’s not good to have all those returners,” “But I think in our case, it’s a little different. We got a chance to gain some valuable experience, and we’ve developed at every position on the field.” Senior Dillon Miller and junior Graham Lindman combined for over 2,700 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. The two quarterbacks also combined to throw 27 interceptions, nine of which turned into pick-sixes and three others inside the 10 yard line. “That’s going to get you beat a lot of times,” Ross said. “That’s been a big focus for us, we have to limit our mistakes.” Although several skill players from last season return, including senior tailback Lavorrie Johnson (119 carries, 378 yards, 2 TDs), plus senior wideouts Jaron Alexander (55 catches, 486 yards, 2 TDs) and Greg Coble (29 catches, 482 yards, 3 TDs), no starting spot is guaranteed. “We have a lot of good skill guys in the program, we’ve added some to the mix, so we’ll have a lot of competition at every position,” Ross said. “Nobody’s going to be guaranteed a spot.” Expect some competition on the offensive line as well, with three returnees and several younger players who saw time last season. On defense, the Lions are counting on depth in the secondary in a cornerback-driven league. “It’s important for us to match up because the receivers are really good in this league,” Ross said. Junior safety Wesley Thomas, who missed half of last season with an injury, should be at full strength, bolstering a secondary which includes seniors Roderick Ryles (86 tackles), Jalin Brown and D’Andre Green.” “We’re expecting a lot of big things out of Wesley,” Ross said “He’s a dynamic player for us.” Senior Steven Pace (5.5 TFLs, 2 INTs), along with juniors Clint Koons and Connor Harris, add depth to the linebacker corps. Watch for Harris to also play quarterback in some Wildcat packages. Three linemen, led by senior Skyler Suggs, return, anchoring a deep defensive line. Seniors Chaz Fulton, junior Derrick Nsubuga and sophomore Devon Durham also saw significant playing time last season. While the Lions could be a couple years away from moving further up the ladder in the MIAA, Ross hopes to see progress from his veteran players. “We’re looking to develop our young guys from two years ago,” Ross said. “It’s time for those guys to get up, grow up and get on the field and help us.” [divider]

BR-83 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers

2014 Record: 3-8, 3-8 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 9th Head Coach: Josh Lamberson (1st season) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 9 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 Three years into their MIAA membership, Nebraska-Kearney struggled through three straight losing seasons. The Lopers brought in a name familiar to MIAA fans as Josh Lamberson, an All-American quarterback at Northwest Missouri and the offensive coordinator at Central Missouri, becomes the fourth head coach at Kearney in the past 60 years. “Everybody starts with a blank slate,” Lamberson said. “We’re focused on practice and one rep at at time. We know the challenges that the MIAA is going to present, but we’re focused on getting better.” Senior quarterback Bronson Marsh (50.8 percent completion, 1,546 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs; 186 carries, 782 yards, 12 TDs) will have several talented players in the skill positions, starting with senior running back Romero Cotton (176 carries, 746 yards, 4 TDs), a two-time national champion in wrestling (197 lbs.) and senior wideout Tityus Mitchell (18 catches, 388 yards, 3 TDs) is the Lopers’ leading returning receiver. “We’ve got some toys to play with,” Lamberson said. “We’re going to see how they gel together and take it from there.” Defensively, eight starters return, including three defensive linemen. Junior Peyton Lange (6 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 INT) moves to an interior spot on the defensive line, likely lining up next to sophomore Sam Stoltenberg (3 TFLs). Also moving to the line is junior Dexter Becker, who recorded 5 TFLs as a linebacker last season. Junior Tyler Kozeal (136 tackles, 16 TFLs, 2 INTs) sets up as the “rover” hybrid linebacker/defensive back for the Lopers, while sophomore Devontay LeFlore (8 TFLs) solidifies the linebackers along with senior Greg Sherwood. Senior cornerback Shai Harris (48 tackles) and senior safety Dillon Loschen (54 tackles) headline the Lopers secondary. “They’ve seen a lot, they’ve known the speed of the MIAA,” Lamberson said of his defense. “Hopefully we can take that step between last year and this year.” It’s almost ironic how Lamberson’s first game as Kearney’s head coach will be against his alma mater, Northwest Missouri. “I really developed as a person in my time at Maryville,” Lamberson said. “[Northwest Missouri athletic director Mel Tjeerdsma] was a big part of me growing up and becoming a man. But when we kick that thing off on Sept. 3, we’ll set our personal feelings aside for three hours and get ready to roll.” [divider]

BR-66 Washburn Ichabods

2014 Record: 4-7, 4-7 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): T-7th Head Coach: Craig Schurig (14th season, 91-58) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 5 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 If Washburn wants to make their first postseason appearance since 2011, it will have to be with a lot of fresh faces, mostly on offense. “We’ll have to incorporate a lot of new players into our system,” said head coach Craig Schurig. “But we do feel like the talent is there to have a good season.” After a strong spring practice, junior transfer Derek McGinnis (North Dakota State) brings championship experience to the program in search of a quarterback. “McGinnis came in during the spring, so he led our group,” Schurig said. “He’s the true starter. The big competition will be at backup.” Freshman Will Bolster essentially comes in a year of “college experience” under his belt after a post-grad prep season following his high school career at Walpole (Mass.) High School; classmate Logan Twehous is also expected to be in the mix. “We’re going to give them a chance, more so than we have in the past, to see who the 2 and the 3 are.” Schurig said. Senior transfer Brandon Bourbon (Kansas) has the inside track to be the starting running back, with redshirt freshman Paul Berry and senior Hayden Groves, the starter from 2012 as a junior who took two years off, competing for playing time. Senior Jordan Hart (28 catches, 384 yards 2 TDs) is the Ichabods’ leading returning receiver, while three starting linemen are also slated to return. Senior left tackle Mike Miller says his line is ready or the challenge. “Every defense is different,” Miller said. “You’ve got to watch every twitch they make on the line and you have to be technically sound. You don’t go up against a bad player all year.” The cupboard is barely bare on defense as eight starters are projected to return. That’s not to say there weren’t some holes to fill. “What we really needed to do was bolster our defensive line and we feel that we did that through our recruiting,” Schurig said. Senior Spencer Matthews (9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks) and junior Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq (9.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks) anchor the defensive front of Washburn’s 4-2-5 scheme, with junior Cody Heiman the leading returnee at linebacker. Senior safety Shay Wooten (7.5 TFLs, 2 INTs) junior cornerback Zach Franklin (4 passes defended) and sophomore safety Peter Plannenstiel (45 tackles, 1 TFL) bring depth the secondary. Many of the returnees want to put last season behind them. “Going 4-7 lingers in the back of your mind, Heiman said. “It gives you a means of motivation to get better.” [divider]

BR-67 Emporia State Hornets

2014 Record: 4-7, 4-7 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): T-7th Head Coach: Garin Higgins (9th season, 42-47; 14st season, 93-56) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 3 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 Emporia State qualified for the playoffs two years ago, capping a run of back-to-back winning seasons (9-2 in 2012, 10-2 in 2013). Which made last season’s drop off all the more shocking. “We learned a lot about ourselves and it taught us some lessons about preparation and adversity and how you go about handling it,” head coach Garin Higgins said. “We didn’t handle it well last year.” The struggles began in Emporia’s overtime win over Northeastern State when senior quarterback Brent Wilson suffered a season ending injury. The Hornets would lose five of their final seven games. Wilson is back and expected to battle sophomores Ty Reasnor and Braxton Marstall for the starting job; Reasnor (61.5 percent completion, 894 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs) started the rest of the season, although Marstall did get some game experience as well. Junior Antonio Brown (153 carries, 680 yards, 6 TDs) is expected to take on more of a role with Kai Callins lost for the season due to an injury; this could open the door for a true freshman, Landon Nault, to pick up the slack. The Hornets return six players with at least ten catches last season, led by senior Kavaski Ervin (64 catches, 623 yards, 5 TDs), while sophomore Justin Brown (14 catches, 170 yards) had four touchdown receptions in the last two games of the season. Two starters return on the offensive line. Perhaps the most intriguing player coming into camp next week is cornerback M.J. Mathis. Mathis, a junior transfer from Kilgore Community College, didn’t participate in spring practice, but there are high expectations. “There are still a lot of unknown factors about him,” Higgins said. “They haven’t been with you during the spring and you’re trying to get them to fit into your culture. On paper those guys look like they can help us out, but you never know until that first game gets kicked off.” Mathis will have some young studs to contend against for a starting spot, led by junior Trey Dickerson and sophomore A.J. West, both members of the Emporia State track team. Junior defensive end Eddie Vinson (6 TFLs, 3 sacks) and senior linebacker Jason Teutan (73 tackles) anchor the Hornets’ front seven. While Higgins hopes to bounce back after last season’s injury-riddled season, that might be tough for the Hornets in the league like the MIAA. “It’s such a physical league that sometimes teams go into the playoffs not as healthy as they might be if there was ever a week you’d consider an off week,” Higgins said. “In our league, it’s not really like that. But, at the same time, that makes it fun. It brings out the best in your players.” [divider]

BR-39 Fort Hays State Tigers

2014 Record: 7-4, 7-4 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 6th Head Coach: Chris Brown (5th season, 22-22) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 9 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 5 In Chris Brown’s first four seasons as head coach at Fort Hays State, the Tigers have steadily improved from a 3-8 season in 2010 to the 7-4 mark last season. In order for the Tigers to take the next step among the MIAA’s elite, however, they will have to erase a glaring zero – as in the number of wins all-time against Northwest Missouri since joining the MIAA in 2006. Fort Hays State did record their first-ever wins in MIAA competition against Pitt State and Central Missouri last season. The Tigers return their starting quarterback in senior Treveon Albert (53.8 percent completion, 1,569 yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs) along with junior wideout Isaiah Maxi (26 catches, 224 yards, 2 TDs) and senior tight end Zack Gaughan (17 catches, 190 yards, 1 TD). Junior Kenneth Iheme (128 carries, 557 yards, 3 TDs) is projected to start with the graduation of Ed Smith, while all five starting linemen are also expected to return. “I feel good about our offense,” Brown said. “It’s solid up front and our skill positions are pretty well set up, they’re pretty athletic kids.” Questions about depth arise on defense, with only five starters returning. Senior defensive tackle Johnny Hubbard (18 tackles, 1 sack) is the lone returnee on the defensive line. The Tigers are expected to be deep at linebacker, with seniors Justin McPhail and Brock Long solidifying the position. “Our linebackers are a big part of what we do defensively,” Brown said. “They’ve got to get everybody lined up and on the same page, to get off some blocks, make some tackles and get into pass coverage as well. I think they’re going to be a big part of our defense being successful this year.” Seniors Daniel Lindsay (7 TFLs, 1 INT) and Rashad Dunnigan (42 tackles, 1 INT) anchor the Tigers’ secondary. [divider]

BR-32 Missouri Western Griffons

2014 Record: 7-4, 7-4 MIAA Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 5th Head Coach: Jerry Partridge (19th season, 139-71) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 8 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 7 If there was a team in the MIAA that tends to fly under the radar every season, it would be Missouri Western. The Griffons has been the one team in recent years that have given the MIAA’s top dogs in football fits. “We’ve done that pretty well,” Partridge said. “We’ve beaten Pitt State five of the last nine seasons; we’ve beaten Northwest (three of the last five games). If you go down (the records) through the years, we’re the ones that have beaten them most.” The Griffons return eight starters on offense, led by sophomore QB Skyler Windmiller (54.8 percent completion, 1,799 yards, 9 TDs, 11 INTs). Windmiller will have a lot of depth at his disposal within the skill positions, particularly senior tailback Raphael Spencer (243 carries, 1,126 yards, 7 TDs) – who is closing in on second-place on Western’s all-time rushing list – and senior wideouts Dee Tolliver (31 catches, 457 yards, 4 TDs) and Brandynn Clark (27 carries, 331 yard, 3 TDs). “That’s the biggest thing you can ask for as a quarterback, having experince up in front of you,” Windmiller said of his receiving corps. “Not just any experience, but good experience. We trust them 100 percent and we’re excited to see what the experience can do for some of the younger guys.” The Griffons bring back their entire starting defensive line, led by seniors Arbanas Elliott (3 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT), Richard Obi (5 TFLs) and Janis Matulis (4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks). Senior Yomi Alli (11.5 TFLs) and sophomore Cody Lindsay (10 TFLs, 7 sacks) bring talent and experience to the linebacker position, while senior defensive backs Michael Jordan (4 INTs, 1 TD) and Sam Brown (3 INTs, 2 TFLs) solidify the secondary. There’s one ingredient for the Griffons which will get them back on top of the MIAA and back to the postseason. “The 2012 group was confident in every game even when they were down,” Elliot said. “We just have to have a certain amount of swagger.” [divider]

BR-38 Central Oklahoma Bronchos

2014 Record: 8-4, 8-3 MIAA (lost to Sioux Falls in Mineral Water Bowl) Projected 2015 MIAA Finish (Preseason Coaches Poll): 4th Head Coach: Nick Bobeck (4th season, 12-20) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 9 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 7 After back-to-back 2-8 seasons, Central Oklahoma earned their first postseason bid since 2003, when the Bronchos were part of the Lone Star Conference. Could the Bronchos be the team that stuns the MIAA and captures the crown? “We’re feel like we’re moving closer, but you never know until you actually get into those games,” head coach Nick Bobeck said. “Last year, we weren’t as good as [Pittsburg State or Northwest Missouri]. But that’s the growth we expect to see from our football team.” Watch of intense competition at quarterback, with three strong candidates in junior transfer Derek Harger (Pittsburg State), junior T.J. Eckert and sophomore dual-threat Chas Stallard (64.3 percent completion, 2,108 yards, 8 TDs, 8 INTs; 163 carries, 747 yards, 9 TDs), last season’s MIAA freshman of the year. “We feel good about our quarterback position overall,” Bobeck said. “We’ve got three kids that we feel like are pretty good football players.” Junior Jake Gandara (194 carries, 1,121 yards, 13 TDs) looks to build upon a season where he earned second-team all-conference honors at running back. Despite losing two seniors at wide receiver, junior Connor Pulley (24 catches, 409 yards, 4 TDs) will have a couple of speedy sophomores joining him in Josh Crockett (17 catches, 227 yards, 2 TDs) and Myles Tease (13 catches, 161 yards), while sophomore Caleb Moss (26 catches, 302 yards, 1 TD) solidifies the tight end spot. All five starters, led by senior right guard Landon Chappell, return to the offensive line. The defense is led up front by senior Kenny Allen (10.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks) and junior Deontay Wilson (2.5 TFLs), while sophomore Cade Shearwood (5 TFLs) is the lone returning