#6 CHADRON STATE EAGLES

THE EAGLES OF Chadron State University will return 17 starters from last year’s team that went 8-0 in the RMAC and were 12-0 before losing to national runner-up Northwest Missouri State 28-21 in the NCAA II quarterfinals. Eight Eagles were placed on the preseason all-conference team, led by tailback Danny Woodhead, who was selected to repeat as the conference’s offensive player of the year. Woodhead became college football’s first 2,700-yard rusher last season, when he won the Harlon Hill Trophy that is awarded to the outstanding player in Division II. Other Chadron State players placed on the preseason all-conference offensive unit are quarterback Joe McLain and lineman John Strand. The CSC defensive choices are tackle Josh Knouse, inside linebacker Austin Bailey and backs Paul Schweger and Beau Wendling. The preseason special teams honorees include the Eagles’ Micah Smith as the punt returner. Outstanding placekicker Travis Atter, who scored 103 points as a freshman last season for a new CSC kick-scoring record, also returns. The Eagles open the season in late August traveling to non-conference foe Wasburn (MIAA). Two games later they are on the road to battle former DII Champion, Northern Colorado, now in the FCS (formerly I-AA). The Eagles play host to five RMAC games and are the pre-season favorites to win the conference and earn another playoff bid.