In the FCS Huddle: Southland Conference spring football primer

Mar 3, 2015 - 4:37 PM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - This time last year, not only did it seem strange to see former Delaware football coach K.C. Keeler in Sam Houston blue, white and orange, but there was little telling what his lineup would look like in the 2014 season.

With graduation and injuries as well as 13 transfers joining the team during the summer, there were only six starters in the spring game who would do the same throughout his first season in Huntsville, Texas.

And, oh, what a season it was, as Keeler helped Sam Houston rebound from a 1-3 start to earn a share of the Southland Conference title and go all the way to the FCS postseason to the semifinals. It was familiar territory for a Bearkats program that reached the 2011 and '12 national finals as well as Keeler, who led three Delaware teams to the season's final game, including a national championship squad in 2003.

Having lost only two senior starters from a year ago - although big ones in running back Keshawn Hill and safety Michael Wade - Sam Houston appears primed for another banner season.

The Southland moves to nine-game conference schedules this year, so in an 11- game season like this one, it leaves room for only two out-of-conference matchups for the 11 football members. Last year's co-conference champions, Sam Houston and Southeastern Louisiana, are facing everybody but each other.

Here's a look across the Southland Conference with spring practices getting underway around the nation:

STORY LINES

Sam Houston State isn't just the Southland favorite in returning a veteran team, but it's also a top challenger to dethrone four-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State, which has eliminated the Bearkats in the final or semifinals in three of those seasons.

Stephen F. Austin improved by five wins and reached the FCS playoffs last season, but second-year coach Clint Conque has to replace first-team All- American running back Gus Johnson as well as key seniors at wide receiver, linebacker and in the secondary.

Winless Nicholls hired Tim Rebowe from Louisiana-Lafayette, where he was an assistant the last 11 seasons. He had been an assistant at Nicholls for six seasons, mainly in the late 1990s. Known for his recruiting prowess, his entire 26-player class on signing day was from Louisiana.

Abilene Christian appears to be building to success on the FCS level. In their third year since transitioning from Division II, the Wildcats and coach Ken Collums have a talented and younger nucleus which was .500 overall and in Southland games a year ago. The offense, likely behind 3,000-yard quarterback Parker McKenzie, will carry the team while the defense matures.

Incarnate Word will have to take advantage of the home portion of the schedule because the Cardinals face many of the Southland powers plus UTEP on the road. Coach Larry Kennan's team is building depth after an injury-plagued season.

Not only is new Southeastern Louisiana quarterback D'Shaie Landor trying to fill the shoes of two-time All-Southland first-team quarterback Bryan Bennett, but the Lions are replacing three starters on the offensive line.

Not surprisingly, Houston Baptist's young program has to improve on both lines. On offense, running back B.J. Kelly will benefit from better play up front. On defense, the secondary will cut down on its FCS-worst 31 touchdowns allowed through the air.

Lamar hopes to build upon an eight-win season which tied the school record for victories. Transfers could play a big part in that attempt, including at quarterback and with wide receiver Brendan Langley (Georgia) and linebacker Cameron Hampton (Texas).

McNeese State has never had a losing season under 10th-year coach Matt Viator, but last year's 6-5 mark didn't sit well for anybody as the Cowboys thought they could win the conference title. They have perhaps the deepest rushing attack in the FCS.

There were some good offenses in the Southland last season, but Central Arkansas' 6-6 squad actually led the conference and was fourth nationally in scoring average (40.7 ppg). But second-year coach Steve Campbell is replacing some standouts on his quick-strike offense.

Northwestern State coach Jay Thomas has tabbed former Missouri Southern head coach Daryl Daye as the Demons' fourth different defensive coordinator in the last four seasons. With injuries up front, the Demons struggled to stop the run last season. But 2013 standout JeMarcus Marshall is back at defensive end after missing much of last season with a back injury.

THEY'RE BACK

Northwestern State's Ed Eagan, the Southland's leader in all-purpose yards, received first-team all-conference honors at wide receiver, all-purpose and punt returner.

Despite losing Ishmiah Miles from the edge, Stephen F. Austin has a pass- rushing presence in the middle with defensive tackle Lance Skyler.

Nicholls gets back quarterback Tuskani Figaro, who redshirted last season after gaining over 1,000 yards on the ground in 2013. The junior will team with another 1,000-yard rusher in running back Michael Henry.

A healthier Kade Harrington at Lamar figures to challenge for 1,000 rushing yards. He had a late start to his sophomore season because of a knee injury a year ago.

The quarterback position at Incarnate Word was unsettled last year after Trent Brittain suffered a broken ankle in the season opener. He had an excellent redshirt freshman campaign in 2013.

Southeastern Louisiana cornerback Harlan Miller fought through an injury to earn All-Southland first-team honors for a second consecutive season. He goes for the trifecta this year.

Nobody is anxious to have to defend Central Arkansas pass-rushing defensive end Jonathan Woodard.

Sam Houston State quarterback Jared Johnson finished one rushing yard shy of being a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher.

POSITION BATTLES

After Lamar quarterback Caleb Berry finished a record-setting career last season, the offseason turned weird for the Cardinals. Coach Ray Woodard brought in transfers Joe Minden (Stephen F. Austin) and Carson Earp (Navarro College), and it led to the two potential returnees at the position transferring out. Minden seems to have the inside track to the No. 1 job, although true freshman Brett Cox also will be in the all-new mix.

Houston Baptist will have competition at cornerback between Dominique Barnett, Prince Sam and Tyler Stephenson.

The McNeese State's veteran offensive backfield is a crowded place. The Cowboys return five players who rushed for at least 346 yards (four are seniors) plus speedster Nate Holmes, who was injured early last season, as well as returning co-quarterbacks Daniel Sams and Tyler Bolfing, who face competition from Will Briscoe and promising sophomore Grant Ashcraft.

It will be difficult for Northwestern State to replace quarterback Zach Adkins, but the Demons will try from a mix of Daniel Hazlewood (last year's backup), J.D. Almond, T.J. Fleeton and transfers Nick Fabrizio (Navy) and Joel Blumenthal (Butler Community College).

Dual-threat Central Arkansas quarterback Taylor Reed is trying to hold off Hayden Hildebrand for the starting job.

FIVE BREAKOUT PERFORMERS

It was easy to get overlooked behind some terrific linebackers in last season, but Southeastern Louisiana senior Herbert Harris is ready for the leading role.

Houston Baptist turned to a former Florida quarterback, Max Starver, who was limited by an Achilles injury at Tyler (Texas) Junior College last year. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is on campus already and expected to take over the starting job as a redshirt sophomore.

Abilene Christian lost some talented linebackers, so emerging sophomore Sam Denmark will come on strong after having an excellent first season.

As Stephen F. Austin replaces wide receivers Tyler Boyd and D.J. Ward, the Lumberjacks hope a healthier Robert Sylvester will give quarterback Zach Conque a strong second option to Aaron Thomas.

Central Arkansas has lost All-American Cole Caruthers and C.J. Simon on the offensive line, but 6-foot-7, 316-pound Kyle Stouffer was basically just as good without gaining the same accolades.

NUMBERS NEVER LIE

Amazingly, Nicholls had the FCS lows in sacks (two) and sacks allowed (56) last season.

Even though he was only a freshman last year, Sam Houston State defensive end P.J. Hall racked up 30 tackles for loss for 118 yards. Included were 12 sacks.

Southeastern Louisiana is coming off a share of its second straight conference title, but the Lions need to cut down on last year's 111 penalties in 13 games.

Johnson (SFA) and Hill (Sam Houston) were the big names among Southland rushers last season, but Abilene Christian freshman De'Andre Brown had the conference high with a seven-yard rushing average (137 carries for 962 yards and nine touchdowns).

A banner 2013 season in which Southland went a combined 27-18 out-of- conference, the new programs helped drag the conference to a 20-27 record last year.

SPRING PRACTICE DATES

With 2014 records in parentheses

Abilene Christian (6-6, 4-4): Feb. 23-April 7

Central Arkansas (6-6, 5-3): March 7-April 11

Houston Baptist (2-9, 1-7): Feb. 27-April 2

Incarnate Word (2-9, 2-6): March 17-April 14

Lamar (8-4, 5-3): Feb. 16-March 7

McNeese State (6-5, 4-4): March 20-April 25

Nicholls: (0-12, 0-8): March 3-28

Northwestern State (6-6, 4-4): March 10-April 2

Sam Houston State (11-5, 7-1): March 16-April 10

Southeastern Louisiana (9-4, 7-1): Feb. 24-March 28

Stephen F. Austin (8-5, 5-3): March 20-April 11