LSC Media Day Update

A BIG THANK YOU to Tarleton, UCO and MSU Sports for the updates and ACU for the coaches' comments.

LSC South Prediction
1. ACU - 135 pts (16 first place)
2. WTAM - 107 pts (3 first place)
3. Tarleton - 86 pts
4. TAMK - 84 pts
5. MSU - 82 pts (1 first place)
6. Angelo St - 42 pts
7. ENMU - 24 pts

Off POY - Roderick Smith, Tarleton
Def POY - Aston Whiteside, ACU

LSC North Prediction
1. UCO - 90 pts (12 first place)
2. TAMC - 70 pts (3 first place)
2. SOSU - 70 pts (1 first place)
4. SWO - 39 pts
5. ECU - 37 pts
6. NSU - 30 pts

Off POY - Marcus Johnson, ECU
Def Co-POY - William Green, TAMC and Jermelle Cudjo, UCO

Coaches' comments:
> Kenny Evans, NSU head coach -- "We've got a new look, and hopefully it doesn't end up looking like it did in the poll. Brought in a new coaching staff and a lot of new players. New helmet; new uniforms; hopefully a new look at the end of the season."

> Tim McCarty, ECU head coach -- "Pleased that (Abilene native) Marcus Johnson is back with us at quarterback. We have a lot of work to do, though. We want to build a foundation for a program that will excite our alumni, lettermen and fans."

> Dan Cocannouer, SW Oklahoma State head coach -- "We got a late start in recruiting, but were able to sign 38 high school kids; 33 from Oklahoma and five from Texas. Got five junior college transfers. But only suited up 47 kids for our spring game. Won't have many seniors or juniors, but anticipate 75 freshmen and 35 sophomores."

> Ray Richards, SE Oklahoma State head coach -- "We feel good about this year and the future. We've got a great receiver in Daniel Nichols, who I believe is one of the best receivers in the Lone Star Conference."

> Guy Morriss, Texas A&M-Commerce head coach -- "Can't tell you a lot about this football team. Went through spring training with only about 50 players, but I think the thing that excites me the most is Aug. 6 when we report to camp and get to mix in the kids that we signed. We signed about 30 high school kids, and I'm excited about them. I really believe that's the best way to build a program, but you never know until the lights come on and find out what they can and can't do. A lot of our freshmen are going to have starting roles or see a lot of playing time."

> Tracy Holland, UCO head coach -- "We had an exciting first year, and we're looking forward to a great second season. A lot's been written and said about those seven games we won to end the 2008 season, but truth be know, five of those wins came down to the last series and we were able to pull those games out."

> Mark Ribaudo, ENMU head coach -- "We're excited about the Greyhounds. We're very excited about the spread offense once again. We'll be a junior-sophomore offense. Signed 38 kids, including 30 high school players. We're still a young team that's trying to get better and better. We'll be a little bit older on the defensive side of the ball who will help us."

> Dale Carr, Angelo State head coach -- "It's been disappointing the last three years. Last year was our fourth year, and should have been the year we started to turn the corner. We lost our starting quarterback first rattle out of the box in the first game last year and we were never the same. We got a redshirt for Josh Neiswander, though, and I think he'll be a real blessing for us."

> Bill Maskill, Midwestern State head coach -- "We are a team of blue-collar workers, much like our coaches and much like our university. But we've got some talented players. Defensively we don't have the depth that we've had in the past, but we've got some talented players. Offensively we're a veteran team with an offensive line full of guys who have all played."

> Bo Atterberry, Kingsville head coach -- "We've got a lot of guys coming back, but we'll find out pretty quickly how we stack up on Aug. 29 when Delta State comes to Kingsville. Hopefully the great minds aren't right on putting us fourth, but I'm anxious to get started and find out."

> Sam McElroy, Tarleton State head coach -- "We've got a good group of guys back, and it's a group that's been around a while. We've been close to doing what everybody wants to do and that's win championships and reach the playoffs. But we just haven't gotten over the top. I'm proud of the way our kids worked this off-season and the commitment they've made to reaching that goal."

> Don Carthel, West Texas A&M head coach -- "We lost a lot of seniors, and to be picked second is a shock to me. I would venture to say that we have the fewest returning starters in the league. We'll find out really quick if our Thursday night scrimmages will pay off on Aug. 29 when Grand Valley State comes into Canyon. We think we've got a great bunch of young guys who are waiting for their chance to play."

> Chris Thomsen, Abilene Christian head coach -- "I'm a little bit surprised to be picked first in the division considering the number of starters we lost. Not only did we lose Bernard, but we also lost two other senior running backs (Chancy Campbell and Taber Minner). Not only did we lose Johnny Knox, we lost four other senior wide receivers. But we brought in some guys that we feel good about. I'm very fortunate to be at a great university with great support and very fortunate to be in this league."