College football 2016: A look at the KCAC

1. Tabor

Coach: Mike Gardner, ninth season, 88-45

2015: 11-2, 9-0 KCAC (1st)

Outlook: Tabor dominated the KCAC last season and reached the second round of the NAIA playoffs before a 45-point loss to Morningside (Iowa). Senior RB Joseph Donnell (1,032 rushing yards) is a big reason why Tabor is expected to repeat. The Bluejays have to replace Simon McKee’s 1,572 passing yards. All three first-team KCAC players return — DL Dylan Delk, DL Derrick Lawrence, DB James Foote — which should again keep the Bluejays atop the KCAC in scoring defense and defensive yards.

2. Kansas Wesleyan

Coach: Matt Drinkall, third season, 12-11

2015: 10-2, 8-1 (2nd)

Outlook: Coaches and media like the Coyotes to finish second in the KCAC, which makes it clear that KWU’s turnaround is thought to be sustainable. KWU was 2-9 in 2014 before an eight-game improvement and NAIA playoff berth last year. Eight starters return on each side, though that doesn’t include QB Jake Curran, the conference player of the year. Kelly Cordova, a junior transfer from McPherson, takes over. KWU replaces RB Miles Balthazor (756 yards) with one of four Coyotes: Devin Rizzo, Jordan Guerrero, Jaylan Alexander and Demarco Prewitt.

3. Ottawa

Coach: Kent Kessinger, 14th season, 81-49

2015: 6-4, 6-3 (4th)

Outlook: The Braves had six All-KCAC first-team selections, including running back Tanner Staats (1,276 yards), who graduated. Top WR Terrance Polk (39 catches, 644 yards) returns, as does QB Dayton Walter (1,173 passing yards) to lead an offense that was No. 2 in the KCAC. Lineman Zach Lanning heads a defense that was the KCAC’s second best in scoring defense and defensive yards.

4. Sterling

Coach: Chuck Lambert, first season

2015: 7-3, 7-2 (3rd)

Outlook: Lambert takes over after 12 years on the staff as defensive coordinator and associate head coach. Many offensive components are in place with run-first sophomore QB Cedrick Phillips (1,218 rushing yards, 814 passing) and senior WR T.J. Brown, along with all-KCAC lineman Jake Holland. The defense is led by senior DL Keith Lowry, senior LB Greg Williams and junior DB Tyus Williams.

5. Friends

Coach: Monty Lewis, 14th season, 88-47

2015: 3-8, 3-6 (T5th)

Outlook: The Falcons’ offense was in the bottom half of almost all KCAC categories. Senior RB Jesse Rogers (869 rushing yards) returns, as do quarterbacks Brett Darling and Andrew Matthews, who each played last season and each completed less than half their passes. Things are more promising on defense, where nine starters return.

6. Bethel

Coach: Morris Lolar, second season, 3-7

2015: 3-7, 3-6 (T5th)

Outlook: Bethel was the lone school without a first- or second-team All-KCAC player. The Threshers had three on honorable mention, but only WR Marquis Jackson (33 catches, 357 yards) returns. Bethel will have a new quarterback after the graduation of Brandon Steed, who was third in passing yards in the KCAC. Defense is the bigger rebuild after allowing 35 points and 440 yards a game.

7. Saint Mary

Coach: Jay Osborne, third season, 7-15

2015: 3-8, 3-6 (T5th)

Outlook: DB Kenny Nez, a senior, is the KCAC’s top defensive returner. He was NAIA All-American in 2014 and second team in 2015, when fewer offenses dared to throw at him. He still had four interceptions. Saint Mary was strengthened last year by QB Drew Cortez, who threw for 2,673 yards as a freshman (though he did throw 16 INTs). His top three targets graduated; Isai Fernandez (25 catches) is the top returning receiver.

8. Bethany

Coach: Paul Hubbard, second season, 3-8

2015: 3-8, 3-6 (T5th)

Outlook: The Swedes gave up more than 470 yards of offense each week last season, putting too much pressure on the offense to keep up. That led to six losses by more than 19 points. Twelve starters return, including top rusher Nathaniel Ocran (476 yards). A key will be staying in games early. Opponents averaged 23 first-half points last season.

9. Southwestern

Coach: Brad Griffin, second season, 3-8

2015: 3-8, 3-6 (T5th)

Outlook: The Moundbuilders claimed one of the conference’s better defenses last year, ranking third overall and second against the pass. But the offense was held to less than 10 points five times, including three shutouts. Two returning quarterback, Braden Langston (522 passing yards) and Christian Gordon (371 yards) are back, but no receiver with more than 100 yards returns. Southwestern gets a taste of NCAA Championship Subdivision football with a Sept. 1 opener at Missouri State.

10. McPherson

Coach: Paul Mierkiewicz, second season, 0-10

2015: 0-10, 0-9 (10th)

Outlook: Mierkiewicz acknowledges the Bulldogs played to their youth last season. Both sides of the ball struggled to make gains. The offense scored 69 points while the defense gave up 62 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Ryan Lakso (221 yards in eight games) returns, as does sophomore QB Chris Linnin, who is bound to do better than his freshman 36.5-percent completion rate. Junior Dalton Whitfield, who led the KCAC with 105 tackles, is back at linebacker.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 5:26 PM with the headline "College football 2016: A look at the KCAC."