The 2009 football season ended as a disappointing one for NAU as the team missed out on the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the sixth straight season.
With the '10 season officially set to get under way today, Lumberjack players and coaches are hoping the year doesn't start the same way last year ended.
After starting with a 5-2 record last season, the Jacks lost the final four games. NAU returns a lot of talent, including five defensive players who were granted medical redshirts after sustaining season-ending injuries, but there was a lot of turnover at the skill positions on the offensive side.
Still, the Jacks believe they have enough talent left over to compete for their first FCS playoff appearance since 2003.
As NAU begins fall practice today at 6:30 p.m., here are five questions facing the Jacks.
1. HOW WILL LAST YEAR'S INJURED PLAYERS IMPACT THE DEFENSE?
When injuries decimated key members of the defense, several Jacks were thrust into a starting role ahead of schedule. The unit often struggled as its newest members had to learn on the fly but they return with a wealth of experience and more confidence.
But that doesn't mean they'll be retaining their starting roles. Defensive linemen Kyle Rath, Michael Battisti, Kainoa Pe'a and linebackers Cody Dowd and Anthony Llanos return from injury to compete for playing time.
With so much experience returning, Souers will be finding time for everyone to get their fair share of snaps. The thought of having fresh, experienced legs ready to run in at a moment's notice is something Souers has never experienced before and is eager to showcase that kind of depth against opponents.
"I think our defensive line will be competitive in the two deep at all positions. There's going to be some guys in the group of threes that, in any other year, are capable of being starters on our defense," Souers said. "That's a really unusual circumstance to have. As a coach that's a dream. Being able to run fresh guys onto the field that have playing experience is a rare luxury."
2. WILL THE JACKS FINISH STRONG?
Over the past couple of years, NAU has started its season on a roll, only to nose-dive during the latter part. In both the 2008 and 2009 seasons, the Jacks dropped their last four games to finish 6-5 and 5-6, respectively.
This year, NAU opens at home but will spend the next four games on the road and ends the season by playing its final three of four games at home. Last year, three of the final four losses came on the road.
If the Jacks can find a way to win the majority of their road games (with a likely loss to Arizona State), it should put them in good position to buck the trend of late-season collapses.
With so many returners on defense, and plenty of senior leadership, the Jacks have the experience to avoid the fate of previous years.
But it's also a matter of the coaching staff handling such expectations. Running backs coach Chris Taylor was the lone departure during the offseason, but the rest of the staff remains intact.
Souers hopes the coaching consistency helps as his job may hang in the balance this season. NAU's administration didn't extend his contract for the first time in several years and this year could be Souers' last hurrah, depending on how his team performs.
3. WHO REPLACES ALEX HENDERSON'S PRODUCTION?
Perhaps the most glaring departure from last season is Henderson, a three-time All-Big Sky selection who rushed for 3,274 career yards, the second most in NAU history.
Sophomore Giovannie Dixon is the starter heading into the fall, after averaging 6.5 yards a carry for 252 yards and two touchdowns as Henderson's backup. Dixon was limited for periods of the spring practice while attending to some academic issues.
The running back transferred to NAU after a year as a walk-on at Arizona State and may have to prove himself as the main man after incoming freshmen Jamaal Perkins and Jonathan DeWitt show what they can do during practice.
Sophomore Jamil Hines is the only other running back listed on the depth chart heading into the first practice but during the spring, Souers couldn't wait to get a look at his two recruits who hope to add some depth and speed to the position.
Still, Dixon said he was up to the task of replacing one of NAU's greatest players and Souers is going to give him the chance to prove it.
"He can be the guy and I think he should be," Souers said in the spring.
4. WHAT WILL MICHAEL HERRICK DO FOR AN ENCORE?
As much depth as the defense has this year, NAU's hopes and early optimism are primarily a result of returning quarterback Michael Herrick who will be counted on, at the very least, to repeat his production from 2009.
Herrick's been named to a number of preseason All-American lists following his junior year, where he threw for 3,356 yards, 22 touchdowns and completed 66.3 percent of his passes. He finished ninth in the Walter Payton Award voting, given to the Football Championship Subdivision's most outstanding player.
As good as his season was, his teammates think he can be better.
"I'm excited to snap to him," senior center Jeff Hines said. "We're lucky to have him back there."
5. CAN A NEW SET OF RECEIVERS FILL IN FOR THREE DEPARTED SENIORS?
How Herrick adapts to throwing to a set of new receivers, however, remains to be seen.
The Jacks graduated three seniors: Ed Berry, Conrad Meadows and Curt Sweeney, who combined for 177 catches for 2,446 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Senior Davieun Curry-Chapman is the lone returning starter and speedy return man Austin Shanks looks to fill a variety of offensive roles, including taking snaps as the No. 2 receiver.
Junior Mike Czyz is listed as the No. 3 man, but San Jose State-transfer Khalil Paden made his impact felt during the spring by making big plays throughout practice, including a 70-yard touchdown reception during the Spring Game.
Junior Tight end Brian Riley, who stands at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, will be Herrick's biggest target to throw to.
Jacob May can be reached at jmay@azdailysun.com or 556-2257.
