QB Chandler Harnish, RB Me'co Brown, FS David Bryant, SS Mike Sobel, WLB Alex Kube, LG Jason Onyebuagu, C Eddie Adamski, TE Reed Cunningham, K Mike Salerno, DE Brandon Bice
Key losses
DE Larry English, RG Dan Keller, RT Jon Brost, WR Matt Simon, WR Marcus Perez, MLB Tim McCarthy, DT Alex Krutsch
2008 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Chandler Harnish* (539 yards) Passing: Chandler Harnish* (1,528 yards) Receiving: Marcus Perez (480 yards) Tackles: David Bryant* (83) Sacks: Larry English (8) Interceptions: Bradley Pruitt (2)
Spring answers
2009 Schedule
Sept. 5 at Wisconsin Sept. 12 Western Illinois Sept. 19 at Purdue Sept. 26 Idaho Oct. 3 Western Michigan Oct. 17 at Toledo Oct. 24 at Miami OH Oct. 31 Akron Nov. 5 Eastern Michigan Nov. 12 Ball State Nov. 21 at Ohio Nov. 27 at Central Michigan
1. Harnish is the guy: Quarterback Chandler Harnish led the Huskies in both passing and rushing last season and should be the go-to guy on offense again this year especially if he stays healthy. The one criticism of Harnish was that he threw nine interceptions to eight touchdowns last season.
2. Depth on defense: Even with Larry English leaving to the NFL, coach Jerry Kill said after spring practice that he thinks his defensive line has a chance to be better and deeper than it was a year ago. Only two starters return, but several players have experience.
3. Leadership still present: Despite the loss of leader English, safety David Bryant and linebacker Alex Kube have stepped in as the leaders of the defense and their confidence, and subsequently the confidence of the entire defense, has grown.
Fall questions
1. Replacing English: Kill is going to have a tough time replacing Larry English, the school's highest-ever draft pick. Jake Coffman slides into his spot, but Brandon Bice, who was a third-team All-MAC selection last year, will be looked upon to help take some of the pressure off English's departure.
2. Receiving corps thin: The Huskies lost Marcus Perez and Matt Simon, the team's two best receivers and will have to replace them with some younger talent in Landon Cox and Nate Palmer. Marcus Lewis also was noted as a standout during spring practices.
3. Running thin: The running back competition was fierce at the beginning of spring practice, but when Justin Anderson, Chad Spann and Alan Smith suffered injuries, it made Me'co Brown's chance of becoming the full-time starter that much easier. Brown was the most improved player coming out of spring and the Huskies will need a strong running game to keep the pressure off Harnish.
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Graham Watson
Watson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
Watson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
