| 2008 overall record: 5-7 2008 conference record: 3-5  Returning starters Offense: 9, defense: 6, punter/kicker: 2 Top returners WR Deryn Bowser, QB Chris Jacquemain, WR Andre Jones, DE Almondo Sewell, RT Corey Woods, LB Mike Thomas, ROV Wayne Cobham, CB Miguel Graham, LG Mike Ward Key losses RB Dennis Kennedy, LT Chris Kemme, MLB Kevin Grant, SS Bryan Williams, BANDIT Doug Williams 2008 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: Dennis Kennedy (1,321 yards)
Passing: Chris Jacquemain* (2,748 yards)
Receiving: Deryn Bowser* (785 yards)
Tackles: Kevin Grant (85)
Sacks: Kevin Grant (4.0)
Interceptions: Miguel Graham* (3)
Spring answers | 2009 Schedule | | Sept. 5 at Penn State
Sept. 12 Morgan State
Sept. 19 Indiana
Sept. 26 at Central Michigan
Oct. 10 Ohio
Oct. 17 at Buffalo
Oct. 24 at Syracuse
Oct. 31 at Northern Illinois
Nov. 7 Kent State
Nov. 13 Temple (Fri.)
Nov. 20 at Bowling Green (Fri.)
Nov. 27 Eastern Michigan (Fri.) | | | 1. Jacquemain poised for another solid season: Quarterback Chris Jacquemain has been solid throughout his career with the Zips, but he struggled a bit without some of his key players this spring. Jacquemain can be a good MAC quarterback this year and with his top receivers returning, could easily throw for 3,000 yards. 2. Offense should be good: The addition of former Miami (Ohio) coach Shane Montgomery as the offensive coordinator should do wonders for the Zips' already potent offense. The squad returns a solid group of seniors that helped produce almost 400 yards per game last season. 3. Secondary stepping up: The pass defense was one of the strong suits of an otherwise dismal defensive unit last season and that trend seemed to continue throughout the spring. The secondary had several pass break-ups and interceptions during the Zips' scrimmages. Fall questions 1. Replacing Kennedy: Dennis Kennedy was the Zips' all-every guy on offense and during the spring none of the running backs appeared ready to fill his shoes. Alex Allen is supposed to be the heir apparent, but he's still nursing a hip injury he suffered last season. 2. Getting rid of the injury bug: Twenty-two players missed the Zips' spring game because of injuries including Allen, and top wide receivers Deryn Bowser and Andre Jones. If all of those players can get healthy this summer, the Zips should be good on offense. 3. Defense still adjusting: The defense plans to keep the 3-3-5 base that it ran a year ago, but this year it will bring even more pressure than it did last season. The defense has nowhere to go but up as it allowed almost 400 yards per game last season. | 
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.
