GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- In less than 24 hours, the University of North Dakota campus, more specifically Memorial Stadium, will be inundated with student-athletes and coaches hungry to kickoff another season of Fighting Sioux football. The 2010 fall camp will mark the 115th season of football at UND and the third in the transition to NCAA Division I status.

With the return of 31 lettermen, including 14 starters, UND will rely heavily on the experience of the upperclassmen to not only build upon the successes of last season, but to help strengthen the younger, less-experienced players. Combined, the redshirt freshmen and the new signees will make up nearly half of the players scheduled to report on Wednesday.

QUARTERBACKS

The quarterback position is an experienced group led by Jake Landry (Grand Forks, N.D.), who returns as the starting quarterback for the Fighting Sioux. After a successful junior season, he is ready to resume the leadership role. Landry's cannon arm, play-making ability and game management will be important to the offensive success.

Junior Brent Goska (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) is coming off of a successful sophomore campaign. He contributed substantially at the QB position last season and is expected to expand his leadership and role in the offense. Sophomores Seth Nichols (Mcville, N.D.) and Marcus Hendrickson (Perham, Minn.) both had good spring drills and will be joined by newcomers Chris Comes (Danville, Calif.) and Trey Demler (Oshkosh, Wis.).

RUNNING BACKS

Great West Conference Rookie of the Year Mitch Sutton (So., Plover, Wis.) enters the 2010 season as UND's starting running back. Sutton, a GWC All-Conference first team selection, had a breakout freshman campaign, leading the Fighting Sioux in rushing (689 yards) and touchdowns (seven), while adding 27 receptions for 280 yards. The Sioux will once again look to Sutton for an outstanding 2010 season.

Junior Josh Murray (Pepin, Wis) returns after sitting last season due to academic ineligibility. As a sophomore in 2008, Murray led the Sioux in rushing (1,146 yards) and scoring (12 touchdowns) and added 21 receptions for 187 yards. He was named to the GWC All-Conference first team.

The duo of Sutton and Murray will give the Fighting Sioux some much-needed depth at the running back position. Both players have proven their ability to run the ball effectively, as well as, catch passes out of the backfield.

Adding depth to the position will be sophomore Ethan Magstadt (Maple Grove, Minn.), who looks to return from an injury he sustained this past spring, and freshman Spencer Bickel (Minot, N.D.).

At fullback, junior Catlin Solum (Fargo, N.D.) is penciled in as the starter after spending the previous two seasons as a back up running back. Solum had an outstanding spring and appears to have found a home at the position. He has embraced the position change and has the tools to be a great fullback with his outstanding blocking and receiving abilities.

Magstadt will not only add depth at the running back position, but will also be used as the primary back up to Solum. Also at fullback will be redshirt freshman Travis Greenwaldt (Puposky, Minn.), who is making the transition from linebacker.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The wide receivers bring a mix of experience and youth to the offense. Senior Ryan Dressler (Bismarck, N.D.) and junior Chris Anderson (Duluth, Minn.) lead the group after productive 2009 seasons and solid spring practices.

Jarrel Davis (Miami, Fla.), who played the majority of his first season as a running back, Drew Daggett (Frazee, Minn.) and Jon Heimler (Menomonie, Wis.) will compete for playing time after good spring practices. All five players played significant roles on special teams in 2009 and look to contribute to the upcoming season.

Freshmen Greg Hardin (Bellevue, Neb.) and Blair Townsend (Coon Rapids, Minn.) had great spring seasons after redshirting in 2009. Both will compete for playing time and provide great athletic ability for the Sioux offense.

Incoming freshmen R.J. McGill (Phoenix, Ariz.), Tyhre Ivory (Garland, Texas) and Isaac Carrasco (Arlington, Texas) will provide athleticism and depth.

TIGHT ENDS

The tight ends are led by first-year starter Seth Wisthoff (Glenburn, N.D.). Wisthoff was a significant contributor on special teams last year and gained valuable experience in tight end and short yardage situations.

Nick Long (Andover, Minn.), Brendan Mochoruk (East Grand Forks, Minn.) and Joe Kingery (Bemidji, Minn.) will all compete for playing time after strong spring practices and incoming freshmen Taylor Grant (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Tyler Jenson (Waupaca, Wis.) will play significant roles on the scout teams.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Seniors Creighton Schroyer (Pipestone, Minn.) and Keith Queoff (Milwaukee, Wis.) will anchor the offensive line. Both seniors will be looked upon to provide leadership and hard-nosed play for the Sioux, who are looking to improve on their consistency and toughness.

Juniors Connor McKendry (Costa Mesa Calif.) and Brandon Quesenberry (Billings, Mont.), along with sophomores Ian McGurran (Fargo, N.D.), Emmett Lynch (Lester Prairie, Minn.) and Caleb Gillson (Buyck, Minn.), will usher in a redshirt freshmen class of Joe Kleason (St. Paul, Minn.), Darren DeNeui (Chancellor, S.D.), Jake Hoerchner (Menomonee Fall, Wis.), and Caleb Nelson (Norman, N.D.).

While this group has had its individual successes in the past, these "hogs" know they must become the strength of a young Fighting Sioux offense.

DEFENSIVE LINE

UND's defensive line returns a solid group of veterans and welcomes some new faces to the football program.

Defensive end will be led by two returning starters and two underclassmen. Three of the four defensive ends return with valuable experience from last year and showed signs of big play capabilities during the spring. Junior Broc Bellmore (West Fargo, N.D.) and sophomore Ross Brenneman (Omaha, Neb.) will assume the starting roles heading into fall camp. Bellmore and Brenneman each are poised to have breakout seasons in the Great West Conference.

Both players will be pushed by sophomore Jay Nelson (Wheaton, Minn.) and freshman Seth Stanchik (Hudson, Wis.), as both had outstanding spring seasons. Look for redshirt freshmen Brock Lundeen (Huber Heights, Ohio) and Brent Cole (Warroad, Minn.) to provide depth early in the season.

Among the newcomers to defensive end is Spencer Cummings (Hugo, Minn.), who is coming off of a successful career at White Bear Lake High School. Cummings has outstanding athleticism for a big man and has a promising future in the program. Ekenna Anya-Gafu (Sacramento, Calif.), will bring explosive athletic ability.

Senior Ty Boyle (International Falls, Minn.) will assume the role as the starting nose guard. Boyle, who earned Great West All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior, is poised for a great final campaign.

Sophomore Devin Benjamin (Minneapolis, Minn.) will enter the season having had a great spring and has positioned himself to share playing time with Boyle. Benjamin has improved his strength and quickness over the last two years and is showing the attributes needed to be an outstanding nose guard in North Dakota's 3-4 system.

Freshman Ben Henson (Buffalo, Minn.), who is set to start his career this fall, has the size and strength needed to become a outstanding nose during his career at UND.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

The outside linebackers will have a mix of experience and youth. Seniors this year include team captain and 2009 Great West All-Conference first team selection Ryan Kasowski (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Ross Cochran (Kenosha, Wis.). Kasowski is the unquestioned leader of the group, while Cochran brings energy and toughness.

Redshirt freshmen Cordero Finley (Kenosha, Wis.), Dominique Bennett (DeSoto, Texas) and Damon Andrews (West Concord, Minn.) will all play important roles on defense and will provide major contributions to special teams after having good spring practices.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

UND's inside linebackers bring a wealth of experience to the 2010 defense. Senior Curtis Dublanko (Thorsby, Alberta) returns after a breakout junior season that saw him lead all linebackers in tackles. A second round draft pick by the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, Dublanko will be counted heavily upon to provide stability and leadership to the defense.

Fellow senior Paul German (Fargo, N.D.) has seen extensive playing time the previous two seasons and is ready to step into the other starting position. German will be pushed for playing time by junior Dan Hendrickson (Minot, N.D.), who had a great spring.

Sophomore Mitch Goertz (Rothschild, Wis.) and redshirt freshmen Garrison Goodman (Danville, Calif.) and Brian Otto (West Allis, Wis.) will all battle for playing time.

Incoming freshmen Ben Peters (Hamilton, Ariz.) and Joey Walker (San Jose, Calif.) are both talented young players that will be redshirting in UND's system.

SECONDARY

Only two seniors grace the Sioux secondary this year, but that doesn't mean it is devoid of experience. Four safeties and three corners have played significant minutes on the UND secondary.

The two seniors are Joel Schwenzfeier (Hallock, Minn.) and Kris Ankenbauer (Murphy, Texas). The two of them started almost every game last fall and retained that position after strong spring practices. Schwenzfeier and Ankenbauer finished third and fourth, respectively, last year in total tackles.

Schwenzfeier has great instincts for the ball and led the team in interceptions (five). With the experience he gained last season, he has set himself up to have an even better finish this year. Ankenbauer led the team last year in fumble recoveries (two) and continually displays a knack to make big plays.

Sophomore Erik Mersereau (Port Washington, Wis.) and junior Justin Belotti (Kenosha, Wis.) also had solid 2009 seasons and even better spring campaigns. Both will battle for starting spots and playing time.

Mersereau earned the starting punt return duties midway through the year, and should have a breakout year. Belotti proved himself as a playmaker throughout spring and will push for extended playing time this fall.

Redshirt freshman Karl Hager (Larimore, N.D.) will continue to provide necessary depth as his skills continue to improve. Bailey Carr (Hazen, N.D.) is the only incoming safety this year for the Sioux.

The corners are dominated by juniors. Dominique Hawkins (Rockford, Minn.) is one of many returning starters from last year's squad and has gained valuable experience the past two seasons. He led the team last year in pass breakups (four) and was first on the team in tackles (61).

Mitch Kudrna (Dickinson, N.D.) and Kenny Watkins (Plano, Texas) both had good spring practices. Both saw significant playing time in 2009 and will make large contributions to this year's team. Sophomore Ben Buchl (Kasson, Minn.) made every road trip for the Sioux last year and, with a solid fall camp, he will push the upperclassmen for playing time.

Chavon Mackey (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Chris Hall (Jacksonville, Fla.), the two redshirt freshmen, both had great springs and will be counted upon to impact the Sioux this year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

UND will have to replace one of the program's most successful kickers/punters, Brandon Hellevang, who graduated last spring.

Taking over the punting duties full-time will be sophomore Brett Cameron (Winnipeg, Manitoba), who saw spot play last year and had an impressive 44.9-yard punting average.

Taking over the kicking duties will be redshirt freshman Zeb Miller (Ankeny, Iowa). Miller possesses a strong leg and impressed the coaching staff in spring drills with his power and accuracy.

Sophomore Erik Mersereau (Port Washington, Wis) is back on punt return for the Fighting Sioux. After taking over the starting position halfway through the 2009 season, Mersereau averaged 19.0 yards per return. He will be joined on kick return by junior Dominique Hawkins (Plymouth, Minn.). Hawkins has returned kickoffs for two seasons and last year averaged 17.7 yards per return.

Sophomore Seth Wisthoff (Glenburn, N.D.) will again handle the short-snapping duties while sophomore Jay Nelson (Wheaton, Minn.) will takeover the long-snapping position. Sophomore Marcus Hendrickson (Perham, Minn.) returns to hold for field goals and extra points.

- Go Sioux -