Newcomer North Dakota State Picked to Win 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Crown
7/22/2008 4:00:00 PM | Football
ST. LOUIS, Mo.--North Dakota State University, one of two new members in the nine-member Missouri Valley Football Conference, has been tabbed to win the 2008 league title in a poll conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors.
The Bison, as high as No. 2 nationally in some preseason football publications, earned 289 points and 13 first-place votes, to edge defending league champ
The next three teams were tightly bunched for the third-, fourth- and fifth-place spots, as 10 points separated
The league's other new team,
Five North Dakota State players were named to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Preseason team. Running back Tyler Roehl (5-10, 232, Sr./West Fargo, N.D.), offensive tackle Keith Buckman (6-5, 310, Jr./Belfield, N.D.), defensive lineman Joe Lardinois (6-4, 262, Sr./New Franken, Wis.), linebacker Ramon Humber (5-11, 226, Sr./Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and free safety Nick Schommer (6-0, 197, Sr./Prescott, Wis.) were named to the select group.
Four others -- fullback Tyler Jangula, wide receiver Kole Heckendorf, tight end Jerimiah Wurzbacher and return specialist Shamen Washington -- were honorable mention.
North Dakota State is scheduled to open the 2008 season against Austin Peay at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, in the Fargodome.
2008 Valley Football Preseason Poll
Team (first-place votes) Points
2008
OFFENSE
Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown / High School
QB- Cody Kirby, MSU 5-11 200 So.
RB- Herb Donaldson, WIU
RB- Tyler Roehl, NDSU 5-10 232 Sr.
FB- Javid Milton, WIU 5-10 240 Sr.
WR- Johnny Gray, UNI 5-9 185 Sr.
WR- Ferlando Williams, YSU 6-0 205 Sr.
OL- David Arkin, MSU 6-5 281 So.
OL- Keith Buckman, NDSU 6-5 310 Jr. Belfield, N.D. / Belfield High
OL- Aaron Lockwood, SIU 6-2 303 Sr.
OL- Brad Samsa, YSU 6-3 275 Sr. Warren,
OL- Kevin Robling, SDSU 6-3 270 Sr. Jordan,
PK- Taylor Rowan, WIU 6-0 190 Sr. Melbourne,
DEFENSE
Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown / High School
DL- James Cloud, SIU 6-2 216 Sr.
DL- Mark Huygens, UNI 6-6 277 Sr. Sergeant Bluff,
DL- Josh Galloway, WIU 6-2 250 Sr.
DL- Joe Lardinois, NDSU 6-4 262 Sr. New Franken,
Dl- James Ruffin, UNI 6-4 265 Jr.
DL- Mychal Savage, YSU 6-2 305 Sr. Hartsdale, N.Y. / Hargrave Military Acad.
LB- De'Veon Harris, UNI 6-1 215 Sr. Fort Lauderdale,
LB- Ramon Humber, NDSU 5-11 226 Sr.
LB- Brandin
LB- Jason Williams, WIU 6-3 235 Sr. Chicago,
DB- Darrell Lloyd, UNI 6-0 191 Sr. O'Fallon,
DB- Tom Nelson, ILS 6-0 200 Sr. Arlington Heights,
DB- Nick Schommer, NDSU 6-0 197 Sr. Prescott,
DB- Patrick Stoudamire, WIU 5-11 200 Jr.
P- Scott Ravanesi, SIU 6-0 196 Jr. Carol Stream,
RS- Johnny Gray, UNI 5-9 185 Sr.
Honorable Mention: QB Ryan Berry (South Dakota State); RB Corey Lewis (Northern Iowa); FB Tyler Jangula (North Dakota State); WR Kole Heckendorf (North Dakota State); TE Derrick Bush (Youngstown State); TE Jerimiah Wurbacher (North Dakota State); OL Jack Byrne (Indiana State); OL Shawn Smith (Southern Illinois); PK Brian Palmer (Youngstown State); DL Danny Batten (South Dakota State), DL Eric Schroeder (South Dakota State); DB Chauncey Mixon (Southern Illinois); LB Jimmy Rogers (South Dakota State), DB Robert Hodges (Western Illinois); RS Shamen Washington (North Dakota State).
