LAGRANGE
Last season: 5-5, 5-3 in USA South Conference
Key returning players: QB Graham Craig led the conference with 357.6 yards per game and was named second-team All-conference. He also set conference records in passing yards (3576) and touchdowns (32) last season. Running back Shaqualm McCoy averaged 6.9 yards per carry on 57 attempts during his rookie campaign. Now that last season's starting back, Marquius Young, graduated, though, McCoy will see quite a few more touches, and if he can stay near the level of production he had last season, he will be a powerful weapon for LaGrange.
Emerging players: LaGrange swept the conference rookie awards, with wide receiver Marsalis Jackson winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and linebacker Jordan Chambers taking home Defensive Rookie of the Year. Jackson set school records for receiving yards (902) and touchdowns (12). He averaged 19.2 yards per catch, and likely will be Craig's favorite target again this season. Chambers recorded 81 tackles, second on the team only to Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Andre Carter, who graduated. As a result, Chambers will be a bigger cog in LaGrange's defensive unit.
For the future: LaGrange has 61 freshmen on their roster for the season, which is actually down from 90 last season, sports information director John Hughes said. The coaches were excited to see what talent would emerge from the large pool during the season.
They'll have a winning season if: LaGrange can string together multiple wins. The Panthers won as many as two games in a row only twice last season and couldn't seem to get in a rhythm for any stretch.
They'll come up short if: LaGrange can't replace Carter. He was named conference Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season as a senior in 2013. Carter holds school records for total tackles (292), unassisted tackles (181), assisted tackles (111), tackles for loss (47.5), and yards for loss (174).
Chatter: Coach Matt Mumme, the son of former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme, is entering his first full season with the Panthers, who have a record 68 returners, including 18 starters. Mumme coached the last three games of LaGrange's 2013 season and finished 2-1. The team was picked to finish fifth in the 2014 USA South coaches' preseason poll.
Must-see games: The Panthers travel to Tennessee on Oct. 4 to take on defending conference champs, Maryville. Maryville took down LaGrange 47-35 during the LaGrange's homecoming last season, so the Panthers are out for revenge.
