Top 20 Lower Divisions

Division I-AA

'96 Record

Returning Starters

1. Montana

14-1

8

Quarterback Brian Ah Yat threw 42 touchdown passes last season, a Big Sky record

2. William & Mary

10-3

15

Mike Cook was the ECAC's top-ranked passer last year (148.6 QB rating)

3. Youngstown State

8-3

17

Linebacker Kawonza Swan led the Penguins in tackles (80) as a freshman

4. Jackson State

10-2

14

Cornerback Quincy Coleman heads up talented defense

5. Northern Arizona

9-3

17

Travis Brown passed for 3,398 yards, most ever by Division I-AA freshman

6. Howard

10-2

16

Ted (Sweet Flight) White's '96 passing stats: 2,812 yards, 36 TDs

7. Northern Iowa

12-2

11

Seven Gateway Conference titles in a row, but Youngstown State is a new league foe

8. Florida A&M

9-3

10

Quarterback Oteman Sampson is a dual threat: 2,814 aerial yards, nine rushing TDs

9. Delaware

8-4

14

Courtney Batts and Eddie Conti give Fightin' Blue Hens top l-AA receiving duo

10. Dayton

11-0

11

Quarterback Kevin Johns and DB Gary McKinley help Flyers to 21st straight winning season

11. Troy State

12-2

10

Fullback Joe Jackson rushed for 959 yards and 17 TDs in '96

12. Duquesne

10-1

18

No football scholarships, no problem: Dukes unbeaten in '96 regular season

13. Furman

9-4

15

Solid defense anchored by end Bryan Dalier (14 sacks last year)

14. Eastern Illinois

8-4

13

Mike Simpson returns after completing a school-record 66% of his throws as a junior

15. Western Illinois

9-3

11

Quarterback Jeff Hecklinski (1,904 passing yards in '96) is back

16. Southern

7-4

16

Dunning back Melvin Williams, star in '95, returns after missing '96 with academic woes

17. St. Mary's (Calif.)

7-3

13

Winners of 15 straight at home, Gaels counting on rifle-armed Sean Laird

18. Northwestern State

6-5

12

Demons defense gave up 15.1 points per game last season, No. 12 in Division I-AA

19. Stephen F. Austin

7-4

13

Curtis James expected to return to star form at DE after injury-plagued junior season

20. Eastern Kentucky

6-5

13

Linebacker Britt Bowen was solid as a brick last year: 122 tackles, 11½ for losses