MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/28/06)-- Horan breaks down the schedule: “When you look at it on paper, it is very top heavy, especially since we are going to have some question marks that will have to be answered in a hurry. Our home schedule is very tough as we play some of the teams that are consistently at the top of our league. The big test for us will be right away when we play at MSU Moorhead and then travel to St. Paul to play a Bethel team that will already have played two games. From there, we come home for our opener against St. John’s and that is always a game that comes down to the wire. Our biggest challenge will be to get ready to come out of the starting block at a sprint.”

The MIAC schedule makers did the Cobbers no favors by having Concordia open with Bethel and St. John’s. Those two teams are arguably two of the top three in the conference and both games could go a long way in determining the conference champion. Both teams present immense challenges for the Cobbers.

The Royals own the top returning running back in the conference in All-American Phil Porta. Porta has rushed for over 4,100 yards in his first three seasons and can turn any run into a 70-yard touchdown scamper.

The Johnnies will come to Moorhead with one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Alex Kofoed terrified Concordia fans with his scrambling ability last year. His never-say-die attitude helped St. John’s pull a rabbit out of the hat when a sure victory appeared to be in the wings for the Cobbers.

The Cobber schedule is a contrast between the first five games and the final quartet of contests. After the opening three classic battles, Concordia will travel to Augsburg and Hamline as the Cobbers open the season with four road games in their first five contests. If they can survive the road tests, they will be rewarded with four of their final five games at home.

The final three home conference games should all be up-and-down the field affairs. Concordia will host St. Olaf for Homecoming on Oct. 14. Last year the two teams combined for 84 points and 1,146 yards of total offense. St. Thomas comes to Moorhead the following week followed by the final road trip to Carleton. Concordia finishes the regular season by hosting Gustavus on Nov. 4 and UM-Morris on Nov. 10 in the Fargodome.

The Gusties have one of the top defensive players in the league in junior linebacker Jared Sieling. Sieling was nationally ranked in total tackles and solo tackles in 2005. Offensively Gustavus struggled last year but has the capability of putting up big numbers because of its strong-armed quarterback Jordan Stolp.

The Cobbers finish off the regular season with their second consecutive season-ending game against the Cougars. UM-Morris will benefit from a year’s worth of experience as they return 22 of their 26 starting players from last season.