MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/18/06)-- Who knows what lies ahead for the Cobber offense?

One of the two biggest position battles will take place on offense and the team will have to adjust to a new offensive coordinator for the first time since the team started playing in the multiple face mask era.

The quarterback quandry will have a huge impact on how well the offense will do in 2007. In 2004 and 2005 when Concordia made back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances, they averaged 404. 1 yards per game in total offense. In 2006, the team managed to average 312.9 - almost a full 100 yards less per game. Not all the blame can be handed out to the three quarterbacks who saw the most time. In reality, the whole offensive unit stumbled after a huge turnover in personnel following the 2005 season.

The second part of the Cobber offensive success story in 2007 will hinge upon the new responsibilities of assistant coaches Dale Hertel and Dan Kostich. Long-time offensive coordinator Bob Nick resigned in the spring and Horan promoted Hertel and Kostich to take his place. The new blood should add a more balanced offensive attack as last year produced a 70.0% run-to-pass ratio. CC was one of only two teams in the conference to run more running plays than passing attempts in 2006.

The offense will also benefit from a solid offensive line that will once again open up huge holes for the vaunted CC running game and add protection for whoever steps under center.

Concordia has finished in the top two in rushing in the MIAC every year since 2000, and 2007 should be no exception. With the return of speedster Cory Johnson (Jr., Moorhead, Minn.) and the upgraded responsibility of battering ram Adam Swingdorf (Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Simley HS), the Cobbers will once again be able to pound the ball up and down the field on the ground.

If the starting quarterback and receivers, who are continuing to improve with every practice, can find a rhythm early in the season, then opposing teams will not be able to stack eight to nine players in the box in order to shut down the rushing attack.

With a more balanced attack and a traditionally strong line, Concordia should climb out of the basement in offensive production in the conference and give MIAC foes more headaches once CC gains control of the ball.

Bet You Didn't Know: The Cobbers have not averaged over 200 passing yards per game since the 1987 season. CC has averaged at least 200 rushing yards per game in each of the past six campaigns.

If the 2007 Cobber Offense was:

A Rock and Roll song:

“Born to Run” by Bruce Sprinsteen
A Country and Western song:

"Ready to Run” by The Dixie Chicks
A Dave Matthews Band song:

“Steady as We Go”