There are high hopes for an offense that generated more than 4,600 yards last fall. Quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster returns to man the controls. As a junior, Lancaster threw for 1,866 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and added another 398 yards on the ground.

Lancaster welcomes back the team’s top receivers. Darrell McNeal and LaGregory Sapp, who combined for 87 catches and almost 1,000 yards, give the Warhawks a pair of good-hands guys. Tight end Zeek Zacharie also returns.

There is a major issue on offense, however. Tailback Calvin Dawson, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, has exhausted his eligibility. Last year, Dawson contributed nearly 1,800 yards of offense. In his place, the Warhawks will look for a breakout season from running back Frank Goodin, a homegrown product who provided 596 yards last season. Junior Gary Frazier and freshmen Carl Elie and Luther Ambrose will also be in the mix.

Opening holes for Goodin and the rest of the backs is an experienced offensive line built around bookend tackles Larry Shappley and Ryan Dercher.

“We’re two-deep in the line, so we probably have the most depth there since I’ve been here,” says veteran coach Charlie Weatherbie.

Defense

The defense got a boost from a recruiting class that included two highly touted defensive linemen from the junior college ranks. Aaron Williams and Alex Ford will be expected to see significant action right away for the Warhawks.

Tay Ogletree gives UL Monroe a solid cover corner. He should be joined by freshman corner Nate Brown and a trio of experienced safeties — James Truxillo, Josh Thompson and Greg James. Last year, ULM gave up 260.8 passing yards per game to rank last in the Sun Belt and 101st in the nation. That must improve.

Cardia Jackson is the leader of the two-man linebacking corps. Jackson proved to be an impressive hitter last season when he led the team with 79 tackles.

With eight returning starters, the 2008 defense figures to be the strongest in Weatherbie’s seven years in Monroe.

“The defensive line is definitely a strength of this team,” Weatherbie says. “We have all of our linebackers back, and we have two very experienced safeties.”

Specialists

Scott Love earned All-Sun Belt honors after helping ULM lead the league in net punting. Redshirt freshman Radi Jabour will take over the placekicking duties from Cole Wilson, who converted 10-of-15 field goals and 32-of-33 PATs last season. Their will be competition for the return jobs during preseason camp.

Final analysis

As usual, the Warhawks have a tough non-conference schedule with road games against Auburn, Arkansas, Tulane and Ole Miss. Three of those four come at the beginning the season, so it will be difficult to build momentum early.

But look for ULM’s improved depth on the offensive and defensive lines to help them weather the BCS storm and get them ready for Sun Belt play. And remember, this is a program that won at Alabama last year, so there is no such thing as a sure defeat. In Sun Belt play, the Warhawks gets heavyweight Troy and traditional rival UL Lafayette at home.

Competing for a league title might be a bit of a stretch, but there is no reason ULM can’t be in the hunt for an upper-division finish.