FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team opened practice on Thursday in preparation for the 2009 season.

“It was a good first day,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “We got a lot of teaching done. We have a few guys that are changing positions. We are real pleased.”

The Lumberjacks return 14 starters among 44 letterwinners.

“Offensively we are further along than we were a year ago,” said Souers. “Defensively I think we are going to pick up where we left off. With some of the distractions we have had, the kids have handled it very well.”

Souers enters the spring with a staff down two members with the departures of Defensive Coordinator Corey Batoon and cornerbacks coach Carl Franks. Fortunately Souers knows a little about those position groups.

Entering his 12th season at NAU, Souers was hired from Montana where he made his name as a secondary coach and coordinator.

“I am coaching with the defensive secondary,” said Souers. “It was what I used to do when I was a position coach. To be honest with you, it has been really fun and refreshing to be able to get out and work with the guys a little bit. I am having a blast.”

PRACTICE NOTES
* Souers has filled one of his graduate assistant position with the addition of Chris Taylor as an offensive assistant. Taylor played in the NFL from 2001-04 with the Steelers, Titans, Rams and Texans after a standout career at Texas A&M. He will work with the NAU running backs.

“Chris Taylor is a fine athlete out of Texas A&M and he ran across Francis St. Paul when he was with the St. Louis Rams,” said Souers. “He brings a lot of experience to the table. He is a passionate coach that cares about the development of young men and in the community. I think he is a great fit for our staff.”

* Thursday also marked the return of senior tight end Shaun Fitzpatrick, who missed the final eight games last season after having shoulder surgery.

“We missed Shaun last year,” said Souers. “He has some repairs surgically that will put him in the kid of condition where he can really impact the game. It is good to see him back.”

* Former offensive linemen Kevin Meagher was assisting with the line as a student assistant.

* Several players sat out the first practice including linebacker Cody Dowd and defensive back Josh Luck.

NEXT PRACTICE: Friday, 4 p.m. on the Practice Fields.

2009 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Starters Returning (14)
Offense (7): LG Jeff Hines, RG Kris Poindexter, RT Ryan Holstrom, TE Shaun Fitzpatrick, WR ED Berry, WR Conrad Meadows.
Defense (7): DE Kyle Rath, DE Michael Battisti, LB Stevon Thomas, LB Cody Dowd, LB Zac McNally, S Matt Estrada, CB Josh Luck.
Specialists (0): None

Starters Lost (9)
Offense (4): LT Trevor Heekin, C Kevin Meagher, WR Skyler Moore, QB Lance Kriesien.
Defense (4): DT Stephen Nwogbe, S Cyrus Igono, S Adam Wright, CB K.J. Gerard.
Specialists (1): K/P Robbie Dehaze.

Return From Season Ending Injury (1): TE Shaun Fitzpatrick.

Letterman Returning (44)
Offense (19): WR Ed Berry, OL Dwight Boyd, WR Daivuen Chapman, WR Mike Czyz, OT Grant Denny, TE Shaun Fitzpatrick, RB Alex Henderson, QB Michael Herrick, OL Jeff Hines, OL Ryne Holstrom, RB Derrick Jackson, WR Conrad Meadows, OL Vinnie Paciulli, OG Kris Poindexter, WR Ryan Rauschert, TE Brian Riley, RB Andy Saldana, LB To'o Samuelu, WR Austin Shanks, WR Curt Sweeney.

Defense (24): DE Blayne Anderson, DE Michael Battisti, DL Isaac Bond, LB Cody Dowd, S Matt Estrada, CB Anthony Evans, DB Brian Hunter, LB Anthony Llanos, DB Josh Luck, DB Raphael Mack, LB Zac McNally, LB Scott McKeever, DL Kainoa Pe'a, S Kasseem Osheroff, DL Dan Pela, S Nick Ragland-Johnsen, DL Kyle Rath, DB Joel Sienkiewitz DB Matt Steinbach, LB Stevon Thomas, DL Brandon Vance, DB Conrad White, DL Anthony Williams, LB Frank Wojtasiak.

Specialists (1): LS Ben Bachelier.

Letterman Lost (15)
Offense (9): WR Trevor Gates, QB Pete Hargis, OL Trevor Heekin, QB Lance Kriesien, OL Kevin Meagher, WR Skyler Moore, WR Preston Saunders, TE Bobby Walish, RB Deonte Williams.
Defense (5): DB K.J. Gerard, DB Cyrus Igono, CB Jimmy Mitchell, DB Adam Wright, DL Stephen Nwogbe.
Specialists (1): K/P Robbie Dehaze.

Others Lost (12)
Offense (7): SN Oscar Alvirez, WR Eric Brewster, OT Antonio Danek, WR Demarrice Green, OL David Lord, TE Caleb Richardson, QB Corey Slater.
Defense (5): DB Ryan Berry, LB Nathan Burgess, LB Adam Shipley, NT Jermaine Jackson, DB Aaron Uthoff.
Specialists (0): None.

Other 2009 Lumberjacks (33)
Redshirts/Squad (17): DB Anthony Belcher, DE Jarret Bilbrey, OL Joe Chanda, OL Jared Chrisman, OL Trey Gilleo, QB Troy Graham, QB Cary Grossart, S Taylor Julio, OL Spencer Morrison, OT Alex Mott, K Matt Myers, K Nate Murray, WR Jason Parkinson, RB DeAnte Piper, OL Danny Roper, S Ryan Saumer, TE Louis Schenk.
Transfers (0): None
Mid-Year Transfers (3): DB Daivon Dumas, OL Adrian Garcia, QB Ryan Nelson.
Other (0): None.
Spring Walkon (13): DB Ken Anderson, WR Aaron Bachelier, WR Niko Barnes, OL Daniel Brevik, RB Trevor Brooks, S William Clifford, WR Jonathan Dunn, TE Coleman McArthur, WR Austin Olinyk, ST Nathan Oliver, RB Tyson Senaca, CB Darren Watson, S Maz Zemezoinak.