LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University begins its 83rd year of football Saturday at Montana Tech under fifth-year head coach Tim Camp.

The Mountaineers return to the field in 2012 after a record-breaking 2011 season. Eastern matched the most wins a single season a year ago, while winning every conference road game, including an upset at No. 1 Carroll College. New faces and a new look EOU team will take to a new Frontier this season. The Frontier Conference welcomes Dickinson State and Southern Oregon in 2012, and Eastern makes the long road trip to both.

Eastern Oregon enters the season ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll. The No. 16 ranking marks the school's highest preseason rating. The Mountaineers' 91 votes were the most votes Eastern has received in the preseason poll since the 2009 team earned 74 votes and a preseason rating of No. 21. The 2005 team received 24 votes and was in the receiving votes' column.

The Mountaineers have been ranked in 13 consecutive polls, the longest streak in school history. Eastern climbed as high as No. 9 last season and ended the year at No. 19. EOU was No. 17 in the spring poll. The Mountaineers opened last season with one vote in the preseason poll.

Despite the lofty national ranking, Eastern was picked third in the Frontier Conference poll behind 12-time defending conference champion Carroll, and Montana State-Northern. The Mountaineers finished last season second place in the conference, winning eight of their 10 conference games. Eastern was selected second in the coaches' conference preseason poll in 2010 and 2011.

It's no secret that the Mountaineers have had one of the most prolific offenses in the NAIA the past few years. This season, EOU's offense will be under the direction of new offensive coordinator, Tyler PaoPao. Prior to joining Eastern, Paopao spent five seasons at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La.  During his time at Southeastern, Paopao worked with tight ends, running backs, and receivers, coaching multiple All-Conference performers.

QUARTERBACKS

The question everyone has been asking in the offseason is how the Mountaineers will replace graduated standouts Chris Ware and Kevin Sampson? EOU head coach Tim Camp answered at Eastern's Media Day that while Ware and Sampson were phenomenal student-athletes, they didn't play alone.

The Mountaineers list a half-dozen quarterbacks on their 2012 roster, and all competed for the starting spot through the spring and fall. Two current EOU players made pass attempts last season, Ray Walser and Jason Simonis. The two combined for 13 attempts.

Walser competed in four games, throwing 10 passes, completing five of them for 47 yards with one interception. Simonis appeared in two contests, but completed all three of his passes, including one for a 65-yard touchdown.

Pine, a 5-11 189-pound junior, was named Midland Empire All-Conference last season at Feather River Junior College. The dual-threat quarterback threw for over 2,000 yards his junior and senior years at Reed High School in Sparks, Nev.

Trent Brown had a strong spring for the Mountaineers on the ground and through the air. Campbell Summerfield and Zach Bartlow are two freshmen that are listed at the position as well.

RUNNING BACKS

Sean Hurlbut returns for his senior season after playing in all 11 games last year. The 5-10 190-pound native of Laurel, Wash., moves up to the top of the depth chart after running behind Sampson in 2011. Hurlbut rushed for 140 yards on 29 carries, and made 11 catches for 76 yards last season.

Newcomer Chris McGinnis-Parker should entertain the Mountaineer fans in 2012. The speedy transfer from Delta Junior College ran to an All-State honor last season. He helped guide the Mustangs to a 6-4 finish and a win in the Delta Bowl.

Power back Matt Orthmann also returns to the backfield this season. He ran for 161 yards on 51 carries in 2011. He found the endzone twice last year for EOU. Justin Robie, Frank Lopez, and Joe Fuerst all are listed as 2012 running backs as well.

TIGHT ENDS

Eastern has had a strong past of tight ends, including last year's trio of Dillon Bedford, Gary Cole and Marquelle Henderson. Of the three, only Henderson is back and he is injured this season. Last season, Bedford and Cole combined for 10 touchdowns and over 500 receiving yards. So the Mountaineers will rely on a new quartet.

Andrew Woody is listed at the top of the two-deep. The sophomore appeared in six games last season, making a pair of catches for 18 yards. Woody is the sole tight end that was on last year's roster.

Eric Farnworth transfers from Washington State. Farnworth was a four year starter at River View High School, where he played tight end, linebacker and defensive line.  Farnworth received numerous honors throughout his career including 1st Team SCAC Tight End, 1st Team SCAC Defensive Line, Honorable Mention WIAA 1A Defensive Line, and 2nd Team All Tri-City Herald.

Palomar Junior College transfer, Carson PaoPao, moves to the offensive side of the ball for the Mountaineers. He starred as a defensive end at Palomar the past two seasons. He helped guide Palomar to a No. 3 Southern California ranking and a 7-3 finish.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Possibly the strongest unit for the 2012 Mountaineers will be there offensive line. Eastern lists 19 players on the offensive line for 2012, including all five starters from the final game from last season. Eastern welcomes back 14 linemen from last year's lineup.

Will Hunter has already received a few preseason All-American honors to go along with the All-Conference honors he had a year ago. The 6-4 297-pound senior will once again start at left tackle for EOU.

Emory Jones, Brendan Saltvick, and Jared Van Beek were all major parts to the success of the Eastern Oregon offense the past few seasons. Hunter, Jones, Saltvick, and Van Beek started every game in 2011. Christopher Lees made his way to the top of the depth chart in 2012. The newcomer from Moorpark College will start at left guard this season.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Eastern will have to fill voids at the wide receiver position in 2012. The Mountaineers lost Jake Burroughs and Kaleb Oveson to graduation, but return a key playmaker in Kedrick Starr. Burroughs led EOU with 32 catches for 414 yards with four touchdowns last year. Starr had 13 receptions for 205 yards.

Justin Reynolds and Alexander Miles both had key experience last season and will start for Eastern this season. Expect to see a lot of Luis Ortiz, who had 11 catches for 133 yards last season.

Jaevis Johnson, a redshirt freshman, will see plenty of time in 2012 as well. The 5-11 160-pound native of Reno, Nev., will provide a speedy outside threat to the Mountaineer offense. Levi Ellsbury had a strong offseason and will work his way onto the field in 2012.

Defense preview coming Tuesday …