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

Under the direction of Levi Suiaunoa, the Mountaineer defense welcomes back eight starters from 2011. Eastern's defense lists only two underclassmen on the first two-deep roster. All but four players on the first depth chart have played in a game for Eastern Oregon. EOU was second in the Frontier Conference last season in yards allowed per game, and third in points allowed per game.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The experience on Eastern's offensive and defensive lines go unmatched over any unit on the team. EOU starts four defensive linemen that are all upper classmen. Mike Goings and Jeremy Rowley will operate on the ends, while Nate Rudder and Jorden Bunker will start as the tackles.

Goings has 81 career tackles, and he had six sacks in 2011. Rowley had 22 tackles last season. Rudder has 43 career tackles. Bunker had 24 of his 43 career tackles last season along with two sacks.

Preseason All-American, Wes Orr, will work into lineup early in the season after an injury. He had 6.5 sacks in 2011. Parker Lawson, Kris Welch, Pouesi Togiailua and Mike Wood should all see plenty of time on the line this season as well. A total of 13 players are listed as defensive lineman on the 2012 roster.

LINEBACKERS

Eastern loses First Team All-Conference performer, Marc-Avery Airhart to graduation, but welcomes back one of the best linebackers in the conference in Howard McDonald. The senior finished 13th in the NAIA last season with an average of 9.8 tackles per game. McDonald is in the top 10 in school history in seven statistical categories.

After having 34 total tackles last season, Matt Gayman returns for his junior season. The 5-11 220-pound native of Auburn, Wash., will start at left linebacker. On the right side, Andrew Okerman will start after recording five tackles in seven appearances last season. Gary Posten, Bryce Svedin, and Ryan Watson will shift in at the position during 2012.

SECONDARY

The secondary is another unit full of experience for the Mountaineers. At the corners, Nick Thompson and Tristan Askew will cause problems for opposing wide receivers. Askew had a stellar freshman season that featured 19 tackles and three pass breakups. Vince Wagner and Austin Foteff will see time at the cornerback position in 2012.

The EOU safeties, Karsen Garcia and Nick Magrone, combined for 63 tackles last season. Garcia added 10 pass breakups and two interceptions, while Magrone three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Also this year, Adam Bese and Ronnie Flowers will make impacts.

Special Teams and Schedule preview coming Wednesday …