The St. Cloud State football team begins the 2012 season Thursday night at home against the University of Sioux Falls.  SCSU was 9-3 overall in 2011 and lost Wayne State of Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament.

The Huskies return junior quarterback and 2-year starter Phil Klaphake of Princeton.  He is the preseason offensive player of the year in the NSIC.  Klaphake in 2011 threw for 2035 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 411 yards and 7 touchdowns.  The Huskies also return running back Michael Walker who ran for 689 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2011.

Listen to SCSU head coach Scott Underwood with Jay Caldwell and Lee Voss on AM 1390-the Fan.

Underwood says they needing to replace key offensive line spots but likes the players he has on team.  Underwood says position battles remain for some positions on the offensive line, receiver and defensive back.  Defensively the Huskies are led by preseason defensive player of the year in the NSIC, senior defensive back Marvin Mathews.

The Huskies will play a schedule that includes only NSIC conference members this season.  SCSU is picked to finish 2nd in the preseason coaches poll behind only Minnesota-Duluth.

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