HEAD COACH
Mike MacIntyre, first year.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
S/LB Duke Ihenacho -- The playmaker has earned All-WAC first-team honors twice. Only three other Spartans have ever done that. Ihenacho grabbed five interceptions as a sophomore in 2008 but just one in 2009. The Spartans need him to make more big plays.

BREAKOUT STAR
TE Ryan Otten -- The 6-foot-5, 230-pound sophomore has caught the eye of new coach Mike MacIntyre. He had 10 catches last year. "He should be a fixture in our offense," MacIntyre said.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
QB Matt Faulkner -- The transfer from Mt. San Antonio College joined the program in January and is competing for the starting job. He spent two years at Fresno State before going to Mt. SAC. He had 30 touchdowns in 13 games and led his team to a championship.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Offense -- QB Matt Faulkner, RB Lamon Muldrow, RB Wade O'Neill, TE Ryan Otten, WR Josh Harrison, WR Jalal Beauchman, LT Fred Koloto, LG Isaac Leatiota, C Robbie Reed, RG Ailao Eliapo, RT Andres Vargas.

Defense -- DE Travis Johnson, DT Anthony Larceval, DT Pablo Garcia, DE Mohamed Marah, LB Kyler O'Neal, LB Pompey Festejo, LB Tiuke Tuipulotu, S Dominique Hunsucker, S Duke Ihenacho, CB Ronnie Yell, CB Peyton Thompson.

ROSTER REPORT

--S Tanner Burns, the leading tackler last year, has transferred to Kansas State. Burns followed his dad, former San Jose State defensive coordinator Keith Burns to Manhattan.

--WR Marquis Avery, the second-leading receiver last year, left the program because he was academically ineligible.

--Among the five players expected to play both ways are two of the most important offensive players -- tailback/nickel back Brandon Rutley and tight end/rush end Ryan Otten.

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