The Millersville University football team is hard at work preparing for its season-opener this Saturday against Assumption College. And working hard is something the MU football team does well.

"I've been looking for stuff to get on them about from an effort (stand)point and haven't been able to do it very often," said Greg Colby, who is entering his third season as the Marauders' coach.

Mike Jones, a running back who played at Syracuse last season, is also impressed with the work ethic of his new teammates.

"They work harder down here than they do up at D-I," Jones said. "When I came out here the first time, I was amazed. They work hard every day. There's no real complaining. Everyone comes out and just does their job every day."

The hard work, another year of experience for key players and an infusion of talent (including Jones), could make this the season Millersville turns things around.

It's been a long time since the Marauders gridiron squad has had success. Nine seasons to be exact. MU has not fielded a football team that finished above .500 since the 2000 season, when the Marauders were 6-4 in coach Gene Carpenter's last season. But this year might be different.

"Kids are coming in, working hard, going 100 miles an hour," said wide receiver Jamal Smith, one of the team's senior leaders who knows only too well the trouble MU has had in recent years.

"It's been a long journey, but I feel very good about this year. I feel we have talent everywhere. As long as that talent comes together and sticks together, I think we'll able to do a lot of (positive) things."

Offense: Senior Bill Shirk returns as the team's starting quarterback. Last season he completed 155 of 306 passes (13 of those for touchdowns) and had 11 interceptions.

"Our passing game, as long as we can protect Bill (who was sacked 36 times last season) and give him some time, I think that's going to be a strength for us," Colby said.

Leading the wideouts who will be hauling in Shirk's passes will be Smith, who led the Marauders in all receiving categories last season. Also a kick returner, he ranked second in the PSAC with 123.4 all-purpose yards per game. With 12 TDs, he also led MU in scoring.

Junior Matt Egenrieder, who had 30 catches in 2009, also returns and 6-foot-2, 200-pound Dominic Sanders, who redshirted last season as a freshman, will also be one of Shirk's targets.

"Those three guys give us some pretty good weapons," Colby said.

Those given the task of protecting Shirk will fall to tackles Mike DeHaven, a junior who (according to Colby) "has gotten a little better every year," and Josh Hunter, a transfer from Hudson Valley (New York) Community College.

Juniors Chris Gailey, who has played many different O-line positions, and Don Houck are expected to be the guards. And Doug Henninger moved from defensive end to play center.

Jones is expected to make a big splash in the backfield and on special teams. He was sixth in the Big East last season with a 24.1-yard average on 41 kickoff returns. And he averaged 7.6 yards on eight carries. Freshmen running backs Brandon Gunn and Barry Surrett are going to be "explosive," Colby said.

Greg Frantz, a three-year starter, will be the tight end and also spend time at fullback.

Defense: The Marauders had trouble stopping opponents last season, ranking last in the PSAC in both rushing defense and total defense. But Cocalico grad Chad Miller and his teammates believe they can turn those stats around this year.

"Nobody's real flashy," Colby said of his D-line. "But the all work hard. They know what they're doing and they provide great Leadership."

Miller leads a defensive line with plenty of experience. Antwain Brown-Barnes, Donald Vodopija, Pat Cantrell and Owen King will be in the middle of of the line. Jacob Haines, Matt Marcinek and Zack Riley are at the ends.

Shane Gross, Jeff Longley and Ryan Christian are all back at linebacker. Gilbert Ramos, Daniel Jones and Josh Headen will add depth.

In the defensive backfield, Matt Sutjak returns as one of the starters at safety and Gary Tillman takes Julius Carter's place at the other spot. Carter is now a member of the coaching staff.

David Rene, Rees Judge and Jon Wydner are the eager but inexperienced corners.

Special teams: It will be difficult to replace McCaskey grad John Banzhof who handled both the place kicking an punting duties the last three seasons. Jeff Lawson will do the punting, while Anthony Kassab won a three-way battle with Tim Wright and Josh White for the placekicking chores. Andrew Tulio returns as the long snapper.

Among those returning punts and kickoffs will be Smith and Egenreider, who both performed in that capacity last season, and the explosive Jones.

Forecast: "Sometimes it's hard to tell how good we are because we're playing against each other," Colby said. "But I'm cautiously optimistic for the season."

The season includes a schedule that has MU at home for the first five games. If the things gel quickly, they are capable of winning four of those five. Lets say they win three and add two more later to finish 5-6.

bwilson@lnpnews.com