(AP) -- Two programs with two new head coaches will begin the 2010 season in Rensselaer, Indiana on Saturday. 

The Truman Bulldogs (2-9 in 2009) will be under the direction of Gregg Nesbitt while the St. Joseph’s College Pumas (5-6 in 2009) will be led by first-year head coach A.J. Ricker.

Nesbitt returns to his alma mater and to lead the Truman Bulldogs after spending the past three seasons as Co-Defensive coordinator at the University of Central Missouri.

Nesbitt was the DC at Truman back in the early 90s as the Bulldogs made two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs and played for the Bulldogs in the late 70s.

Ricker was promoted to head coach of the Pumas after serving as the team’s offensive line coach last year. 

Ricker, who played and started as center at the University of Missouri, takes over the program after a 5-6 record in 2009 and winners of two of their final three games.

The Pumas averaged 24.3 points per game with the majority of their yards coming from the ground in running back Jashon Banks while the Bulldogs averaged just 17.3 points per game but return quarterback Phillip Davis, who missed four games last season due to injury.

On the defensive side, St. Joseph’s allowed 25.8 points a contest with a respectable 332.4 yards allowed. 

Truman should be improved the defensive side of the ball as the Bulldogs allowed 33.7 points and over 417 yards of total offense per game last season.

This is the first of two non-conference games for the Bulldogs with the other one coming at home on Sept. 4th against Southwest Baptist University.

Truman is looking to break an eight-game road loosing streak with their last road win coming on Sept. 27, 2008 at Fort Hays State. 

Players to Watch (Truman):

Phil Davis begins his senior season as the Bulldog quarterback and led the team in total offense last season despite missing four games.  Davis averaged 180.6 yards per game with 1035 through the air and another 229 on the ground.

Harnish Ayora has emerged from fall camp as the Bulldogs top tailback.  Ayora has played in 17 games during his Truman career with 73 carries for 245 yards. 

Ayora is one of a host of Bulldogs with backfield experience as Truman’s depth at the position may be very valuable.  Senior Anton Bernard (644 yards), sophomore Will Mosquera and redshirt freshmen Wes Allen and Tracy Milo could also contribute this season.

Ayora and Davis will also have a veteran offensive line to work behind. 

Senior Shea Carr was an honorable mention all-MIAA performer at left tackle while the ‘Dogs also return starters at the other line positions.

Junior Michael Elliott was named to the defensive second team all-American preseason by Lindy’s this spring after finishing second on the Bulldogs last year with 101 tackles and three interceptions.

Players to Watch (St. Joseph’s)

The Pumas feature the Great Lakes Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year in Jashon Banks in their backfield. 

Banks averaged 94 yards per game in going over 1,000 yards (1087) last season.  Banks carried the ball 161 times and added nine touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Mike Hladik threw for 1,512 yards last season and completed 57% of his passes.  Hladik started 10 of 11 games as a sophomore and had eight touchdown passes.

Ben Gomes is the team’s top returning defensive player at safety.  Gomes had 76 tackles and two fumble recoveries.

Series History:

This will be just the third meeting between the two schools.  The Pumas and Bulldogs played a home-and-home series with Truman, then Northeast Missouri, winning both games in 1959 and 1960.  The ‘Dogs won 18-16 in Kirksville then shutout the Pumas 20-0 in Rensselear.

Courtesy Truman State University

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