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MARQUETTE -- The Northern Michigan University football team has just over a week before opening the season at home Thursday, September 1, against Minnesota State Mankato.

The Wildcats have suffered a couple season ending injuries so far in camp.  That means depth will be a factor at several positions.

NMU wants to climb back above the .500 mark after ending last season 5-6, dropping the final two games.

Head Coach Bernie Anderson says his starting line-up is almost in place.

"There's a couple question marks out there, but I think we can go into a game tomorrow and feel comfortable with who's going to play," says Anderson.  "I think we have a number of younger players that are going to come up and contribute and gives us the depth that we need and are looking for.  But it will take them more than a couple weeks."

"The tempo might change a little bit, " says quarterback Carter Kopach.  "Obviously we're a lot more comfortable with the system. So the efficiency of plays coming in and out and the efficiency of what we run, that might change a little bit.  But other than that, you're going to see the same basic principles--a lot of fun, a lot of fast moving parts and hopefully we get it together and score a lot of points."

Kopach says he is 100-percent recovered from the achilles injury that he suffered last season against Grand Valley State.

There might be some new names in the line-up the first couple games, especially at running back and receiver on offense.

Saint Ignace's Gerrit Mortensen has made the transition from quarterback to slot receiver.