Quarterback Joe Ruggiero, who threw for 2,118 yards in 2006, will be at the helm again this season as California (Pa.) University looks to make a run to the playoffs.

California (Pa.) University already has reached the upper echelon of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Now the Vulcans are pounding on the door of the NCAADivision IIplayoffs. The two-time defending PSACWest champions have yet to break through, however.

John Luckhardt enters his sixth year at California as the coaches' choice to win the league title again — and this time reach postseason play.

"I'm working with great people, we've got the biggest budget. ... At some point, I won't screw it up and we'll get there,"Luckhardt said.

He's got some pretty good tools to work with this year.

Quarterback Joe Ruggiero threw for 2,118 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes in 2006. Running back Brandon Lombardy led the PSACwith 1,595 yards and 15 touchdowns, and receiver Nate Forse had 50 catches for 768 yards.

All three of those skilled players return, as do all 11 of California's defensive starters.

"As we develop our offensive line, our offense could be outstanding,"Luckhardt said. "If teams want to try to blitz us, Ruggiero will have speedy receivers facing one-on-one coverage. I like our chances that way.

"When I came here five years ago, IUP, Slippery Rock, Edinboro, we were looking up at all of them. Now that we can compete with those programs, hopefully, we're ready to take the next step."

Indiana (Pa.)

Lou Tepper returns for his second season after guiding the Crimson Hawks to an 8-2 record a year ago.

IUPreturns 10 defensive starters, including PSACsack leader Rob Plowman at linebacker. Quarterback Kevin Weidl and running back Chris Morgan must be replaced, but Andrew Krewatch (1,714 yards passing, 14 TDs in 2005) and Poohbear McNeal, a transfer from Mansfield, appear primed to do that.

McNeal is Mansfield's all-time leading rusher with 3,601 yards, including 1,684 as a freshman in 2003.

"We've lost three three-year starters on the offensive line, but I feel like we've got four quality starters ready to go there,"Tepper said. "My biggest concern is special teams.

"Our place-kicker transferred to Maryland, we lost our long snapper and punter. Special teams are my biggest concern right now."

The Fighting Scots and second-year coach Scott Browning have a Butler County flavor on their offensive line with Knoch graduate Josh Bzorek starting at left tackle and Karns City graduate Scott Christie at left guard. Both are juniors."Josh is our best offensive lineman and a very intelligent football player,"Browning said. "Scott has a lot of strength and should blossom after a year as a starter."Edinboro returns nine offensive starters, including quarterback Trevor Harris, who threw for 2,547 yards last year. Tight end Kyle Witucki had 31 catches for 455 yards and five TDs.Defensive tackle Chris Amico (15 tackles for loss) and cornerback Taurean Valentine (four interceptions) are top returnees on defense.

The Red Raiders return six offensive starters and seven on defense."That doesn't help you much when other teams are bringing back 10 or 11 starters," 18th-year head coach Rocky Rees said.Seneca Valley product Jonathan Aldridge (68 tackles) and linebacker Jaron Nalewak (78 tackles, 23 for loss) anchor the defense.On offense, running backs Aaron Dykes and David Richards combined for 934 yards and eight touchdowns in 2006."We've got some good, young running backs and we're hoping to be that surprise team this year,"Rees said.

The Bald Eagles are 4-18 in two years under coach John Klacik and scored more than 17 points in a game only twice last season.Nine starters return on defense, including linebacker Corey Gildea with 70 tackles and cornerback Dean Tortorice with three interceptions. Defensive end Jeff Eaton returns from a redshirt year and should make a positive impact.Quarterback Ilio DiPaolo threw nine touchdown passes and 16 interceptions a year ago.

Like Lock Haven, the Golden Eagles struggled on offense last year, scoring more than 14 points only twice. Clarion was 1-10 under first-year coach Jay Foster."But what a difference a year makes,"Foster said. "We had 27 kids stay up here all summer and we recruited 62 kids, 59 from Pennsylvania, including 10 all-state players."Our goal is to win a championship. Teams have gone from worst to first before. Why not us?"Tailback Eddie Emmanuel rushed for 997 yards last year and receiver Pierre Odom had 46 catches for 798 yards. Both are returning.<B>Notes:</B> The PSAChas 32 returning first-team all-conference players. ... The conference has four of the nation's top 11 Division IIcoaches in career wins. ... The PSAChad 1,420 athletes — 33 percent of all its athletes — attain a grade-point average of 3.25 or above in 2006-07.