After the University of Saint Francis Cougars left the University of Sioux Falls' frigid football field with a 24-6 loss in the NAIA national semifinals, coach Kevin Donley said his team got its tail kicked.

He made no excuses. He didn't mince words. He said his Cougars just got whooped.

But like any prideful contender, the Cougars aren't just accepting that they had weaknesses Sioux Falls exploited.

Returning players hit weights this off-season with renewed vigor and determination to get bigger, stronger and to rid themselves of the bad taste Sioux Falls left in their mouths on that bitter cold day last December.

Coming back for his third year as a starter, center Brandon Carragher said the offensive line will still be young, which was a concern last season, but they've beefed up for this year.

“We've been in the weight room all winter,” he said during spring practice. “I think this is our strongest year in terms of numbers with bench press, power clean and squats. That translates directly onto the field.

“We've got a bad taste in our mouth since last season with South Dakota, so we're ready to get back out here. This is competitive, man. People are fighting for spots …”

This year the line will be charged with protecting a new starting quarterback. Shaine Tierney takes the helm for the Cougars. Despite the fact that Tierney has only one start, he does have plenty of game experience. Last year Saint Francis beat its regular-season opponents by an average score of 49-12, which meant non-starters usually played the entire second half.

Tierney has a cannon for an arm, and he moves well out of the pocket. He also has the benefit of one of the toughest running backs to tackle in any level of college football to take the handoffs.

Daniel Carter will be back for another year of making tacklers look silly. Carter, who led the Mid-States Football League in scoring (150 points, 25 TDs) and contributed 155.8 all-purpose yards per game last season, was named one of the College Fanz Sports Network's Super Six, as well as being a first-team selection to the Sporting News' NAIA preseason All-America Team.

Elijah Flowers and Taylor Vieck also bring experience and talent to the Cougars' backfield. Brian Schultz, Jared Clodfelter and Kyle Peabody will be big targets for Tierney in the passing game.

The Cougars' defense was hardest hit, with seven starters lost to graduation, including All-American Tim Farrell. But the returning core of Carl Thomas, Stephen Whited and Adam Greene will provide experience to a defense that does have size and strength.

Saint Francis opens its season at home against Iowa Wesleyan on Sept. 12.