With a year under its belt in the Northern Sun Conference the Upper Iowa football team looks to make strides this season. The Peacocks finished 3-8 in 2006, their first year in the division two conference.

Coach Mike Knoll says it was a good measuring stick for the program. He says they need to increase their level of athleticism and get the program at the same level as Winona State or Bemidji State.

Knoll says the defense needs to do a better job of limiting big plays this season and turnovers were also a problem in 2006. The Peacocks finished a minus-10 in that category. Knoll says you have to protect the ball on offense and create more turnovers on defense. Knoll says they also need to do a better job of scoring in the red zone.

Knoll says this a much more experienced team and he likes the potential. He says the offensive line will be better, the quarterback and receivers also have more experience. The open at home September first against Loras.