Hopes are high for the Grinnell College football team as the Pioneers are coming off their first winning season since 2004. Jeff Pederson led the Pioneers to a 6-4 record in 2010 in being named the Midwest Conference coach of the year in his first season at the helm.

Pederson says they need to slow things down and take care of the little things before they can move ahead. Pederson says there are some holes to fill on defense but he feels they have the depth to do that.

Pederson likes the potential of an offense that averaged just over 26 points per game a year ago. He says they have to replace two linemen, which will be the key to any success this year.

After sharing the duties at quarterback last season Mike McCabe takes over this season. He threw for more than 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010. Pederson says McCabe has been waiting to be the main guy for two years now.

The opener at Macalaster is on September third.

By Chris Varney, KGRN, Grinnell