COACH: Steve Gilbert (19-31, sixth season; 60-79 overall).
LAST YEAR: 3-7.
KEY RETURNEES: QB Mike Sturgill (158-for-279, 1,876 yards, 13 INT, 11 TDs); RB Chad Davis (104 carries, 485 yards, 5 TDs); LB Tim Hasse (48 tackles).
KEY LOSSES: WR Jon Turner (60 catches, 890 yards, 6 TDs); LB Ken Singleton (55 carries, 6 yards, 19 TDs); TE Andrew Bianchi (all-conference, 17 catches, 208 yards).
BIG GAME: Morehead State, Oct. 25. Besides the fact it's homecoming, it also is the final conference game of the season. That means it could be the victory JU needs to regain the conference title it won in 2001.
LOCAL TIES: DL Jason Greenwood (Clearwater); RB Emmett Hunter (Seminole); quarterbacks coach Luke Ewalt (Sickles).
OUTLOOK: The Dolphins went from start-up program to Pioneer League champions in four years. Then graduation hit, and Jacksonville found out what it means to rebuild. A solid quarterback and strong defense should help in conference play.
COACH'S TAKE: "You have to win before you learn how to expect to win. We need to win early in the season in order to gain confidence. We have proven to ourselves that we can compete with anyone on our schedule if we come to play and eliminate mistakes."
