FAYETTE - After transferring from St. Cloud State, West Union native Mike Moser hoped to contend for playing time this fall as a running back at Upper Iowa University.

The redshirt freshman had little idea he'd spend another season on the sidelines.

In July, St. Cloud State became one of four institutions to join the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference which includes Upper Iowa.

Despite getting a release from St. Cloud, Moser has to sit out this season in accordance to an NCAA Division II rule forcing players to wait a year to compete after transferring within a conference.

The case was appealed to an NCAA board which ruled against Moser, much to his surprise.

"It's hard to come out, work your (butt) off and do all that stuff and then find out you can't play," Moser said. "But it's only going to get better."

Moser and true freshman running back Jordan Otdoerfer of Strawberry Point highlight a growing number of Northeast Iowa athletes deciding to attend Upper Iowa.

Last season, the Peacocks had just six area players on their roster. That number has tripled this fall.

Upper Iowa's location was a major selling point for Otdoerfer, who rushed for 2,200 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior at Starmont,

"Wartburg, Central and Upper Iowa were my top three options," Otdoerfer said. "Being close to home is a big thing for me. Along with the bigger program, Division II other than Division III just seemed like an advantage to me."

With his athleticism, the Starmont grad will likely see time on the field this season as a true freshman. In addition to taking reps at running back, he has been working on all the special teams units.

"Jordan Otdoerfer is very talented," UIU head coach Mike Knoll said last week. "He can return punts, return kicks and catch the ball out of the backfield. We actually had him in pre-practice the other day working on punting, as well.

"With Jordan, he's such a talented man that we'd have a difficult time keeping him off the field in some capacity."

Otdoerfer, who played on a 9-2 team last season, hopes to have a role in turning around an Upper Iowa program that has finished 3-8 its last three years.

"I think it's improving," he said. "It's on its way up, and that's why I came here to try and help get it to where we want to be."

In contrast to Otdoerfer, Moser was ready to move out of the area after his prep career ended.

"I never really thought in high school about coming here because I was eight miles away," he said of Upper Iowa.

After rushing for 20 touchdowns and more than 1,500 yards as a North Fayette senior, Moser enrolled with St. Cloud.

The distance, however, became too much.

"It was too far away," Moser said. "Coming home for Christmas, I had to drive five to six hours. It just didn't feel right. I had a good time there, but it felt right to be close to home."

Knoll was excited to have the area prep standout join his program.

"We are very glad to have Mike here because he's talented," the UIU coach said. "Secondly, he's a solid kid and we really want to continue to expand the quality and number of the northeast Iowa football recruits on the team."

This season, Moser will be allowed to practice, lift weights and help with scout team offense. He hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to improve his playing status.

"I should be right up in the running to start at running back, but I've still got to lose a little weight," he said. "Hopefully, I'll see a lot of time next year."

For now, Moser is just glad to be back on familiar ground.

"I never expected to be here," Moser said. "But now that I am, I gave it a shot, and I like it a lot. It feels more like home."

Contact Nick Petaros at (319) 291-1428 or nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com

Upper Iowa (0-0)

at Drake (0-0)

When: Thursday, 6 p.m.

Where: Des Moines (Drake Stadium)

Radio: KOEL-AM, 950

Webcast: www.upperiowaathletics.com; www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com

Last meeting: Drake rolled up 532 yards of offense, including 414 on the ground, in a 40-7 rout over Upper Iowa on Sept. 9, 2006 in Des Moines.

Series: Drake leads 2-0, collecting a 45-27 win in 2004 and a 40-7 triumph in 2006.

Key stat: The Peacocks were outscored 206-119 in the first half last season.

What to watch: UIU returns all five starters on the offensive line, but has new personnel at the skilled positions, including sophomore quarterback Ben Curran of Cedar Falls. … Defensively, the Peacocks must improve after yielding 30 or more points in three of their last four games a year ago. Drake starts eight seniors on offense, including fifth-year senior Cole Ingle at quarterback. Ingle has thrown for more than 2,100 career yards. UIU was vulnerable in the secondary last year, surrendering 280 yards per game through the air and 31 touchdown passes. … The Bulldogs (6-5 last season) begin a new era Thursday under Chris Creighton, who served as head coach at Division III wabash College (Ind.) the past seven years and compiled a 63-15 record.

Upper Iowa coach Mike Knoll:

"This opening game will be a very good indicator of where we're at in the progress of our program. Anytime you go on the road, with 24 practices under your belt, it's a great barometer game to see where we're at with our football team."

Drake coach Chris Creighton:

"Upper Iowa is very athletic and has talented players. Defensively, we have to make sure that we identify their fronts and covers because they mix things up. Offensively, with a new set of skill players, you don't know what you are getting. But we need to figure out who their go-to-guys are."

Courier's prediction: Drake 34, Upper Iowa 21

- Compiled by Matt Coss,

Courier Sports Writer