By Dan Wiederer
Staff Writer
The Fayetteville Observer
Reprinted With Permission

A look at Campbell's offense, defense, schedule and five players to watch.

Charles Fiore

Height: 6-1 Weight: 252

Position: Defensive end

Class: Senior

About Fiore: The veteran lineman was the first player to join the program back in the summer of 2006. Now he's back for a fifth season and openly talking about leading the Camels up the Pioneer League standings. His contagious optimism and intelligence in the trenches are both assets.

Daniel Polk

Height: 6-1 Weight: 222

Position: Quarterback

Class: Senior

About Polk: Established. Tough. Respected. Those are the first three adjectives Campbell coach Dale Steele uses to describe Polk, an experienced leader who injects the Camels offense with poise. Polk threw for 1,355 yards a year ago, ran for 572 more and accounted for nine touchdowns.

C.J. Oates

Height: 6-1 Weight: 190

Position: Running back

Class: Junior

About Oates: A lean and explosive runner, Oates doesn't need a ton of help from his linemen up front to provide the big play. His ability to get to the perimeter is special and his speed in the open field can be blinding. The team's leading rusher last season (567 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, three TDs), Oates will split time with fellow backs Carl Smith and Rashaun Brown.

Milton Brown

Height: 6-1 Weight: 225

Position: Linebacker

Class: Junior

About Brown: Along with Lee Stanley, Brown gives the linebacking corps an attacking mentality. He was an honorable mention selection to the all-conference team last season after recording 61 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Christian Dixon

Height: 6-1 Weight: 195

Position: Safety

Class: Senior

About Dixon: A fly-to-the-ball playmaker in the secondary the past two seasons, Dixon is one of Campbell's most explosive athletes and eyeing a breakout senior year. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season.

Coach: Dale Steele

2009 record: 3-8, 2-6 Pioneer League

Summary: Success for the fledgling program is measured in baby steps. So a leap from one win in 2008 to three victories in Year 2 is a big deal. So too is the fact that the Camels were outscored by an average of 29-20 in 11 games last season after being blasted by an average of 41-9 the previous year.

Returning starters: Offense: 10. Defense: 10

The Camels led the Pioneer League in rushing last season, piling up an average of 189.7 yards per game. Tailback C.J. Oates is the home run hitter out of the backfield and quarterback Daniel Polk is a threat running the option. But the Camels also want to develop an aerial attack that allows them to throw when they want to, instead of out of necessity. A lack of depth at wide receiver may prevent that.

Coach Dale Steele believes the D is closer to forging its true personality, quickly becoming a unit with a nasty edge. Linebackers Milton Brown and Lee Stanley are the anchors. Steele has also been pleased with the rapid progress of Randel Herring. Defensive back Jared Hart is also an all-conference playmaker.

Sept. 4 - at Virginia-Wise, 6 p.m.

Sept. 11 - vs. Old Dominion , 1 p.m. A real measuring stick: the Monarchs went 9-2 a year ago and averaged 35 points, third best in the FCS.

Sept. 18 - vs. Davidson, 1 p.m. The Camels and Wildcats were tied 0-0 at halftime last season before Davidson pulled away for a 24-7 win.

Sept. 25 - vs. Georgia State, 1 p.m.

Oct. 2 - at Butler, Noon

Oct. 16 - vs. Drake, 1 p.m.

Oct. 23 - at Dayton, 1 p.m.

Oct. 30 - vs. Marist, 1 p.m.

Nov. 6 - vs. Valparaiso, 1 p.m. The Camels' progress will be gauged on whether they can beat a Crusaders team that went 0-8 in conference last season, then underwent a coaching change.

Nov. 13 - at Jacksonville, Noon

Nov. 20 - at Morehead State, TBA

Dan Wiederer's take: Internal expectations are sky high. The Camels truly believe they have the talent, experience and focus to make a run at the Pioneer League championship. Outside expectations, however, do not match up; Campbell was picked in the preseason to finish eighth in the 10-team conference. Expecting something in between is probably a wise bet. Keep an eye on the Camels' ability to finish strong. They were within seven points heading into the fourth quarter during five of their eight losses a year ago. Five wins makes for a realistic bar.