Concordia opens its fall football camp Sunday afternoon and solidifying a couple spots in the backfield is expected to be paramount.

The Cobbers will need to find a replacement for the departed Mike Dunham, who started at quarterback for the more than two seasons.

Sophomore Griffin Neal was the No. 2 quarterback at the end of last season. Concordia head coach Terry Horan said junior Mark Dunham and sophomore Mitch Tauer will also challenge for playing time at quarterback.

“It isn’t etched in stone by any means,” Horan said.

Junior running back Trent Johnson could miss a significant chunk of the season, Horan said. Concordia is not sure what Johnson’s availability will be after he had foot surgery in the spring. If Johnson can’t get back to full strength, the Cobbers would be without their top speed threat.

The Cobbers do return their leading rusher from last season in senior fullback Brett Baune. Baune rushed for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns on 158 attempts.

Horan said the Cobbers will open fall camp with 124 players on the roster, including more than 40 freshmen.

“It’s in the air right now and the kids are excited,” Horan said.