ARCATA, Calif. – Are the Lumberjacks ready to take the next step?
 
The answer to that question could be "to be determined" as the Humboldt State football team kicks off the 2015 season versus Western Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for in Redwood Bowl. 
 
But if you ask Head Coach Rob Smith, now in his eighth year leading the Green and Gold, his answer would be a resounding "yes". HSU rebounded from a 0-11 mark in 2013 with a historic eight-game improvement last season. But despite the team's success in 2014, Smith has his sight set on a goal the team has not achieved since its 2012 campaign.
 
"I believe that we have the program to the point where the No. 1 team goal is to win the conference championship," said Smith. "That is our goal, but we have the same goal as Azusa Pacific, Central Washington and Western Oregon. For our players, a championship is the focus, but it will be determined on the field."
 
Capturing a Great Northwest Athletic Conference title is easier said than done. HSU's recipe for success last season was its ability to mix returners, newcomers and transfers into a cohesive unit. That group was led by a core of upperclassmen that included Nick Ricciardulli, Alex Markarian, Mick Johnson, Jeremiah Maluia, Silas Sarvinski and others. Finding a way to unite the team after the loss of those experienced players is part of the fall camp experience.
 
"It's a puzzle," said Smith. "You have a lot of returning players, mixed with newcomers and freshmen. You have to find a way to make that work. It's not just about the football; it's about teambuilding and team bonding. We have been trying to develop that unique thing called 'team chemistry' along the way."
 
The Green and Gold offense has found its leader and unity, despite its relative youth.
Sophomore quarterback Robert Webber returns as the team's starting signal caller after a campaign that earned him co-Freshman of the Year honors. Smith believes a consistent leader under center, the team's first returning starting quarterback since the 2011 season, can lead the Jacks to the next level.
 
"He is the unquestioned leader of our offense," said Smith. "Robert has the confidence of every other player on this football team, and it's a luxury to have that at the quarterback position."
 
Smith notes Webber's summer preparation with National Football League quarterbacks has helped him continue his development into one of the conference's best passers.
 
"I think he is ready to take his game to the next level," said Smith. "He came into our program extremely well-coached and spent a lot of time this summer working with some NFL quarterbacks. He was not necessarily working to physically change anything, but he was just listening to these guys talk about what they see and how they approach the mental side of playing the position."
 
Webber will have a new target to connect with on game days this season – receiver Marquise Deadwiler. Deadwiler was the Jacks' top vertical threat in 2012, and he joins an explosive receiving corps that includes Chase Krivashei, Brandon Kakitsuka and transfer Sage Burmeister. He will suit up in the Green and Gold for the first time in two seasons in Saturday's home opener, and Smith is happy to see the San Diego native get a second chance.
 
"He has been through an awful lot the last couple years trying to get back on the field, and he's persevered," said Smith. "I think he has grown from the experience and hopefully we'll see that growth in his play this season. He knows our offense, he's a talented receiver in the GNAC, and he can be a playmaker for us.
 
Running backs Ja'Quan Gardner and Richard Doctor have big shoes to fill after the departure of long-time Lumberjack Ricciardulli. Gardner was tabbed an All-GNAC Second Team selection and proved to be a dynamic weapon in the Green and Gold arsenal. Doctor saw action last season and his opportunities to carry the load increased as the season progressed.
 
"Our success offensively will still start with our ability to run the football," said Smith. "And we are committed to doing so and doing so effectively. If we keep Ja'Quan healthy he will have a big year. Richard Doctor will play a lot of football for us. He has had a really good camp and has run better with much more confidence in camp this year than in his freshman campaign."
 
Gardner and Doctor are known quantities, but Smith expects the Green and Gold to rotate other ball carriers due to the team's depth at the position. Returner Blair Zerr, transfer Conrad Tanyi and freshman Jabar Byrd are each expected to be in the mix.
 
One of the Jacks' greatest strengths is its veteran offensive line. HSU's offensive line is anchored by sophomore left tackle Alex Cappa, the league's reigning Lineman of the Year. Upperclassmen Lucas Govan, Jonathen Bajet, Jonathan Rowe and sophomore Josh Hanson round out the talented unit.
 
"I am excited to watch them play," said Smith. "It's a great group of young men, and they have bonded as well as any position group. We have an experienced and veteran group of starting offensive linemen."
 
HSU's defense features new faces on the field and the sideline in 2014. Coordinator Miles Kochevar and his new staff lead a reloaded group that led the GNAC in most defensive categories last year.
 
"We were fortunate the coaching changes happened before spring ball," said Smith. "It's always necessary to have that time needed to build relationships. There will be some changes schematically, but it really boils down to the players we're putting out there on the field."
 
Smith knows that players come and go, and the strength of his unit will be its ability to replace the production lost by the graduation of many of last season's defensive playmakers. Taylor Mitchell, Codey Heidebrecht, Cameron Buell, Dillon Huffman, Anthony Ezirm and others will be expected to be the face of this season's group.
 
"We have some returning pieces, some new pieces and some players in different roles," said Smith. "We will roll it out there on Saturday and really get a chance to see for the first time if they can fill those roles."
 
Newcomers Drew Dubois, Daniel Castro and Chris Hannible will each factor into the defense this season.
 
The defense isn't the only unit featuring new faces in 2014, the Jacks are tasked with replacing all-conference special teams standouts as well. Record-breaking kicker Matt Bruder, Chris Campbell, one of the league's top punters, and long snapper Nathan Merrill were graduation casualties.
 
A pair of kickers, Alex Elterman and Cameron Southward, has been dueling for the top spot this fall. Both are junior college transfers and both have missed time during camp, which has made the competition fierce.
 
"We had the luxury of having Matt Bruder and Chris Campbell handle those jobs the last four years, and we had great confidence in both of them," said Smith. "Those are big losses. Both Cameron and Alex have talent and are skilled at what they do."
 
Sierra College transfer Connor Gray has been tabbed the Jacks long snapper for 2014.
 
"Connor Gray will be our long snapper," said Smith. "We recruited him to fill the role vacated by Nathan Merrill's graduation. He is very solid, as was Nathan, so we have the luxury of knowing that our long snapper is consistent and hits the mark."