GAMBIER, Ohio – The 2018 Kenyon College football team returns most components of a passing game that broke just about every program record last season. With the air attack a proven asset, the Lords will look to enhance other areas with one of the largest team rosters in program history.

The Lords kicked off camp last week with a roster of 80 players, including an incoming freshman class of 29. The team has 50 returning lettermen and a dozen returning starters.

Seventh-year head coach Chris Monfiletto will once again hand the keys of the offense to quarterback Thomas Merkle, now a junior. Last season, Merkle set single-season Kenyon records for pass attempts (504), completions (304) and completion percentage, while throwing for 22 touchdowns. He already ranks top-five on Kenyon's career charts and if he continues at the same pace, he'll soon own every Kenyon career record, too.

Things won't be easy, however, for Merkle and the 2018 offense. He lost to graduation two of his top three receivers from a season ago and he's just one of four returning starters on that side of the ball. On the plus side, Ian Robertson, a senior wide receiver, is returning. Last season, he earned All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) honors after snaring 80 catches for 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The other two returning offensive players are Chase Kirol and All-NCAC honoree A.J. Brennan, who'll anchor a line that was uprooted by graduation. They'll have to find a way to not only protect Merkle, but also to help establish a stronger running game that will create balance and keep defenses guessing.

Last season, Kenyon ranked third in the conference in passing offense (305.5 yards per game), but last in running offense (60.9 yards per game). Injury had an influence on the running game and the Lords are hoping the return of senior Rob Meagher, who missed the entire 2017 season, provides a spark in 2018. In limited action his first two seasons, Meagher averaged 3.8 yards per carry.

On the other side of the ball, the play of the defense just might have the biggest impact on the Lords' win-loss record. Last season, the Lords lost five games by ten or fewer points, including three losses by six or fewer. While the offense was trying to keep pace, the defense yielded averages of more than 475 yards and 45 points per game.

The on-the-field lessons last year's young defense experienced can only help in the development of the unit, which returns eight starters for the upcoming season.

Sam Dickey, Derek Martin and Wyatt Medina will likely return to their linebacker spots. Combined, those three accounted for 110 tackles in 2017. D.J. Manley, who had two interceptions, and Michael Picone, who forced four fumbles, solidify the secondary along with seniors Taaj Davis and Herbert Wakefield. Up front, the line gets a boost from the return of junior Trevor Brown, who recovered three fumbles in 2017, and from senior Hayden Gaus, who logged 34 tackles.

The Lords get their season started with three consecutive home games, including the opener against The University of the South on September 1 at noon. The following week, the Lords will host Oberlin College in the first of nine North Coast Athletic Conference contests.