MORRIS, Minn. – For the first time since 2008 the Cougars will open their season under the lights at Big Cat Stadium. The Hamline Pipers will come to town for the 2014 opener. Minnesota Morris will open up their season under the lights for the first time 2008 when they shutout Trinity Bible 13-0 at Big Cat Stadium.  WATCH LIVE | GAME NOTES

Minnesota Morris and Hamline will meet for the third straight year to kick off the season. Hamline has been the winner of the last two meetings. Overall the Cougars are 3-9 against Hamline. The last win over the Pipers came in 1986. 

The Cougars return several players from a year ago, including All-Region Line Backer Cody Hickman. Hickman who led the team in tackles will also have the help of the next four leading tacklers on the team. 

Offensively the Cougars return almost all their key players from last year. Brendon Foss and Leandro Dower will be missed but nearly everyone else is back. Two experienced quarterbacks should help the Cougars offensively in 2014.

The Cougars football team has set a school record for most passing yards in a season the previous two years. As a team they threw for 2,721 yards in 2013, besting the previous school record of 2,530 yards set in 2012.

Last season Donnie Mavencamp threw for 404 yards against Northwestern setting a school record. Caleb McLaren had 331 yards passing against Hamline last year, fifth most in school history. 

Hamline's starting running back, Austin Duncan, will get be asked to handle a lot of carries on Saturday. Last year he ran the ball 319 times, including 49 in one game. Against the Cougars last year Duncan had 32 carries and 173 yards on the ground.