CLINTON, Miss. --- The wait is finally over, and the Mississippi College football team will get the 2015 season started on Saturday night when they host Texas College at 7:00 p.m. at Robinson-Hale Stadium.

The Choctaws are looking to bounce back from a tough inaugural season in Division II and the Gulf South Conference as they went 1-9 in 2014.

"While we will make sure to learn from last year, that's over and done with," said defensive coordinator Michael Collins. "It's time to move on, and I really think we are going to open some eyes this season."

The MC offense features a run-heavy attack, and senior Chris Ingram spearheads the operation. The Southaven native rushed for a team-high 569 yards on 141 carries with five touchdowns in 2014.

"It's a big improvement in comparison to last year," said Ingram. "We've got bigger guys. We've got more speed. We're more physical. We're just ready to put it all together."

Sophomore quarterback Kyle Smith returns after starting six games in his rookie campaign last season. He finished second on the team with 401 rushing yards and had a team-high six rushing touchdowns.

Senior Raymond Cotton joined the Choctaws in the spring and brings a talented history after playing his freshman season at Ole Miss and being named an Elite 11 QB as a senior in high school.

"I feel like the competition at the position has pushed both guys to get better every day at practice," said head coach John Bland. "Kyle has one year under his belt and has really taken a big step forward from his freshman to his sophomore season. Raymond comes in with all the athletic ability and size and gets better with each practice. It's a good problem to have with these two guys that can go out there and execute the offense."

The offensive line may have taken the biggest leap forward from 2014 to 2015 as coach Edgar Weiser has a 10-deep rotation this season. Senior Jamaal White is a returning NCCAA All-American, while sophomore Ronny Smith also returns after starting last season. Junior college transfers Nick Luckey, Daivon Milan and Sean Rogers are also expected to be in the starting five.

"I like the pedigree of the first o-line we are putting out there," said Weiser. "Luckey's dad is a high school head football coach, while Daivon and Sean come from great high school programs in Olive Branch and South Panola. They know what it takes to be successful."

On defense, MC has a nice mix of returning starters and talented newcomers looking to execute Coach Collins' scheme. On the line, senior Lazarus Shelby and juniors Jordan Jones and Carl Rainey Jr. all saw a significant number of snaps in 2014. Junior JaQarius Scott and freshman Russell Welch join the line to provide some depth.

"It really helps to bring in a new crop of players when you have have returners that know the system," said defensive line coach Rod Smith. "These guys know what we are looking for on a daily basis, and they are able to help the young guys get better each day."

Seniors Alexander Greer and Seth McDonald lead a linebacker corps that also has a lot of talented freshman that will play from the opening game. R.J. Arnold, Mike Hall and Josh Schweiger have been impressive in preseason camp and will get a lot of snaps in the opener.

"These guys are really coming together this preseason," said Collins. "We are more athletic everywhere on the field, and the linebacker position is no different. I haven't had to coach effort at all, and that makes my job easier. These guys are really going to play hard."

The defensive backfield also has a good mix of returners and newcomers with junior Reggie Bennett coming back after leading the Choctaws with 97 tackles in 2014. Senior D'Andre Coleman and junior Chris Lyles will be out on the corners after going through spring practice in 2015. The freshmen group of Micah Bagley, Keith Harison and Rondaius Johnson will also get on the field early.

"These guys have all worked hard in preseason camp," said defensive backs coach Ricky Herzog. "All three positions have had great competition, and it has made everyone better. We've got a good mix of leadership and young talent."

The Choctaws' first opponent will be Texas College, who went 0-11 last season, being outscored 634-73 in the 11 games. They return leading rusher Phillip Callier, who had a team-high two rushing touchdowns and 288 rushing yards. He also caught 26 balls for 280 yards and one score. Leading receiver Bradford Lewis also returns after catching 37 balls for 431 yards and two touchdowns.