2004 regional preview
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American Southwest Conference
Last season saw the conference representative advance past the first round for the first time since 2000. That East Texas Baptist defeated perennial SCAC representative Trinity (Texas) was an added bonus, and this year’s representative, or representatives, hope to go at least that far. The only question is, who will come out of what promises to be a wildly competitive field?
Let’s look at the favorites, contenders, and dark horse:
Favorites
East Texas Baptist (9-3, 8-1 ASC, NCAA second round): As time expired on a cold Pennsylvania afternoon, the Tigers were beaten but unbowed, falling at Lycoming 13-7 in overtime after a 42-41 win against . Who would have thought that such a young program could have had the success it had so quickly? Can ETBU recapture the lightning that propelled them to national prominence in 2003? Coach Ralph Harris and his squad certainly think so.
Eight starters return from last year’s explosive offense. Junior running back Roshawn Johnson (1677 yds, 13 TDs), senior wide receiver Earl Morris (772 yds, nine TDs), and sophomore quarterback Phil Van Cleave (1064 yds, eight TDs) will be joined by wide receiver LaKendrick O’Neal, a 6-1 senior transfer returning from Grambling State who actually led ETBU in receiving in 2002. While speedy receiver Jabori Jackson is gone, the Tigers expect to open up their offense in 2004, utilizing Johnson out of the backfield as well as newcomers such as receiver Yosmond Dodd.
More work will be needed to rebuild a defense that lost six of 11 starters. Fortunately for Harris, he retains a solid nucleus. His line will be anchored by preseason All-America junior tackle Littleton Dean (76 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 10˝ sacks) and sophomore end Chad Glover (50 tackles, 24 for loss, seven sacks). Junior Micah Huckaby (57 tackles, 5˝ sacks, three interceptions) is the only returning linebacker, while junior corner Tory Barnes (35 tackles, three interceptions) and senior free safety Damon Ausberry (25 tackles, two interceptions) will anchor the defensive secondary. Building defensive depth and experience early will be a key. ETBU also has to replace three-time All-American punter Scott Verhalen and find a kicker.
The schedule is in ETBU’s favor; only one of the three games against other conference contenders will be away from cozy Ornelas Stadium. That game, at Howard Payne in Week 3, could be crucial to the Tigers’ hopes to repeat as conference champion. The Tigers do not want to depend on a tiebreaker to advance to the playoffs this year.
Hardin-Simmons Cowboys (8-2, 8-1 ASC): The Cowboys hope to put last year’s extra point situation behind them and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. For those of you who came in late, HSU missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker, based on an overtime extra point they never had a chance to kick.
Offense, where no fewer than nine starters return, should be a strong point for the Cowboys. Junior Jordan Neal returns for his second year at quarterback, looking to improve somehow on a season which saw him complete 70% of his passes for 2,333 yards, 16 TDs, and only eight interceptions. Senior tight end Matt Moskosky (28 catches, 343 yards and two scores) will try to rebound from injuries that hampered his production in 2003. At wide receiver, Matt Epperson (17 catches, 290 yards) will likely be joined by Rice transfer Will Galusha and red shirt freshman Andre Washington, who is described as the Cowboys’ most athletic receiver. When Neal needs to hand off, he’ll have a familiar and talented pair to work with. Seniors Lance Moore (1127 yds, 14 TDs, 7.7 yds/carry) and Donta’ Hayward (504 yards, three TDs) will both spend time at running back, but Hayward will be used more at fullback as the Cowboys intend to use more two-back sets this season. The offensive line returns four of five starters, led by All-America strongside guard Adam Hernandez.
Led by two-year All-America cornerback Alex Hansen (16 intereptions), defense will also be a strength, but the Cowboys will need to fill a few holes. Galusha is penciled in at the other corner slot; Micah Putnam, who started at corner late in 2003, will move back to safety, and fifth-year senior Travis Craver returns. HSU has no worries at linebacker, where Brent Gailey (90 tackles, 12˝ for loss), Jason Rupert (79 tackles), and Adam Parker (68 tackles and a team-leading 3˝ sacks) all return. Most of the Cowboys’ defensive line also returns, led by end Reggie Robinson (27 tackles) and tackles Eric Shults (26 tackles) and Levi Penns (24 tackles).
In Jimmie Keeling’s 50th year of coaching, his 21 seniors — six starters on offense, four on defense — will be counted on to lead the Cowboys back to the playoffs.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders (9-1, 8-1 ASC): Most teams that lose not one but two conference players-of-the-year would be considered unlikely contenders for conference championships – but that’s exactly the situation for Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Gone is four-year starting quarterback, ASC Offensive Player-of-the-Year, and Gagliardi finalist Cody Fredenburg. Gone too is free safety and ASC Defensive Player-of-the-Year Tony Salazar. Other than that, however, most everyone returns, and on a team that plays at the Crusaders’ level, that alone is reason for hope.
Whoever starts at quarterback for the Crusaders will have a wealth of options to work with. Justin Bryson (1023 yards, 12 TDs) returns at running back, as does the school’s all-time leading receiver, Austin Schrader. Other starters back in 2004 include receiver P. J. Williams (836 yds, nine TDs), fullback Jeff Starnes (12 TDs), and three-time all-ASC tight end Walter Sharp. He’ll also have the luxury of starting behind a line which includes preseason All-America tackle Jeff Oliver and All-ASC center Matt Bush. In all, nine starters return on offense. Josh Welch, a freshman from Copperas Cove, Texas, HS, is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job. Anthony Carter, a sophomore running back who missed most of last season with an injury, could challenge Bryson for a spot, or more likely serve as a change of pace out of the backfield.
Seven starters on defense return, led by senior end Keith Zunker. The 2003 ASC Defensive Lineman of the Year had 40 tackles (14 for loss), 6˝ sacks, forced three fumbles, and had one interception last year. Bret Page, who led the team with 69 tackles, and Ryan McCabe (68 tackles) will form a solid core at linebacker, augmented by “CruBack” Rojo Johnson (51 tackles and four interceptions). The secondary will be anchored by Anthony Johnson, who posted six interceptions last season. The unenviable job of replacing Tony Salazar will fall to sophomore Josh Kubiak, whom Coach Pete Fredenburg believes has a chance to develop into the same kind of impact player as Salazar.
It would be ironic if MHB won the conference and advanced in the playoffs a year after losing arguably the two finest players in the team’s short history. Ironic, but possible.
Contenders
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets (6-4, 6-3 ASC): Has it only been a year since the Yellow Jackets were forecast to be in the thick of the ASC race? A Week 1 disaster in La Crosse, Wis., put the team off its feed, seemingly for the entire season, and the Jackets fell back to second-tier status in the conference. In 2004, one man expects to reverse that trend: quarterback Adam King.
Unfortunately, neither D3football.com nor your columnist has received much (if any) information from the folks at Howard Payne. Of course, remember that Khalid Naziruddin left the last year to transfer to Texas Tech, where the San Antonio Express-News reports he is working out with the first team after sitting out a year. Naziruddin was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week as a freshman defensive back in 2001. King had a fantastic 2002 season (when he was ASC Offensive PotY), but was unable to follow up in 2003. The schedule is on the Jackets’ side, bringing ETBU and HSU to Brownwood this year. In order for the Jackets to compete for the championship, they will need King to perform at the high level he displayed in 2002. Even that might not be enough in a conference where so many teams appear to have improved in the last year.
McMurry Indians (4-6, 4-5 ASC): At least from a football standpoint, McMurry has been the “other team” in Abilene for some team. Despite posting a combined 10-24 record the past three years, the Indians believe that they can at least play spoiler in conference play in 2004.
Much of this optimism comes from the return of 17 starters (nine offense and eight defense), plus all specialists, from a team that came within a missed field goal attempt of a .500 season last year. For the first time, Coach Steve Keenum will have football, and only football, on his plate, following a period where he filled roles of both athletic director and head football coach.
The combo of senior quarterback Jordan Neuman and wide receiver/return specialist Brian Marlborough will lead the way for the Indian offense; Neuman will be climbing the school’s all-time passing charts, and Malbrough, the preseason pick as ASC special teams player of the year, will try to add to last year’s honorable mention received at wide receiver. Other returning starts at wide receiver include three-year lettermen Josh Curtis (34 receptions, 452 yards) and Eric Davis. Davis also servers as the Indian kicker, converting last year on 24 of 27 PATs and 3-of-6 field goals. On defense, the Indians return a strong core at linebacker, with 2003 second team all-ASC selection junior Colby Witt (96 tackles) and senior Rod Hutchings. Hutchings forced five fumbles, good for second in the nation last season. They will be joined at outside linebacker by sophomore Karl Scott, who had 36 tackles and four interceptions in eight games as a freshman last year. Three-year letter winners Matt Hoffman (29 tackles, eight for loss) and honorable mention all-ASC Andrew Bell will head up the defensive line.
It’s hard to see the Indians, even with expected growth in 2004, challenging for the title. But anyone who takes McMurry lightly may find themselves in for a surprise as the season rolls on.
Dark horse
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs (2-8, 2-7 ASC): What’s a team that’s won 11 games in five years doing here? Call it a hunch — the feeling here is that last year’s incredibly young Bulldog team, under the leadership of third-year head coach Tom Mueller, is ready to break out of the depths of the ASC. Last year’s team counted only two seniors, and only one saw significant playing time last year. This year’s team will continue to be very young, as only nine juniors were on the squad in 2003. Junior quarterback Sean Salinas will look to progress further after a sophomore campaign which saw him complete 56% of his passes. If TLU can do well this season, they may add themselves to the conference playoff mix in ’05 when most of the other contenders will suffer significant graduation losses.
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
Based on recent history alone, the SCAC could be nicknamed “Trinity and the Six Dwarfs.” That said, it’s entirely possible that a personal foul late in the first game was the only thing which kept the Rhodes Lynx from supplanting Trinity’s Tigers as the SCAC’s playoff representative. This season offers a number of interesting plot lines that we’ll need to keep an eye on.
This could be the year of the quarterback in the SCAC. With the exception of DePauw, every school returns a starter at quarterback — and DePauw returns “co-starter” Ross Weithoff. Last season, Rhodes’ Dan Swanstrom was named co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year in the SCAC; even so, Trinity’s Dan DesPlaines had better overall passing numbers and was nationally ranked in passing efficiency (159.0, tenth). Centre’s Brian Behrendt had a solid season (212 yards/game, 21 TDs, eight interceptions). Three other quarterbacks — Rose-Hulman’s Cameron Hummel, Sewanee’s Wes Satterfield, and Millsaps’ Christian Johnson — return after starting as freshmen last year. Johnson split time with Brandon Morris, who also returns. With one more year under their belts, quarterback play should be markedly improved — especially for those schools returning a majority of their receiver corps.
Favorites
Trinity (Texas) Tigers (8-3, 5-1 SCAC, NCAA playoffs): Last year was a season of transition for the Tigers, who lost three games for the first time since 2000, when they were 10-3. You’d have to go back to 1997, Trinity’s first Division III playoff appearance, to find an exit as early as last year’s, and to 1995 to find a record as “poor” as last year’s. That many teams would be delighted to call 8-3 “poor” is irrelevant — the team and coaching staff is motivated to return Trinity to its usual heights.
Making this task much easier is the return of the entire offensive unit. DesPlaines rapidly improved after a somewhat shaky (by the program’s standards) start, finishing among the nation’s passing efficiency leaders as mentioned above. DesPlaines threw for more than 2,800 yards, completed nearly two of every three passes, and had 29 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. That he was only named co-second-team all-SCAC despite these accomplishments may serve as further motivation. He’ll have a receiver corps to work with which includes all-SCAC junior Robert Kellner (57 receptions, 733 yards) and second team selection Daniel Lacroix (32 catches, 455 yards, five TDs). Senior Derek Boles and junior Donny Palmertree combined for an additional 56 receptions and 765 yards. Joining DesPlaines in the backfield will be fifth-year tailback Matt Federle (70 carries, 251 yards in only six games due to injury) and the team’s leading rusher, running back Ray Valencia (141 carries, 789 yards). They will be supported by the same offensive line which led the team to 4,671 yards of total offense last year. Tommy Ford (All-SCAC) and all-America candidate Ben Prater will anchor the line. All-SCAC kicker Todd Canion (43-for-49 on PATs, 9-for-15 on field goals) and punter Greg Genung (39.3 yards/kick) both return.
Defense might be another story. Only five starters return from a unit which ranked in the top 40 in scoring defense. Wacey Clarke, the team’s leading tackler (110) in 2003, will provide leadership from his spot at linebacker. Defensive linemen Michael Perez, who had six sacks among his 80 tackles, Aaron Einhaus (47 tackles, 3˝ sacks), and Ryan Ohlendorf all return; Ohlendorf was injured most of last season. With the return of Jason Swint — who started in Ohlendorf’s place — Trinity’s defensive line will feature four seniors who started all or part of the year, and should be a strength. In the secondary — where only Patrick Hayes, who started four games due to injury, returns — the same is unlikely to be true. The success that coach Steve Mohr and his staff have in developing talent at this position will likely impact directly the team’s chances to make a ninth consecutive playoff appearance in 2004.
Rhodes Lynx (7-3, 4-2): In Coach Joe White’s seventh year, the Lynx defeated Trinity for the first time in more than a decade. A total of three points cost the Lynx two games, and the chance to represent the conference in the NCAA playoffs. With most of their players back, could this be the year of the Lynx?
SCAC co-Offensive Player of the Year Daniel Swanstrom (230-363-11, 23 TDs, 2,634 yards passing, 313 yards rushing) returns for his senior season along every other skill position besides tight end. While Nick Campbell and Ryan Childs both return, Coach White expects Campbell to start along with senior Rory Favor, who led the team with six touchdowns in primarily goal-line situations last season. All-SCAC receiver Matt Dement (54 receptions, 705 yards, three TDs) will once again likely be Swanstrom’s favorite, while receivers Roland Bozant (43 catches, 470 yards) and Chris Castleberry, both juniors, return to provide quality catches. Three starters (Mike Wisniowski, Adam Aubel, and Joseph McKinney) return to an offensive line that lost two all-SCAC performers to graduation.
Seven starters return to a defensive unit considered young last season. Senior tackle Ben Clark will anchor the middle; in 2003, Clark recorded 47 tackles, 9˝ for loss. Senior Ken Coward returns after an injury-plagued season which reduced him to playing in just three games. Junior All-SCAC defensive end Daniel Brunner had 6˝ sacks, tying him for first among returning players, and his 12˝ tackles for loss led the Lynx. Complementing Brunner on the rush will be sophomore tackle Alex Comforti, who in his first year had five sacks and nine tackles for loss. Most of Rhodes’ defensive losses came in the linebacking corps, where only junior Brian Steinert (59 tackles, 7˝ for loss) returns. All-SCAC safety Rory Faver (63 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks) leads a strong secondary, which also includes junior second team All-SCAC selection Gifford Louden (three interceptions), senior Tyler Whaley (48 tackles, one interception, two fumbles recovered), and sophomore cornerback Ben Hobbs (29 tackles, two interceptions). All-SCAC kicker Hunter Tigert and triple threat punt returner Rory Faver (25 returns, 311 yards) complete the list of returnees for the Lynx; Tigert also handles punting duties.
Can the Lynx take the next step in 2004? To do so, they’ll likely have to beat Trinity in San Antonio, which they haven’t done since 1992. But, prior to last year, they hadn’t defeated the Tigers at home since 1991, so that might not come into play. It may come down to which team can stop the other’s offense — or who makes the fewest mistakes — on Oct. 30.
Contenders
Centre Colonels (8-2, 6-1): Centre had the best overall record in the SCAC, and tied with Trinity for the conference championship. A 52-7 blistering in San Antonio was the only blemish on a otherwise fine SCAC season for the Colonels, and they return enough talent to be in the mix in ’04.
Senior quarterback Brian Behrendt (203-332-8, 21 TDs, 2118 yards) was named second team all-SCAC in 2003 and should contend for that honor again in 2004. All-SCAC performer David Crowley (46 catches, 567 yards) is the only receiver to return, along with nearly the entire offensive line. Jeremy Britt, a 2001 all-SCAC performer at running back, returns after sitting out a year and will cushion the blow of losing co-offensive SCAC player-of-the-year Lorenzo Englemann.
Seven players also return for the Colonels on defense. Three second team all-SCAC performers return at linebacker: Brian Downs (85 tackles, 4˝ for loss) Jared Zywein (65 tackles, eight for loss), and Nathan Fell (60 tackles, two for loss). Three starters also return in the defensive backfield: cornerback Jacob Coleman (six interceptions), Chad Loveless, and Brandon Cain, who is expected to be the leader in the secondary. John Perin, a transfer from Miami (Ohio) should battle Taylor Holland for the other cornerback slot. Second team all-SCAC selection Brian Dougherty is the only starting lineman to return.
Centre’s success in ’04 will depend on the development of both a young receiver corps and its defensive line. This, plus having to replace performers like Englemann and all-America defensive back John Ortega, may be asking just a bit much of the Colonels. The schedule does work in their favor; a game at Rhodes in Week 3 may set the stage for Centre this season.
Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers (5-5, 3-3): Second-year head coach Ted Karras looks to improve on a season which brought him “Rookie Coach of the Year” honors from D3football.com. Many of the pieces seem to be in place — and if a few breaks go the Engineers’ way, who knows what could happen?
One thing that has already happened — Karras has recruited a large freshman class (35) and says that up to seven of these will compete immediately for starting time. This, on top of seven returnees on both side of the ball, should result in an even more competitive squad. Charley Key, junior running back, led the SCAC in rushing last year with 1,001 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 482 yards and four scores through the air. Cameron Hummel returns after his freshman season, which saw him pass for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns, and seven interceptions while rushing for 456 yards plus seven touchdowns. Junior fullback Brian Phelps returns, as does tight end Clint Hammes. Both are used primarily as blockers, though Hammes did have 15 receptions for 188 yards and scored twice. Senior Ryan Hart (17 catches, 218 yards) and Jason Dickey return at wide receiver. The offensive line must be revamped after the graduation of four starters. The most experience returnee on the line is sophomore Tim Hachfeld, who had six starts at left tackle.
On the other side of the ball, the line will be anchored by Jake Vieck, a three-year starter who had 54 tackles, 12 for loss last season. Brian Rosser (14 tackles, three for loss), Kris Renfro (seven tackles), and Josh Clark (23 tackles, one fumble recovery) should round out the line. Two time all-SCAC honoree Matt Jackson (96 tackles, 11˝ for loss) will lead the linebacker corps; Jackson’s performance is remarkable when you consider he played half the season with a broken hand. He’ll be joined by Neil Harrison (81 tackles at strong safety), Ben Motsinger (43 tackles) and Tim Wilson (14 tackles, three for loss). The Engineers must replace the entire secondary but have some experience to rely on. Bryce Beckstrom recorded 33 tackles and three interceptions in limited time last year.
When you look at Rose-Hulman on paper, it might be hard to see them competing. But last year, the Engineers began to have reason to believe in themselves, and that must be considered.
Dark horse
DePauw Tigers (5-5, 3-3): Last year was simply a disappointment, and most of the key pieces from last year’s team are gone. As a result, first-year head coach Bill Lynch faces an uphill battle to compete for the championship. There’s little doubt that Lynch — with 25 years of coaching experience, 13 as a head coach at all levels including Division I-A — has the skills necessary to make a winner of DePauw. The question this year is simply this: are there enough pieces left in Greencastle to produce a winner?
Only four starters return on offense. Three of these are wide receivers, the fourth a lineman. Fortunately for Lynch, one of the receivers is multiple threat Jamarcus Shepard. Shepard had 69 catches for 783 yards in 2003, as well as 14 carries for 49 yards. His 34.7 yard average on punt returns placed him second in the nation in that category. Second team all-SCAC selection Brian Culp (36 catches, 663 yards) will once again complement Shepard. Ross Weithoff, who alternated at quarterback and took nearly half the snaps in 2003, will have the job of getting the ball to Shepard and Culp. Weithoff’s 134 efficiency rating indicates that he should be up to the task, and his rushing prowess (566 yards on 74 carries) will come in handy while the Tigers try to identify someone to share the backfield with him.
The situation is only slightly better on defense, where five starters return. The strength here will be in the secondary, where free safety Chris Lambring (41 tackles, one interception) and strong safety Cory Partlow (61 tackles, 7˝ for loss) are back. Tackles Joseph Di Salvo (24 tackles, 3˝ for loss) and Darron Lasley (15 tackles, four for loss) will join end Dustin Hertel, who returns after missing all of 2003 due to injury. The Tigers must replace all three linebackers; Matt Koch, who started three games at the beginning of last year, will join several others who saw action in ’03.
New coach, 13 new starters — not the ideal recipe for a championship season.
Fearless Picks for ’04:
Emboldened by my “success” in last year’s ASC pick ’em contest, let’s try something different — picking the finishing order in each conference this year:
ASC
1. UMHB
2. Hardin-Simmons
3. East Texas Baptist
4. McMurry
5. Howard Payne
6. Texas Lutheran
7. Austin College
8. Mississippi College
9. Louisiana College
10. Sul Ross State
SCAC
1. Trinity (Texas)
2. Rhodes
3. Centre
4. Rose-Hulman
5. DePauw
6. Millsaps
7. Sewanee
Next week
Where are the games to watch this season? What about the two independents? I have to give you something to look forward to, and will shoot for that in our next column. In the mean time, I invite your comments, ideas for future columns, and any other feedback via email — send ’em to ron.boerger@d3football.com.