Beat Writer Chris Carlson's 2012 Norfolk State football prediction: 8-3
NORFOLK, Virginia - The Spartans face three road games against teams that received votes in The Sports Network Top 25 poll: Liberty, Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State. They face FBS opponent Ohio on the road. And they face MEAC rivals Hampton and North Carolina A&T on the road. Winning half of those should qualify as a success, especially without an experienced quarterback under center.
September 1
Virginia State, 6 p.m.
The skinny The question no longer is who will win the Labor Day Classic but how big the Spartans’ victory will be. Since Virginia State’s most recent win in 2005, the Spartans have won six by an average margin of 26 points.
September 8
at Liberty, 7 p.m.
The skinny Credit NSU athletic director Marty Miller and head coach Pete Adrian for scheduling this one. It’s the type of game the MEAC needs to play to earn respect. Liberty was picked to finish second in the Big South, is led by former Kansas coach Turner Gill and, like NSU, is replacing one of the most prolific quarterbacks in FCS.
September 15
Howard, 4 p.m.
The skinny The Bison are led by linebacker Keith Pough, the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and quarterback Greg McGhee, last year’s MEAC Freshman of the Year and, possibly, the best quarterback the conference has this season.
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Saturday, August 25, 2012
Transfers attest to Norfolk State's strides
The all-time leading tackler at Lake Taylor, Privott, a linebacker, wanted to test himself at a top FBS school. He picked Louisville.
But even if he was interested in FCS football, he said, it’s unlikely NSU would have been his choice.
“Probably somewhere like Hampton or JMU; those were the top programs,” Privott said. “I probably would have done something like that. (The Spartans) were the home team, but they weren’t winning.”
That changed last year when NSU won its first MEAC championship.
Something else changed, too. Head coach Pete Adrian welcomed a rare transfer from a high-level FBS program when linebacker Brent Singleton arrived from Minnesota. Lynden Trail, a linebacker from Florida, followed.
Then a third transfer arrived: Privott.
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20th-ranked Lindsey Wilson stymies XU Nuggets in opener
CLEVELAND, Tennessee — Kailey Moorhead's 12 kills and Kristi Hager's 27 digs Friday helped NAIA No. 20 Lindsey Wilson defeat Xavier University of Louisiana 25-16, 25-23, 25-7 in the women's volleyball season opener for both teams at the Lee Invitational.
The Blue Raiders limited Xavier's two best offensive players of a year ago, Taylor Reuther and Moira Kirk, to a combined six kills and a minus-.070 hitting percentage. Kirk's two kills were the fewest of her XU career, and Reuther's minus-.091 hitting percentage — four kills and seven errors in 33 attack attempts — was her worst.
Chinedu Echebelem recorded her third career double-double at Xavier, 12 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Alexis Clay had 17 digs.
Echebelem had seven kills in the second set to help the Gold Nuggets build a 20-16 advantage. But Lindsey Wilson scored six of the next seven points to take the lead for good, and Taylor Hayne closed the set with a kill.
Lindsey Wilson's Angela Mlachnik served all four of her aces during a 16-3 run to open the third set.
"We played really well in the second set," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "The first set we were a little nervous, and the third one we lost all momentum because we couldn't pass at all. We are very young and still trying to find a lineup that works and get used to each other on the court."
Four of the eight Nuggets who played were freshmen. Franziska Pirkl started at setter and had 20 assists and five digs, Claudia Haywood had four kills and two blocks, and Darian Harris had five digs in their collegiate debuts.
Lindsey Wilson outhit Xavier .264 to .069 and had advantages of 42-26 in kills, 60-51 in digs and 9-0 in aces.
It was the first time Xavier opened the season against a ranked opponent. The Gold Nuggets will play another ranked team, No. 3 Lee, at 7 p.m. EDT Friday.
Box score
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
MEAC champs NSU ready to take foes’ best shots
NORFOLK, Virginia - Most of the Spartans acknowledge the adage is true: It’s tougher to repeat as football champions than it is to win the first one. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
“Oh, it’s definitely harder to repeat,” senior Terrence Pugh said. “There’s no doubt about that. We’re also up for the challenge. We’re not sneaking on anyone’s radar. We have to work twice as hard to win this year.”
Things are different at Norfolk State, which won its first MEAC title in 14 tries last season, erasing a reputation for being a good – but not great – program.
Now, opponents will see the Spartans as owners of a championship tradition. Conference rivals especially will get up for the games.
One reason is the MEAC’s coaches and sports information directors made the Spartans the ...
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Tuskegee looks to bounce back with a young team -- again
TUSKEGEE, Alabama - As he enters his seventh season at the helm, head coach Willie Slater is not quite sure what to make of his 2012 Tuskegee team.
"We had a lot of young players who played last year and we've got a lot of them," Slater said. "We went 4-6, so I'm not sure if they can play or not."
Predictably, the newcomers took their lumps adjusting to college football. Tuskegee started 1-4 in 2011 before bouncing back to win three of its final five games.
This season the Golden Tigers return 67 lettermen, including six starters on offense and five on defense.
"We've got 18 seniors, but we have mostly sophomores and juniors," Slater said. "I think we've got a lot of young players who can play."
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"We had a lot of young players who played last year and we've got a lot of them," Slater said. "We went 4-6, so I'm not sure if they can play or not."
Predictably, the newcomers took their lumps adjusting to college football. Tuskegee started 1-4 in 2011 before bouncing back to win three of its final five games.
This season the Golden Tigers return 67 lettermen, including six starters on offense and five on defense.
"We've got 18 seniors, but we have mostly sophomores and juniors," Slater said. "I think we've got a lot of young players who can play."
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Friday, August 24, 2012
SIAC champion Miles seeks to make turnaround the norm
FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- Perhaps no one symbolized Miles' dramatic turnaround in 2011 more than quarterback David Thomas.
In his first season as a starter, Thomas passed for 2,088 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 489 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the Golden Bears to their first SIAC championship since 1985 and their first bowl game appearance.
"I did well," Thomas said modestly. "It took a lot of hard work. I thank the coaching staff and my teammates for hanging in there with me."
Thomas' performance wasn't overlooked. As the senior from Opelika embarks on the 2012 season, he does so as the first-team quarterback on the preseason All-SIAC team.
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In his first season as a starter, Thomas passed for 2,088 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 489 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the Golden Bears to their first SIAC championship since 1985 and their first bowl game appearance.
"I did well," Thomas said modestly. "It took a lot of hard work. I thank the coaching staff and my teammates for hanging in there with me."
Thomas' performance wasn't overlooked. As the senior from Opelika embarks on the 2012 season, he does so as the first-team quarterback on the preseason All-SIAC team.
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Louisiana College Football Tour 2012: Father-Son Combo to Lead SWAC Favorite Grambling
GRAMBLING – He's tall, a lot like his father, but the 200-pound official listing is probably stretching things. D. J. Williams doesn't look that heavy.
That could be a problem, because a lot is resting on his shoulders as Grambling seeks to defend its Southwestern Athletic Conference football title.
Williams will likely be the starting quarterback, a position he held more than half the time, when the Tigers open up next Saturday in Shreveport's Port City Classic against SWAC rival Alcorn State. And his father, Grambling head coach and former NFL standout Doug Williams, has confidence in him.
"Everyone wants to know about the quarterback situation," the elder Williams said. "We don't have a quarterback situation. We have a starting quarterback and we have some good backups that I won't hesitate to play."
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That could be a problem, because a lot is resting on his shoulders as Grambling seeks to defend its Southwestern Athletic Conference football title.
Williams will likely be the starting quarterback, a position he held more than half the time, when the Tigers open up next Saturday in Shreveport's Port City Classic against SWAC rival Alcorn State. And his father, Grambling head coach and former NFL standout Doug Williams, has confidence in him.
"Everyone wants to know about the quarterback situation," the elder Williams said. "We don't have a quarterback situation. We have a starting quarterback and we have some good backups that I won't hesitate to play."
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McCall: Jackson State's up-and-coming receivers may top last year's
JACKSON, Mississippi - Rico Richardson may get most of the attention of opposing coaches, but Jackson State offensive coordinator Derrick McCall knows there's more to the Tigers receiving corps than the senior burner. Much more.
E.J. Drewery, at 6-foot-6, is hard to miss, much less bring down, and the recent addition of former Ole Miss receiver Tobias Singleton gives McCall what he feels to be his deepest - and fastest - group yet.
"We've had guys we've felt comfortable with on the opposite side (of Richardson), but I've never had guys with this caliber of speed on the field at the same time. "I'm very excited about our receiving corps," McCall said. "It's probably the highlight of our offense."
A year ago, JSU led the SWAC in scoring offense (35.8 points per game), total offense (490.9 yards per game) and pass offense (348.1). And despite graduating some key pieces to that success - namely quarterback Casey Therriault and receiver/tight end Renty Rollins - McCall believes this year's group of receivers may be even better.
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E.J. Drewery, at 6-foot-6, is hard to miss, much less bring down, and the recent addition of former Ole Miss receiver Tobias Singleton gives McCall what he feels to be his deepest - and fastest - group yet.
"We've had guys we've felt comfortable with on the opposite side (of Richardson), but I've never had guys with this caliber of speed on the field at the same time. "I'm very excited about our receiving corps," McCall said. "It's probably the highlight of our offense."
A year ago, JSU led the SWAC in scoring offense (35.8 points per game), total offense (490.9 yards per game) and pass offense (348.1). And despite graduating some key pieces to that success - namely quarterback Casey Therriault and receiver/tight end Renty Rollins - McCall believes this year's group of receivers may be even better.
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NSU rewards coach with 2-year extension
NORFOLK, Virginia - Norfolk State's first MEAC title earned Pete Adrian two more years as head coach of the Spartans.
The Spartans agreed to a two-year contract extension with Adrian on Thursday, keeping the head coach in place through the 2015 season.
Adrian will continue working on a $155,000 base salary with performance bonuses, terms he agreed to when his contact was extended last year, but he received an additional two years in the new deal.
"Seven victories a year, the most ever for a five-year period, toughest schedule year-in and year-out, grades. It kind of adds up," Adrian said of the combination of factors that went into the extension.
Adrian took over a down-in-the-dumps Norfolk State program in 2005 and won the school's first MEAC title last season, taking the team from catastrophe to consistent.
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The Spartans agreed to a two-year contract extension with Adrian on Thursday, keeping the head coach in place through the 2015 season.
Adrian will continue working on a $155,000 base salary with performance bonuses, terms he agreed to when his contact was extended last year, but he received an additional two years in the new deal.
"Seven victories a year, the most ever for a five-year period, toughest schedule year-in and year-out, grades. It kind of adds up," Adrian said of the combination of factors that went into the extension.
Adrian took over a down-in-the-dumps Norfolk State program in 2005 and won the school's first MEAC title last season, taking the team from catastrophe to consistent.
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WSSU likes versatility of Harris on defense
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Maurice Harris didn't want to miss a final chance to play college football, but he had some classroom work to take care of first.
Harris, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker and end from Concord, transferred from Charleston Southern to Winston-Salem State last year, but he didn't have the grades to be eligible for the 2011 season.
So he went to work in the classroom instead. Now, he's at work on the football field and is a projected starter on the Rams' defense.
Harris, 23, attended junior college after high school, then played the 2010 season at Charleston Southern.
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Harris, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker and end from Concord, transferred from Charleston Southern to Winston-Salem State last year, but he didn't have the grades to be eligible for the 2011 season.
So he went to work in the classroom instead. Now, he's at work on the football field and is a projected starter on the Rams' defense.
Harris, 23, attended junior college after high school, then played the 2010 season at Charleston Southern.
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Game Notes - OSU Cowboys Open 2012 With Savannah State
Savannah State vs. No. 19/19 Oklahoma StateSept. 1, 2012 :: 6 p.m. CT :: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)
TV: Fox College Sports Talent: Kevin Eschenfelder, ND Kalu and Erin Bajackson
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Talent: Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen National Radio: None
Booth: N/A Sideline: N/A Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 138
2012 Starts Now
The Oklahoma State Cowboys begin their 111th season of college football on Sept. 1 when Savannah State visits Stillwater for the first time. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox College Sports. Kevin Eschenfelder will call the action. ND Kalu, former Rice Owl and Houston Texan, will provide analysis. Erin Bajackson will have sideline duty. What To Watch For
Some things to keep an eye on early in 2012...
• OSU will unveil a true freshman quarterback in Rochester, Ill., native Wes Lunt.
• The Cowboys lost four starters in the offensive line, but return three players with starting experience for 2012. The new-look line has a tradition to maintain.
• The Cowboys led the nation last season with 44 forced turnovers and have finished in the top 11 nationally in that category in three straight seasons. Bill Young's fourth defense will attempt to continue the streak.
• The Cowboys are replacing a pair of NFL first-round draft picks in quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon.
• It's no secret the OSU coaching staff is big on its linebackers. Three starters return for a unit that will be expected to carry the load for the Cowboy defense.
• OSU's starting cornerback tandem of junior Justin Gilbert and senior Brodrick Brown has been ranked by ESPN as the second best duo in the country.
• Look for a host of new receivers to touch the ball as the Cowboys make up for the loss of Blackmon, Josh Cooper and Hubert Anyiam.
• Running back Joseph Randle rushed for an astounding 24 touchdowns last season and averaged 5.85 yards per carry as a sophomore. He'll enter his junior season as one of the nation's top running backs.
• OSU will break in a pair of new starters at defensive end as Richetti Jones and All-Big 12 pick Jamie Blatnick have graduated.
• Quinn Sharp is back as the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year. He is a legitimate threat for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards.
The Throne Room
For the first time since 1977, Oklahoma State enters a season defending a conference title. The Cowboys claimed the Big 12 championship last year with an 8-1 conference record. The 12-1 season included a Fiesta Bowl victory over No. 4 Stanford. OSU concluded the year with its highest finish ever in the Associated Press, coaches' poll, and BCS Standings (third in all three). Oklahoma State just missed an appearance in the national championship game as Alabama edged out OSU for the second spot in BCS national championship game by the closest margin (between second and third) in the history of the process.
Winning Ways
The 2011 season was the latest in one of the best runs in OSU history. Consider:
• Over the last two seasons OSU has won 23 games, which is one win shy from tying for the nation's top total during that time.
• OSU has won 32 games over the last three seasons for America's sixth best total since 2009.
• Since 2008, the Cowboys have 41 wins for the seventh best total in the country.
• Oklahoma State, Alabama and Oregon are the only three "BCS" schools in the country with at least nine wins over each of the last four seasons (not including TCU, which was competing in the Mountain West Conference at the time).
• Since 2009, Oklahoma State's 20-5 conference record is the best in the Big 12.
• Since 2007, Oklahoma State is No. 11 in the cumulative BCS Standings, according to CBS.
Schedule Overview
Oklahoma State will face a challenging 2012 schedule, which, at this point, is redundant. According to the NCAA, which ranks its schedules based on cumulative opposition, OSU faced the nation's fourth toughest schedule a year ago. In 2012...
• OSU will face eight bowl teams from 2011, including six bowl champions.
• The Cowboys will play three teams that won 2011 conference titles (Louisiana, TCU, West Virginia).
• Oklahoma State will battle five teams that won 10 games a year ago and a sixth (Louisiana) that won nine games.
• Five OSU opponents (all Big 12 teams) are ranked in the preseason AP top 25.
Gundy In Perspective
Head coach Mike Gundy enters his eighth season as head coach at his alma mater. He is 59-30 after seven seasons and is the reigning national coach of the year (Paul "Bear" Bryant and Eddie Robinson awards) and he was named as the 2010 Big 12 coach of the year.
• OSU was 12-15 under Gundy after 27 games, but has gone 47-15 since then, including a 32-7 record over the last three seasons and 23-3 over the last two campaigns.
• Gundy's 59 wins at OSU rank second all-time behind only Gundy's college coach, Pat Jones (62-60-3).
• Perhaps the most impressive part of Gundy's tenure at OSU is that he has built the program with three different offensive coordinators and three different defensive coordinators. Three of his former assistants have left Oklahoma State to become head coaches (Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, Larry Fedora at Southern Miss and now North Carolina, and Tim Beckman at Toledo and now Illinois).
• Under Gundy, OSU has gone to six straight bowl games (an OSU first) and won at least seven games in six straight seasons (another school first) and at least nine games in four straight seasons (yet another first).
• The 23 wins over the last two seasons are most ever by OSU in a two-year stretch.
• Under Gundy, OSU has reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for a school-best four straight seasons.
Gundy's Tenure
Mike Gundy is just the fifth coach in Oklahoma State history to reach his eighth season as the Cowboy head coach and the first to do it since Pat Jones coached his 11th and final season in 1994. Only Gundy, Jones and Cliff Speegle have coached at least eight years at the school in the post-World War II era. Gundy's tenure is now the fifth longest in the new Big 12.
Stat Review
On the brink of the 2012 season, a quick look at some of OSU's most interesting statistics from 2011:
• OSU's average of 387.2 passing yards per game was second nationally.
• OSU was third in total offense (545.85 yards per game).
• OSU was second nationally in scoring (48.69 ppg).
• OSU was sixth nationally with an average of 25.9 first downs per game.
• OSU was eighth in third-down percentage with a conversion rate of 48.9 percent.
• The Cowboys finished No. 11 in red-zone offense (73 scores on 82 opportunities).
• The Cowboys led the nation (tied with Michigan) with 20 fumbles recovered.
• The Cowboy defense finished second with 24 picks last season.
• OSU easily led the nation with 44 forced turnovers.
• OSU was No. 12 nationally in red zone defense, allowing 35 scores in 48 chances.
• OSU's turnover margin of plus-1.62 led the country.
Chart Toppers
In conference play last season, OSU easily led the Big 12 in scoring with 48.3 points per league game. It may come as a surprise, however, to note that OSU also led the Big 12 in scoring defense in league play (25.4 points per game), while topping the field in red zone defense with 23 scores allowed on 33 tries.
Some Guys To Watch
Oklahoma State has had its fair share of star power over the last few seasons with four national award winners and 14 first-team All-America selections under Mike Gundy. The 2012 squad includes several players that could contribute to that recent trophy run.
• Junior running back Joseph Randle is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Doak Walker, Walter Camp and Maxwell awards.
• Senior corner Brodrick Brown is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Thorpe, Nagurski, Lott and Bednarik awards.
• Senior specialist Quinn Sharp is a preseason candidate for the Groza and Guy awards.
• Senior offensive lineman Lane Taylor is a member of the 2012 Outland Trophy watch list.
Starting With Starts
Oklahoma State's 2012 roster features 22 players with starting experience, including 12 who have started at least 10 games. The longest string of consecutive starts belongs to Brodrick Brown with 27. His streak dates back to the Cotton Bowl in January of 2010. Lane Taylor tops all Cowboys with 36 career starts. Some other starting notes:
• The projected starting offensive line has a combined 57 career starts with three players having at least five career starts under their belt.
• The first-team linebackers have 44 career starts. Entering 2011, that trio had six career starts - all by Shaun Lewis.
• The secondary has 53 combined starts.
• The Cowboy defensive line has a total of 30 career starts.
• OSU's receiving corps has 26 career starts, including two by tight end Justin Horton.
• The secondary will be breaking in just one new starter in safety Shamiel Gary, the transfer from Wyoming.
New Starts
Based on the latest depth chart (which could change by game day), Oklahoma State will have several new starters in the lineup against Savannah State. That list includes quarterback Wes Lunt, center Evan Epstein, defensive end Ryan Robinson, safety Shamiel Gary, receivers Josh Stewart and Blake Jackson, defensive end Ryan Robinson, defensive tackles Calvin Barnett and James Castleman, and offensive linemen Daniel Koenig and Evan Epstein.
The Depth Chart
Oklahoma State's first two-deep of the season includes 53 position players (accounting for starters at tight end and fullback, a couple of either/ors and one player listed second at two positions). There are some numbers worth noting for the first week.
• The junior class leads the way with 19 players on the two-deep. Also included are 12 seniors, nine sophomores, eight redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen.
• Only four players listed as a 2012 starter were in the starting lineup for the 2010 Alamo Bowl (Jonathan Rush, Lane Taylor, Brodrick Brown, Shaun Lewis).
• Twelve players listed as starters against Savannah State were in the starting lineup for last year's opener against Louisiana (including fullback Kye Staley).
• A name to learn is Jeremy Seaton, a redshirt freshman walkon from Cashion. He's listed second at fullback and tight end on the first depth chart.
Seniors Among Seniors
Four members of the OSU roster enter 2012 with a college degree in hand. Center Evan Epstein has a degree in business management. Receiver Isaiah Anderson has earned his degree in education, defensive lineman Cooper Bassett has a degree in health promotion and holder Wes Harlan has a degree in business marketing.
Speaking Lunt-ly
The new starter that has gained the most attention during fall camp is true freshman quarterback Wes Lunt. The Rochester, Ill., native will become the first true freshman quarterback to start an OSU season opener since at least 1950. Records get a little sketchy before that decade. The last true freshman QB to start a game at any point during a season was Tone Jones in 1993. The most successful true freshman season in OSU history was turned in by Mike Gundy. He became a freshman All-American and set an NCAA record with 118 pass attempts to start a career without throwing an interception.
Opening Acts
Oklahoma State is 65-40-5 all-time in season openers, including 6-1 under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys haven't dropped a season opener since a 2007 loss at Georgia. In home openers, OSU has an all-time record of 77-28-5. OSU has won a school-record 16 straight home openers, dating back to 1995 against Nebraska (the first game for then-OSU head coach Bob Simmons).
• OSU is 23-4 in September under Mike Gundy.
• OSU is 23-4 in regular-season non-conference games under Mike Gundy.
• In seven season openers under Gundy, OSU is averaging 38.6 points per game.
• OSU has scored 61 and 65 points in its last two openers.
• In home openers since 2006, the Cowboys are averaging 50.0 points per game.
Stadium Numbers
Oklahoma State has won six straight home games after going undefeated at Boone Pickens Stadium in 2011. It was OSU's first undefeated home season since 1984 and just the 11th in school history. The school record for consecutive home wins is 10 (from Sept. 21, 2002 until Oct. 18, 2003).
At The Box Office
Oklahoma State football is coming off its best season ever at the box office. OSU set a school record in 2011 with 48,714 season tickets sold and set another record with an average attendance of 57,229. Those records could be short-lived. At this writing, Oklahoma State had sold more than 44,000 season tickets for 2012 with the students in the midst of their biggest buying binge of the year.
Series Talk
Oklahoma State and Savannah State are meeting for the first time. In fact, Oklahoma State is playing a member of the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for the first time.
Home In The Polls
Oklahoma State opens the 2012 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches' poll. At no time in its history has Oklahoma State been more visible in the national polls than during the Mike Gundy era.
• The season opener against Savannah State will mark OSU's 23rd straight game as a member of the AP top 25.
• OSU has been in the preseason AP top 25 just five times in its history, including this season. However, 2012 marks the third time in four seasons Oklahoma State has accomplished the feat. OSU has debuted in the top 10 twice, checking at No. 9 in 2009 and 2011.
• Including the 2012 season opener, OSU has been ranked by AP in 45 of its last 49 games. In 29 of those games, the Cowboys have been in the top 15.
• In 2010, the Cowboys finished No. 10 in the USA Today poll and in 2011 OSU was third in the final AP and USA Today balloting. Prior to the past two seasons, OSU had not closed a season in the top 10 of a major poll since 1984 (seventh).
• The highest the Cowboys have been ranked under Gundy, and in program history, came in the Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 polls of last season when OSU peaked at No. 2 in the two major polls.
• Under Gundy, OSU is 33-11 as a member of the top 25.
• Under Gundy, OSU has spent 24 weeks (including weeks in which OSU was idle) in the top 10. Prior to Gundy, OSU had spent just 25 weeks in the top 10 of the AP poll in its history.
Streaking In Stillwater
OSU will carry several team and individual streaks into the new season.
• OSU has had a scoring drive of less than two minutes in 26 straight games.
• OSU has forced at least two turnovers in 11 straight games.
• The OSU defense has intercepted a pass in 11 straight games, dating back to last season's 37-14 win over Arizona.
• OSU has scored at least 37 points in 13 straight home games and has been held below 40 points just twice in its last 13 home games.
Careers To Watch
Oklahoma State heads into 2012 with a proven roster, despite what you might hear. As a result, the season opener is a good time to check in on where the current Cowboys rank on OSU's all-time lists.
• Running back Joseph Randle enters the season 25th all-time at OSU with 1,668 rushing yards.
• Randle is No. 8 all-time with 26 rushing touchdowns.
• Receiver Tracy Moore enters the season No. 21 all-time with 1,067 receiving yards.
• Justin Gilbert is No. 3 all-time at OSU with 1,401 kickoff return yards.
New O-Line Look
The Oklahoma State offensive line will look different in 2012. But it will also look the same. Gone are four starters from last season, but back are three players with starting experience at OSU. Guard Lane Taylor leads the squad with 36 career starts. Jonathan Rush was a starter in 2010 and the first four games of 2011 before being sidelined due to injury. He's back to man the other guard spot. Tackle Parker Graham started four games last season at right tackle and two on the left side. The other tackle spot looks to belong to Daniel Koenig. The youngest of three Koenig brothers to play for OSU, he will be making his first career start, although he has seen action on special teams and in "heavy" formations. The center spot will be manned by fifth-year senior Evan Epstein. The Air Force transfer will be making his first career start as well.
What's Missing
OSU is looking to replace the Big 12's offensive lineman of the year in departed senior center Grant Garner, as well as All-America tackle Levy Adcock and do-everything guard/tackle Nick Martinez. All three of those players were two-year starters and all three are in NFL camps at this writing.
Taylor-Made
For the second time in his career, guard Lane Taylor is the foundation of a completely rebuilt offensive line. Taylor became one of the big stories in 2009 when he came from off of the depth chart to earn a starting spot at guard. In 2010, he was the only returning starter for a young Cowboy team that went on to finish 11-2 and earn a co-championship in the Big 12 South. And in 2012, he is once again the only returning starter from the previous season.
The Circle Of Trust
Since the beginning of the 2007, the Oklahoma State offensive line has been among the most productive in the country. OSU is third nationally in fewest sacks allowed over the last five years with 61. OSU has allowed more than 12 sacks in a season just once in that stretch. Three of the teams in the top five of the category are service academies. None of those schools ever attempted for more than 380 passes in a season. Last year, OSU attempted 595 passes.
The New Crew
It's been well documented what the Cowboys have lost in the receiving department. OSU will be replacing 264 receptions out of 429 total catches last season. That departed group accounted for 3,158 of OSU's 5,034 receiving yards. In Justin Blackmon (second) and Josh Cooper (eighth), OSU lost two of the top eight receivers in OSU history. However, the cupboard is not empty.
• Tracy Moore was third on the squad last season with 45 catches. He was also third with 672 receiving yards and tied for second on the squad with four TD catches. Moore averaged 14.9 yards per catch last season as compared to Blackmon's 12.9-yard average and Cooper's 10.1 mark.
• Running back Joseph Randle was fourth on the team with 43 catches (covering 266 yards). He has already accumulated 693 receiving yards in his career.
• Senior Isaiah Anderson is coming off his best season with 28 catches, 315 yards and four touchdowns.
• Josh Stewart had 19 catches for 291 yards in 2011 as a true freshman and averaged 15.3 yards per reception.
Keep An Eye On...
Returning receiver Charlie Moore, who is coming off a big spring and transfer Blake Jackson, figure to help lead the new-look Cowboy receiving corps. A true freshman, C.J. Curry, is also listed on the first depth chart of the season, as is fellow rookie pass catcher Blake Webb.
Smith And Randle
We will just go ahead and state that, in the humble opinion of us, the best college running back combination in history is Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas. Both are members of the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The current combo of Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle may not be ready for Canton, but together, they became one of the best duos in OSU history in 2011.
• Together, Smith and Randle rushed for 1,826 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. Combined they averaged 6.2 yards per rush.
• Entering their junior seasons, the two have combined for 2,736 career rushing yards.
• Smith averaged eight carries per game last season, but averaged 7.1 yards per rush and had runs of 74 and 63 yards.
• Randle's 24 rushing touchdowns last season were the third best total in the country. He was seventh in the Big 12 last year in all-purpose yards, despite not being involved in the return game.
The Young Influence
OSU defensive coordinator and alum Bill Young is beginning his fourth season at Oklahoma State (he shares the defensive coordinator title with Glenn Spencer). In his first three seasons, OSU has gone 32-7, including 20-5 in Big 12 play. And while the Cowboy defense is still evolving, his influence is clear in one very important area: turnovers. In Young's three seasons back in Stillwater, the Cowboys have finished No. 11, No. 5 and No. 1 nationally in turnovers forced.
Three Years And Triple Digits
Oklahoma State's turnover trend, which drew its share of national publicity a season ago, is much more than a one-year phenomenon. Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has forced 108 turnovers -- 17 more than runner-up Oregon forced over the same time frame.
Defense Means D-Lowe
The Oklahoma State defense returns plenty of experience from 2011, including the ringleader in safety Daytawion Lowe. The junior led the Cowboys and finished No. 13 in the Big 12 last season with 97 tackles. He was sixth in the Big 12 and tied for the OSU team lead with three forced fumbles.
Corner Men
Oklahoma State has a dynamic duo at cornerback in senior Brodrick Brown and junior Justin Gilbert. Brown is a returning first-team All-Big 12 corner and is mentioned on three preseason watch lists. Gilbert is a returning starter (and Fiesta Bowl MVP) with physical tools that would make most college football players envious. Together, Brown and Gilbert put up impressive numbers a year ago.
• They combined to pick off 10 passes last season, the second best total by any duo in the country. Their five picks each tied them No. 14 in America (individually speaking).
• They also combined to break up 25 passes (15 by Brown and 10 by Gilbert).
• Brown finished third in the country a year ago with 20 passes defended. Gilbert was No. 30 in that category with 25.
Three Of A Different Kind
Oklahoma State returns all three starting linebackers from a year ago. The trio of Shaun Lewis, Caleb Lavey and Alex Elkins has combined for 44 career starts. Lewis and Lavey started every game last year while Elkins missed just the Tulsa game after suffering an injury against Arizona. The three players are indeed a team as each player brings something different to the table.
• Shaun Lewis is the most experienced as he enters his third year as a starter. The former freshman All-American is an absolute playmaker. In 19 career starts, Lewis has five interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and he has scored two defensive touchdowns.
• Lavey is the cerebral leader of the team in the middle of the OSU defense. He's the Cowboy player always in the right place at the right time. With one year as a starter under his belt, he is likely to take a step forward in 2012.
• Elkins is the best athlete of the trio with the combination of size and speed that gets him noticed. Despite being a returning senior starter, he is still short of actual football experience. He continues to get better with repetitions. He was second on the team a year ago with 90 tackles.
The Front Wall
The OSU defensive line will be an interesting unit to watch this season. There are 30 career starts returning to the unit, but with old faces in news places and new faces in the lineup, the Cowboys will head into the opener with no returning starts in regards to the same position as a year ago.
• Defensive end Nigel Nicholas has started 16 games to lead the team. However, all of his career starts have been inside. In 2012, he is back at defensive end, where he started his career and where he has never started a game. He shares a position with Cooper Bassett, who last started a game in 2009 (at tight end).
• Tackle Anthony Rogers has nine career starts at tackle. However, he is currently second on the depth chart behind true sophomore James Castleman, who will be looking to make his first career start.
• Junior college transfer Calvin Barnett appears to have locked down a tackle spot and senior Ryan Robinson figures to get the first start of his career this season on the outside.
• Coming off the bench are tackles Christian Littlehead and Davidell Collins. Littlehead has four career starts and Collins has been an important reserve.
Sharp Performances
Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has had a Ray Guy Award winner (Matt Fodge in 2008) and a Lou Groza Award winner (Dan Bailey in 2010). In senior Quinn Sharp, the Cowboys could have the best of both worlds. Sharp is a legitimate contender for both national awards in 2012 (he has already been a semifinalist for each).
• Sharp is the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year.
• He has already earned first-team All-America honors as both a punter and a kicker (in two different seasons).
• A year ago, Sharp was third nationally with a punting average of 46.3 yards and he was seventh nationally in field goal percentage (22-of-25).
• Sharp was fifth nationally a year ago in scoring (11.5 ppg) and tops among America's kickers.
• Sharp has led the country's kickers in all three seasons on kickoff touchbacks.
The Rest Of The Story
OSU returns the heart and soul of its special teams units. Along with Sharp, OSU returns holder Wes Harlan, and snappers Connor Sinko (field goals) and Andrew Suter (punts).
Justin Served
Along with his standout work on defense, junior Justin Gilbert is well established as a return man. He enters the season tied for the NCAA lead (among active players) with four career kick returns for touchdowns. His career average of 26.9 is fifth among returning players. He is also tied for the OSU career lead with his four returns for scores.
Uniform Note
Oklahoma State sported a new look in 2011 - actually 13 new looks. OSU partnered with Nike to play in Nike Pro Combat uniforms. OSU has its choice of 48 different combinations with helmets of white, black and gray, jerseys of black, gray and orange (for home games), and pants that are black, white, orange or gray. A player panel has made the game selections for the 2012 entire season.
Talent: Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen National Radio: None
Booth: N/A Sideline: N/A Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 138
2012 Starts Now
The Oklahoma State Cowboys begin their 111th season of college football on Sept. 1 when Savannah State visits Stillwater for the first time. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox College Sports. Kevin Eschenfelder will call the action. ND Kalu, former Rice Owl and Houston Texan, will provide analysis. Erin Bajackson will have sideline duty. What To Watch For
Some things to keep an eye on early in 2012...
• OSU will unveil a true freshman quarterback in Rochester, Ill., native Wes Lunt.
• The Cowboys lost four starters in the offensive line, but return three players with starting experience for 2012. The new-look line has a tradition to maintain.
• The Cowboys led the nation last season with 44 forced turnovers and have finished in the top 11 nationally in that category in three straight seasons. Bill Young's fourth defense will attempt to continue the streak.
• The Cowboys are replacing a pair of NFL first-round draft picks in quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon.
• It's no secret the OSU coaching staff is big on its linebackers. Three starters return for a unit that will be expected to carry the load for the Cowboy defense.
• OSU's starting cornerback tandem of junior Justin Gilbert and senior Brodrick Brown has been ranked by ESPN as the second best duo in the country.
• Look for a host of new receivers to touch the ball as the Cowboys make up for the loss of Blackmon, Josh Cooper and Hubert Anyiam.
• Running back Joseph Randle rushed for an astounding 24 touchdowns last season and averaged 5.85 yards per carry as a sophomore. He'll enter his junior season as one of the nation's top running backs.
• OSU will break in a pair of new starters at defensive end as Richetti Jones and All-Big 12 pick Jamie Blatnick have graduated.
• Quinn Sharp is back as the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year. He is a legitimate threat for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards.
The Throne Room
For the first time since 1977, Oklahoma State enters a season defending a conference title. The Cowboys claimed the Big 12 championship last year with an 8-1 conference record. The 12-1 season included a Fiesta Bowl victory over No. 4 Stanford. OSU concluded the year with its highest finish ever in the Associated Press, coaches' poll, and BCS Standings (third in all three). Oklahoma State just missed an appearance in the national championship game as Alabama edged out OSU for the second spot in BCS national championship game by the closest margin (between second and third) in the history of the process.
Winning Ways
The 2011 season was the latest in one of the best runs in OSU history. Consider:
• Over the last two seasons OSU has won 23 games, which is one win shy from tying for the nation's top total during that time.
• OSU has won 32 games over the last three seasons for America's sixth best total since 2009.
• Since 2008, the Cowboys have 41 wins for the seventh best total in the country.
• Oklahoma State, Alabama and Oregon are the only three "BCS" schools in the country with at least nine wins over each of the last four seasons (not including TCU, which was competing in the Mountain West Conference at the time).
• Since 2009, Oklahoma State's 20-5 conference record is the best in the Big 12.
• Since 2007, Oklahoma State is No. 11 in the cumulative BCS Standings, according to CBS.
Schedule Overview
Oklahoma State will face a challenging 2012 schedule, which, at this point, is redundant. According to the NCAA, which ranks its schedules based on cumulative opposition, OSU faced the nation's fourth toughest schedule a year ago. In 2012...
• OSU will face eight bowl teams from 2011, including six bowl champions.
• The Cowboys will play three teams that won 2011 conference titles (Louisiana, TCU, West Virginia).
• Oklahoma State will battle five teams that won 10 games a year ago and a sixth (Louisiana) that won nine games.
• Five OSU opponents (all Big 12 teams) are ranked in the preseason AP top 25.
Gundy In Perspective
Head coach Mike Gundy enters his eighth season as head coach at his alma mater. He is 59-30 after seven seasons and is the reigning national coach of the year (Paul "Bear" Bryant and Eddie Robinson awards) and he was named as the 2010 Big 12 coach of the year.
• OSU was 12-15 under Gundy after 27 games, but has gone 47-15 since then, including a 32-7 record over the last three seasons and 23-3 over the last two campaigns.
• Gundy's 59 wins at OSU rank second all-time behind only Gundy's college coach, Pat Jones (62-60-3).
• Perhaps the most impressive part of Gundy's tenure at OSU is that he has built the program with three different offensive coordinators and three different defensive coordinators. Three of his former assistants have left Oklahoma State to become head coaches (Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, Larry Fedora at Southern Miss and now North Carolina, and Tim Beckman at Toledo and now Illinois).
• Under Gundy, OSU has gone to six straight bowl games (an OSU first) and won at least seven games in six straight seasons (another school first) and at least nine games in four straight seasons (yet another first).
• The 23 wins over the last two seasons are most ever by OSU in a two-year stretch.
• Under Gundy, OSU has reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for a school-best four straight seasons.
Gundy's Tenure
Mike Gundy is just the fifth coach in Oklahoma State history to reach his eighth season as the Cowboy head coach and the first to do it since Pat Jones coached his 11th and final season in 1994. Only Gundy, Jones and Cliff Speegle have coached at least eight years at the school in the post-World War II era. Gundy's tenure is now the fifth longest in the new Big 12.
Stat Review
On the brink of the 2012 season, a quick look at some of OSU's most interesting statistics from 2011:
• OSU's average of 387.2 passing yards per game was second nationally.
• OSU was third in total offense (545.85 yards per game).
• OSU was second nationally in scoring (48.69 ppg).
• OSU was sixth nationally with an average of 25.9 first downs per game.
• OSU was eighth in third-down percentage with a conversion rate of 48.9 percent.
• The Cowboys finished No. 11 in red-zone offense (73 scores on 82 opportunities).
• The Cowboys led the nation (tied with Michigan) with 20 fumbles recovered.
• The Cowboy defense finished second with 24 picks last season.
• OSU easily led the nation with 44 forced turnovers.
• OSU was No. 12 nationally in red zone defense, allowing 35 scores in 48 chances.
• OSU's turnover margin of plus-1.62 led the country.
Chart Toppers
In conference play last season, OSU easily led the Big 12 in scoring with 48.3 points per league game. It may come as a surprise, however, to note that OSU also led the Big 12 in scoring defense in league play (25.4 points per game), while topping the field in red zone defense with 23 scores allowed on 33 tries.
Some Guys To Watch
Oklahoma State has had its fair share of star power over the last few seasons with four national award winners and 14 first-team All-America selections under Mike Gundy. The 2012 squad includes several players that could contribute to that recent trophy run.
• Junior running back Joseph Randle is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Doak Walker, Walter Camp and Maxwell awards.
• Senior corner Brodrick Brown is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Thorpe, Nagurski, Lott and Bednarik awards.
• Senior specialist Quinn Sharp is a preseason candidate for the Groza and Guy awards.
• Senior offensive lineman Lane Taylor is a member of the 2012 Outland Trophy watch list.
Starting With Starts
Oklahoma State's 2012 roster features 22 players with starting experience, including 12 who have started at least 10 games. The longest string of consecutive starts belongs to Brodrick Brown with 27. His streak dates back to the Cotton Bowl in January of 2010. Lane Taylor tops all Cowboys with 36 career starts. Some other starting notes:
• The projected starting offensive line has a combined 57 career starts with three players having at least five career starts under their belt.
• The first-team linebackers have 44 career starts. Entering 2011, that trio had six career starts - all by Shaun Lewis.
• The secondary has 53 combined starts.
• The Cowboy defensive line has a total of 30 career starts.
• OSU's receiving corps has 26 career starts, including two by tight end Justin Horton.
• The secondary will be breaking in just one new starter in safety Shamiel Gary, the transfer from Wyoming.
New Starts
Based on the latest depth chart (which could change by game day), Oklahoma State will have several new starters in the lineup against Savannah State. That list includes quarterback Wes Lunt, center Evan Epstein, defensive end Ryan Robinson, safety Shamiel Gary, receivers Josh Stewart and Blake Jackson, defensive end Ryan Robinson, defensive tackles Calvin Barnett and James Castleman, and offensive linemen Daniel Koenig and Evan Epstein.
The Depth Chart
Oklahoma State's first two-deep of the season includes 53 position players (accounting for starters at tight end and fullback, a couple of either/ors and one player listed second at two positions). There are some numbers worth noting for the first week.
• The junior class leads the way with 19 players on the two-deep. Also included are 12 seniors, nine sophomores, eight redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen.
• Only four players listed as a 2012 starter were in the starting lineup for the 2010 Alamo Bowl (Jonathan Rush, Lane Taylor, Brodrick Brown, Shaun Lewis).
• Twelve players listed as starters against Savannah State were in the starting lineup for last year's opener against Louisiana (including fullback Kye Staley).
• A name to learn is Jeremy Seaton, a redshirt freshman walkon from Cashion. He's listed second at fullback and tight end on the first depth chart.
Seniors Among Seniors
Four members of the OSU roster enter 2012 with a college degree in hand. Center Evan Epstein has a degree in business management. Receiver Isaiah Anderson has earned his degree in education, defensive lineman Cooper Bassett has a degree in health promotion and holder Wes Harlan has a degree in business marketing.
Speaking Lunt-ly
The new starter that has gained the most attention during fall camp is true freshman quarterback Wes Lunt. The Rochester, Ill., native will become the first true freshman quarterback to start an OSU season opener since at least 1950. Records get a little sketchy before that decade. The last true freshman QB to start a game at any point during a season was Tone Jones in 1993. The most successful true freshman season in OSU history was turned in by Mike Gundy. He became a freshman All-American and set an NCAA record with 118 pass attempts to start a career without throwing an interception.
Opening Acts
Oklahoma State is 65-40-5 all-time in season openers, including 6-1 under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys haven't dropped a season opener since a 2007 loss at Georgia. In home openers, OSU has an all-time record of 77-28-5. OSU has won a school-record 16 straight home openers, dating back to 1995 against Nebraska (the first game for then-OSU head coach Bob Simmons).
• OSU is 23-4 in September under Mike Gundy.
• OSU is 23-4 in regular-season non-conference games under Mike Gundy.
• In seven season openers under Gundy, OSU is averaging 38.6 points per game.
• OSU has scored 61 and 65 points in its last two openers.
• In home openers since 2006, the Cowboys are averaging 50.0 points per game.
Stadium Numbers
Oklahoma State has won six straight home games after going undefeated at Boone Pickens Stadium in 2011. It was OSU's first undefeated home season since 1984 and just the 11th in school history. The school record for consecutive home wins is 10 (from Sept. 21, 2002 until Oct. 18, 2003).
At The Box Office
Oklahoma State football is coming off its best season ever at the box office. OSU set a school record in 2011 with 48,714 season tickets sold and set another record with an average attendance of 57,229. Those records could be short-lived. At this writing, Oklahoma State had sold more than 44,000 season tickets for 2012 with the students in the midst of their biggest buying binge of the year.
Series Talk
Oklahoma State and Savannah State are meeting for the first time. In fact, Oklahoma State is playing a member of the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for the first time.
Home In The Polls
Oklahoma State opens the 2012 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches' poll. At no time in its history has Oklahoma State been more visible in the national polls than during the Mike Gundy era.
• The season opener against Savannah State will mark OSU's 23rd straight game as a member of the AP top 25.
• OSU has been in the preseason AP top 25 just five times in its history, including this season. However, 2012 marks the third time in four seasons Oklahoma State has accomplished the feat. OSU has debuted in the top 10 twice, checking at No. 9 in 2009 and 2011.
• Including the 2012 season opener, OSU has been ranked by AP in 45 of its last 49 games. In 29 of those games, the Cowboys have been in the top 15.
• In 2010, the Cowboys finished No. 10 in the USA Today poll and in 2011 OSU was third in the final AP and USA Today balloting. Prior to the past two seasons, OSU had not closed a season in the top 10 of a major poll since 1984 (seventh).
• The highest the Cowboys have been ranked under Gundy, and in program history, came in the Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 polls of last season when OSU peaked at No. 2 in the two major polls.
• Under Gundy, OSU is 33-11 as a member of the top 25.
• Under Gundy, OSU has spent 24 weeks (including weeks in which OSU was idle) in the top 10. Prior to Gundy, OSU had spent just 25 weeks in the top 10 of the AP poll in its history.
Streaking In Stillwater
OSU will carry several team and individual streaks into the new season.
• OSU has had a scoring drive of less than two minutes in 26 straight games.
• OSU has forced at least two turnovers in 11 straight games.
• The OSU defense has intercepted a pass in 11 straight games, dating back to last season's 37-14 win over Arizona.
• OSU has scored at least 37 points in 13 straight home games and has been held below 40 points just twice in its last 13 home games.
Careers To Watch
Oklahoma State heads into 2012 with a proven roster, despite what you might hear. As a result, the season opener is a good time to check in on where the current Cowboys rank on OSU's all-time lists.
• Running back Joseph Randle enters the season 25th all-time at OSU with 1,668 rushing yards.
• Randle is No. 8 all-time with 26 rushing touchdowns.
• Receiver Tracy Moore enters the season No. 21 all-time with 1,067 receiving yards.
• Justin Gilbert is No. 3 all-time at OSU with 1,401 kickoff return yards.
New O-Line Look
The Oklahoma State offensive line will look different in 2012. But it will also look the same. Gone are four starters from last season, but back are three players with starting experience at OSU. Guard Lane Taylor leads the squad with 36 career starts. Jonathan Rush was a starter in 2010 and the first four games of 2011 before being sidelined due to injury. He's back to man the other guard spot. Tackle Parker Graham started four games last season at right tackle and two on the left side. The other tackle spot looks to belong to Daniel Koenig. The youngest of three Koenig brothers to play for OSU, he will be making his first career start, although he has seen action on special teams and in "heavy" formations. The center spot will be manned by fifth-year senior Evan Epstein. The Air Force transfer will be making his first career start as well.
What's Missing
OSU is looking to replace the Big 12's offensive lineman of the year in departed senior center Grant Garner, as well as All-America tackle Levy Adcock and do-everything guard/tackle Nick Martinez. All three of those players were two-year starters and all three are in NFL camps at this writing.
Taylor-Made
For the second time in his career, guard Lane Taylor is the foundation of a completely rebuilt offensive line. Taylor became one of the big stories in 2009 when he came from off of the depth chart to earn a starting spot at guard. In 2010, he was the only returning starter for a young Cowboy team that went on to finish 11-2 and earn a co-championship in the Big 12 South. And in 2012, he is once again the only returning starter from the previous season.
The Circle Of Trust
Since the beginning of the 2007, the Oklahoma State offensive line has been among the most productive in the country. OSU is third nationally in fewest sacks allowed over the last five years with 61. OSU has allowed more than 12 sacks in a season just once in that stretch. Three of the teams in the top five of the category are service academies. None of those schools ever attempted for more than 380 passes in a season. Last year, OSU attempted 595 passes.
The New Crew
It's been well documented what the Cowboys have lost in the receiving department. OSU will be replacing 264 receptions out of 429 total catches last season. That departed group accounted for 3,158 of OSU's 5,034 receiving yards. In Justin Blackmon (second) and Josh Cooper (eighth), OSU lost two of the top eight receivers in OSU history. However, the cupboard is not empty.
• Tracy Moore was third on the squad last season with 45 catches. He was also third with 672 receiving yards and tied for second on the squad with four TD catches. Moore averaged 14.9 yards per catch last season as compared to Blackmon's 12.9-yard average and Cooper's 10.1 mark.
• Running back Joseph Randle was fourth on the team with 43 catches (covering 266 yards). He has already accumulated 693 receiving yards in his career.
• Senior Isaiah Anderson is coming off his best season with 28 catches, 315 yards and four touchdowns.
• Josh Stewart had 19 catches for 291 yards in 2011 as a true freshman and averaged 15.3 yards per reception.
Keep An Eye On...
Returning receiver Charlie Moore, who is coming off a big spring and transfer Blake Jackson, figure to help lead the new-look Cowboy receiving corps. A true freshman, C.J. Curry, is also listed on the first depth chart of the season, as is fellow rookie pass catcher Blake Webb.
Smith And Randle
We will just go ahead and state that, in the humble opinion of us, the best college running back combination in history is Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas. Both are members of the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The current combo of Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle may not be ready for Canton, but together, they became one of the best duos in OSU history in 2011.
• Together, Smith and Randle rushed for 1,826 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. Combined they averaged 6.2 yards per rush.
• Entering their junior seasons, the two have combined for 2,736 career rushing yards.
• Smith averaged eight carries per game last season, but averaged 7.1 yards per rush and had runs of 74 and 63 yards.
• Randle's 24 rushing touchdowns last season were the third best total in the country. He was seventh in the Big 12 last year in all-purpose yards, despite not being involved in the return game.
The Young Influence
OSU defensive coordinator and alum Bill Young is beginning his fourth season at Oklahoma State (he shares the defensive coordinator title with Glenn Spencer). In his first three seasons, OSU has gone 32-7, including 20-5 in Big 12 play. And while the Cowboy defense is still evolving, his influence is clear in one very important area: turnovers. In Young's three seasons back in Stillwater, the Cowboys have finished No. 11, No. 5 and No. 1 nationally in turnovers forced.
Three Years And Triple Digits
Oklahoma State's turnover trend, which drew its share of national publicity a season ago, is much more than a one-year phenomenon. Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has forced 108 turnovers -- 17 more than runner-up Oregon forced over the same time frame.
Defense Means D-Lowe
The Oklahoma State defense returns plenty of experience from 2011, including the ringleader in safety Daytawion Lowe. The junior led the Cowboys and finished No. 13 in the Big 12 last season with 97 tackles. He was sixth in the Big 12 and tied for the OSU team lead with three forced fumbles.
Corner Men
Oklahoma State has a dynamic duo at cornerback in senior Brodrick Brown and junior Justin Gilbert. Brown is a returning first-team All-Big 12 corner and is mentioned on three preseason watch lists. Gilbert is a returning starter (and Fiesta Bowl MVP) with physical tools that would make most college football players envious. Together, Brown and Gilbert put up impressive numbers a year ago.
• They combined to pick off 10 passes last season, the second best total by any duo in the country. Their five picks each tied them No. 14 in America (individually speaking).
• They also combined to break up 25 passes (15 by Brown and 10 by Gilbert).
• Brown finished third in the country a year ago with 20 passes defended. Gilbert was No. 30 in that category with 25.
Three Of A Different Kind
Oklahoma State returns all three starting linebackers from a year ago. The trio of Shaun Lewis, Caleb Lavey and Alex Elkins has combined for 44 career starts. Lewis and Lavey started every game last year while Elkins missed just the Tulsa game after suffering an injury against Arizona. The three players are indeed a team as each player brings something different to the table.
• Shaun Lewis is the most experienced as he enters his third year as a starter. The former freshman All-American is an absolute playmaker. In 19 career starts, Lewis has five interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and he has scored two defensive touchdowns.
• Lavey is the cerebral leader of the team in the middle of the OSU defense. He's the Cowboy player always in the right place at the right time. With one year as a starter under his belt, he is likely to take a step forward in 2012.
• Elkins is the best athlete of the trio with the combination of size and speed that gets him noticed. Despite being a returning senior starter, he is still short of actual football experience. He continues to get better with repetitions. He was second on the team a year ago with 90 tackles.
The Front Wall
The OSU defensive line will be an interesting unit to watch this season. There are 30 career starts returning to the unit, but with old faces in news places and new faces in the lineup, the Cowboys will head into the opener with no returning starts in regards to the same position as a year ago.
• Defensive end Nigel Nicholas has started 16 games to lead the team. However, all of his career starts have been inside. In 2012, he is back at defensive end, where he started his career and where he has never started a game. He shares a position with Cooper Bassett, who last started a game in 2009 (at tight end).
• Tackle Anthony Rogers has nine career starts at tackle. However, he is currently second on the depth chart behind true sophomore James Castleman, who will be looking to make his first career start.
• Junior college transfer Calvin Barnett appears to have locked down a tackle spot and senior Ryan Robinson figures to get the first start of his career this season on the outside.
• Coming off the bench are tackles Christian Littlehead and Davidell Collins. Littlehead has four career starts and Collins has been an important reserve.
Sharp Performances
Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has had a Ray Guy Award winner (Matt Fodge in 2008) and a Lou Groza Award winner (Dan Bailey in 2010). In senior Quinn Sharp, the Cowboys could have the best of both worlds. Sharp is a legitimate contender for both national awards in 2012 (he has already been a semifinalist for each).
• Sharp is the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year.
• He has already earned first-team All-America honors as both a punter and a kicker (in two different seasons).
• A year ago, Sharp was third nationally with a punting average of 46.3 yards and he was seventh nationally in field goal percentage (22-of-25).
• Sharp was fifth nationally a year ago in scoring (11.5 ppg) and tops among America's kickers.
• Sharp has led the country's kickers in all three seasons on kickoff touchbacks.
The Rest Of The Story
OSU returns the heart and soul of its special teams units. Along with Sharp, OSU returns holder Wes Harlan, and snappers Connor Sinko (field goals) and Andrew Suter (punts).
Justin Served
Along with his standout work on defense, junior Justin Gilbert is well established as a return man. He enters the season tied for the NCAA lead (among active players) with four career kick returns for touchdowns. His career average of 26.9 is fifth among returning players. He is also tied for the OSU career lead with his four returns for scores.
Uniform Note
Oklahoma State sported a new look in 2011 - actually 13 new looks. OSU partnered with Nike to play in Nike Pro Combat uniforms. OSU has its choice of 48 different combinations with helmets of white, black and gray, jerseys of black, gray and orange (for home games), and pants that are black, white, orange or gray. A player panel has made the game selections for the 2012 entire season.
Alabama A&M notebook: Five A&M games on TV
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2012 football broadcast schedule and five Alabama A&M games will be televised either on ESPNU, SWAC-TV or ESPN3, league officials announced Wednesday.
A&M's SWAC opener at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 8 will be streamed on SWAC-TV, the league's internet broadcast site at 6 p.m.
Two weeks later, A&M's game at Texas Southern will be streamlined on SWAC-TV at 11 a.m.
A&M will host Grambling in a rematch of the SWAC championship game on Sept. 29 on ESPNU. Kickoff is 6 p.m., but the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis.
The Magic City Classic, which features A&M and Alabama State at Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 27, will be televised on ESPNU. Kickoff is 2:30, but the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis.
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A&M's SWAC opener at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 8 will be streamed on SWAC-TV, the league's internet broadcast site at 6 p.m.
Two weeks later, A&M's game at Texas Southern will be streamlined on SWAC-TV at 11 a.m.
A&M will host Grambling in a rematch of the SWAC championship game on Sept. 29 on ESPNU. Kickoff is 6 p.m., but the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis.
The Magic City Classic, which features A&M and Alabama State at Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 27, will be televised on ESPNU. Kickoff is 2:30, but the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis.
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With foreclosure looming Morris Brown College on the brink
ATLANTA, Georgia -- For more than a decade, Morris Brown College has clung to life as it struggled academically and financially in the face of growing debt and dwindling support.
Now, one of the country's oldest black colleges, which at times boasted an enrollment of more than 3,000 student, is now down to about 50, and all but dead. Morris Brown is facing foreclosure next month, after investors called $13 million worth of bonds tied to the college. An auction of assets, including the administration building, is scheduled for Sept. 4.
"This is heartbreaking and not only a sad day in the life of Morris Brown, but in black academia," said former Atlanta City Councilman Derrick Boazman, a 1990 graduate of Morris Brown.
"The school is needed now more than ever." The school is planning to have a prayer vigil on Saturday, where they will 0ffer a plan to move the school forward.
Photos: Forlorn campus
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Now, one of the country's oldest black colleges, which at times boasted an enrollment of more than 3,000 student, is now down to about 50, and all but dead. Morris Brown is facing foreclosure next month, after investors called $13 million worth of bonds tied to the college. An auction of assets, including the administration building, is scheduled for Sept. 4.
"This is heartbreaking and not only a sad day in the life of Morris Brown, but in black academia," said former Atlanta City Councilman Derrick Boazman, a 1990 graduate of Morris Brown.
"The school is needed now more than ever." The school is planning to have a prayer vigil on Saturday, where they will 0ffer a plan to move the school forward.
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UTC Lady Mocs Host Alabama State on Sunday
UTC is 1-1 after splitting its season opening matches against Tennessee Temple and Tennessee Tech last weekend. Chattanooga scored a 6-0 win over the Crusaders on Friday, Aug. 17, but dropped a 2-0 match to the Golden Eagles on Sunday.
The Alabama State match will stream live on MocsVision on GoMocs.com. To sign up for the monthly subscription, or a one-time fee to watch just the Alabama State match, click here. Live stats will also be available on GoMocs.com. Admission is FREE to all home soccer matches at Finley Stadium and concession stands are open.
SCOUTING ALABAMA STATE
This will be the first time the Lady Mocs have faced Alabama State. ASU is located in Montgomery and the Lady Hornets compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Head coach Jodie Smith is in her sixth season at ASU.
Alabama State opened the 2012 campaign with a 5-3 loss at Troy. Freshman forward Anastasia McCleary is the current SWAC Player of the Week after scoring two goals in the loss. Alexandria Cannon is a native of Chattanooga and a sophomore forward for the Lady Hornets. ASU has 10 starters returning from a 2-17-1 record in 2011.
SENIOR BECCA SMITH CLIMBS UTC'S ALL-TIME RANKINGS
Senior Becca Smith (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) continues her ascent up the all-time scoring rankings at UTC. She scored a goal in Chattanooga's 6-0 win over Tennessee Temple on Friday, Aug. 19. That gives her 76 career points, trailing only Diana Jalo's (2002-05) 87 points in the UTC record book. Her 31 career goals are second to Jalo's 31 and her 14 career assists trail only Maya Peel's (2003-05) 18. Smith is a preseason All-Southern Conference selection after leading the league in scoring and goals with 37 points on 16 goals and five assists in 2011.
FRESHMEN HAVING A BIG IMPACT
The Lady Mocs have five freshmen in their starting lineup and they have had a big impact in the opening weekend. Newcomers scored five of the six goals, six of the seven assists and logged a shutout in the 6-0 win over Tennessee Temple. Midfielder Skylar Brewer (Farragut, Tenn.) led the way with two goals and assist in the win. Midfielder Clare Latham (Cordova, Tenn.) and forward Hannah Wyatt (Chattanooga, Tenn.) both added a goal and an assist each in the win. Goalkeeper Lauren Thomas (Germantown, Tenn.) recorded the shutout.
EXCELLENT IN THE CLASSROOM
The Lady Mocs have been outstanding in the classroom over the last three years. They have maintained at least a 3.0 team grade-point-average since the fall of 2009. During that span, at least 10 members of the team have made the Dean's List (3.2+ g.p.a.) each semester.
HEAD COACH J.D. KYZER
J.D. Kyzer is in this 13th season at Chattanooga and his 18th as a collegiate head coach. The 2003 SoCon Coach of the Year is the all-time winningest coach at UTC.
COURTESY: UTCGoMocs.com
Hall, new WSSU coach, not lacking confidence
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - A.G. Hall will step into his first head-coaching job with a firm belief in himself.
His message Wednesday, when he was introduced as the women's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, was simply: "We will get it done."
Hall, 37, will be charged with building a team that can contend for the CIAA title. He'll sign a four-year contract worth about $80,000 a year, athletics director Bill Hayes said.
"You look at all the programs here and what they've accomplished, and I know we have to fall in line and try to get there," said Hall, who played basketball at N.C. Central and who has spent 12 seasons as an assistant women's coach.
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His message Wednesday, when he was introduced as the women's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, was simply: "We will get it done."
Hall, 37, will be charged with building a team that can contend for the CIAA title. He'll sign a four-year contract worth about $80,000 a year, athletics director Bill Hayes said.
"You look at all the programs here and what they've accomplished, and I know we have to fall in line and try to get there," said Hall, who played basketball at N.C. Central and who has spent 12 seasons as an assistant women's coach.
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Howard football players declared ineligible for season-opening games
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Up to 14 Howard University football players have been declared ineligible to participate in season-opening games by the NCAA, the result of the organization’s continuing investigation into the student-athletes’ improper use of their textbook allowances.“Right now, it’s not a distraction,” Bison Coach Gary Harrell said Thursday. “We understand the situation. Whatever the ruling is, whatever the NCAA’s plan, we have our plan as well.”
The names or the exact number of the players who will miss time were not immediately made available by the school or the NCAA, but those players will miss one to three games, depending on the extent of the violation. Harrell said the affected players will be able to practice while they wait to regain eligibility.
Howard opens the season Sept. 1 against rival Morehouse at RFK Stadium.
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MSU Volleyball Opens Up 2012 Season This Weekend At Home In Battle At The Bay
BALTIMORE, Maryland - The Morgan State volleyball team will kick off its 2012 campaign this weekend (Aug. 24-25) when they host the Battle at the Bay tournament at Hill Field House. This will be the first year the Lady Bears will serve as host of the entire tournament and the third consecutive year Morgan State has served as host of at least one day.The two-day tournament, formerly known as the Battle of Baltimore, featured the Baltimore area's Division I schools (Coppin State, Loyola-Md., Morgan State, Towson and UMBC) for a weekend get together. The University of Maryland-College Park and the Naval Academy (Navy) in Annapolis have also participated in the event when it was known as the Battle of Maryland.
This year's tournament will welcome its first opponent from outside the state of Maryland, as St. John's will replace Loyola-Md. Morgan State is a combined 1-9 in this tournament dating back to 2009 with its lone victory coming at Navy (9/4/09).
The Battle at the Bay gets underway on Friday, August 24th at noon when Towson takes on UMBC. The host Lady Bears will take to the court for the first time in 2012, when they face St. John's at 2:30 p.m. The St. John's match will mark the first season-opener at home for Morgan State since the 2004 season. The second half of Day 1 competition will start back up at 5 p.m. when UMBC faces Coppin State and concludes with St. John's and Towson meeting at 7:30 p.m.
The Lady Bears return to the court on Saturday, August 25th, when they take on UMBC at 10 a.m. St. John's and Coppin State will meet at 12:30 p.m., while Coppin State will conclude its tournament play against Towson at 3 p.m. UMBC and St. John's will meet at 5:30 p.m. and Morgan State will face Towson at 8 p.m. to wrap up the tournament. Morgan State and fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe, Coppin State will not meet each other this weekend.
Last season the Lady Bears finished 10-19 overall, 8-4 in the MEAC good for second-place in the MEAC North Division. MSU head coach Ramona Riley-Bozier enters her 25th season at the helm of the Lady Bears' program and is 17 wins away from reaching 400.
COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Previewing The Oklahoma Sooners 2012 Schedule (Part 1 of 2)
EXCERPT:NORMAN, Oklahoma - The Oklahoma Sooners have shown over the past few seasons they are not afraid to play a tough schedule year in and year out, and 2012 is no exception. This season, the Sooners will take on six teams ranked in preseason polls, and eight teams that went to a bowl game in 2011. News9.com will be taking a look at the opponents for the Sooners this season in a two-part series. Here's a breakdown of each of the Sooners' opponents in the first half of the season.
9/8 Florida A&M
The Sooners' only FCS opponent in 2012 is coming off a 7-4 season in the MEAC last season. The Rattlers also return four all conference selections from the 2011 season. Offensively, the Rattlers return sophomore quarterback, who passed for over 1,600 yards last season as a true freshman. The top two running backs return as well Eddie Rocker and Al-Terek McBurse rushed for over 850 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Leading receiver Lenworth Lennon is back as well, but behind him is an unproven group of young receivers. Florida A&M will need several of them to step up if they want to make a run in the FCS playoffs this year. Defensively for the Rattlers, just three of the top eight tacklers from a year ago are returning, led by linebacker Brandon Hepburn, who made 63 tackles last season. The secondary should be a strong point, as both starters from a year ago return. Unfortunately for OU fans, the Florida A&M band is still suspended, so they won't be making the trip to Norman. Shame, because it most certainly would have been the most exciting part of the game.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Ashley Robinson named MVSU Athletic Director
ITTA BENA, Miss. -- Mississippi Valley State has hired Ashley Robinson to be its athletic director. Robinson returns to his alma mater, where he was a standout basketball player in the early 2000s. He was also the school's compliance director in 2007 and '08.He comes to MVSU after a three-year stint working in compliance and academic advising at Prairie View A&M.
Robinson will oversee a department that has one of the smallest budgets in NCAA Division I -- $3.2 million in 2011.
Robinson is a native of Jackson, Miss., and says in a statement he is "elated that this opportunity brought me back home to the place it all began. Mississippi Valley State is embedded in my pedigree and I look forward ...
TSU Tigers football host 2012 Media Day
HOUSTON, Texas - The Texas Southern Tigers football team held their annual media day on Saturday.TSU head football coach Darrell Asberry opened the event addressing a packed room of media members from local television, radio, and print journalism.“I fully understand the high expectations that members of the TSU family have for this football program,” stated Asberry. “As head football coach of this team it will be my main focus to make sure we live up to those high expectations and give Texas Southern University fans and supporters a team that they can be proud of on and off the field.”
Eight members of the Texas Southern football team fielded questions from media at the event. The message that definitely seems apparent from all members of the team that spoke is a great level of optimism for the road that lies ahead.
“We want to go out and prove everyone wrong that picked us to finish in last place in our division,” said TSU quarterback Dantavious Parker. “Our goal everyday in camp and at practice is to continue to get better. Everyone is on the same page and we’re looking forward to getting this season started.”
Tigers will open the season on September 1st in the Labor Day Classic versus cross-town rival Prairie View A&M. Prairie View has prevailed in the last several meetings of the LDC, a trend in which Texas Southern is eager to break.
“Every new season brings with it a new team and elevated expectations,” added Asberry. “Here at TSU we want to build a program that can compete for championships every year. For us that journey will start on September 1st. I can guarantee that the Texas Southern Tigers football team will be hungry and ready to play football when the 2012 season gets kicked off.”
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Living the college life, FAMU football players enjoy off-campus option
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Tight end Michael Ethridge is finally at a point in his life that he’s always dreamed of since the day he left Godby High School with a scholarship to play football at FAMU.
As soon as his scholarship funds come through this semester, he will move into an apartment where he will get to experience living on his own.
“I know I can do it on my own,” he said. “It’s not rejecting my family but I want to see how I would do while I’m in college. I’ve always told myself that when I go to college I’d want to be on my own. This is my time now to get ready for the future.”
Ethridge, a junior, spent his first two years as a college athlete living on campus. He’s in transition now, living with his family until his money is cleared. Most other players have been enjoying their new digs for a week now.
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As soon as his scholarship funds come through this semester, he will move into an apartment where he will get to experience living on his own.
“I know I can do it on my own,” he said. “It’s not rejecting my family but I want to see how I would do while I’m in college. I’ve always told myself that when I go to college I’d want to be on my own. This is my time now to get ready for the future.”
Ethridge, a junior, spent his first two years as a college athlete living on campus. He’s in transition now, living with his family until his money is cleared. Most other players have been enjoying their new digs for a week now.
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West Virginia State University, 11 other schools forming NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference
BLUEFIELD, West Virginia — The colleges and universities that are leaving the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at the end of June now have a new home — sort of.Twelve schools, including Concord University, announced on Monday they are forming the Mountain East Conference (MEC), to begin play about a year from now.
“The big picture now is coming into focus,” said Concord Director of Athletics Kevin Garrett.
Concord will be joined by 11 fellow WVIAC schools — Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, Shepherd University, the University of Charleston, West Liberty University, West Virginia State University, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wheeling Jesuit University
The departures would leave the WVIAC with just three members — Bluefield State College, Davis & Elkins College and Ohio Valley University.
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New Mexico to present challenge for Southern
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - When Southern travels to New Mexico for its first game of the season on Sept.1, the Lobos will be an unfamiliar sight for more reasons than geography and culture.With a new staff led by former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie, UNM is experiencing a bit of a rebirth. That’s difficult to study, since any game film of the Lobos from 2011 is essentially useless.
That hasn’t had a major effect on the Jaguars offense, which will look to force its hand, but the defense has had to study film of Sam Houston State instead, where Lobos offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse spent the past two seasons.
“We’ve been preparing from Day 1,” coach Stump Mitchell said. “Defensively, obviously that revolves around what (the Lobos) do, and hopefully we’ve practiced the majority of what they will do, but the defense just has to be able to fly around and make some plays.”
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