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Show University Journal Page 18 Wednesday, August 21, 2002 strongest defensive lines since Ive been here, Mounga said. The renim only one starter at linebacker, senior Bart Amundsen, but senior Donnie Allred and redshirt junior Kammon Hiatt add age and experience. After losing both starting cornerbacks and the free safety, die secondary is a question mark Gregory, however, remains optimistic about his secondary and adds that his defensive line can help relieve some pressure. The SUU offense, which has won three national rushing titles under Gregory, seems poised to have a solid year. Sophomore Dustin Randolph is penciled in as the starting After year, Thunderbirds seek changes, return to glory 2-- 9 By RICH JOHNSON UNIVERSITY JOURNAL Although the SUU football season team is coming off a and has a difficult schedule lined up for 2002, coach C. Ray Gregory says what he sees in returning players and preseason workouts gives him reason to be optimisuc. The have a solid defensive line returning, have lost only two starting skill players, and seem to have put last season behind them. 2-- I quarterback, dont think anybodys worried about last year, said in five Gregory, who is 27-2seasons as SUU head coach For the most part, were focused on this year. Its a good time right now. Its camp, (and) everybodys working hard. Were still undefeated, and everybodys still looking to find who gets to start Senior fullback Jay Gaynor, who rushed for 405 yards last season while splitting time widi Rod Madsen, said the team has come together in training camp. Last year, we were not really together, I would say, Gaynor said. We had a lot of different conflicts going on. We had a lot of different guys doing a lot of different things. This year, I think Coach C. Ray has done a great job of bringing us together Were together all 8 day. SUU faces a road schedule that includes two Division I teams Troy State and Arkansas state IA A as well as defending champion Montana, and two trips to Texas. However, the tough schedule also has some advantages for the Birds In reality, the best dung it does for us is it gives us die chance to have national exposure, Gregory said. It gives us the chance to draw P ERIN MADSON UNIVERSITY JOURNAL Sophomore quarterback Dustin Randolph prepares to hand off to Chuck Henderson during a workout at the practice field across from Eccles Coliseum on Monday. Randolph has emerged from a three-wa- y battle waged over most of last season to take over as SUUs starter. Henderson, one of the other quarterbacks, will play several positions in the offense. national attention to ourselves. I would think that would be die positive. Another advantage to the have schedule is that the six home games and die road trips are spread throughout the season, unlike last year, when SUU played five straight on die road. The roads difficult enough, Gregory said, but five in a row was really tough. SUU opens the season at Eccles Coliseum on Sept. 7 against Mesa State of Grand Junction, Colo. The Mavericks, an old Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe of yesteryear, beat the last season. That was die first of five SUU losses by a touchdown or less. 13-1- 0 Youd hope that everything would balance out, that youd have breaks and stuff coming your way, Gregory said. We played really well and had a lot of tough games, but we just werent able to get over die . edge and get the win. Hopefully well continue to play well and play hard, and well catch some breaks, and some of those games that didnt go our way last year will go our way this year The Birds coaching staff will sport a bit of a new look this fall with three newcomers. The new coaches include defensive coordinator Steve Fex, defensive line coach Jason Linders, and receivers coach Bemie Busken, who will also coach other skill positions on . . offense. There have been a lot of coaching changes from when I was getting recruited, and I think the coaches now will be good for the team, junior transfer cornerback Travis Armistead said. Gregory said the coaches are still getting to know each other on and off the field, but he added, Theyre good teachers and solid coaches, and theyre coaching our kids with a positive attitude and teaching our guys what we need to do to be successful. With die arrival of Fex, the will switch to a 4-- system on defense. Its effective, said defensive tackle Tonga Mounga, who All Independent was a All." g'u it a r s a w d" AMPLIFIERS 3 selection last year. Were still learning the plays, but I think that once we learn it, well dominate. Its just a matter of time, getting to know every play Mounga, a senior, added that the defenses focus was to kill anybody, anything in our way. This is an attack defense, he said. Nothings going to stop 290-poun- d us. return Moungas additional strength already-soli- d defensive gives to an line that features another allindependent selection, end Josh Bingham Last season, Bingham and Mounga combined for 83 tackles and 7.5 sacks. We have, I think, one of the junior We carry Fender, Ibanez , Takamine and 25 OFF. Ovation guitars! Free lesson book with purchase Band 8t orchestra instruments & supplies. j ! i L while Chuck Henderson will spend time at slotback, fullback, and quarterback. Henderson was second on die team in rushing last season with 586 yards. Gaynor will be die stalling fullback. Randolph also noted that the plan to throw the ball a little more. Last season, the only passed for 826 yards. The question mark on offense is die line, which features only one returning starter, senior tackle Larry Wandel. Its probably our greenest area, Gregory said. Larry Wandels back. Weve got to get some guys to step up there and see whos going to play our offensive line. Among the most solid areas on the team is die kicking game, where Dave Pretzer returns for his senior season kicking field goals and PATs. Pretzer led die Birds in scoring last year, hitting 24 of 25 extra points and 13 of 19 field goals, including a at Western Illinois. He enters die season needing just five PATs to pass former SUU kicker Herkey Marxen for die career in successful extra points. Marxen made 111 PATs from 1986 to 1989. Pretzer would need to kick 16 field goals this year to eclipse Marxens career and school record of 38. Sheet music (special orders). Guitars & accessories percussion. Karaoke tapes and CDs. Karaoke machine rentals. |