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Show Page Sun Chronicle, Sun Times, Ben Lomond Beacon, Clearfield Courier 8 Sporrsfacular July 3, 1980 Several former area athletes dot squad Everything you wanted to Gmow about Aggie Editors Note: (With several former Roy, Clearfield and Weber athletes now performing in Aggie football uniforms this fall, the following interview with Coach Bruce Synder might be of some interest to local fans. The interview took place in late June between Coach Snyder and Craig Hislop, the Sports Information Director.) High Entering this fall, what is your number one concern? My number one concern would be the ability of our team to generate a running offense. This spring many of our offensive linemen were injured: Steve Vanderbrink, Joe Crum, Skip Clampett, Morrell McKinnon. So we werent able to develop that offensive line like we would have hoped. And, also, the loss of Jerry Copeny at the tailback spot leaves us still undecided as to who our number one tailback will be. That is one of the main parts of establishing our running game. said beforehand that during spring drills you wanted to determine the direction this team would take; what it would be capable of. Whats the verdict? I feel much more comfortable about our quarterback situation than I did going into spring. I believe that Bob Gagliano, as we stated half way through spring, was our leading candidate and I think he performed very well considering the lack of practice time without our system. I believe the other quarterbacks who are competing for a spot developed. I feel good about that: we are going to continue to be able to throw the football and we will have good leadership in that area. I didnt know what chemistry our defense would have and I came out of spring ball with the idea that we are going to be at least as aggressive as we have ever been. We run to the ball as well, were quicker, we have more depth than we have had defensively. Now, this sounds very much like a recording from last spring. Remember I said it would be the defense that would hold us together and as it turned out we had a very potent offense. But I still believe at this point that the defense will set the tempo for our team, particularly early in the season. This spring our kicking game was as good as its ever been. Guy McClure had the very best punting spring hes ever had at Utah State. Steve Steinke and Dale Money were very competitive with the place kicking and I felt they both developed. We have a long snapper (Clancey OHara); we have worked hard at our kicking game so I feel good about that area. I feel good about the direction of our defense and I feel good about the quarterback. We just need, in my opinion, to establish control of the line of scrimmage through the rush. You Do yam think the defense will be improved in 1980 Yes, I do, however, if you will temember back to 198 we started oft very strongly as an entire football team. But the last part of the season, defensively, it appeared we really fell off, particularly against the pass. Then, from there, Ronnie McCloud was injured and we made some switches and had to adjust. I could see a similar situation happening. We are not deep in the secondary and particularly at corners. If we do not remain healthy at the comer spot then that would be a great concern to me. of the seniors were fighting for jobs and did not get caught up in the team development aspect of it. When you have a position nailed down, then you can expand your role within the team. When you dont, then you really put blinders on and just try to get your job done. I really think that might have softie influence on us being a great practice team, yet. Senior leadership has been a big factor in your success at USU. Do you see that emerging this season? Yes, somehwat. I think some seniors were so caught up in trying to win their own individual battles that it wasnt as apparent as a year ago when we had Hippie, Jones, Parros..people who had their sports pretty well nailed down and were not as concerned or insecure about their playing positions. So, I dont think it was as vivid this spring. But we probably made just as many gains in that area as we did the year before. I still do not know, if we had an election right now, who the captains would be. I think it would be a very close race among a lot of guys. As every team we have had here, probably every team Ill ever have, the chemistry of it is different. It will be a brand new football team even though there will be a lot of players that were on last lose some outstanding senior athletes, many to the NFL. How do you see your team reacting to the loss of some of these individuals? We have got some guys on our team who dont believe we are going to lose a step because we are going to lose some people. I addressed the problem verbally early in the winter time when we were in our winter conditioning and in our spring practice where I knew there would be a concern on some peoples minds; if nothing else, the public and the press. The news media would naturally point out the fact that we had lost so many outstanding performers. I think once we got into our spring practice there was very little concern about it, except initially at quarterback. We have an outstanding group of receivers and, of course, they were very concerned about the loss of Hippie and Bradshaw. But I believe their anxieties were relieved with the development of our entire group of years club. But certainly the character or the personality is substantially different than a year ago. Youve been through five spring practices. Its difficult to rate such things, but where do spring drills 1990 fall in rating those years one through five? I agree with you. I dont know how you do it either. I dont necessarily believe it was our best spring, and there are several reasons I say that. The weather was really foul, and I think that really took an edge off of us. We didnt fall into a routine. That was unsettling. Also, with so many individual positions up for grabs, it made the team development a little slower. Then, so many players not participating also slowed our progress, because of injuries and so forth. The other reason, and it is probably my biggest concern, was the fact that we had to spend so much of our time teaching them how to practice. We were not a natural practice, team going into spring football. I think we got better as spring went along. The last two clubs we have had, the two championship teams, both really knew how to practice and Im not convinced this team knows how to go out there day in, day out, when the weather is bad, when the weather is good, when you are winning and when you are losing and continue to practice like champions. team be one way and that one another? Im not sure. More youth certainly. We are a much younger team than we have been. This also comes back to leadership. The seniors have always set the tempo for our clubs and have demanded that the younger players practice at a particular pace. We did not reach that point this spring. A lot Why is that? Why would this tried him at tailback several times during spring and he looked like he might be the best tailback. He is physical. In regards to the other runners, Tony Barnett has shown a great deal of potential but was injured, most of the spring. Marvin Jackson, during the winter, was one of our fastest players, then was hurt most of the spring. The loss of Jerry Copeny hurt us. In back up fullbacks we have John Banks, returning from an injury and Willard Browner who is coming up a senior. They both were fairly inconsistent his spring. Joe Schulter was injured most of spring. I dont know the depth of our backfield right now and as I mentioned to the club, some athletes are going to have to have their spring ball in fall camp. Our running backs probably would fall into that category. You Your offensive line loses three star- ters in those five positions. How do you size up that area of the team? We really felt like we practiced this spring with a number of players that will not be playing next fall. They will be on the squad but were not projected to be in games. That hurts you when all that practice time essentially is not going to help immediately. Now, it may help down the line in terms of an injury or future seasons. But I believe if Steve Vanderbrink is back and healthy, and it appears that he will be, it will help a lot. His leg is responding. Skip Clampett, Joe Crum, and Morrell McKinnon. I believe if they would have been playing this spring with the people that we did practice, then I would say we have a shot at having a pretty good offensive line. Craig Rigsbee is a returning starter, Mike Fosmark is a returning starter. We think that Brian Christensen is going to be an excellent football player. J.J. Jaramillo is improving, Rob Smith had an excellent spring. I think we have the makings of a good offensive line. But we were not able to put it together this spring. quarterbacks. What is the strength of the 1980 Utah State football team? I dont think we know yet. I really dont. I think our kicking game will perform well; it has over the last three or four years since I have been here and that always seems to be a strength to our team because of our committment to it. I have to believe that because our program is maturing, the things that will be strong on this years club are the same things that were strong on the previous teams because the direction hasnt changed in terms of leadership from me. Our staff has remained relatively stable. We instituted our leadership programs several years ago - our captains programs - just like our emphasis in the kicking and passing games. I think those things will emerge again as being the strengths of this years club. I have not seen that materialize yet, but I believe that will be the case. Is it fair to expect this 1980 team to be as explosive as the club you coached ' in 1979? I think it is unfair just because we do not have, and have not been able, through spring practice, to establish the running game. Our wide receivers we can get them the ball. But unless we are able to establish some running game it will be very difficult to be as explosive offensively. are certainly as explosive, if Parros and Greg Martin graduated and Jerry Copeny unable to play another year, what is going to happen at the running back spots? Who falls where? I wish I knew. I wish I could answer that; its not that simple. Our best overall performer throughout the spring is probably the best player at two positions and yet I cant start him at two positions. That is Maurice Turner. He was our best fullback, best blocker, inside runner and so forth. I With Rock Not only were a lot of guys here there, there are a lot of young players. Yes. We will be extremely young next year. Extremely young. And when you ask a team with young players to go in and compete against Kentucky and Texas in the first three games, its tough. Also with BYU and Utah the first half of the season is going to be quite rugged and to ask young players to perform well in high pressure situations is difficult; youre going to get some inconsistent per-- f formances and that is a concern. '? V J .'V. KiVf.-j- What will you say to your team in regards to the schedule this year; how will you approach it in 1980? We did something last year that was somewhat different than we had done the year before and we liked it. It sounds somewhat simple, and maybe the impact of it would not hit the lay person, but we aim to make a big deal out of every game regardless whether it is conference, a traditional rival, or whatever. A lot of coaches believe you cannot ask your team to be up that many times during the year. Every bit of literature that goes out of this office during summer reads: Beat Kentucky. That happens to be our very next game and we are going out to beat Kentucky. Now, we probably shouldnt, with a youthful club and the amount of money and scholarships and the number of people they have at footbaDD . . . Kentucky. Their program is rolling; we certainly will not be favorites. But I believe that you take the best shot you have at each particular game. That happens to be our next game and we are going to go take a big shot at it. Youve talked about how comfortable you feel with your kickers Guy McClure and Steve Steinke and Dale Money. Overall, how do you view the entire kicking game? Dale Money and Steve Steinke were kicking the ball extremely well, they are really good for each other. They encourage each other, reinforce each other, support each other. But ypt they are competing. Normally, a club will have a kicker and he wanders around during practice waiting for the five minutes of extra point or field goal work he might get. He usually has no one to really compete against. We are fortunate to have the situation we have. During spring drills Guy McClure had an average of 43 yards a kick, with good hang time. That was the best spring he has had and we have some back up punters that I think can be very good. Kevin Brady is a good back up punter. Dale Money has been working at punting. He might, before his career is over at Utah State, be the leading punter and place kicker. He is going to try to combine the two. In terms of long snapper, which is always critical for a team, Clancey OHara has as much stuff on the ball and is as accurate as anybody we have ha$ here. And hes been through a season of long snaps. Return specialists, Stacy Cobert was a first team all conference return specialist and hes back. I think he's going to be outstanding both as a receiver and as a return man. Marvin Jackson was one of the kickoff return leaders in our conference and hes back and should be healthy soon. I feel very good about our entire kicking game and pur team believes in it, knows that we are going to practice hard. Its an important part of our program. How do you feel your recruiting effort went this year? I feel, as I did at the time, that it was really a good recruiting year. I belive if I would want to change it at Dee and Lila Larsen of Ephraim recently donated 105 acres of prime big game habitat east of Ephraim to the Division of Wildlife Resources. In addition, the Larsens sold 365 acres of adjoining land to the Division. The larsens have always had an interest in wildlife and wanted to preserve their land for the benefit of wildlife. This land is part of extremely critical deer winter range in Sanpete County, says Don Christensen, Division habitat acquisition specialist. Development Fund Helps Save Habitat With new developments reaching further up the foothills of our Utah mountains, wildlife are gradually being removed from habitat critical to their winter needs. Perpetuating game herds in huntable numbers is of major concern Rucker's Western Auto now does . . . EXPERT BICYCLE REPAIR - Most Mokes VERY REASONABLE RATES Call Stan or Brent WESTERN AUTO 1 at - 29 So. State, Clearfield, Tel. onVOISK w ... PRICE INCLUDES: 36,000 BTU condensing unit capacity matched with 44UF 22 cooling coil heatcool thermostats, 25 ft. line set. INSTALLATION EX- CHE36-6- 1 Ut 1 (New Ones Made) WINDSHIELDS REPLACED To Leak) Your First Call, All Glass Needs EFFICIENCY SPECIAL ONLY 825-60- SCREENS REPAIRED (Guaranteed Not HIGH 1 825-60- 1 TRA. METRO HEATING GLASS Specializing In Inauranct Claima Broken Home Windows Storm Windows A Doors Mirrors Table Topi - Store or Buainosi Window DAVIS COUNTY 394-427- 4 OFFER GOOD WHILE SUPPLY LASTS! Of course, we hope to be very competitive in the conference. I do believe that it will be a much tighter race than the last two years. Last year, as you will remember, it was basically a two team race. Ourselves and San Jose State had almost identical records, identical stats and of couse, our game against them ended tied. I dont think that type of thing will happen again. I believe Long Beach State has gotten better and better every year and will make more of a run for the championship. I think San Jose State will remain strong, their recruiting was almost entirely junior college. It will be interesting to see how that will influence next years club. The change over of staff members at Fresno State and Fullerton State leaves them question marks, although we know quite a lot about Jim Sweeney. I have watched his past clubs when he was at Fresno State before. They are always highly motivated, well organized, and he is an excellent recruiter. So I just have to believe that he will do an outstanding job at Fresno. I dont know a thing about Coach Murphy at Fullerton. Bob Toledo at Pacific had a good recruiting year. I believe they proved at times last year, by beating Iowa State, playing us so well, that they are on the verge of having a good season, too. I believe that it will be much more bunched. I believe that we will be in that bunch. The thing that conerns me is that four out of our five conferences games are on the road. We have to fly four times out there and play away and that certainly is not an advantage. to the Division of Wildlife Resources. Habitat acquisition and development is a key in maintaining wildlife populations. Since the 1930s, the Division has made a concerted effort to save important habitat areas for wildlife. Howevewr, in recent years, tight budgets have restricted habitat development plans. The whole program has been slowed down to a snails pace, says Don Christensen, habitat acquisition specialist. To help alleviate this problem, the Big Game Habitat Development lind was formed. A big game hunter applying for a special permit this July will have the opportunity to donate to this fund if he is unsuccessful in drawing a restricted permit. Under Please Help Save A Place for Big Game, the applicant may indicate whether or not he would like to donate all or part of his refund to the Big Game Habitat Development Fund. Donations are tax. deductible. For example, money received from last years contributions to the fund helped pay for a land purchase from Dee Larsen of Ephraim. Larsen also donated 105 acres to the Division. (Donations such as these are tax deductible). Many landowners would like to sell their lands to the Division of Wildlife Resources to keep the land for wildlife purposes. However, the Division may accept only a small fraction of these offers. We are very selective, says Don Christensen Each dollar is spent on the very most important acreage to fit in with our land needs. Christensen added that when the Division does agree to purchase land, the acreage is appraised and the owner is paid the fair market value. Christensen also emphasized that the Division of Wildlife Resources is the only state agency which does not take land off the tax rolls. An in lieu of tax is always paid to the payment counties. The major thrust of the program is to develop winter habitat for wildlife. As people spread out into areas previously occupied only by wildlife, deer and other species generally have plenty of summer range, but no place to go in the winter. When this happens, agricultural damage increases. Along the Wasatch Front, deer often end up in peoples backyards. Don Christensen says that it is economically impossible for the GLASS CO. Division to acquire with land in com- the subdividers. Therefore, development efforts are concentrated in areas, where it is petition PHONE US YOUR CLASS TROUBLES 2345 Wall Ave., Ogden, Ut. Tel. How do you size up the conference race? Ephraim couple donate 1 05 acres to division ATTENTION DIKERS: - all or improve it, it would be in the lineman area. That's probably true on every campus across the United States. Nobody ever gets enough good linemen. We are in that category too. Right down at the end of the signing time, the people we did lose that we wanted were linemen. It took a little bit of an edge off the recruiting season. Even with that mixed feeling I believe it was a good recruiting year. Obviously, we have not seen any of them perform. But I think it will prove to be a good solid recruiting year for us. WSC ALUMNUS Michael Lyon tees off in practice round for Alumni Golf Tourney July 1 2. In background is Bob Richins, tournament chairman. economically possible to preserve lands for wildlife. Once land is acquired, multiple-us- e planning is a prime consideration, according to John Fairchild, habitat development specialist. This may include spring development. |