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Show Gridders hope to ride veteran offense to big year However, says Head Coach Jack Bishop, the Thunderbird defensive unit should be tough as well oing into last year's football season, SUU head coach Jack Bishop thought he had a solid offensive team, but that the strength of that team, at least through the early going, would be on the defensive side of the ball. The primary reason for that outlook was that the team had lost much of its offensive talent while most of the defensive talent was returning. Bishop's analysis proved right on the mark, as the defensive unit excelled throughout the 1992 season - finishing the year ranked 26th in the nation in total defense as well as against the run - while the offense struggled early before coming on late in the year. This year, as the Thunderbirds make the jump from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division 1-AA competition, Bishop says the shoe will be on the other foot; for exactly the same reason. This year, it is the offensive unit which retums most of its talent, while the defense will be looking to fill holes created by graduation. The defense shouldn't be weak by any means, however. Leadng tackler Jared Hunsaker (ILB, 103 tackles), a first-team al-conference player last season, returns, as do OT Chris Kruger - another allconference selection in 1992 starting comelbacks John Banks and Randy Roskelly, and safety Joe Straw. Those five, along with a handfu of experienced backups and a group of newcomers, shoutd keep the T-Biro defense from dropping off too much. On the offensive side of the bal, ht T-Biros have a-oo ISiderable amounl of experience at every position. Quarterback Rick Robins returns, as does the entire front &ne and three of last year's top ku fU'llling backs. the only significant losses from last yea(s offense were at wide receiver and tight end, but those holes should be filled by experienced backups and part-time starters. DEFENSIVE ounooK Assistant head ooach/defensive coordinatoc Dale Pehrson wil be in his third year with the T-Birds this fal, and Bishop says Pehrson gets most of the aedit for SUU's defensive success the past two Moon can recover from knee surgery in time for the season. Linebacker: Although the starters at two of the three linebacker spots will be different, Bishop expects a strong unit to develop as the top backups at each position return. Hunsaker returns in the middle, as does David Benedict, who was the starter last year before-a knee injury felled him in the first game of the year. In addition, Jeff Jones, who backed up Hunsaker last year, and redshirt Rich Murray return. At strongside linebacker, James Bleak, a part-time starter each of the past two seasons, is penciled in as the starter, while Matt Labrum is also capable of starting. Mike Smith, a transfer from Dixie JC, will provide depth. Weakside linebacker is perhaps the most diverse position in the T-Bird defense. Chad Fisher, last yea(s primary backup, will be asked to step up and take over, but will get p,essure from transfer Clint Baird as wel as Matt Burrows and Bryan Canez. Secondary: The area with the most returning experience on the defensive side of the bal is definitely the secondary, where three of four starters return. Joe Straw wil mcwe from strong to free safety this year, while John Banks and Randy Roskelly return at lhe corners. but thef9 is a weallh of deplh in lhe backfield. Caylor Daley and Duslon Connaughton both saw significant action last year and either ooud wind up at strong safely, while punter Galardo, Donnie Yantis and Anthony Brown-who can also play linebacker- provide deplh at the safety spots. Banks and Roskely are solid at the comers, but Lawrence Gilbert, who was the starter at the beginning of last season before an injul}' ended his season in the opening game may start ahead of Roskelly. Tyler Johnson started as a sophomore before an itilJry kept him out all last year, and Pu newcomer Michael Burkewho Bishop calls an exoeRent prospect - Wil push for playing time as well. years. Pehrson believes in creating a defensive scheme built around the OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK skills of his persomel, rather than HEAD BIRD: SUU Football Coach Jack Bishop. trying to fit the playet's into a particular defensive system. His While the defense may pNlosophy has proven sound over •neect time to grow,• as Bishop the past two seasons, as he has turned a previously average defensive program into put it, the offense wiR be experienced. one of the better units in the country. "We've got experienced players at basblly every offensive position: he pointed Defensive Une: Kruger returns to anchor the ilterior line from his nose guard out. "we lost some players, but we've got experienced backups ready to step in at those • . positions position, while Bruce Amold ·(end) and Shawn Bladdlam (tackle) should be able to . ' step right in after seeing spot duty at the positions the past two years. Joel Wilson, Quarterback: One of the big questions facing the T-Birds going into the tan is at who sat out last year with an injury, moves from outside linebacker to the rush end quarterback, but it isn't a probkmlatic question. The T-Birds are as deep at quarterback spot this season. as they have been in recent years, so the question is not one of •if: but rather of "Who?" Adding depth along the front are a variety of players, including Simon Timms, Jeff Rick Robins started every game last year and returns as the favorite to start, but Galyean and Don Carter, transfers Justin Bauerle and Sione Lui and two redshirt freshmen, Chris Hester and Trent Jenkins. The T-Birds are also hoping OT Garett PAGE 6 • THE SUMMERBIRD (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7) 1• |