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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 6-6 | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Jack Bicknell III Returning starters: 20 (offense 9, defense 9) Outlook Rookie head coach Jack Bicknell III has run the offensive line the past two years. Now he gets to run the entire show. Last year the Bulldogs fashioned a .500 record on the strength of an explosive offense and a bend-but-don't-break defense. While the head coach has changed, the high-flying style that this team plays will not. Bicknell has cited a bowl game and a winning record as his No. 1 goal for the Bulldogs. That may be difficult with a schedule as competitive as that of teams in a premier conference. Tech opens with consensus No. 1 Florida State then hosts Texas A&M. Should it get through that combo reasonably healthy and not disillusioned, the road will get considerably smoother. Where it leads, however is anybody's guess. Two years ago the team was 9-2 but failed to receive a bowl bid. This year the team can take comfort in the fact that it shouldn't suffer a similar disappointment. But that's probably because it will face a battle to be bowl-eligible. OffenseThere's little to say about quarterback Tim Rattay that the statistics don't. He led the nation in total offense with 403 yards per game, threw for more than 500 yards three times and led all QBs (that includes Tim Couch, Cade McNown and Michael Bishop for those of you with short memories) in touchdowns and passing yards. This year he plans on taking it up another notch. The only downer is that he won't have Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver Troy Edwards to throw to. The Bulldogs will likely go with a three-receiver set featuring sophomores James Jordan and Delwyn Daigre. Last year Jordan caught 56 balls and scored four TDs, while Daigre had 40 catches and and two scores. Junior Sean Cangelosi should also be the recipient of Rattay's largesse. Last year he had five touchdowns. The line is one of the most experienced areas of the offense. Four starters return, led by two-year starter Joey Chustz (6-7, 310) at left tackle. Center David St. Marie (6-3, 295) is a solid player, and guard Rob Koontz and tackle Robert Skapura will anchor the right side. Seven players are vying for the lone remaining spot. The return of three ballcarriers provide additional stability on this side of the ball. Senior Bobby Ray Tell rushed for 549 yards and six TDs last season and will carry much of the load. John Simon gives the team an all-purpose option in the backfield and fullback Terry Pratt gives the team solid blocking and a real short-yardage threat.
It's a good sign if: A running game develops to take some heat off Rattay. New coordinator Tom Masella, the former head coach at Boston University, steps in with a goal of improving a unit that ranked 83rd nationally last season. Last year's coordinator, Todd Bradford, will coach the secondary. His job will be made easider by cornerback Frederick Lewis (5-10, 175), who picked off or broke up at least 11 passes last year and strong safety Bobby Gray, who collected 83 tackles while starting as a freshman. Who will play alongside him remains to be seen. Senior Clint Davis and freshman Michael John Leonard will likely battle right up until the final practice to determine who's No. 1 at free safety. Rodreick Pernetter started 10 games last year at corner and appears ready to return to a starting role as a junior. Three of four starters are back on the line, and a handful of key reserves will lend depth. The line is led by a trio of seniors: Otis Pitts, Jarrett Processl and Jerome King. Last year the combined for six sacks. Pitts (6-5, 285) had a team-high four sacks last year and 50 tackles, including nine behind the line. King played in all 12 games and had 22 tackles but was limited by a dislocated shoulder that never was completely healthy. Desmond Nunnery (6-3, 225) came out of spring drills as the fourth starter. The linebacker position is a bit depleted, but two returning starters -- middle linebacker Damon Harrington and outside 'backer Quincy Stewart -- should ease the transition for a first-year starter. Harrington (6-1, 225) led the team in tackles with 119. He also collected two sakcs. Stewart (6-1, 215) was third on the squad with 111 stops. Look for either Nathan Darby, Blake Smith or Brian Bradford to step up as the third starter. It's a good sign if: The move to a 4-3 is well-received.It's a bad sign if: King continues to be plagued by shoulder problems. Special Teams Tech struggled at times with the kicking game last year, but a year of experience should bring about improvement. Trent Wierick was 6-for-6 on field goals and made 42 of 46 extra points. Punter Caleb Price is back after averaging 40 yards a kick a year ago. -- John Crowley |
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