 |
 |
|
| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 10-1 (7-1) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Terry Hoeppner Returning starters: 17 (offense 10, defense 6) Outlook The Redhawks enter the 1999 season with a bona fide Heisman candidate on the roster, 16 starters back on campus, a seven-game win streak and the tradition that comes with having 13 MAC championships, more than any other school. They also enter it with the knowledge that they haven't been able to beat Marshall when it counted, and will likely have to do so this year to gain a berth in the Motor City Bowl, which reserves a berth for the conference champ. A strong defense and a star-studded offense may be enough to turn the trick for first-year coach Terry Hoeppner, though. If all goes according to plan, the season-ending contest at Marshall (Nov. 20) could very well be for all the East Division marbles. Offense There's no suspense about who teams will come to stop and who fans will come to see. It begins and ends for the Redhawks with tailback Travis Prentice, the man who has earned the nickname "Touchdown Travis." Last season's MAC Offensive Player of the Year has 3,937 yards in three seasons and needs just 432 to become the conference's all-time leading ground gainer. Prentice already owns conference marks for touchdowns (57), single-season rushing yards (1,787), single-season points (150), touchdowns (25) and rushing TDs (25). This year Prentice should not only make a run at the Heisman Trophy but the NCAA record for career points and touchdowns. He'll team in the backfield with quarterback Mike Bath, who returns for this second season as a starter. Bath showed his ability in the season's final six games when he completed 64 percent of his passes for 968 yards and 10 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. The return of five starting lineman is a source of optimism. Tackles Joe Costello (6-5, 314) and Alex Sulfsted (6-5, 311) are a bruising pair who will pave the way for Prentice. Senior center Chris Kalafatis brings experience and a nasty edge to the group, while guards Bob Beinecke and Chris Huelsman are a battle-tested pair. When the Redhawks decide to go upstairs, flanker Trevor Gaylor will be the prime target. He missed spring ball while recovering from knee surgery but is expected to be back at full speed by fall. A senior, he has 75 receptions for 1,103 yards and nine TDs in his career. Tight end Mike Sullivan is a capable receiver but needs to get more involved in the office. The same is true of wideout Sly Johnson. It's a good sign if: Prentice puts up big numbers again.It's a bad sign if: Defenses concentrate successfully on stopping the run. Defense Miami led the MAC in total defense for the third time in four years. The RedHawks also ranked among the nation's leaders in pass efficiency defense (fifth) and scoring defense (fourth). With the graduation of JoJuan Armour -- one of the best linebackers in MAC history -- and the loss of several other starters, it may be difficult to improve upon those numbers but one of the program's traditional strengths should continue in '99. It will if senior linebacker Dustin Cohen has anything to say about it. Cohen is a leading candidate for MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the MAC in total tackles last year with 146 hits (an average of more than 13 per game). The 6-4, 245-pound hitting machine also posted 12 tackles for a loss, two sacks, four interceptions and eight pass deflections. Two of his four interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He'll join forces with middleman Mike Yeager and outside linebacker Mike Montgomery. They will need to stay healthy as there is not the depth at the position that there was in previous years. The secondary features two players with starting experience at cornerback in Brandon Godsey and Michael Adams. Up front, an area of concern a year ago, there is a quiet confidence. Andy Aracri is the leader after posting 43 tackles, best among his position mates. The 279-pound junior will team with fellow tackle Gino DeGiandomenico and ends Bob Petrovic and Joe Lyman. It's a good sign if: A developing line matures into a dominant force.It's a bad sign if: A suitable replacement for Armour is not found. Special Teams Punter Kent McCullough is a proven commodity. Last year more than a third (23 of 62) of his punts were downed inside the 20. Stocky freshman Andy Brumbergs (6-4, 205) has been anointed the new placekicker. -- John Crowley |
ALSO SEE Coaching legends call Miami (Ohio) home
 | |||||