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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 2-9 | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Jerry Baldwin Returning starters: 17 (offense 7, defense 8) Outlook Jerry Baldwin's take-charge attitude is just the tonic this ailing program needs. Wins and losses aren't in the forefront of his coaching strategy. At this point, a return to fundamentals and a commitment to executing each week would be a victory in itself. There is potential on both sides of the ball, and the promise that a rededication of recruiting efforts should keep some local talent home. But a first-year coach can't expect to work miracles while still familiarizing himself with the roster as well as the opposition. An improvement on last season's win total is not too much to ask. Anything else -- with a schedule that includes Washington State, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech -- would be a bonus. OffenseThis unit will rely on the ground attack to do most of its damage this year. Darren Brister and John Bernard combined for 1,138 yards last year, and will get more chances as Baldwin moves to a more balanced attack. Look for Elvis Joseph to step forward at the position. his 6-foot-1, 206-pound frame could provide the pounding that breaks defenses down. Bernard is a capable runner and the team's best receiver out of the backfield. Last year he was fifth on the team in receiving yards.While there is depth at running back, the quarterback position is decidedly thin. Barton Folse and Derek Dyer are competing for the starting job. Give Folse the edge because he is a senior. Last year he passed for 842 yards three TDs and seven interceptions. The loss of wide receiver Brandon Stokely to graduation leaves this unit depleted. Desmond Williams, Jeremy Joshua and Marcus Wilridge are atop the fall depth chart. A thin line has received plenty of attention from the coaching staff. Center David Gaar and right guard Ryan Childers give the Cajuns some stability there, but consistency is the main concern. Junior Ryan Cade (6-4, 274) is slated to start at right tackle. The left side of the line must be entirely rebuilt, however. Senior Jason Boyer (6-3, 288) is the choice at left guard while true freshman Jonathon Raush (6-7, 265) appears to have displaced Ryan Cade (6-4, 274) at left tackle.
It's a good sign if: A stable of backs can carry the offensive load. There's no place to go but up for this unit. Of 112 Division I-A teams, the Cajuns finished last in total defense a year ago. The return of eight starters suggests that improvement is inevitable. The most solid area is the secondary, with strong safety Matt Cieslak and cornerback Charles Woods returning to starting roles. Cieslak (6-0, 205) surprised observers last year as a freshman by posting 76 tackles, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Woods had 55 tackles. Freshman Brian Deamer is No. 1 on the depth chart at free safety, but the experience of junior William Young will keep him on the fringes of the starting lineup. Curnell Schumack is the other corner. Two starters return at linebacker. Dwayne Viator and Gerald Stewart are solid players whose consistency will be key. Viator has started for two years and played in all 33 games since joining the team. Last year he made nine starts and had 72 tackles. Both are seniors, which is key, considering that the other member of the unit, Blake Bourque, is a freshman.The line is shaky, at best. Three seniors -- Danny Scott, Matt Merry and Eugene Chambers -- are back after allowing a crippling 222 yards rushing per game last year. Scott had 40 tackles and a respectable eight sacks last year, but few others pressured the quarterback with any regularity. Merry's 39 tackles were second-best among linemen. It's a good sign if: The line improves its woeful run defense.It's a bad sign if: A competitive secondary takes away the deep threat against most teams. Special Teams Senior Chris Shaw is back at punter after averaging nearly 41 yards a kick last year. A pair of freshmen, Brent Bergeron and Kerry Fonseca, will duel for place-kicking duties. -- John Crowley |
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