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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 3-8 (0-8) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Mike Price Returning starters: 19 (offense 8, defense 9) Outlook No Pac-10 champion had ever suffered a collapse like the Cougars did last season. A 3-8 record, including 0-8 in conference, took all the steam out of the success the team had under Ryan Leaf. The good news is the offense can't be much worse than it was last season and the defense should be better, too. However, the loss of 1,000-yard running back Kevin Brown (dismissed along with two backups for a theft) will sting the offense. Domestic violence and malicious mischief charges against team captain Nian Taylor also marred the offseason. The troubles helped the team focus this summer, and a tight-knit group looks to avoid another second-division finish. Overall, seven starters return on offense and nine on defense, and a traditionally light non-conference schedule (Utah, Idaho, SW Louisiana and Hawaii) along with missing UCLA in the Pac-10 rotation should help the Cougars rebound. Offense Coach Mike Price wasn't satisfied with the performance of Leaf's replacements, Steve Birnbaum and Paul Mencke, and neither might earn the starting nod this season. The duo combined to throw 25 interceptions to just 16 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Jason Gesser showed promise in spring, and Price said he'll announce a starter for the opener by the first week of fall practice. However, don't count on that being the same player who finishes the season as starter. The loss of Brown and his backup DeJuan Gilmore (transfered to Cal State Northridge) leaves the tailback position wide open. Bruising 6-2, 235-pound sophomore Jeremy Thielbahr (12 carries, 20 yards last season) will get the first crack at it, but true freshman Deon Burnett will also get a shot. The receiving corps suffered last year because of inexperience; this year should be much improved. Taylor, who led the team with 847 receiving yards a year ago, was suspended from the team for a month during the summer and must serve a three-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to malicious mischief (he was accused of grabbing his ex-girlfriend and punching her in the chest). The senior, who was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, will be the cornerstone of the passing game. Two junior college transfers, 6-3 Milton Wynn and 6-5 Marcus Williams, will add size and Leaford Hackett (a team-leading 54 catches) also returns. The line returns three starters but the coaching staff is hoping the unit develops more of a killer instinct. The right side of the line is mammoth - and hard to tell apart. Identical twins Reed (6-8, 316) and Ryan Raymond (6-7, 313) should open plenty of holes. Reed started all 11 games at tackle last season, while an injury kept Ryan from challenging for a starting guard spot (he still saw action in seven games). Senior Ryan Tujague, a third-year starter, anchors the other side of the line. It's a good sign if: Someone emerges as the No. 1 quarterback. It's a bad sign if: The Cougars can't find anybody to run the football, turning whoever is that No. 1 quarterback into a big target. Defense Nine starters are back, but don't expect to see all of them starting this season. How could you, after the Cougars were last in the conference in rushing defense (183.1 yards per game) and ninth in scoring (31.7)? Three starters are back in one of the conference's best secondaries, led by second-team all-Pac-10 safety Lamont Thompson. The junior is four interceptions away from the school record. There's little drop-off with Earl Riley, the other safety. Corner Chris Martin broke up 12 passes and picked off three more last season, and the open spot in the secondary looks to be filled by senior LeJuan Gibbons. All three linebackers return, but outside 'backer Steve Gleason is the only one who can count on starting this season. Chris Holden, a transfer from San Francisco City College, stepped into spring drills untested and came out as a projected starter. The other spot will be manned by James Price or Raonall Smith, who missed significant time last year with an injured shoulder after starting the first two games. Brad Philley, who started last season, is contemplating a move to running back to shore up that position. The defensive line returns starters Austin Matson and Rob Meier, as well as Joey Hollenbeck, who was a starter last season before an injury sidelined him. A lack of size and depth hurt the team last year; this season, don't expect either to be much trouble. The Cougars have twice as many ends and tackles available than they did last year. It's a good sign if: The secondary forces foes to keep the ball on the ground and give the Cougars something to key on. It's a bad sign if: Opponents are able to chew up both the clock and yardage against a defense that can't stop the run. Special Teams The absence of Dee Moronkola (31.5-yard average on kickoff returns, second best in the country) will hurt the team at first, but Washington State always seems to find quality return men. Speedy wide receiver Curtis Nettles could be the next in line. Kicker Ryan Lindell returns but needs to be more consistent (he missed 9 of 17 field goal attempts). Punter Kareem Anderson also returns. -- Greg Collins |
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