Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Returns this Weekend
8/10/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2001
Football officially returns to Lewisburg this weekend, when Bucknell's freshmen report to campus for the first time. Following a full day of orientation activities on Friday, Aug. 10, the Bison newcomers take to the field for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 11, for a double practice session.
The veterans check in on Monday, with the first full varsity two-a-day session set for Tuesday, Aug. 14. All practices are open to the public, with varsity sessions slated for 8:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. most days. For more information on practice times, call the Bucknell Office of Athletic Communications at (570) 577-1227.
Following is a preseason preview of the 2001 Bison.
It is the cyclical nature of college football that one year's strength can become the next season's question mark.
Such is the case in several areas for the 2001 Bison, most notably in the defensive secondary, linebacker and kick return areas.
The flip side, however, is that areas of inexperience in recent years, such as the offensive line and backfield, will feature full casts of returning starters.
A year ago the Bison were on the verge of a special season, but a series of key injuries and unfortunate bounces turned a 5-1 start into a disappointing 6-5 finish. The final four of those losses came by a grand total of 13 points, leaving a sense of unfinished business to the returning players.
To make matters worse for the Bison last year, in all five of their setbacks they led in the fourth quarter, and in the final three losses the winning points were scored in the final minute.
Head coach Tom Gadd, entering his seventh season at the helm of the Bucknell program, realizes that his team was close to achieving some tremendous success last season, but that when push came to shove the team didn't make enough plays to put opponents away.
"We were close to getting where we wanted to go last year, and we had the makings of a real good football team, but we didn't make enough plays to finish it off.
"In addition, we suffered more than our share of injuries. Sometimes you have to be a little bit lucky in this game, and we had no luck in that department," said Gadd.
Despite the endless list of injuries and the excruciating losses, the Bison logged their sixth straight winning season and the senior class tied the school record for wins over a four-year period with 29.
Bucknell became one of just 33 schools at the Division I-A and I-AA levels (236 schools) that have recorded winning seasons in each of the last six years.
As preseason practice gets underway, Gadd's main concern is finding quality replacements for the litany of defensive stars that departed with the Class of 2001.
The defense, which held the opposition to just 15.6 points and 290.3 yards per game last year, lost eight starters, including All-America free safety Kevin Eiben (8 INTs) and first team All-Patriot League linebacker Vince Ficca (102 tackles). Under the direction of defensive coordinator Dave Kotulski, the Bison defense has ranked first or second in the Patriot League in total defense in five of the last six years.
Although the top five and eight of the top 11 tacklers have graduated, the Bison return all-leaguers Adam Lord and Tom Kuhn on the front line. Competition will be keen in the secondary this spring where all four starters to a unit that intercepted 21 passes and ranked 6th nationally in pass defense have graduated.
No single unit was hit harder by graduation than the secondary, where Eiben, tri-captain Justin Lustig, All-Patriot League corner Nate Musselman and Academic All-America free safety Dave Evans and corner Eric Slaughter have moved on.
"Replacing that kind of talent in the secondary is going to be a major problem," said Gadd. "Our focus on defense will have to change. We have an outstanding group of defensive linemen and outside linebackers, while we are obviously going to be very inexperienced in the secondary, particularly at safety."
Gadd cites Reed Tunison, a former All-Patriot League cornerback who suffered a broken leg in last year's Georgetown game, as a major key to the secondary. "His ability to come back strong after a serious injury can really spearhead the secondary."
The healthy return from injury of several other key players, including FB Jason Marrow, TE Greg Readinger, TB Jabu Powell, OC Bill Jamieson, will give the Orange and Blue a big boost. Over the course of the 2001 campaign, eight Bison starters missed game action.
At linebacker, senior Mark Tallman and junior Joe Massey lend a veteran presence up the middle. The duo combined for 13 sacks and 67 tackles a year ago. All-Patriot Leaguers Adam Lord and Tom Kuhn, along with senior Anddy Carmona are critical returnees on the defensive line.
Entering the season a year ago several questions remained on the offensive side of the ball. This year, its the complete opposite. 10 offensive starters will return to the lineup, including two-time All-Patriot League TB Jabu Powell and a very experienced offensive line.
"On offense we have just about everybody back except at quarterback," Gadd noted. "From running back to tight end to wide receiver to the line, we should be deep and experienced. Experience alone doesn't mean anything, though. Those guys have to get it done on the field. While the defense is growing up, the offense must step up."
"Our offensive line should be a real strength with everyone returning," said Gadd. "Our depth is good, now our productivity must improve."
Powell is the headliner in a backfield that should be a major strength for Bucknell, particularly behind that veteran line. Powell racked up 1,102 ground yards and 14 touchdowns in 2000, and he ranked 18th nationally in rushing and 13th in all-purpose yardage. He ranks fifth and third, respectively, in those two categories on the school's all-time list. Powell and Marrow must both prove recovered from injuries, but sophomore RB Jess Brinson, senior RB Ricco Rosini and junior FBs Matt Kawczenski and Todd Warmington lend plenty of depth.
The only hole in the offense entering preseason practice is right behind the center where Lucas Phillips called the signals and passed for over 1,700 yards a year ago. His graduation presents another opportunity for junior Todd Wenrich to step in and take over the reigns. Wenrich started last season's opener against Richmond before being replaced by Phillips, and he finished with six completions in 24 attempts for 58 yards.
"Wenrich had a great spring, and he comes in as our starter," said Gadd. "Ryan Colton also had a good spring, and we have six freshmen quarterbacks that will all be given an opportunity." On the special teams front the graduation of Eiben creates a real void in the punt return game. He ranked 15th in Division I-AA with a 12.20 return average and set several school records in that department. All-Patriot League place-kicker Chris Lundberg returns after a fine season in 2000. He connected on 13-of-17 field goal attempts, including a career-long 47 yarder. Billy Windle, who split the punting duties with the graduated Matt Faircloth, returns after averaging 36.9 yards on 37 punts.
Another challenge to the Bison is one of the toughest schedules Gadd has assembled in his seven years in Lewisburg. Road games at Division I-A Kent State, Cornell and Columbia kick off the 2001 slate, followed by the Sept. 29 home opener against St. Mary's (Calif.), which routed both Colgate and Towson last fall.
"The schedule is going to be a struggle," Gadd admitted. "I can't find any gimmees on it. We get a 1-A out of the box, followed by two very physical Ivy League teams in Cornell and Columbia.
"The Patriot League again is better from top to bottom," Gadd continued. "As the skill players have improved, the league has improved. In breaking down the league, I think you have to start with Lehigh. To win the league, you have to go through them.
"But Colgate has an attitude about how to play the game the right way, and Holy Cross and Towson have built talent pools and both finished last season very strong. Fordham scares me. They have done a great job recruiting, and I see them moving up very quickly."
Lehigh (88 points) gained 11 of 16 first-place votes and was picked as preseason favorites in the Patriot League Coaches' Poll, with Holy Cross (73) and Towson (73) tied for second. Colgate (72) was a point behind those two in the fourth spot, while the Bison gained 64 points and were picked for fifth place. Fordham (37), Lafayette (27) and Georgetown (14) rounded out the balloting.
Here is a more in-depth look at the 2001 Bison entering training camp:
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
After patiently waiting his turn to take the starting reigns, Lucas Phillips turned in a solid season at quarterback last year. He completed 53.8% of his passes and threw for 1,777 yards -- a total that ranks as the 10th-best in school history. Unfortunately, he has graduated.
"Lucas was the only one we lost on offense, but it's a big loss," stated Gadd. "He really stepped up and played well for us, carrying us in several games."
Entering camp junior TODD WENRICH (6-1, 209) will have command of the offense. He started the opener at Richmond last year before being replaced by Phillips, and finished the season with six completions in 24 attempts for 58 yards. Sophomore RYAN COLTON (6-0, 195), who quarterbacked the junior varsity team last season, will provide Wenrich's competition, along with six incoming freshmen at the position.
"We felt we needed to make this position more competitive, and that's part of the reason we are bringing in six freshmen quarterbacks," said Gadd. "We will give them a chance to show what they can do, and see if any of them step up."
RUNNING BACK
The starting backfield should once again be a major strength for the Bison this coming season, particularly behind an experienced offensive line.
Starting tailback JABU POWELL (5-8, 180) had an all-league season in 2000, rushing for 1,102 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ranked 18th in the country in rushing and 13th in the nation in all-purpose yards (160.1/g). Powell will enter his final season ranked fifth on Bucknell's all-time rushing yardage chart with 2,246 yards, and third in all-purpose yards with 3,581. Powell's health will be the pivotal question. He missed two games last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, but returned to play in the final three contests and should be near 100% this fall.
Joining Powell in the backfield will be bruising senior fullback JASON MARROW (5-11, 215). Marrow fractured his fibula early on last year, and after just two games was done for the season. With 17 TD's in 1999 and over 500 yards rushing, Marrow is an integral part of the offensive attack, especially near the goal line.
Sophomore JESS BRINSON (6-2, 199) will serve as Powell's backup after a fine freshman season. He started one game and played in seven last year, rushing for 177 yards and a pair of scores. Senior RICCO ROSINI (5-10, 185), who missed spring ball because he studied abroad in Italy,will also lend depth here. Rosini has been one of the team's top special teams players for the past two seasons.
The fullback spot has a load of depth, including juniors MATT KAWCZENSKI (6-0, 232) and TODD WARMINGTON (5-11, 238), and sophomore J.C. MORGAN (5-11, 223). Kawczenski moved from his backup role into the starters slot after Marrow got hurt, but in his first start suffered a season-ending knee injury. Warmington started seven games and caught eight passes out of the backfield, while Morgan made one start and had six receptions -- two of which went for touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVER
The top two targets from a year ago both return in junior JIM HORAN (6-2, 180) and senior KYLE HARRIS (5-11, 177). Horan, who uses his size and athletic ability to go up and get the football, has led the club in receiving in each of the past two seasons with 31 (390 yds, 3 TDs) and 37 receptions (450 yds, 3 TDs), respectively. Harris caught 35 balls for 398 yards and a touchdown in his initial season with the Orange and Blue last year after transfering from Ricks Junior College.
In addition sophomores EVAN CRAWFORD (6-1, 194), TIM JOHNSON (5-8, 181) and AL MARQUARDT (6-2, 177) all contributed as freshmen last season and will lend solid depth to the position.
TIGHT END
The healthy return of senior GREG READINGER (6-4, 260) makes this one of the strongest positions for the Bison. He missed three games in the middle of the season last year with a broken hand, but still caught 10 passes for 93 yards.
Three experienced players sit right behind him. Senior MARK WYLAND (6-1, 253), who played in nine games last year and caught 10 passes for 106 yards, will see time in the double-tight end sets and has good hands out of the backfield.
Sophomore PATRICK ALFANO (6-2, 226) saw starting time last year and will contribute. Junior DREW NADLER (6-4, 220) missed the entire season with a broken foot last year and, along with senior MATT ARROYO (6-1, 233), will add depth.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive live should be a major strength this year for the Bison. All five starters return on the line and after a solid year of playing alongside each other should be ready to roll as a unit.
BLAISE PAGLIA (6-3, 310), who had seen time at various line spots during his first two seasons, started every game at left tackle last year. Senior JON CHURCHILL (6-1, 286), a two-year starter and three-year letterman, returns to anchor the left guard position.
The center position will be hotly contested between senior CARSON BOOK (6-2, 299) and junior BILL JAMIESON (6-4, 294). Book started every contest in the middle last year after Jamieson, the starter in 1999, could not return from a broken leg injury.
At right guard, junior LUMAN BAUTA (6-0, 297) got the starting nod in 10 of 11 matchups. He has started 20 games for the Bison in his two-year career. Senior GARRY REYNOLDS (6-4, 301), a two-year starter, anchored the right tackle slot for all 11 games last year.
Also expected to see major time on the front wall is junior JOE SCHWEITZER (6-3, 274). Last fall, Schweitzer earned two spot starts at the guard position.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
The line is the strength of the defense heading into fall camp. Returning All-Patriot Leaguer ADAM LORD (6-0, 260) will anchor the middle at nose guard, and he will be flanked by All-Patriot League defensive end TOM KUHN (6-4, 251) and senior defensive end ANDDY CARMONA (6-1, 260).
Lord recorded 30 tackles and three sacks in the middle last year, while Kuhn had 28 stops -- including eight behind the line. Carmona, who had a team-high nine sacks in 1999, was slowed by an ankle injury last year.
Junior GARY CARRUTHERS (6-3, 261) saw time last fall, recording 16 tackles and a pair of sacks, and will provide quality depth along with junior ERIC STORM (6-0, 259). Storm started two games at nose guard last year and had 11 tackles and two sacks.
Senior DARSEAN JOHNSON (6-4, 248) and junior PETER CHRISTATHAKIS (6-1, 252) will also battle for time on the line.
LINEBACKERS
The linebacking corps was hit hard by graduation. All-Patriot League First Team selection and tri-captain Vince Ficca led the league in tackles last year, and his leadership will be difficult to replace. Starters Eric Higgins and Chad Marsilio have also graduated, leaving three spots to fill.
Senior MARK TALLMAN (6-3, 232), a two-year starter at outside backer who had 31 tackles and four sacks last year, will be looked to as the leader of the unit.
Junior JOE MASSEY (6-1, 236), an extremely strong and quick athlete, will vie for a starting spot after two solid years in the Orange and Blue. He recorded 26 tackles and a pair of sacks as a freshman and had 36 tackles and a team-high nine sacks last season.
Seniors NICK SAJONE (6-1, 240) and STEVE GIFFORD (6-0, 212), and junior JUAN MORALES (6-2, 230) will also battle for time. Sajone saw spot duty last season and made 10 tackles. Gifford, a promising talent from Ricks Junior College, suffered a season-ending knee injury in camp and missed the entire year. Morales played in all 11 games last year and had 12 tackles, including eight behind the line of scrimmage, and a pair of sacks.
Depth should come from sophomores DANE HELSING (6-0, 208) and STEFAN PLUVIOSE (5-11, 227), and senior BILLY WINDLE (6-2, 199).
SECONDARY
No unit on the team was hit harder by graduation than the secondary. All-American free safety Kevin Eiben, tri-captain Justin Lustig, former All-Patriot League corner Nate Musselman, Academic All-American free safety Dave Evans and corner Eric Slaughter have all moved on.
"We lost a lot in the secondary, not just in terms of numbers, but also in terms of experience," said Gadd. "The little things that kids with experience regularly do ... things that take time to coach kids to understand ... those were intangibles that last year's group had. We will need to start fresh with this young crew, but it's a talented group. They're as talented as any secondary group we've had here."
The foundation may begin with senior free safety BOBBY YOUNG (5-10, 170), the team's leading returning tackler from a year ago with 41 stops. He saw extensive action in 2000, recording seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
Senior REED TUNISON (5-9, 160), who has battled injuries throughout his all-league career, returns for his final season of eligibility and will anchor one of the corner spots. Junior JEREMY REDD (6-0, 200), a transfer from Ricks Junior College, has a chance to contribute right away at one of the safety positions.
The remainder of the group is as young as they come, including six sophomores among the preseason two-deep. MIKE LEATHERMAN (5-10, 202) and ANTHONY LEWIS (5-7, 174), who saw extensive action on special teams as freshmen last year, could figure in at one of the safety positions and at corner, respectively.
JARED MARSILIO (5-11, 188), WILL SMITH (5-10, 206), and VIRGIL RUSH (5-11, 184) are the other sophomores that will battle for time. Senior GEORGE COWAN (6-2, 196), who has moved back and forth between the secondary and wide receiver, and junior ADAM MINGGIA (6-0, 179) will also provide depth to the unit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The loss of Kevin Eiben will be felt along this front as well. He ranked 15th in Division I-AA with a punt return average of 12.20, and graduated as the school record holder in career punt returns (51), career punt return yardage (626) and season punt return yardage (366). Several players will get a look in the return game during camp, including ANTHONY LEWIS who returned a team-high eight kickoffs last season.
"We spend a lot of time in this area," noted Gadd. "We lost a lot of cover guys and our main return man, but we work real hard at making our special teams strong. That's been a trademark of our team and I suspect we'll find a way to get back to that point again this fall."
Junior placekicker CHRIS LUNDBERG (5-10, 195) returns after an all-league season in 2000. He connected on 13-of-17 field goals, including a career-long 47-yarder, and finished second on the team in scoring with 62 points.
Senior JOE LOURDEAUX (5-11, 182) will probably continue to handle the kickoff duties and field goal attempts from extremely long range.
At punter, junior BILLY WINDLE (6-2, 199) is penciled in as the starter after sharing the duties with Matt Faircloth last year. Windle averaged a team-high 36.9 yards on 37 punts, including nine that were downed inside the opponents 20-yard line. He will be pushed by incoming freshman RYAN BERRY (5-9, 170).
