Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Spring Outlook
4/15/2002 8:00:00 AM | Football
April 15, 2002
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One of the joys of college football, notes Bucknell head coach Tom Gadd, is how a position of strength one year can become a question mark the next, while an area of inexperience can suddenly became a force in the span of just a single season.
This notion applies to the Bison as they enter spring practice looking to rebuild on the offensive line, at tight end and part of the secondary. On the other hand, they are fully stocked at the wide receiver, fullback and linebacker positions. All told, Bucknell returns 14 starters from last fall's 6-4 squad, including starting quarterback Todd Wenrich, First Team All-America defensive tackle Adam Lord, All-Patriot League linebacker Joe Massey and all-league receiver Jim Horan.
Gadd also sees the springtime as a chance for younger players to improve their stock.
"This is their turn," says Gadd, who enters the 2002 season tied for the most wins of any coach in Bucknell history. "This is the time to take those sophomores who didn't get to play as freshmen but who showed last year in practice and in the jayvee games that they have talent. I want to see what they can do out there. For those young kids, this is their time to shine. We've got three or four really good young offensive linemen that didn't get to play last year, and they are going to get the majority of the reps this spring."
On the offensive side of the ball, a major portion of this spring will be spent adjusting to the style of new offensive coordinator Kurt Beathard. Formerly the offensive coordinator at Division I-AA power Western Carolina, Beathard promises a wide-open, yet balanced offensive attack that will keep opposing defenses guessing.
"Personality adjustment is going to be the top priority," Gadd says, referring to Beathard's first spring in Lewisburg. "Kurt has had vast experience and success coordinating offenses. One of the great things about [defensive coordinator Dave Kotulski] is his ability to make real quick adjustments at any time, whether it's during the game or at halftime. Kurt has the same ability because he's run the same offense for so long. One thing I think the players will appreciate is how fast they move from one thing to the next. The chess match that goes on between coordinators is something that he is really sharp at.
"Play selection will be somewhat different, but I think if you were to shake out both playbooks, I don't think you would see a heck of a lot of difference," Gadd says of the Bison offense. "Offensive football is not that different from one school to the next. If you are going to run the option or spread out and throw the ball all over the field, that's different. But if you are going to have a balanced running and passing game, there are going to be a lot of similarities. We don't want to be so skewed that we get to the point where we can't run the football, or we can't throw the football."
Kotulski, or "Koto" as he is known around campus, has been by Gadd's side since his arrival in 1995, and Kotulski's defensive units have been a rock in recent years. Last season's defense was one of the best ever at Bucknell, as the Bison ranked fifth nationally in yards allowed (260.1), eighth in rushing yards allowed (89.3), 11th in points allowed (15.7), third in fumble recoveries (20) and seventh in turnovers forced (34). Bucknell did not allow a 100-yard rusher all season and boasted the Patriot League's top-ranked defense. The Orange and Blue allowed only eight offensive touchdowns in the last 33 quarters of the season, and at year's end claimed five members of the First Team All-Patriot League defense.
While six starters return from that vaunted defense, including the top two tacklers and two all-conference selections, Gadd cautions that this year's unit must develop a winning personality, which was a major factor in the success of the 2001 group.
"With guys like Lord and Massey and Morales back there you start out with plus talent," Gadd says of his defense. "Now the question is: 'can we capture the chemistry we had last year?' Last year's defense pulled together and had such a great camaraderie. Now, with spring practice and the fall preseason coming, can we recapture that? It's not a given. It's not something you can assume that you're going to have. Many of last year's seniors were an important part of that chemistry, and their leadership roles will have to be filled by younger guys. Reed Tunison was a player who went on the practice field every day, played his hardest and pulled all the other kids together. Now, who steps up in those leadership roles?
"You can't assign that role to anybody," Gadd continues. "You have to wait to see who starts to step up, then you try to foster it. We've got some kids who have started to do it, but how far along we'll be by game time next fall is always a concern. You get those kinds of kids by recruiting. You try to recruit young men of character. Tunison is a perfect example - a guy who came through this program and developed into a great, great leader."
While leadership roles are being developed, many other position battles are shaping up this spring. Below is a position-by-position breakdown heading into the 2002 spring practice.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
QUARTERBACK
After starting all 10 games last fall, Todd Wenrich will once again serve as Bucknell's starting signal caller in 2002. In his first year as the Bison's offensive field general, Wenrich proved capable of marching his team down the field with ease. He set Bucknell single-season records for pass completions (209) and attempts (384), while throwing for 2,327 yards, just 63 shy of the Bison record.
Perhaps his most important test came in the season opener at Kent State. As a sophomore, Wenrich was named the opening day starter against Richmond, but he struggled in a 10-7 loss to the Spiders and was relegated to a backup role for the rest of the year. Given a second chance to open the season as a starter, he passed with flying colors against Division I-A competition. Against heavy pressure from the Golden Flashes, Wenrich completed 25 of 51 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed for 55 yards on seven carries. A week later, he threw for a career-high 286 yards in a come-from-behind overtime win over Columbia. His job was never in doubt the rest of the season.
"You've got to be impressed with Todd Wenrich," says Tom Gadd. "He is a great competitor. He is a hard-nosed kid who loves to compete. He has that fire in his eyes. Last year he carried us, and this year looking at our offense he is going to have to be a major force again."
A host of candidates return to spring camp to compete for the chief backup job. Freshman Cole Ciesnolevicz worked his way up to the No. 2 spot last year and saw brief action in four games, completing 1 of 5 passes. Sophomore Ryan Colton and freshmen Kyle Fields, John Henry Jackson and Devin Fitzsimmons are also in contention.
RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK
Replacing a 2900-yard rusher in Jabu Powell will be no easy task, but the Bison have plenty of young talent available to lessen the strain. The clear frontrunner to take over Powell's role of feature back is junior-to-be Jess Brinson. Brinson played in all 10 games last season, starting three while Powell dealt with a pair of injuries. Brinson's 5.0 average yards per carry was the best of the Bison regulars, and he totaled 570 yards and four touchdowns. His 164-yard outburst against Georgetown was the top rushing total by a Bucknell player all season.
Behind Brinson are a trio of players coming off their first year in Orange and Blue. Raphael Darrington, Frank Lazio and Raphael Hammond all gained valuable seasoning with the junior varsity squad. Darrington was the only one of the three to earn a varsity carry, and he made the most of his lone rushing attempt, scoring a touchdown from two yards out late in Bucknell's 51-10 win over Towson.
"Brinson is going to continue to improve," says Tom Gadd. "He's a big, strong kid who has really worked hard in the offseason. I'd say he's the guy we will look to step up there, but we are not without other talent. Raphael Darrington is a young man who is big and fast. It's time for him to step in there with Brinson."
Charged with escorting the running backs through the line are a trio of talented fullbacks, making this one of the Bison's deepest positions. Rising senior Todd Warmington and junior-to-be J.C. Morgan split time at fullback last season, and both demonstrated outstanding versatility as blockers, runners and receivers. Morgan tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions coming out of the backfield, while Warmington scored once on the ground and once via the air.
The return of Matt Kawczenski from a knee injury adds even more depth at fullback. A punishing blocker, Kawczenski injured the knee in the third game of the 2000 season and missed all of 2001 as well. His return gives the Bison three dynamic options at fullback.
WIDE RECEIVER
An area of concern a year ago, Tom Gadd has no such worries this season as Bucknell now boasts arguably the premier corps of receivers in the Patriot League. Led by Second Team All-Patriot League selection Jim Horan, the Bison have 10 receivers in camp this spring, comprising a solid mix of size and speed.
Horan brings both traits, and is on pace to become Bucknell's all-time leading pass-catcher this fall. Despite playing in only nine games in 2001, Horan logged 59 catches, tied for the third-highest single-season total in Bucknell annals. He had 119 receiving yards against Holy Cross, then topped that effort a week later with 10 catches for 129 yards against league champion Lehigh. Horan has 127 career receptions, which is already fifth on Bucknell's all-time list. He needs only two more to move into third place and 46 to break Tom Mitchell's mark of 173, a record that has stood since 1965.
Also a returning starter at wideout is Albert Marquardt, who was outstanding as a sophomore in 2001. Marquardt finished second to Horan on the team with 41 receptions for 578 yards. He had at least three catches in every game last season and enjoyed 100-yard receiving games against Columbia and Georgetown.
Second-year players Tim Johnson and Evan Crawford, along with junior Andrew Baumberger, will all get plenty of reps this spring. Johnson caught seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in his first season as a regular. Crawford lettered as a special teams standout in 2001 and joins Horan and Marquardt in Bucknell's stable of big, athletic receivers. Baumberger projects as more of a "possession" receiver, although he broke loose for seven catches and 127 yards in the Bison's final JV contest last season.
Potentially two of the most explosive athletes on the entire roster are first-year wideouts Daris Wilson and Nisan Trotter. Both youngsters are lightning quick with good hands. Of the two, Wilson saw the most varsity action last season, catching seven passes for 59 yards in eight contests. Both players are also candidates to return kicks and punts.
"At wide receiver we have some kids who have proven themselves by making big plays," Gadd notes. "Horan and Marquardt made some huge plays for us last year and kept us in every game. I don't know if we've ever had a better receiver tandem since I've been here."
TIGHT END
Tom Gadd will have to rebuild at tight end after graduating both All-Patriot Leaguer Greg Readinger and Mark Wyland. Of the three tight ends in spring camp, only junior-to-be Pat Alfano has a varsity reception, and that came two seasons ago. Alfano, who lettered as a freshman when he caught five passes in six varsity games, was limited to only three contests a year ago due to injury.
Battling Alfano for the starting berth is classmate David Gibson, who has moved to the tight end position from the defensive line. Gibson has excellent size at 6'4", 252 pounds, and projects as a fine blocker with good hands. Early in his freshman year, Ian Nutt moved from quarterback to tight end and will also battle for varsity playing time.
"David Gibson is a guy who played tight end in high school," says Gadd. "He is big and strong and should be an improved blocker for us. We felt with losing the two senior tight ends that we needed another guy in there strong enough to block on the corner. Pat Alfano missed most of last year with a broken wrist, and we expect him to come back strong. We thought he was a very good player, and now he is going to be tested and get a chance to catch the football."
OFFENSIVE LINE
While replacing four senior linemen, including two all-conference performers, is certainly a daunting task, Tom Gadd feels like his new stable of horses will not miss a beat. Guard Luman Bauta is the lone returning starter, having played in all 10 games last season. Rising sophomore tackle Rashad Stallworth and junior guard Joe Schweitzer saw plenty of action last season and will be among the most experienced starters.
Rising junior Steve Kerr projects as the starter at right tackle. Kerr played in seven games last season, mostly on special teams. Three players with two years of experience are competing this spring for the starting center position. Andrew Cinamella was listed atop the depth chart at the start of spring practice, with heated competition coming from Joe Bering and John Bzdick.
Freshmen offensive linemen competing in their first spring camp looking to improve their status include Bryan O'Keefe, James Petcovic and Justin Gibson.
"I think our offensive line is going to be good," Gadd remarks. "Even though we lost four seniors, the talent is there. Replacing those four linemen is going to be a big part of our spring assessments. Stallworth is a guy that played some last year but because of the four seniors didn't get to play as much. It's time for him to show us that he can be a starter."
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bucknell's front wall in their 3-4 system is deep and experienced. Three-year letterman Adam Lord headlines the cast. Lord, the starting nose guard, is coming off a brilliant 2001 campaign, after which he was named a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. Bucknell's team MVP and a First Team All-Patriot League selection last season, Lord finished with 42 tackles, more than a third of which came in the opponent's backfield. One of the quickest and most explosive players in the league off the snap, Lord was third on the team with five sacks.
At defensive tackle, rising seniors Gary Carruthers, Eric Storm and Peter Christathakis all have extensive experience, while Corey Mayo was named the team's top rookie in 2001. Carruthers played in all 10 games last season, starting eight. He finished with 26 tackles, including seven for loss and a pair of sacks. Storm had to deal with injuries early last season but is projected to be a key cog in the defense in 2002. Mayo appeared in eight varsity games as a freshman and improved each week. He was especially impressive in a starting role late in the season, after senior tackle Tom Kuhn was lost to a knee injury. Ricks JC transfer Shawn Tidwell could also be a force up front.
"Probably the strength of our defense is the front," comments Tom Gadd. "Adam Lord is obviously a guy that is pretty hard to block at this level. Then we've got some other guys, like Storm, who are very good football players. So there is not a big dropoff. Gary Carruthers is coming into his fourth season of football here and Corey Mayo is maybe as good a young talent as there is in this league."
LINEBACKER
The Bison will have to replace two starting linebackers in Mark Tallman (graduation) and Vic Cole (left team), but this position is still a major strength for the Herd. Led by tireless pass rushers in Joe Massey and Juan Morales on the corners, Bucknell topped the Patriot League in quarterback sacks last season with 32. Massey and Morales combined for 13 of those sacks along with 62 tackles. Massey is fully recovered from a shoulder injury that cost him three games last year, and he is looking to repeat as a First Team All-Patriot League pick in 2002.
"We will be sorely pressed to replace Massey and Morales when they graduate," predicts Tom Gadd. "Both guys are talents. They really come hard off the edge and have the ability to get to the quarterback."
Adding depth at outside linebacker is senior-to-be Billy Windle, who also doubles as Bucknell's punter, and rising sophomores Mike Shover and Jay Martell. Shover was terrific in junior varsity games as a freshman, and in four varsity contests he made four tackles, three coming for loss.
Leading the way at inside linebacker is third-year star Stephane Pluviose, who led the Bison in tackles last season with 83. Four of those tackles were sacks, and he totaled 14 tackles for loss. An extremely quick and explosive talent, Pluviose has the ability to be considered among the conference's elite defenders.
Rising sophomore Kevin Ransome is the odds-on favorite to start at the other ILB spot. Ransome dominated in jayvee action last fall and saw quality time on special teams with the varsity as the season progressed. Classmates David Ulmer and Anthony Lovelace are also much improved and will compete for field time.
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
The Bison secondary will be young, but well tested, in 2002 as juniors are slated to start at all four spots. At cornerback, Bucknell must replace two-time all-conference pick Reed Tunison, who was not only one of the league's premier cover men, but the Bison's emotional leader as well. Tunison had three interceptions last season, returning two for touchdowns.
While 2001 starter Jerome Acy returns at one of the corner positions, Anthony Lewis will likely draw the tough task of replacing Tunison. Lewis was outstanding in a wide-ranging role last fall. He appeared in all 10 games as a second-string corner and kick returner. He broke up five passes and recovered a fumble on defense while finishing second on the team with 118 kickoff return yards. Acy made 27 tackles (21 solo), intercepted a pass and deflected four others.
Rising senior Adam Minggia and sophomores-to-be Jeffrey Montagna, Fareed Ali and Joe Glenn add depth at cornerback.
Rising junior Mike Leatherman is the leading candidate to replace the graduated Bobby Young at free safety. Leatherman has been a special teams standout for the last two seasons. In 2001 he forced two fumbles and recovered another in kick coverage situations. Classmates Will Smith and Virgil Rush will compete at strong safety. Rush was the team's second-leading tackler last fall with 59 hits. He also tied for the team lead with three pickoffs.
After missing all of his junior year with an injury, Jeremy Redd is back on the field this spring and could be a key component come next fall. Rising junior Jared Marsilio and sophomore Steven Millhouse have also been impressive.
"The defense really had fun last year," reflects Tom Gadd. "They were up there near the top of the national rankings, and that was fun for them to follow every week. The better they got, the more motivation they had to match that week in and week out."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bucknell is fortunate to return both its kicker and punter this season, although head coach Tom Gadd admits he would like to see improvement in both areas. Placekicker Chris Lundberg was a Second Team All-Patriot League pick in 2000, but struggled at times last season. Lundberg, who made 13 of 17 field-goal attempts as a sophomore, connected on 9 of 19 last season, including 1 of 9 from 40-49 yards. Still, Lundberg possesses a very strong leg and Gadd maintains complete confidence that he will regain his 2000 form as a senior.
"Chris Lundberg has done a nice job here," Gadd lauds. "All kickers go through down turns. Just like golfers, it's hard to stay consistent kick after kick, or swing after swing. He's been an excellent kicker and I have a lot of faith in him."
Billy Windle will be in his third year as the Herd's punter. Windle battled consistency at times last season, averaging 34.7 yards per boot. He dropped 17 kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Rising sophomore Ryan Berry serves as the backup.
Gadd would also like to see improvement in the return units. The Bison used seven different punt returners and seven different kick returners in 2001, and Gadd is looking for a player or two emerge this spring.
"We've got enough talent in the program where we expect somebody to rise up and take over," says Gadd. "Kick and punt returns was an area where we didn't do real well last year. It is something that you really have to want to do and like to do. You can't just put a good athlete back there and say okay, you're the punt returner. Something inside you has to make you want to thrive as a punt returner."
Another not so celebrated, yet vital special teams performer that must be replaced is long-snapper Mark Tallman. Better known as an all-conference outside linebacker, Tallman was Bucknell's long-snapper for the last four years, and Gadd can't recall a single bad snap in four seasons. Tallman was such an adept snapper that his valuable skill is getting him a look in the NFL this spring. Several candidates, including rising junior Tareq Abdulghani, are working out at long-snapper this spring.
