Bucknell University Athletics
2002 Bucknell Football Season Outlook
8/14/2002 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2002
The Bucknell football team begins preseason training camp on Thursday, Aug. 15 with a double session beginning at 8:15 a.m. With Bucknell's 2002 season opener just 3 1/2 weeks away, here is a position-by-position look at the Bison heading into camp.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
QUARTERBACK
With a new offensive coordinator in place for this season in Kurt Beathard, a great deal of responsibility falls on the quarterbacks to not only learn the new plays, but to understand the system as a whole and the thought process that goes into each play call.
After starting all 10 games last fall, senior Todd Wenrich will once again serve as Bucknell's starting signal caller in 2002, and he got a good jump on learning the offense in spring practice. 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.
"Todd Wenrich is the unquestioned leader of our offense," says acting head coach Dave Kotulski. "He knows that, and he is excited to take on that kind of leadership role. He had a good year last year and can be even better this year."
A host of candidates return to spring camp to compete for the chief backup job. Sophomore 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. Junior Ryan Colton and second-year men Kyle Fields, John Henry Jackson and Devin Fitzsimmons are also in contention.
RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK
Replacing a 2,900-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 frontrunners to take over Powell's role of feature back are junior Jess Brinson and sophomore Raphael Darrington.
By far the most experienced of the group is Brinson, who 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.
Darrington is coming off a terrific spring practice and is actually listed slightly ahead of Brinson on the preseason depth chart. A powerful runner, Darrington scored a touchdown on his lone varsity carry last season, that coming in Bucknell's 51-10 rout of Towson. Darrington was the junior varsity team's top rusher in 2001 and was also the top ground-gainer in the spring game.
"Raphael Darrington made enormous strides during the spring, and Jess Brinson has played a lot of football for us," says Kotulski. "Rapheal Hammond and all the other young guys give us great depth at running back."
Sophomores Frank Lazio and Rapheal Hammond also gained valuable seasoning with the junior varsity squad last season. A pair of incoming freshmen - Antwan Kennedy and Blamah Sarnor also enter the fray this fall and will help give the Bison an extremely deep backfield.
Charged with escorting the running backs through the line are a trio of talented fullbacks, making this another of the Bison's deepest positions. Senior Todd Warmington and junior J.C. Morgan split time at fullback last season, and both demonstrated outstanding versatility as blockers, runners and receivers. Morgan, who is coming off an injury-plagued spring, 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 senior 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, the Bison have 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 will have 11 receivers in camp this fall, 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.
Juniors Tim Johnson and Evan Crawford, along with senior Andrew Baumberger, all figure into the mix this season. 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 serves 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 second-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.
Rookies Michael Cangelosi, Matt Miller and Dante Ross join the Orange & Blue this fall and will have to make a quick early impression to surpass a talented group of returnees.
TIGHT END
The Bison will have to reload at tight end after graduating both All-Patriot Leaguer Greg Readinger and platoon partner Mark Wyland. None of the four tight ends in preseason camp have a varsity reception. David Gibson, who has moved to the tight end position from the defensive line, this past spring, is the top candidate to start. Gibson, who was impressive in his new role this spring, has excellent size at 6'5", 260 pounds, and projects as a fine blocker with good hands. Early in his freshman year, sophomore Ian Nutt moved from quarterback to tight end and will also battle for varsity playing time. Towering freshman Sean Conover (6'5", 230) and veteran Ken Lockard will also compete for a varsity spot.
OFFENSIVE LINE
While replacing four senior linemen, including two all-conference performers, is certainly a daunting chore, Dave Kotulski feels like his new stable of horses will not miss a beat. Senior guard Luman Bauta is the lone returning starter, having played in all 10 games last season. Sophomore tackle Rashad Stallworth and senior guard Joe Schweitzer saw plenty of action last season and will be among the most experienced starters.
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 is listed atop the depth chart at the start of preseason practice, with heated competition coming from Joe Bering and John Bzdick.
Sophomores Aaron DeGraffenreidt, Bryan O'Keefe, James Petcovic and Justin Gibson, along with junior Jon Scharf, will also compete for starting berths.
Making for an even more interesting preseason competition will be the addition of five freshmen linemen. Second-year line coach Russ Ehrenfeld is extremely excited about the rookie quintet, which comes in with an average height and weight of 6'3", 273 pounds.
"While we have four guys to replace on the offensive line, the four new guys could have more raw talent," says Kotulski. "Now obviously they don't have a lot of varsity snaps under their belts, so we hope they mature quickly."
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bucknell's front wall in their 3-4 system is deep and experienced. Three-year letterman and preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year 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, seniors Gary Carruthers, Eric Storm and Peter Christathakis all have extensive experience, while Corey Mayo was named the Bison'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.
At nose guard, junior Tareq Abdulghani and sophomore Mike Bell will back up Lord. Both players are coming off fine jayvee seasons.
Sophomore Jacob Byrd is back after sitting out spring practice, while freshmen Brandon Bailey and Jacob Burney also join the Bison this fall.
"Adam Lord is a guy the other coaching staff has to find a way to block," says Kotulski. "But while Adam has gotten most of the attention, we have several other outstanding linemen who are all experienced."
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 a pair of tireless pass rushers in seniors 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.
Adding depth at outside linebacker is senior Billy Windle, who also doubles as Bucknell's punter, and sophomore Mike Shover. Shover, who was a high school quarterback, 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.
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.
Joining the cast of linebackers are freshmen Andrew Decker, Chris Praylo and Zach Richards, along with Ricks JC transfer Brock Williamson.
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.
Senior Adam Minggia and sophomores Jeffrey Montagna, Fareed Ali and Joe Glenn add depth at cornerback.
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 is the favorite to start for the first time at strong safety, replacing 2001 starter Virgil Rush, who will not be with the team this season.
Junior Jared Marsilio and sophomore Steven Millhouse were also impressive this spring.
New defensive backs coach Eric Lewis welcomes four good-looking young recruits this fall in James Lachman, Braxton Lake, Michael Treston and Ryan Whitfield.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Under the direction of new special teams coach Jared Backus, Bucknell is fortunate to return both its kicker and punter this season, although Kotulski admits he would like to see improvement in the special teams this season. 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.
Freshman Ryan Bower, a local product out of Montoursville, Pa., will serve as Lundberg's understudy this season.
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. Senior wide receiver Andrew Baumberger and sophomore Ryan Berry will push Windle in preseason.
Kotulski 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 Kotulski will be looking for a player or two to emerge in preseason camp.
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.
