Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Spring Preview
3/26/2003 7:00:00 AM | Football
March 26, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Clear skies and mild spring temperatures greeted the Bucknell football team back to the gridiron on Tuesday evening, March 25, as first-year head coach Tim Landis put his new squad through a spirited, 90-minute workout in Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It was the first of 14 practices leading up to the April 18 Orange/Blue game, which is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff in Mathewson Stadium.
Below is Bucknell's spring preview, including a position-by-position breakdown.
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In most years, the primary missions of spring football practice are freshening skills and fundamentals through repetitions, and providing younger players an opportunity to compete for positions vacated by departed seniors. It's all that and more for the Bucknell Bison in 2003.
With a new coaching staff on board and a radically new offense to be installed, Bucknell's spring session will have a concerted focus on teaching and communication.
On March 25 the Bison open their first spring practice under first-year head coach Tim Landis. Assisted by offensive coordinator Ian Shields, defensive coordinator Tripp Merritt and special teams coordinator Jared Backus, Landis says that building relationships and opening lines of communication will be keys this spring.
"This spring it is critical that the coaches and players are on the same page," says Landis. "We cannot use a coaching change, or new systems on offense and defense, as an excuse.
"There is a real opportunity for some guys who may have been disgruntled about their playing time in the past to get a fresh start and come out this spring and shine," Landis notes. "But there are veteran guys who have been in the program who know about winning, and we are counting on them. Sure, a lot may seem different in terms of style of football, but this is not a rebuilding project. Regardless of our system, there are young men in this program who can lead us back to where we want to be."
Bison fans this spring are sure to be paying very close attention to the new spread option offense, one that Landis has used successfully in his coaching stints at St. Mary's (Calif.) and Davidson over the last 10 years. While the term "option" does imply a run-oriented style, Landis is quick to caution that this is not a "three yards in a cloud of dust" offense.
"The spread option is a very dynamic offense," says Landis. "It is technically and fundamentally very tough to coach, and I hope our followers will come to understand the technical aspect of it. The quarterback has the responsibility of reading the option, and he has to make great decisions. When the offense is clicking on all cylinders, although we are not throwing the ball downfield on every play, it is very exciting to watch.
"Some of the pitches and downfield blocking, running and cutting that happens is very dynamic and exciting," Landis continues. "It is also important to understand that we do not run on every down. We throw the football, and usually when we throw, it's for a big play, because the defense creeps up to stop the option. It's really a big-play offense."
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The spread option is a very dynamic offense. When it is clicking on all cylinders, although we are not throwing the ball on every down, it is very exciting to watch.
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The good news for Landis is that, with seven offensive starters returning in 2003, he appears to have plenty of athletes already in place who will be well-suited to the option scheme. One of the most intriguing is junior Daris Wilson, a former option quarterback at Archbishop Rummel High School in Louisiana. Wilson spent the better part of his first two years in Orange & Blue at wide receiver, but as Bucknell's offense struggled late last season, the Bison experimented with an option attack with Wilson at quarterback.
"Daris is a guy who all you have to do is look at his high school video and you can see that he knows how to run the option," Landis lauds.
The Bison also boast a talented stable of backs and receivers who should excel in the new offense. Blamah Sarnor led the team in rushing as a freshman last season, and he enters spring camp as the starter at fullback, which in the option scheme is the workhorse back. Other young talents, such as juniors Frank Lazio, Raphael Darrington and Rapheal Hammond, and sophomore Antwan Kennedy are all promising runners. Senior Albert Marquardt heads a deep, veteran receiver corps.
Bucknell will have five players with starting experience returning to the offensive line in 2003, led by senior guard Rashad Stallworth, the team's only returning All-Patriot League selection.
While smothering defense has become a tradition at Bucknell in recent years, Bison fans will notice some changes on the defensive side of the ball as well. Merritt's highly regarded scheme utilizes an eight-man front that should take advantage of the mobility and versatility of the team's linebackers and safeties.
Bucknell will have some significant holes to fill up front, most notably the graduation of first team All-American and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Adam Lord. Lord, Gary Carruthers, Eric Storm and Pete Christathakis all depart on the defensive line, while at linebacker first team All-Patriot Leaguers Joe Massey and Stephane Pluviose, along with the versatile Billy Windle, must be replaced in 2003.
While a host of talented linemen are waiting in the wings, including converted tight ends Dave Gibson and Sean Conover, the Bison should still have plenty of depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Former safeties Will Smith and Mike Leatherman are the leading candidates to fill the "knocker" position, which is akin to an outside linebacker in Merritt's 4-4 scheme. Junior Kevin Ransome will anchor the inside linebackers.
"There is a rich tradition of defense at Bucknell, no doubt about it," says Landis. "We had all we could handle in the two years we played Bucknell at St. Mary's. I'm very excited because Tripp Merritt has a very successful track record going all the way back to his tenure at Davidson."
Below is a position-by-position breakdown heading into the 2003 spring season.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Quarterback
After getting a taste of running an option attack late last season, junior Daris Wilson enters spring camp listed as the No. 1 quarterback. Wilson, an option QB in high school, is a shifty runner who can also turn on blazing speed in the open field. He was Bucknell's leading rusher in the final three games of last season, totaling 162 yards in games against Lafayette, Lehigh and Fordham.
"The fact that Daris played some quarterback in an option style late last season really plays into our hands coming into this season," Landis says. "Daris still has to earn the job, no doubt about it, but we are going into this spring very excited about what he brings to the table. We have seen the way he can run the football, but we have also heard about a real strong throwing arm. That's what we are excited to see."
Wilson completed 20 of 33 passes for 174 yards and was intercepted twice last season.
Another fleet-footed quarterback who may benefit from the change to the spread option is junior John Henry Jackson. The 5'9" Californian made his varsity debut in relief against Lehigh late last season and has seen extensive jayvee experience over the last two years. He even played some running back in one game with the junior varsity last fall and had a 33-yard run. Jackson was the leading jayvee passer, completing 27 of 45 attempts for 362 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Juniors Cole Ciesnolevicz and Kyle Fields saw considerable action in Bucknell's West Coast style in 2002, and Landis feels that both have the skills and football sense to lead the option attack. Ciesnolevicz completed 56 percent of his passes and threw for 595 yards in five games, including a career-high 288 on 23 of 36 passing against Georgetown. Fields completed 4 of 7 passes for 32 yards.
Senior Ryan Colton is studying abroad this spring and will be back in the quarterback mix in summer camp.
For those in camp this spring, learning the new offense, along with the proper techniques and footwork that go along with the option, will be the top priority.
"There are going to be some frustrations as we go along, especially early in the spring," Landis predicts. "Any one of these guys could emerge. I'm not going to simply hand the job to anyone right now, but I am very excited about the prospects of all of them.
"When we are recruiting these types of quarterbacks, we tell them that this is a great chance for them to shine," says Landis, countering the notion that option quarterbacks lack star power. "The quarterback in this offense should be one of the top two leading rushers on the team, one of the top scorers, and obviously he will lead the passing game also. I think it's a great opportunity for someone to step up and take a major leadership position on this team."
Running Back
In contrast with a pro-style offense, in the spread option, the fullback, as the first read in the triple option, tends to be the key rusher, while the slotbacks are the versatile players whose blocking duties are every bit as crucial as their ballcarrying duties.
"This offense really asks a lot of the fullback," Landis notes. "He has to be big enough and strong enough physically to be tackled not only when he carries the football, but also when he doesn't. The fullback also must have the ability to break the big run, speed-wise, when the hole is open.
"In this offense the slots are the multi-dimensional guys," counters Landis. "They must have the speed to catch the pitch on the perimeter and then outrun defenders. They have to catch the football. It's not unlikely that one of the slots will be the leading receiver when the season is over. And they have to be great blockers."
Last year's freshman sensation Blamah Sarnor is the leading choice to open the season at fullback. As a rookie Sarnor showed the two-fold ability to either outrun would-be tacklers or simply run over them. He logged a team-best 511 yards on the season, including an even 100 in a win over Cornell. Ironically, it was against Landis' St. Mary's team that Sarnor first made his mark. He rushed for 42 yards on 13 carries - all after the start of the fourth quarter - including the game-tying touchdown in the final minute of regulation (the Bison went on to fall 23-22 in double overtime).
Two converted defensive players will also vie for time at fullback. Junior Frank Lazio, who came to Bucknell as a running back after playing fullback in a similar option offense at St. Anthony's High School on Long Island, was moved to free safety in 2002 and served in a backup capacity. One of the team's fastest players, Lazio will switch sides of the ball again this spring, and Landis feels he can be a real wildcard with an ability to play either fullback or slotback. Also on the move is former linebacker Anthony Lovelace, who was also a running back in high school.
Juniors Raphael Darrington and Rapheal Hammond, along with sophomores Antwan Kennedy and Michael Cangelosi will fortify the slot positions this spring. Darrington and Kennedy have the most varsity experience in the group. Darrington was Bucknell's fourth-leading rusher last season with 167 yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries. Kennedy emerged late in the season and gained 114 yards on 22 totes.
Hammond was the leading rusher on the junior varsity last fall with 221 yards and four touchdowns on 42 carries in four games. Cangelosi spent his freshman season as a wide receiver, with his claim-to-fame being a 99-yard touchdown catch in a jayvee contest. Cangelosi caught five passes against junior varsity competition, with three going for touchdowns.
Wide Receiver
"Wide receivers in this offense really have to be the quintessential wide receiver," says Landis. "First and foremost, they have to block, so they have to be physical and have tremendous intestinal fortitude. They also have to be able to run great routes and have the ability to catch the ball. So we are asking these guys to be the best all-around wide receivers possible. And they also know that their hard work will be rewarded, because when we do throw the ball, it's going to be for big plays. We had a two-week stretch at St. Mary's two years ago when we threw eight touchdown passes in two games."
Despite the loss of former all-league pick Jim Horan, Bucknell brings a veteran receiver corps back to spring camp, one that Landis calls his deepest group in any of his 11 seasons as a head coach. Heading the list is senior Albert Marquardt, who led the Bison in yards per catch (19.4) and receiving touchdowns (4) and ranked second in receptions (27) and receiving yards (525) in 2002. The 6'2" Marquardt owns the coveted combination of size and speed to excel in the spread option offense.
Fellow seniors Tim Johnson and Evan Crawford will also be key players at wide receiver. Both are good blockers, can turn a short pass into a long gain, and can get behind the defense to catch the deep ball. Johnson had seven grabs for 40 yards last season, while Crawford had one reception and was a mainstay on special teams.
Junior Nisan Trotter is a potential starter opposite Marquardt. Trotter has impressed the new coaching staff with his offseason conditioning and certainly boasts big-play potential. He caught four passes last season, including a touchdown in the season opener against Duquesne. Sophomore Matt Miller had a fine rookie season with eight catches for 74 yards but will sit out the spring session after having offseason shoulder surgery. Former quarterbacks Ian Nutt, who converted to tight end last season and caught eight passes, and Devin Fitzsimmons will also be in the mix at wide receiver.
Offensive Line
Just like at wide receiver, Bucknell returns plenty of veteran talent on the offensive line. Four 2002 starters return, and all five projected starters in 2003 have considerable varsity experience.
Senior Rashad Stallworth, a second-team All-Patriot League selection last season, moves from tackle to guard in 2003. Landis places his biggest, most physical linemen in the guard slots, as they tend to be covered more in the spread option. Junior Aaron DeGraffenreidt, like Stallworth a 300-pounder, returns to his left guard spot.
Senior Andrew Cinamella returns at center, where he started all 11 games last season and was one of the team's most improved linemen. Senior Steve Kerr and junior Justin Gibson enter spring camp as the projected starting tackles. Kerr played in all 11 games last season, starting seven, while Gibson made a half-dozen starts.
"There's no substitute for experience, and we have great experience on the offensive line," says Landis. "The litmus test this spring will be how well they adapt to more of a run-oriented offense, and also to some subtle position changes. In addition to the guys with starting experience, there are some kids coming into the spring who we are also very excited about."
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Defensive Line
On paper, Bucknell's defensive line may seem tattered following the loss of four terrific seniors, including All-American Adam Lord. But in reality, Landis is extremely optimistic about a "new-look" line that will be anchored by two imposing tackles in junior Corey Mayo and senior Shawn Tidwell. Mayo, a starter since late in his freshman campaign, has all-conference potential. He had 35 tackles and three sacks as an 11-game starter last season. Tidwell, a junior college transfer last season, played behind Lord and brings an additional size element at better than 290 pounds.
 Corey Mayo will anchor the defensive line. |
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On the ends, sophomores Brandon Bailey and Chris Praylo both lettered as rookies last season while serving as apprentices under the veteran linemen.
With a tight end rarely utilized in the spread option offense, Landis was able to bolster the defensive line with a pair of converted tight ends. Senior Dave Gibson actually started his career as a defensive lineman before switching to tight end last season, where he made eight catches for 79 yards. Gibson will moved back to defensive tackle, while athletic sophomore Sean Conover will line up at end. Conover was a highly regarded tight end prospect who earned a letter for his special teams work last season.
"You can't lose players the caliber of Adam Lord, Gary Carruthers and Eric Storm and expect to replace them easily," says Landis. "But I really think Corey Mayo and Shawn Tidwell are impact football players, so I don't think there is a need for anybody to panic."
Linebacker
The Bison linebacker corps will be young, but fairly well tested, in 2003. Juniors Kevin Ransome and David Ulmer are listed atop the depth chart at linebacker at the start of spring practice, as the Bison look to replace three outstanding performers in Stephane Pluviose, Juan Morales and two-time All-Patriot Leaguer Joe Massey. Ransome is coming off a terrific sophomore campaign in which he was Bucknell's second-leading tackler with 69 hits, including three sacks and nine tackles for loss. Ulmer is vying for his first everyday starting berth after serving as a backup linebacker over the last two seasons.
Senior Brock Williamson, a Ricks JC transfer who got a late start at Bucknell due to an injury last season, and sophomore Andrew Decker, a graduate of nearby Berwick High School, will also be in the mix at inside linebacker. Junior Mike Shover and sophomore Zach Richards will continue to rehabilitate injuries this spring and will be back in the mix in summer camp.
"Kevin Ransome is certainly the kind of player who can be an anchor among our linebackers," predicts Landis. "Brock Williamson is an experienced, mature player that we are excited about. Shover is coming along real well after the knee injury and Ulmer is a real physical, tough kid. Those are two critical positions for us, but we think we will be fine there."
The outside linebacker spots, or "knockers" in Tripp Merritt's 4-4 defensive scheme, are really more of a hybrid between a safety and an OLB. Landis likens the knockers to his slotbacks on offense, in that they really have to be multi-dimensional players - part linebacker and part defensive back. They will be counted on to rush the passer, stop the run and defend receivers.
The two leading candidates here are senior Mike Leatherman, formerly a starting free safety, and senior Will Smith, last year's starting strong safety to is studying off campus this spring and will miss spring practice. Both players are wily veterans who are also two of the team's hardest hitters. Despite missing a game due to an injury, Smith was Bucknell's fourth-leading tackler with 58 stops. Leatherman had 47 tackles in his first year as a starter at free safety. He also broke up four passes, intercepted one, recovered a fumble and had a 42-yard run on a fake punt.
Senior Jared Marsilio, junior Steven Millhouse and sophomore James Lachman will also play the knocker position in spring practice.
Defensive Back
Free safety is an extremely important position in Merritt's system, and he had a terrific one in All-American Weston Borba at St. Mary's over the last three years. Junior Joe Glenn moves from cornerback to free safety in 2003 and will compete for a starting spot in the preseason. Sophomores Lachman and Michael Treston will also compete here. Glenn played in 10 games last season, including three as a starter after Bucknell's cornerback ranks were thinned by injury late in the year. He made 16 tackles and broke up a pair of passes. Lachman was very impressive with the jayvees last fall, leading the squad with 39 tackles in four games.
At cornerback, veterans Jerome Acy and Anthony Lewis return to starting roles. Lewis was limited to eight games due to a hip injury late last season, but he was one of the team's top defenders when healthy. He logged 29 tackles (27 solo) and led the team with three interceptions and six pass breakups. Lewis, who is studying off campus this spring, also notched three of Bucknell's school-record 10 blocked kicks last season. Acy missed virtually all of the 2002 season with a back injury, but is back at 100 percent and could be an all-conference candidate if he can return to his pre-injury form.
Complementing that duo are junior Jeffrey Montagna and sophomores Dante Ross and Braxton Lake. Another sophomore, Ryan Whitfield, played quite a bit late last season but will likely miss spring practice with an injury.
Special Teams
Landis is very excited to have Jared Backus returning as special teams coordinator in 2003. In Backus' first season in Lewisburg the Bison were extremely dangerous blocking kicks, racking up 10 in 11 games to set a new school record. Backus will have a busy preseason, as Bucknell has some key holes to fill on special teams.
The Orange and Blue will have brand new starters at both punter and placekicker in 2003, following the graduation of punter Billy Windle and kicker Chris Lundberg. The situation will likely not be cleared up until August, when highly regarded recruit Ryan Korn arrives. The rookie will compete for starting jobs at both punter and kicker.
Sophomore Ryan Bower will have a lot to say about that, however. Bower handled the kickoff duties for much of last season and demonstrated a strong leg. He will have the benefit of getting virtually all of the field goal and extra-point snaps this spring. Bower booted a 40-yard field goal in a junior varsity contest last season.
Junior Ryan Berry has been the jayvee punter for the last two seasons. Last fall he averaged 36.6 yards on 19 punts, with a long of 51 yards. A handful of other players, including former quarterback Devin Fitzsimmons, will also take some reps at punter this spring.
While the kick blocking units were among the nation's best in 2002, the coaching staff will be looking for improvement in the punt and kickoff return areas this season. Sophomore Dante Ross showed flashes of potential as a punt returner late last season, and he took one back for a touchdown in a junior varsity game. Sophomore Antwan Kennedy is the top returning kick returner, and he and a host of backs and receivers will get looks there this spring.
"In my years as a head coach I have normally handled the special teams," says Landis. "While I had great coaches at my side, it really occupied a lot of my time during the week. So the opportunity for me to work with Jared, who comes from many of the same philosophies, is exciting."
