Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Opens Spring Practice on Sunday
3/23/2007 8:00:00 AM | Football
March 23, 2007
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Bucknell's 2007 spring football practice begins on Sunday afternoon with a 4:30 session at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It will be the first of 15 spring workouts, culminating with the annual Orange vs. Blue Spring Game on Apr. 21 at 8 p.m. Following is a team preview heading into spring practice.
If the old coaching adage is true that players make their biggest strides between year one and year two, then this should be an awfully important spring football session for the Bucknell Bison.
Coming off a turnaround 6-5 campaign in which a number of first-year players were handed significant roles, Bucknell's continued ascent in the Patriot League standings will largely be determined by the level of progress those youngsters make in the offseason.
"As freshmen, a lot of guys would be happy just to get playing time," said head coach Tim Landis, who will be in his fifth season at Bucknell in 2007. "It is important that we get the young guys to take the next step in their development and not be satisfied simply with playing time."
Eight different freshmen started at least one game and five earned a Patriot League Rookie of the Week certificate in 2006. The first-year class, along with a solid nucleus of veterans, helped the Bison improve from 1-10 in 2005 to 6-5 last season, tying them for the nation's top one-year victory improvement.
While posting a winning record was an admirable accomplishment last season given the travails of 2005, ultimately the program has much loftier aspirations, most notably a conference championship. Landis knows that in order to join the Patriot League's elite, there is plenty of work to be done.
"We certainly made critical strides going 6-5 with such a young team last season," offered Landis. "But we have to be aggressive in taking the next step, and that next step is competing in the upper echelon of the Patriot League. We have stressed to the players that going from 6-5 to a conference championship is going to be a much tougher step than going from 1-10 to 6-5. We are not going to surprise anyone, which we may have done to some extent last year. We are still going to be very young, but the expectation is there that we will forge ahead."
Following is a position-by-position look at the Bison heading into spring practice.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Football's glamour position typically draws the most attention from casual spectators, but this spring all eyes truly will be trained on the quarterbacks, as this figures to be the premier position group battle between now and the Sept. 1 opener at Duquense.
Bucknell comes into spring camp with three quarterbacks who started games last season, and all three had shining moments. Andrew Lair started four games and Terrance Wilson one, but each was felled by a broken collarbone. That left the offense in the hands of freshman Marcello Trigg, who improved significantly throughout the back half of the season and led the team to a 3-3 record in his six starts.
Trigg, who rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 617 and four scores, is listed No. 1 on the spring depth chart, a clear sign of the positive impression he left on the coaches at the end of the fall. His best game came in the season finale, a 31-28 win over rival Colgate, when he completed 9 of 10 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 73 yards and a score.
Lair, who transferred to Bucknell from Navy prior to last spring's practice session, won the opening night starting assignment and showed off a strong, accurate throwing arm and explosive speed. Unfortunately, Lair's first season in Orange & Blue was marred by injuries.
He had a 38-yard touchdown against Duquesne in the season opener, but he was forced out after two quarters due to a hip injury. Lair returned to start the next three games, but against Richmond in week four he was tackled hard and suffered the collarbone injury, effectively ending his season. All told Lair rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns, and he completed half his pass attempts (13-for-26) for 243 yards.
Wilson was the hero of the Duquesne victory, when he relieved Lair in the second half and scrambled for a 15-yard tying touchdown on the final play of regulation, allowing Bucknell to eventually win in overtime. Wilson also scored a TD in relief against Richmond, and he was leading the Bison to a rout of Marist before breaking his collarbone one week after Lair did the same.
"It is going to be a great battle," Landis predicted. "We have seen all three perform at game speed, and all have done very well. Marcello Trigg goes in at the top of the depth chart based on his performance during the second half of the season, and he certainly deserves to be there. We are going to challenge all three of them, give them a lot of reps and see who emerges."
Fullback
Similar to quarterback, the workhorse fullback position is also stocked with experienced players. Returning Second Team All-Patriot Leaguer Josh DeStefano is the probable starter, with Kevin Mullen and Corin Erby also figuring to get plenty of spring reps. A fourth returning fullback, Paul Forcellini, will not practice this spring while he continues his recovery from an ACL injury that cut short his promising freshman season.
DeStefano rushed for a career-high 643 yards and scored three touchdowns in 2006. Included in that ledger was a 180-yard outburst in a win over Fordham in addition to a 101-yard ledger in a win at Marist.
"Josh DeStefano just had an outstanding year and has earned the right to be the starter," said Landis. "He is going to be pushed hard, though, by Kevin Mullen and Corin Erby this spring and by Paul Forcellini when he is ready to come back in the fall."
Mullen, a hard-nosed performer who has earned the team's ROTC Award for outstanding leadership in each of his first two years in the program, rushed for 294 yards last season, including a career-high 110 in the win over Georgetown, a game that DeStefano missed due to injury.
Erby had a 42-yard touchdown run against Marist and also played quite a bit on special teams. Forcellini rushed for 71 yards and a TD on only 10 carries in the season-opening win over Duquesne, but he suffered the knee injury a week later against Lafayette and missed the rest of the season.
Slotback
Freshman sensation A.J. Kizekai and veteran Roosevelt Davis are listed as the top two slotbacks this spring. Kizekai was one of the Patriot League's top rookies last fall, despite getting a late start due to a preseason injury. He scored on a 36-yard run on his first collegiate carry against No. 7 Richmond in week four, and seeing regular action the rest of the way rushed for 441 yards and a team-high four touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Kizekai also caught six passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Davis was a part-time starter last season and ran for 134 yards on 29 carries.
One key cog the Bison will not have this spring is freshman Rashod Bumpers, who made an immediate impact before tearing an ACL in the Richmond game. Bumpers ran for 126 yards and a TD on only nine carries in his collegiate debut against Duquesne.
Another youngster whom the coaches want to take a good look at this spring is promising freshman Josh Lee, who saw brief action in four games in the fall and was also the leading rusher on the jayvee squad. Justin Pulgrano and Cameron O'Reilly will also vie for time in the backfield.
"The slotback position will be a bit thinner than we would like this spring, with Rashod Bumpers out and another good class coming this fall," said Landis. "Still, we are very excited to watch the development of A.J. Kizekai. He has the potential to be one of the very best running backs in the league."
Wide Receiver
Bucknell figures to be as deep at wide receiver as it has been since Landis arrived five years ago. Daniel Zvara has led the team in receiving in each of his first two collegiate seasons, while Alex Odenbach and Cale Cadman both made strong impressions in their first seasons with the Bison. Senior-to-be Andrew Guadagno is another veteran presence, while rookies A.J. Pompliano and Trevor Dombeck are a bit more unproven, but full of potential at the same time.
"We were certainly much improved at wide receiver a year ago, and with a strong group of freshmen receivers coming in, I expect us to be as deep and talented as we've been there," noted Landis.
Offensive Line
Bucknell's biggest graduation hit comes on the offensive line, where senior starters Stefan Niemczyk, Joel Hoffer and Michael Anthony, along with key reserve Michael Boccella, have all moved on. Seniors-to-be Chad Glasser at left tackle and Jonathan Grainger at right guard -- both returning starters -- figure to be the anchors of the line in 2007. Rising junior Greg Conti is the top candidate to replace Hoffer at center, with youngsters like James Phelan, Ian Fullmer, Andrew Bottone and Corey Teitz needing strong springs to improve their stock in the remaining position battles.
"We probably have the most work to do on the offensive line," Landis admitted. "We have a very good foundation in Chad Glasser and Jonathan Grainger. Both of those guys could vie for all-league honors next season. There is going to be some great competition at the other spots, and it will be interesting to see who emerges."
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Bucknell's entire starting defensive line returns for new defensive coordinator Andrew Cohen, including freshman Josh Eden, who led the team in sacks with four and tackles for loss with seven. Eden and classmate David Young come into spring practice No. 1 on the depth chart at defensive end, with rising senior Ryan Walsh competing with Brandon Friday for the starting berth at noseguard.
Todd Rinaldo, a starting end last year, moves back to outside linebacker in Cohen's scheme.
Promising first-year players Anthony Schultz and Will Braaf also look to continue their development this spring, although the Bison will be without freshman Michael Wagner, who is recovering from offseason surgery.
"Although the defensive line is still very young, we feel there is very good talent and depth there," said Landis. "Josh Eden, even though he is still a freshman, has proven to be a real leader. Ryan Walsh is a two-year starter, and some guys who have not played a lot yet, like Will Braaf and Anthony Schultz and David Young, and going to get a lot of reps this spring."
Linebacker
Losing four-year starter Dorian Petersen and his 102 tackles will be a blow, but the Bison still figure to return two of the Patriot League's best linebackers in Ryan Slater and Sam Nana-Sinkam.
Josh Eden led the team in sacks as a freshman in 2006. |
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"We have very good leadership and production at the linebacker position," said Landis. "Losing a First Team All-Patriot Leaguer in Dorian Petersen will not be easy, so we will be paying close attention this spring to see who will step up and emerge. With the largest linebacker corps we've ever recruited on the way, it will be very important for those guys in camp this spring to make an impact."
Nana-Sinkam, who will have limited contact this spring after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, and Slater finished 2-3 in tackles last season with 85 and 81, respectively. Nana-Sinkam was the most productive freshman defensive player in the Patriot League. He started every game and made a wonderful first impression with 15 tackles in a week one victory over Duquesne. Slater had over 80 tackles for the second straight season in 2006, with a high of 12 against Lafayette.
Julius Hopson figures to gain additional reps at linebacker this spring, with Rinaldo and Todd Manjuck topping the depth chart at the outside linebacker positions.
Defensive Back
Bucknell will be challenged to replace both of its starting cornerbacks, including Second Team All-Patriot League selection Matt Palermo and Academic All-American David Frisbey. Sophomore Nolan Applegate and freshman Jason Davis have seen brief action at corner early in their careers, and that duo comes into the spring listed as the starters. Another trio of youngsters -- Chris Barr, Jay Harper and Brandon Simmons -- are also in the mix, with a heralded group of newcomers en route this fall.
"The biggest competition on the defensive side of the ball is going to be at cornerback," Landis noted. "It is important for all of these guys to establish themselves now, with a large, deep and talented bunch of freshmen coming in to play corner."
The good news is that both starting safeties will be back in 2007. Free safety Stephen Collage will miss spring ball while rehabbing from offseason surgery, but he is expected to be 100 percent by preseason camp. Collage had 51 tackles and a team-high four interceptions last season.
In his absence this spring, freshmen Casey Williams, Josh Gornto and Jon Salem will take the reps.
At strong safety, Brigham Farrand is coming off an outstanding rookie campaign, when he played in 10 games, worked his way into the starting lineup and finished fourth on the team in tackles with 72. He will be pushed by Harrison Baker and Eric Baxter.
"Stephen Collage will be a leader in the secondary this fall, and we are excited to see what Casey Williams and Josh Gornto can do with a lot reps in the spring," said Landis. "The coaches also feel that Brigham Farrand can be a very good player in the Patriot League. Harrison Baker has had injury problems in the past, so it is going to be important for him to have a good spring and reestablish himself. When healthy, he is very good."
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bison are fortunate that their starting punter and placekicker not only have two years still to go, but that they are already two of the Patriot League's best. Punter Phil Azarik has a booming left leg, and he averaged 40.5 yards per punt last season, second in the conference. Kicker Will Carney went 9-for-16 on field goals, including all five inside 30 yards, and 27-for-27 on PATs.
Applegate was a pleasant surprise returning punts. He averaged 12.2 yards per return, second in the league, and was named the team's Special Teams MVP. Jason Davis was the primary kickoff returner, as the Bison look for improvement in that phase of the special teams.
Bucknell's kickoff coverage unit ranked among the nation's best and was one of the team's strengths last season.
