|
|
Basically ... There's no excuse for a repeat of last year's average offensive performance with nine returning starters and experience to burn. After dealing with growing pains of last year, the line and receiving corps should develop into a strength, while the running backs are talented and provide several good options. It should all come together with QB Gino Guidugli ready for a bounce-back year after a mediocre junior campaign.
Star of the offense: Senior QB Gino Guidugli
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior WR Derick Ross
Unsung star on the rise: Senior WR Hannibal Thomas
Best pro prospect: Guidugli
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Guidugli, 2) OG Kyle Takavitz, 3) RB Richard Hall
Strength of the offense: Experience
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Gino Guidugli, Sr. - Guidugli has all but cemented himself as the school's all-time best quarterback already holding almost every record, but now he has to find a way to end his good career
with a bang. He was merely average last season with his decision making ability regressing and his accuracy slipping seeing his passer rating fall to a career low 113. No longer the skinny
string bean of a few years ago, he has grown into a fantastic prospect with good range on his arm and decent mobility.
Top Backups
- George Murray, Sr. - While more useful a a receiver, he'll stay also be the number two quarterback ready to come in if Guidugli goes down. He's fast quarterback option with enough experience
to be a good starter if needed. - Collin Carey, Jr. - The former Eastern Michigan transfer will spend most of his time as kick holder. He has a decent arm, but it'll take a disaster for him to
see much playing time at quarterback. - Todd Spitzer, RFr. - The big redshirt freshman was the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. He's 6-5, 220 pounds and will be grooms as the heir
apparent to Guidugli.
The Skinny: Guidugli has as much talent as any Conference USA quarterback. He slipped last year instead of taking the leap forward a three-year starter should've. He cut down on his interceptions, but he threw for over 800 fewer yards. Part of that was the inexperience at receiver, but he should be making everyone around him better. George Murray is a solid number two. Player to keep an eye on: Todd Spitzer ... Quarterback Rating: 7.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Richard Hall, Sr. - Hall has the speed and talent to look like an all-star, but he got banged up and disappeared late last year. He tore through fantastic Miami University and Southern Miss
run defenses for 275 yards, and then gained a total of 111 yards over the last five games. If 100%, he's a dangerous weapon also able to catch the ball with 22 grabs for 252 yards and two
touchdowns last year. - Ken Smith, Soph. - The 234-pound sophomore moves over from linebacker to fullback to give the Bearcats a physical blocker to replace Booker Vann. He mostly
saw time on special teams last year.
Top Backups
- Carl Jones, Jr. - Jones moved from receiver to running back providing some more speed and flash to the backfield. He doesn't have much in the way of power used for his quickness, finishing
second on the team with 410 yards and a touchdown averaging five yards per carry including a 187-yard day against Rhode Island. - Derrick Eddington, Soph. - A small, quick backup, Eddington was
the fastest running back on the squad rushing for 269 yards and a touchdown last year. He left the team this summer due to family issues. - Kyle Koester, Jr. - A 240 pounds, Koester has the
power among the back rushing for 52 yards and two touchdowns in short yardage situations. - Terry Arnold, Soph. - Arnold isn't huge, but he's a bit more powerful than the main backs in the
rotation. He came on at the end of last year rushing for 87 yards. - Evan Sparks, Soph. - He's not the biggest fullback in the world at only 205 pounds and will have to battle Ken Smith for the
starting job. He'll be used more as a ball-carrier than a blocker.
The Skinny: If Richard Hall can stay healthy, this will be a great group with plenty of speed and several good options to turn to. There's little power among the regular rotation of backs, so 240 pound short yardage specialist Kyle Koester will have to be reliable for the tough yards. There's no reason to expect anything less than 2,000 yards out all them. Player to keep an eye on: Terry Arnold ... Running Back Rating: 7.5
Receivers
Projected Starter
s - Derick Ross, Jr. - Ross finds ways to get open with good quickness turning into a reliable medium range target averaging 17.1 yards per catch. He only has one touchdown catch for his career
and, going to show the lack of receiving production last year, led the team with 483 yards. - George Murray, Sr. - Murray will continue to split duties as the team's top short-range pass
catcher and backup quarterback. He has blazing speed, but only averaged a paltry nine yards per catch leading the team with 30 grabs for 270 yards and no touchdowns. He has deep play ability
even though it isn't used much. - Hannibal Thomas, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer is the best receiver on the team with 6-3 size and excellent hands. Now he needs to get the ball more
after averaging 18.8 yards per catch and scoring three touchdowns last year even though he didn't become a regular until midway through the season. - Tight end A.J. Lucius, Sr. - A three-year
starter, the 250-pound Lucius is a pure blocker with only six catches over his career. He's getting even better as he's getting stronger and should be one of the league's most physical tight
ends.
Top Backups
- Cedrick Dawley, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer has the best all-around receiving skills in the corps outside of Hannibal Thomas, and now he has to start making more deep plays. He's a big
receiver who found a home on the shorter routes only averaging eight yards per catch on his 23 grabs. - Mike Daniels, Soph. - The 5-7 sophomore is the most explosive Bearcat receiver averaging
18 yards per catch on his seven grabs. He'll be used to stretch the field so the bigger receivers can make plays underneath. - Bill Poland, Soph. - A tough, reliable receiver, Poland uses his
big frame to make catches in traffic and has the speed to get open deep. He made 13 catches for 144 yards last year. - Tight end Brent Celek, Soph. - A decent young blocker, it'll be Celek's
job to be the top receiving tight end replacing Dennis Hart's production.
The Skinny: UC got next to nothing out of its receiving corps last year, and all the key cogs return. There's hope for more production as the young players like Hannibal Thomas, Mike Daniels and Derick Ross now know what they're doing. The tight end combination is strong with the combination of A.J. Lucius blocking and Brent Celek catching. Player to keep an eye on: Hannibal Thomas ... Receiver Rating: 6
Offensive Line
Projected Starter
s - Tackle Steve Eastlake, Sr. - The returning starter at left tackle, he has gone from being a decent reserve to a strong, reliable rock with good strength and excellent feet. - Guard Kyle
Takavitz, Sr. - The former tackle is the best player on the line starting every game over the last two years finishing last season with All-Conference honors. He has the strength and the
303-pound body to be an effective run blocker, but his forte is pass protection. - Center Matt Webster, Jr. - While not as big as Joel Yakovac, Webster is the more experienced and more talented
center prospect. He'll have the unenviable task of replacing the anchor of the line, Josh Shneyderov. - Guard Matt Mercer, Sr. - The former defensive tackle and center turned into a good right
guard last year even though he was banged up for most of the season. He's big, experienced and versatile. - Tackle Clint Stickdorn, Sr. - The former tight end has bulked up to became a mainstay
on the line. At 6-6 and 308 pounds, he's able to use his frame and long arms as a top pass blocker.
Top Backups
- OT Jeremy Schlicher, Sr. - Used mostly as a long snapper, Schlicher is the most experienced backup tackle. He's not huge, but he saw enough time to be counted on in short stretches. - OG Adam
Shorter, Sr. - A career reserve, Shorter has enough experience to fill in at left guard for Kyle Takavitz if necessary. - C Joel Yakovac, Jr. - The 283-pound junior can fill in anywhere on the
line and will get the first look at center battling Matt Webster for the job.
The Skinny: It took a while to get all the kinks worked out last year, but now the line is experienced and strong with four good returning starters anchored by one of Conference USA's best guards, Kyle Takavitz. The concern is with the reserves lacking overall talent and experience. Player to keep an eye on: Clint Stickdorn ... Offensive Line Rating: 6
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Trusted Name in Gaming | |||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |