Spring Wrapup - Taking Stock Of The Football Landscape

[MeanGreen61]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/foo...ing-focus_N.htm

Spring wrapup: Taking stock of football landscape

USA TODAY's Jack Carey and Kelly Whiteside take a look around the country at developments from spring football practices. The first major college games are Aug. 30.

Atlantic Coast

The biggest news at Florida State is the revamped coaching staff with five new assistants, including four on offense and high-profile hires Jimbo Fisher (offensive coordinator) and Rick Trickett (offensive line). "This is my last shot," coach Bobby Bowden says. "I'm 77 and I doubt I can go past 87. I had to hire people to get the job done. That doesn't mean we'll just walk in and win games, but we're headed in the right direction." …Virginia Tech cancelled the final week of spring practice and its spring game following the April 16 tragedy. "There's no question it was the right thing to do. It sets us back, but we'll make that up," coach Frank Beamer says. "We're going to come back stronger than ever. That's what keeps me going. I know that's what needs to happen and will happen." …Boston College's new head coach, Jeff Jagodzinski, plans to open up the offense with senior quarterback Matt Ryan, the leading passer last season in the ACC, and says he'd like to let Ryan call his own plays at times this fall. Jagodzinski, the Green Bay Packers' former offensive coordinator, is one of four new ACC coaches. He joins joining Miami's Randy Shannon, North Carolina's Butch Davis and North Carolina State's Tom O'Brien, the former BC coach.

Big East

New Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly used the spring to familiarize himself with the team but will have another new face to get used to once fall camp starts. Former Wake Forest QB and Ohio high school star Ben Mauk has transferred to UC and is expected to challenge incumbent Dustin Grutza for the starting job. … Redshirt freshman LB Scott Lutrus intercepted three passes in Connecticut's spring game and returned two of them for touchdowns. One went for 91 yards. He also had nine tackles. … It looks as if new Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe knows a good thing when he sees it. Returning QBs Brian Brohm and Hunter Cantwell combined for 513 passing yards in the spring game, which drew a UL record crowd of 28,000. …Pittsburgh's defense forced six turnovers in the spring game, including a 53-yard interception return for a TD by safety Elijah Fields. …Rutgers All-America senior DT Eric Foster has become the first Scarlet Knight named to the preseason watch list for the Lott Trophy, which is awarded to college football's defensive impact player of the year based on athletic performance and the personal character attributes. Foster had 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. South Florida's spring game was highlighted by the defenses combining for 13 sacks in a 7-6 final that was decided by QB Matt Grothe's short run with 1:02 to play. …Syracuse, which was 5-18 in Greg Robinson's first two seasons as coach, suffered a blow when Delone Carter, the leading returning rusher, suffered a dislocated hip. He is likely lost for the season. …West Virginia backup QB Adam Bednarik, who played in nine games in 2005 but missed last season with a shoulder injury, was back this spring and passed for 118 yards and a TD in the spring game.

Big Ten

The Big Ten has two new head coaches in Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and Minnesota's Tim Brewster and five new starting quarterbacks. Ohio State junior Todd Boeckman fills the biggest cleats, replacing Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Competition for the starting quarterback job at Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota will continue in August camp. … The Badgers are loaded no matter who hands off the ball to tailback P.J. Hill, the league's leading rusher who ran for 1,569 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns as a freshman. The Badgers have 10 returning offensive starters, including two who shared starts at tight end, seven defensive starters and their two kicking specialists back. … It's unclear how criminal charges against two Penn State players, including starting defensive back Anthony Scirrotto, could affect the team in the fall. …Michigan has plenty of offensive firepower with quarterback Chad Henne, wide receiver Mario Manningham, and tailback Mike Hart, but coach Lloyd Carr did not address the status of receiver Adrian Arrington, who was suspended from spring ball for disciplinary reasons.

Big 12

After watching his offense score just seven points in the spring game, Baylor coach Guy Morriss says the unit needs to play with more consistency. The Bears have to replace seven starters from last year's unit that averaged 23.6 points a game, Baylor's highest mark in 10 years, and set school single-season records for passing yards a game (275) and touchdown passes (24). However, the Bears averaged only 40.2 rushing yards a game, their lowest mark in 60 years. … Redshirt freshman QB Cody Hawkins is in the mix for the starting job at Colorado after passing for 119 yards in the spring game. His father is Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins. ... New Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said his team needs more consistency in its deep passing game, which will be spearheaded by senior QB Bert Meyer. This is the first head coaching job for Chizik, the former defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas. … Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry was the offensive star of Kansas' spring game, scoring three touchdowns and finishing with 150 yards on six receptions. ... Kansas State coach Ron Prince was a bit concerned about his punt return unit, saying it made some "poor decisions" when it came to fielding the ball in the spring game. That will be addressed when camp opens, he said. …Missouri's offense accumulated 550 yards in the spring game with QBs Chase Daniel, Chase Patton and Dominic Grooms combining for 373 through the air. … Former Arizona State QB Sam Keller had an impressive debut for Nebraska in the spring game, passing for 193 yards and completing 10 of 13. …Oklahoma must replace NFL-bound RB Adrian Peterson, but returnee Allen Patrick, who impressed when Peterson was injured last season, could be complemented by redshirt freshman DeMarco Murray, who averaged 11.3 yards a carry for three scrimmages this spring. … Quarterback Zac Robinson threw two TD passes in the last 1:14 of Oklahoma State's spring game as his team rallied for a 35-27 win. … Eight different players caught passes in Texas' spring scrimmage. Coach Mack Brown says the 2007 team will feature "the best group of receivers we have ever had." … Paced by freshman RB Cornell Tarrant and veteran Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M's White squad rolled to 213 yards on the ground and averaged 7.6 yards a carry in the spring game. …Texas Tech's secondary had five interceptions in the spring game, including sophomore Pete Richardson's 93-yard return and redshirt freshman Nathan Stone's 43-yarder that went for touchdowns. "I think we're faster on defense, and we have some young guys I'm impressed with," coach Mike Leach says.

Conference USA

New Alabama-Birmingham coach Neil Callaway is starting over in more ways than one. The Blazers lost 30 seniors from the 2006 roster and have only four starters back on offense and three on defense from a 3-9 team. … After playing at the Citrus Bowl, Central Florida will open a 45,000-seat stadium Sept. 15 against Texas. … Healthy this spring after shoulder problems hampered him for much of the past two years, East Carolina junior QB Patrick Pinkney is a viable option at the position going into the fall. … As Houston tries to replace record-setting QB Kevin Kolb, coach Art Briles says the defense might have to carry more of the load in the early going. The Cougars return eight defensive starters, including SS Rocky Schwartz, who missed most of last season with a knee injury. … Longtime former West Virginia assistant Steve Dunlap is Marshall's new defensive coordinator. The Herd gave up 27 or more points seven times last year. … Sophomore DE Greg Terrell, who led Memphis in sacks last year and was tied for the lead in tackles for loss, picked up in the spring game where he left off, with a team-high eight tackles, three for loss, two sacks and one pass deflection. …Rice All-America WR Jarett Dillard will enter the season having caught touchdown passes in 15 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in NCAA history. Former Pittsburgh WR Larry Fitzgerald holds the record (18). …SMU, 6-6 a year ago, will try to increase its win total for a fourth consecutive season and will count on a league-high six members of C-USA's all-freshman team, including QB Justin Willis, the freshman of the year. … Starting DT Sean Merrill suffered a broken leg late in Southern Mississippi's spring practice period but is expected back for the fall. … With Texas El-Paso's all-time leading passer Jordan Palmer having been drafted, coach Mike Price said a five-man battle for the job will continue in the summer. Included is redshirt freshman Trevor Vittatoe, who passed for 186 yards and 2 TDs in the spring game. … New Tulane coach Bob Toledo must replace QB Lester Rickard. Junior Scott Elliott returns with sophomore Anthony Scelfo, son of former Tulane offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo and the nephew of former Green Wave head coach Chris Scelfo, whom Toledo replaced. … New Tulsa co-offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn came over from Arkansas to join new coach Todd Graham's staff. The Golden Hurricane offense put up seven TDs in the spring game.

Mid-American

Akron lost two of its three starting defensive linemen from a year ago, but the Zips defense looks to be ahead of the offense with the top six tacklers returning. … Ball State junior punter Chris Miller has become just the second Cardinal named to Playboy magazine's preseason All-America team. He ranked second in the nation last year, averaging 46.3 yards a punt.…Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon says the Falcons want a more balanced attack this season. Bowling Green led the conference in rushing last season for the first time in 42 years (176.7 yards a game) after being among the best passing teams in the league the previous five seasons. Former QB coach Mick McCall is the new offensive coordinator. … LB Trevor Scott has been named a team captain at Buffalo for the second year. The former tight end came back last year from two broken bones in his back and led the team in sacks (nine) and tackles for loss (131/2). … New Central Michigan coach Butch Jones could have a smooth transition because the defending league champs will have seven first- or second-team All-MAC selections returning, including QB Dan LeFevour, MVP of the Motor City Bowl. … Eastern Michigan, which began the spring looking for a replacement for K Andrew Wellock, a four-year starter, might have found one in redshirt freshman Sean Dutcher, who booted field goals of 38 and 42 yards as snow swirled in the spring game. … With the loss of only six starters off last year's team, Kent State is hoping for a better finish in 2007. The Golden Flashes started 5-2 but lost four of their last five. … The offense at Miami (Ohio) figures to be better after an uncharacteristic 2-10 season. Eight offensive starters return, and the RedHawks have six offensive linemen who have starting experience. But only two receivers have caught passes. …Northern Illinois DE Larry English has been named to the preliminary watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award. The junior had 12 sacks a year ago, tying the school record and earning first-team All-MAC status. …Ohio QB Brad Bower, the team's most experienced returning signal-caller, sat out the spring game because of a knee injury but is expected to be OK in the fall.…Temple joins the league full-time this fall and the Owls' first MAC game is at home Sept. 8 against Buffalo. The Owls hope for an improvment in coach Al Golden's second year after playing 22 true freshmen last season. … Toledo returns 18 starters from last season's 5-7 team, including OL John Greco who is on the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award. …Western Michigan welcomed back DB Antwain Allen and QB Tim Hiller, who missed last season. Hiller injured a knee in the final game of 2005, and Allen suffered a knee injury last spring.

Mountain West

Air Force spent the spring learning new offensive and defensive schemes under coach Troy Calhoun, the former Houston Texans offensive coordinator and the first Air Force graduate to lead the program. The triple-option is still in the playbook but Calhoun, who replaced the retired Fisher DeBerry, plans to run a more balanced offense. … Texas Christian returns nine defensive starters to a unit ranked second nationally in run defense and total defense. That defensive experience will help the six returning starters on offensive adjust to a new starting QB … BYU will replace QB John Beck, the league's 2006 offensive player of the year, with sophomore Max Hall, a transfer from Arizona State.

Pacific-10

One of Arizona's strengths figures to be a veteran secondary. Senior CB Antoine Cason, a Jim Thorpe Award finalist, returns to spearhead a group that includes CB Wilrey Fontenot and FS Dominic Patrick. Only the strong safety spot appears unsettled. … Coach Dennis Erickson could be lined up for a successful first season at Arizona State, where nine offensive starters return and the Sun Devils welcome back OL Zach Krula. He missed all but three games of the past two seasons because of ankle problems. Krula, granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, is moving from guard to right tackle. …California is looking for more big things from junior LB Zack Follett, who last year earned all-conference honors despite not being a starter. He recorded 62 tackles with a team-high 121/2 tackles for loss and was tied for the team lead with 51/2 sacks. Follett also led the conference with four forced fumbles. … After Oregon finished last season with four consecutive losses following a 7-2 start, coach Mike Bellotti thought part of the problem was a lack of "mental toughness." Bellotti said the Ducks have put more of an emphasis "on competing and creating more competitive situations" as practice unfolded. … With QB Matt Moore, the MVP of last season's Sun Bowl, having departed, Oregon State coach Mike Riley said the position is open. Last year's back-up, Sean Canfield, and junior college transfer Lyle Moevao are the top candidates. … Southern California freshman FB Stanley Havili had an impressive spring, according to coach Pete Carroll, who says the redshirt freshman is "way ahead of anybody else we have had in these early stages." Havili earned a medical redshirt last year after suffering a broken leg against Arizona. … Under new coach Jim Harbaugh, Stanford is hoping for an improved defense. The Cardinal gave up 31.4 points and 387.5 yards a game last year. New defensive coordinator Scott Shafer coached a defense last year at Western Michigan that ranked 11th in the nation in total defense and sixth in run defense while leading in interceptions (24) and sacks (46). …UCLA's defense figures to be paced by All-America defensive end Bruce Davis, who had 12.5 sacks last season, (the most in the nation among returning players) and 17.5 tackles for loss. …Washington fans are anxiously awaiting the debut of QB Jake Locker, the former high school All-American and 2005 Washington state player of the year, who led Ferndale High to the state title two years ago. He accumulated almost 3,000 total yards while passing for 27 TDs and running for 24 in '05. … Former Washington State star RB Steve Broussard is the Cougars' new running backs coach after spending the past three years at Portland State and nine in the NFL. Broussard rushed for 3,054 yards in his career, the second best total in WSU history, before a nine-year NFL tenure.

Southeastern

Each week at Arkansas seems like another edition of "How the Hog Turns," given the soap opera surrounding the program. "This is the first time in my 26 years of coaching that there's been this much distraction, especially as far as things that involve me personally," coach Houston Nutt says. The first 2,000 Razorback fans at the spring game were expected to receive a Darren McFadden Heisman Trophy key chain card. Because of frigid temperatures only 2,000 attended and McFadden, the league's leading returning rusher, played sparingly. Quarterback Casey Dick enters the season as the starter. Last year's highly regarded freshman QB Mitch Mustain is transferring to Southern California. One of the freshmen competing for playing time next year will be Dick's younger brother, freshman Nathan, is competing for playing time. … Four SEC coaches have won national championships: Florida's Urban Meyer, South Carolina's Steve Spurrier who won a title at Florida; Alabama's Nick Saban who won at LSU and is the only new hire, and Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer. … Defending national champion Florida returns just two starters on defense and six on offense. …Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron did not name a starting quarterback coming out of spring drills in the competition between last year's starter, Brent Schaeffer, and Seth Adams. …South Carolina could start two pairs of twins on defense: LB Dustin and DE Jordin Lindsey and LBs Jasper and Casper Brinkley.

Sunbelt

First-year Florida International coach Mario Cristobal, a former Miami assistant, won't have much time to ease into his first head coaching job. The Panthers, whose 2006 season was best remembered for zero wins and one ugly brawl, play four of their first five games on the road, including at Penn State in the opener, at Miami and Kansas and home vs. Maryland. {hellip} New North Texas coach Todd Dodge, the 2005 USA TODAY High School Coach of the Year, has brought his four-wide spread attack to the Mean Green, which has been known as a running team and ranked 117th in the nation in passing and total offense last year.

Western Athletic

One of Boise State's unsung heroes from last season's Fiesta Bowl title team, OT Ryan Clady, is getting some preseason props. The 6-6, 319-pound All-WAC choice has been named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list. The Broncos finished sixth in rushing and 10th in total offense last year. … Seven starters return to Fresno State's offense, including four OLs who helped set a school record by allowing just 12 sacks last season. …Hawaii has rehired Greg McMackin as defensive coordinator, replacing Jerry Glanville, who left for Portland State. McMackin, who served as the school's defensive coordinator in 1999, returns after a three-year stint at Texas Tech and two-year stay with the San Francisco 49ers. In '99 the Warriors led the league with 34 forced turnovers, scored five defensive touchdowns and registered 33 sacks. … New Idaho coach Robb Akey will count on CB Stanley Franks, who led the nation with nine interceptions last year. His return yardage of 220 was a Vandals season record. … New Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley faces a schedule that will send his team to California, Mississippi and LSU. He is the son of former Georgia coach Vince Dooley. … Only one Nevada QB returns with any kind of collegiate experience. Sophomore Nick Graziano played in every game last season on special teams and also threw 17 passes. Redshirt freshmen Colin Kaepernick and Tyler Lantrip are also in the mix. New Mexico State returns 19 starters, including QB Chase Holbrook (4,619 passing yards and 4,541 total yards, NCAA records for a sophomore and school records for a season). … Fifteen starters return to San Jose State, coming off its first winning season since 2000 and first bowl victory since 1990. The Spartans have not posted back-to-back winning records in 15 years. …Utah State must fill the quarterback spot vacated by Riley Nelson, who left for a church mission. Leon Jackson, who started nine games as a sophomore in 2005 and the first five last season, returns.

Independents

Notre Dame not only has to find a new starting quarterback but also has to learn how to rely on more than a star quarterback. "In the last two years I think too many games we counted on No. 10 winning the game for us," coach Charlie Weis said about Brady Quinn. "Well, guess what? No. 10 is not here anymore. So the mentality has to change." Competing for that spot is highly touted freshman Jimmy Clausen, junior Evan Sharpley, sophomore Demetrius Jones and sophomore Zach Frazer. "None of the four, I would say, played themselves out of contention, and that's as strong a statement as I can make there," said Weis, who plans to narrow the candidates for the starting job to two in late May. {hellip} Navy QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who started the final six games in place of injured Brian Hampton last year, missed the spring game due to an injured shoulder. Troy Gross, and Jarod Bryant will also compete for playing time. {hellip} New Army coach Stan Brock, an assistant under the retired Bobby Ross, will decide between David Pevoto, who started the first eight games last year, and Carson Williams, who started the final four.

Edited May 9, 2007 by MeanGreen61

[chrisfisher]

a**holes - is that the best they could do? The highlight of the SBC is FUI had zero wins, and UNT ranked near last in offense? The SBC is coming off a two bowl season with some decent OOC wins.

Edited May 9, 2007 by chrisfisher