MAC Conference schools promise exciting fall
August 19, 2004
EAST DIVISION
1. Miami -- The RedHawks likely won't match last year's amazing run to their No. 10 ranking at season's end, but Terry Hoeppner's team still has the goods to possibly repeat as MAC champions. Junior Josh Betts and redshirt freshman Mike Kokal are fighting to replace first-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. Senior Mike Smith is a dependable runner (18 touchdowns), sophomore Ryne Robinson is a dangerous punt returner (17.2 yards per return), and junior Martin Nance (1,498 yards) is potentially the best receiver in school history. Seven starters, including Matt Pusateri and the rest of the secondary, return to what was the league's stingiest defense.
2. Marshall -- Bob Pruett's team wants to leave the MAC like it re-entered seven years ago -- on the top. Quarterback Stan Hill started the first half of 2003 before a knee injury sidelined him. His top target is Josh Davis, but the rest of the receivers are mostly green. Senior running back Earl Charles looks to post another 1,000-yard season. A strong line led by ends Jonathan Goddard and Jamus Martin paces the defense, but Pruett wants his secondary to produce more turnovers.
3. Akron -- New coach J.D. Brookhart should feel fortunate to have a quarterback like senior Charlie Frye (3,549 yards, 22 TDs) to begin his tenure. Frye, who holds about every school passing record, is the league's next NFL draftee at quarterback. New starters at running back and wide receiver must step up, though. It was a porous defense that led to Lee Owens' demise last year.
4. Central Florida -- About to join Marshall in an exodus to the supposedly greener pastures of Conference USA, the Golden Knights hired George O'Leary (hopefully after double-checking his resume) to reverse last year's 3-9 dabacle. He hopes to develop sophomore quarterback Steven Moffett into the school's next star quarterback. Senior Alex Haynes has over 2,500 career rushing yards, and Tavaris Capers is the top returning pass-catcher. The defense struggled about as much as Ball State's in stopping the run.
5. Kent State -- Doug Martin, promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach when Dean Pees left to join the New England Patriots staff, greeted at least 15 returning starters -- 16 if quarterback Joshua Cribbs recovers from off-season legal troubles. With the seniors, the Golden Flashes have the league's most dangerous threats. Cribbs has recorded more than 3,000 career yards each rushing and passing. Linebacker Eric Mahl and cornerback Usama Young head a defense that was 12th in the MAC last season.
6. Ohio -- Attempting to inject life into the program -- and hopefully save his job as a result -- Brian Knorr shifted the offense from option- to spread-oriented. Senior Ryan Hawk or sophomore Austen Everson will be the trigger man. With some of last year's running backs moving to receiver, Brad Young (319 yards) will probably be the top back. Dennis Chukwuemeka is one of the MAC's elite linebackers and hopes to lead a better defense this year.
7. Buffalo -- Juniors Dave Dawson and Aaron Leeper should be looking forward to running behind an offensive line that returns four starters. It shouldn't be too much for whoever wins the quarterback job to top last year's total of passing touchdowns -- a mere six. The defensive line is also experienced, but the unit as a whole is fair at best.
WEST DIVISION
1. Toledo -- The offense, engineered by efficient junior Bruce Gradkowski, will put plenty of points on the scoreboard. In his first year as starter, Gradkowski threw for 3,210 yards and 29 touchdowns. Trinity Dawson ran for 999 yards out of the one-back set, Gradkowski added 504, and monster left tackle Nick Kaczur is an All-America candidate. If Ball State or Bowling Green doesn't have the MAC's best group of receivers, than Toledo does. Lance Moore (103 catches for 1,194 yards), Steve Odom and tight end Andrew Clarke are the ringleaders. While Amstutz wants a new defensive line to be more productive, the back seven of the defense, paced by inside linebacker Anthony Jordan and safety Patrick Body, is rather solid.
2. Bowling Green -- Sophomore Omar Jacobs takes over for Josh Harris, the most celebrated quarterback in school history and one country's top playmakers last year. Jacobs will have all of last year's receivers, including senior Cole Magner (99 catches for 1,138 yards), to throw to. The running game is also strong, as juniors P.J. Pope and B.J. Lane racked up 1,005 and 498 yards, respectively, and the middle of the offensive line returns. Leading tackler and all-MAC safety Keon Newson moved to cornerback and will anchor what looks to be another stout defense.
3. Northern Illinois -- A 10-2 year, including a season-opening upset of Maryland, still seemed somewhat disappointing because the Huskies didn't make the league championship or a bowl game. Now they must deal with the graduation of Michael Turner, the 13th-leading rusher in NCAA history. Quarterback Josh Haldi will be a three-year starter, however, and Jake VerStraete leads four returning linemen. Despite losing some strong starters, the defense still has enough playmakers to remain solid, with leader Brian Atkinson moving from outside to middle linebacker.
4. Western Michigan -- Rutgers-transfer Ryan Cobit could be the answer to Western's quarterback question. Juniors Trovon Riley and Daniel Marks are being counted on to improve a struggling running game and in doing so, provide support for the new quarterback. With stud defensive end Jason Babin becoming a first-round selection, end Jack Gitler is the new leader on defense.
5. Eastern Michigan -- With a small, compact frame (5-9, 193), Anthony Sherrell was a true workhorse, rushing for 1,531 yards, scoring 13 TDs and leading the team with 44 catches. New coach Jeff Genyk is counting on transfer quarterback Matt Bohnet producing more than 154 passing yards per game (the Eagles average in 2003). Leading returning-receiver Chris Roberson switched sides and now looks to be the top cornerback.
6. Central Michigan -- Jerry Seymour, who was awared MAC Freshman of the Year after piling up 1,117 yards rushing, is Central's version of Sherrell. He gives new coach Brian Kelly a good weapon to build around and will hopefully provide balance for whoever is the new quarterback. The defense has been a source of headaches for CMU coaches. This year it's led by senior James King, who is moving from safety to outside linebacker, and sophomore end Dan Bazuin.
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