I'm a bit nervous about D. McKnight as the #1 punt returner. His hands were a REAL problem last season. Justin Harper is listed as the #2. The first time Dante muffs a punt -- which I hope does NOT happen! -- I hope Harper is given the job.

QB: same as last season, Vickers 1, Gorney 2. As long as both have reasonably improved, and I've heard there's been progress, we'll be OK.

WR: Jacob Brown has overtaken Rod Means for a starting spot, Harper is now Turner's backup, and Steve Messam remains a starter (when in three wideout mode).

OL: No big changes, but true freshman Eric Karbowski is the top reserve at LG, due to the shoulder injury of Dean Zarafonetis. He was one of our higher-rated recruits this offseason, if memory serves.

DL: Big frosh Anthony Thompson is the #2 man at DT. At 285, he could be very useful in short-yardage situations. Our smallest DT in the two-deep is now 270lbs, and these guys aren't slow, for their size.

LB: True freshman Jason Smith is backing up Ron Bartell at BUCK. I believe Jon Nelson has a lingering injury, not sure when he's expected back.

DB: Holoman in at #2 CB, Bartell is pulling double-duty, backing King at FS.

SHS All-American Candidate at ST, Chase Denton, is injured and will miss the game, per the CMU website. This seems a big loss for the BearKats, whose only experience on offense is on the OL.

Also, Wyoming's leading returning rusher, Derek Armah, has been suspended indefinitely, per the August 23 update on the Wyoming site (Adobe Acrobat needed).

<small>[ August 25, 2002, 12:10 AM: Message edited by: CMichFan ]</small>

Vickers will start. This article makes it seem like Gorney had taken the lead, at least for a time:

<a href="http://cmuchippewas.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082702aaa.html" target="_blank">QBs and more</a>

It's confirmed that reserve WR Scott Gibson is out 6-8 weeks with a broken collarbone. Good luck to the young man. Interestingly, a walk-on has taken his place, not Willie Hill or another experienced guy.