|
|
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HEAD
COACH: Bob Toledo
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jermaine Lewis-TB,
Gabe Crecion-TE, Oscar Cabrera-OG, Brian Polak-OG, Micah Webb-OT,
Freddie Mitchell-WR. Drew Bennett-WR
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Tony White-SLB, Jason Bell-CB, Jason
Zdenek-FS, Kory Lombard-DT |
|
Coach
Bob Toledo's stellar recruiting class from a few years ago is starting
to emerge. Some invaluable experience exists among the veterans.
The offensive skill positions rank up there with the best in the
Pac Ten. Cory Paus returns at QB, and barring injury, 1000 yard
rusher DeShaun Foster will be dazzling fans from his tailback spot.
The receivers are also top notch as Brian Poli-Dixon will be the
experienced stud that is super tough to cover. All in all 15 plus
starters return from 2000. Some key injuries need to be healed by
the time summer rolls around and the Bruins have been bitten by
the injury bug badly the last two falls. A new coordinator steps
in for UCLA on the defensive side of the ball, and was he ever handed
a solid group to work with. The defense is led by the 2000 leading
tackler, linebacker Robert Thomas, who finished 11th in the Butkus
voting. Ricky Manning Jr. is back after leading all Bruins with
four interceptions. To top it off, the entire front wall is back.
The opportunity to make an early splash as UCLA did in beating Alabama
and Michigan in 2000 is there again. The Bruins open at the Crimson
Tide and get Ohio State at home on Sept. 22. Placing the Bruins
in the Rose Bowl may not be so far fetched. Could this be the year
a home team plays for it all? A very long shot, but it is conceivable
to see a much improved UCLA team make a bid for the Pac Ten crown.
|
UCLA
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Cory
Paus-Jr |
Scott
McEwan-Sr |
FB |
Ed
Teremia-Stansbury-Sr |
Matt
Stanley-Sr |
TB |
DeShaun
Foster-Sr |
Akil
Harris-So |
SE |
Brian
Poli-Dixon-Sr |
Jon
Dubravac-Sr |
FL |
Tab
Perry-So |
Craig
Bragg-Fr |
TE |
Bryan
Fletcher-Sr |
Mike
Seidman-Jr |
OT |
Bryce
Bohlander-Jr |
Ed
Anderson-Sr |
OG |
Blake
Worley-Jr |
Paul
Mociler-Fr |
C |
Troy
Danoff-Sr |
John
Ream-Fr |
OG |
Shane
Lehmann-So |
Eyoseph
Efseaff-Fr |
OT |
Mike
Saffer-Jr |
Steven
Vieira-Fr |
K |
Chris
Griffith-Jr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Kenyon
Coleman-Sr |
Mat
Ball-So |
DT |
Anthony
Fletcher-Sr |
Ken
Kocher-Sr |
DT |
Rodney
Leisle-So |
Sean
Phillips-Jr |
DE |
Rusty
Williams-Jr |
Dave
Ball-So |
SLB |
Brandon
Chillar-So |
Tim
Warfield-Fr |
MLB |
Robert
Thomas-Sr |
Dennis
Link-Fr |
WLB |
Ryan
Nece-Sr |
Marcus
Reese-Jr |
CB |
Ricky
Manning - Jr |
Ryan
Wikert-So |
CB |
Joe
Hunter-Jr |
Keith
Short-So |
SS |
Marques
Anderson-Sr |
Jason
Stephens-Sr |
FS |
Kevin
Brant-So |
Ben
Emanuel II-Fr |
P |
Nate
Fikse-Jr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Bob Davie
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Joey Getherall-FL,
Jay Johnson-SE, Jabari Holloway-TE, Dan O'Leary-TE, Jim Jones-OG,
Mike Gandy-OG
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: B.J. Scott-DT, Lance Legree-NG, Anthony
Denman-ILB, Anthony Brannan-OLB, Brock Williams-CB, Tony Driver-FS |
|
The
Irish finished the regular season with seven straight wins, the
longest since the 1988 Championship team. After all the 2000 preseason
heat, Coach Bob Davie recorded one of the best consecutive season
turnarounds in school history. Starting QB should continue to fall
into the hands of now sophmore Matt LoVecchio, who set an all time
low interception ratio record for Irish freshman. His surprise steadiness
was a welcome sight after original starter, Arnaz Battle, went down
in the first couple of games of 2000. However, Battle returns from
his wrist injury that sidelined him for most all of 2000, although
it looks like he will be switched to receiver. The running backs
are incredibly deep. Julius Jones will be the premier back as he
also doubles as an All-American kick returner, and Tony Fisher is
good enough to push him for playing time. There is some definite
senior talent on both sides of the ball. The defense will be aided
by the return of Grant Irons, who was the big senior leader of the
2000 team before an injury ended his season. The defensive backs
are just deep enough with talent they may finally provide a much
needed pass defense that ND has been lacking the last several seasons.
It appears Coach Davie had Notre Dame on course prior to a serious
shellacking in the Fiesta Bowl at the hands of Oregon State, the
problem once again is a monstrous schedule which looks even tougher
in 2001 than it did last year. The margin of error is very small
in South Bend, but just like last fall, there is no reason a nine
win campaign can't be put together.
|
NOTRE
DAME 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Matt
LoVecchio-So |
Carlyle
Holiday-Fr |
FB |
Tom
Lopienski-Jr |
Jason
Murray-Sr |
TB |
Julius
Jones-Jr |
Tony
Fisher-Sr |
SE |
Javin
Hunter-Sr |
Ronnie
Rodamer-Fr |
FL |
David
Givens-Sr |
Arnaz
Battle-Jr |
TE |
John
Owens-Sr |
Gary
Godsey-So |
OT |
Jordan
Black-Jr |
Casey
Robin-Sr |
OG |
Sean
Mahan-Jr |
Brennan
Curtin-So |
C |
Jeff
Faine-So |
J.W.
Jordan-Sr |
OG |
Ryan
Scarola-Jr |
Ryan
Gillis-So |
OT |
Kurt
Vollers-Sr |
John
Teasdale-Sr |
K |
Nick
Setta-So |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Anthony
Weaver-Sr |
.. |
DT |
Darrell
Campbell-So |
Greg
Pauly-Fr |
NG |
Andy
Wisne-Sr |
Cedric
Hilliard-So |
DE |
Grant
Irons-Sr |
Ryan
Roberts-Jr |
ILB |
Tyreo
Harrison-Sr |
Carlos
Pierre-Antoine-Jr |
ILB |
Courtney
Watson-So |
Patrick
Ryan-So |
OLB |
Rocky
Boiman-Sr |
Jerome
Collins-Fr |
CB |
Jason
Beckstrom-Jr |
Vontez
Duff-So |
CB |
Shane
Walton-Sr |
Clifford
Jefferson-Sr |
SS |
Ron
Israel-Sr |
Gerome
Sapp-Jr |
FS |
Donald
Dykes-Jr |
Glenn
Earl-So |
P |
Joey
Hildbold-Jr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Randy Walker
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Teddy Johnson-SE,
Derrick Thompson-FL, Tim Long-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Dwayne Missouri-DE, Javiar Collins-DT,
Conrad Emmerich-DE, Harold Blackmon-CB, Rashad Morton-FS |
|
Northwestern
is arguably one of the best stories in college football -- again.
The Wildcats finished 8-3 and tied for the Big Ten title with a
6-2 mark. The 2000 edition of Northwestern football figures to remain
largely intact when the 2001 season rolls around. Only nine players
on the current roster of 86 are slated to depart Evanston at the
end of the season. Northwestern's offense is led by All-American
Damien Anderson, a solid Heisman favorite heading into next fall.
Anderson finished the regular season second in the nation in rushing
averaging 174.0 yards per game. Anderson averaged an amazing 193.6
yards per game in Big Ten games, breaking Lorenzo White's 15-year-old
conference record. Returning at quarterback is senior leader Zak
Kustok, who never really had gaudy numbers, but led the Wildcats
to several come from behind victories. The defense will be known
as Linebacker U. for the upcoming season as four main leaders from
2000 return, including All-American Billy Silva at the heart of
the group. The defense does take a few hard losses as All-Conference
selections Dwayne Missouri (DE) and Harold Blackmon (CB) depart.
At this point, one would have to figure that the Wildcats, along
with Michigan, are the two top favorites to win the Big Ten title.
With everyone back up front on the offensive wall, and Damien Anderson
running right behind them, fans will get Big Ten football at its
best. Good things and big expectations are in store for Northwestern
fans and alumni.
|
NORTHWESTERN
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Zak
Kustok-Sr |
Matt
Danielson-So |
FB |
Vincent
Cartaya-Jr |
Gilles
Lezi-So |
RB |
Damien
Anderson-Sr |
Kevin
Lawrence-Jr |
SE |
Jon
Schweighardt-Jr |
Roger
Jordan-So |
FL |
Sam
Simmons-Sr |
Kunle
Patrick-So |
TE |
David
Farman-Jr |
Eric
Worley-So |
OT |
Leon
Brockmeier-Sr |
Derek
Martinez-So |
OG |
Lance
Clelland-Sr |
Matt
Ulrich-Fr |
C |
Austin
King-Jr |
Carl
Matejka-So |
OG |
Jeff
Roehl-Jr |
Adam
Fay-Sr |
OT |
Mike
Souza-Sr |
Ikechuku
Ndukwe-Fr |
K |
Brian
Huffman-So |
David
Wasielewski-Jr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Pete
Konopka-Sr |
Ben
Kennedy-So |
DT |
Pete
Chapman-Jr |
Colby
Clark-Fr |
DT |
Salem
Simon-Sr |
Matt
Anderson-So |
DE |
Onaje
Grimes-Jr |
Ray
Bogenrief-So |
OLB |
Napoleon
Harris-Sr |
Syga
Thomas-So |
MLB |
Billy
Silva-Sr |
Ryan
Peterson-So |
OLB |
Kevin
Bentley-Sr |
Pat
Durr-Jr |
CB |
Chasda
Martin-Jr |
Brandon
Evans-So |
CB |
Raheem
Covington-Jr |
Marvin
Ward-Fr |
SS |
Rashidi
Wheeler-Sr |
Marvin
Brown-Sr |
FS |
Sean
Wieber-Jr |
Mark
Roush-So |
P |
J.J.
Standring-Sr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Dennis Erickson
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Robert Prescott-SL,
Chad Johnson-SE, T.J. Houshmandzadeh-FL, Martin Maurer-TE, Robert
Sykes-OG, Jared Cornell-OG, Mitch White-OT, Mike Fessler-P
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: DeLawrence Grant-DE, Ryan Atkinson-DT,
LaDairis Jackson-DE, Sefa O'Reilly-DE, Darnell Robinson-SLB, Keith
Heyward-Johnson-CB, Ricky Walker-CB, Terrence Carroll-SS |
|
A
total of 29 Oregon State seniors played in their final football
game for Oregon State in the Fiesta Bowl and led the Beavers to
its first 11 win season in history. In other words, Coach Dennis
Erickson has his hands full in 2001. If there was ever one big factor
for determining success in Corvallis though, it would start at quarterback
with Jonathan Smith and at tailback with one of the leading Heisman
candidates for 2001, Ken Simonton. Both will be seniors. Ken Simonton
is the first player in Pacific-10 Conference history to rush for
1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Of most concern
is the receiver position, where the top three players were seniors,
as well as the top two tight ends. The defense will get younger
in 2001, with the loss of six four-year lettermen. CB Dennis Weathersby
is one of the finest cornerbacks in the nation. But the defensive
line will need to regroup totally. Losses are felt everywhere. Erickson
has been a master at working with JUCO transfers and newcomers.
2001 will need to take that path for the Beavers to come close to
a repeat of an 11 win season. But hey, no one believed last season,
and with Smith and Simonton leading the way, there may be more in
store for opponents this coming fall.
|
OREGON
STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Jonathan
Smith-Sr |
Nick
Stremick-Sr |
TB |
Ken
Simonton-Sr |
Patrick
McCall-Sr |
SL |
James
Newson-So |
Mike
Payton-Sr |
SE |
Shawn
Kintner-Jr |
George
Gillett-Fr |
FL |
Seth
Trimmer-Jr |
Ron
Monteilh-Fr |
TE |
Tim
Euhus-So |
Tyler
Ross-Jr |
OT |
Lee
Davis-Jr |
Brian
Kilkenny-So |
OG |
Kanan
Sanchez-Fr |
Mike
Kuykendall-Jr |
C |
Chris
Gibson-Sr |
Matt
Brock-Fr |
OG |
Keith
DiDomenico-Sr |
Paul
Davidian-Sr |
OT |
Vincent
Sandoval-Sr |
Doug
Nienhuis-Fr |
K |
Ryan
Cesca-Jr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Dan
Rothwell-So |
Alvin
Steen-Jr |
DT |
Eric
Manning-Jr |
Mike
Havens-Fr |
DT |
Dwan
Edwards-So |
Paul
Soto-Fr |
DE |
Kyle
Rosselle-Sr |
Brian
Tulikihihifo-Sr |
SLB |
Nick
Barnett-Jr |
Jason
Jacobs-So |
MLB |
Richard
Seigler-So |
Jonathan
Pollard-Fr |
WLB |
James
Allen-Sr |
Erik
Tuma-Jr |
CB |
Calvin
Carlyle-Sr |
D.J.
Coote-Jr |
CB |
Dennis
Weathersby-Jr |
Aric
Williams-Fr |
SS |
Mitch
Meeuwsen-Fr |
Terrell
Roberts-Jr |
FS |
Jake
Cookus-Sr |
Eric
Mobley-Sr |
P |
Carl
Tobey-So |
Ryan
Cozzetto-Fr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Tommy Bowden
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Terry Witherspoon-FB,
Justin Watts-WR, Rod Gardner-WR, Brian Outlaw-C, Theo Mougros-OG,
John McDermott-OT
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Keith Adams-WLB, Alex Ardley-CB, Terry
Jolly-DT, Freddie James-DT, Gary Childress-DT, Terry Bryant-DE, Darrel
Crutchfield-CB, Robert Carswell-FS, Chad Speck-FS, Jamie Somaini-P |
|
Is
this the year someone else is favored to win the ACC? 2001 will
be as good a shot as any ACC team has had. In just three years,
young coach Tommy Bowden has quickly put together a program at Clemson
that can run with the big dogs. However, coaches have a huge task
at hand this coming fall with a defense that has been crushed by
the early NFL departure of super human Keith Adams and the dismissal
of cornerback Alex Ardley, leaving only four starters to work with.
The middle of the defense needs to find some tackles big time. After
a defensive meltdown in 2000, things will get even tougher. If Clemson
has an achilles heel, it definitely is the defense. The other side
of the ball is another story. It obviously starts with one of the
leading Heisman Candidates and senior QB, Woodrow Dantzler. His
backup Willie Simmons is just as good. Hurting his Heisman passing
stats will be a lack of quality receivers like he had in 2000 as
Watts and Gardner have moved on, although junior receiver Jackie
Robinson is no slouch. But a solid nucleus of offensive linemen
are back, and Dantzler is best at running the ball anyway. To top
it off, tailback Travis Zachery returns to get his share of rushing
yards. A win over father Bowden in Death Valley may find the Tigers
back in the hunt for the big picture as well as the conference.
There also is a mighty big chance the Clemson fans will have to
be patient for another year.
|
CLEMSON
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Woodrow
Dantzler-Sr |
Willie
Simmons-So |
FB |
Chad
Jasmin-So |
.. |
TB |
Travis
Zachery-Sr |
Bernard
Rambert-Jr |
WR |
Jackie
Robinson-Jr |
Matt
Bailey-Sr |
WR |
Kevin
Youngblood-So |
Joe
Don Reames-Jr |
TE |
Morgan
Woodward-Sr |
Todd
McClinton-So |
OT |
Akil
Smith-Jr |
Nate
Gillespie-So |
OG |
Will
Merritt-Sr |
Nick
Black-So |
C |
Kyle
Young-Sr |
Brian
Outlaw-Sr |
OG |
T.J.
Watkins-Sr |
Cedric
Johnson-Fr |
OT |
Gary
Byrd-Jr |
Derrick
Brantley-Jr |
K |
Aaron
Hunt-So |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Nick
Eason-Jr |
Bryant
McNeal-Jr |
DT |
Jovon
Bush-Sr |
DeJuan
Polk-So |
DT |
Donnell
Washington-Fr |
Paul
White-So |
DE |
Khaleed
Vaughan-So |
Marcus
Lewis-So |
SLB |
Braxton
K. Williams-Sr |
J.J.
Howard-So |
MLB |
Chad
Carson-Sr |
Rodney
Thomas-Jr |
WLB |
Altroy
Bodrick-Sr |
Rodney
Feaster-Jr |
CB |
Kevin
Johnson-So |
Ryan
Hemby-Fr |
CB |
Brian
Mance-Jr |
Toure
Francis-So |
SS |
Charles
Hafley-Sr |
Marcus
Houskin-So |
FS |
Eric
Meekins-Jr |
Ronnie
Delusme-Fr |
P |
Tif
Miller-Sr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|