2004
Preview By JJ Pesavento
football.com
Team MVP: Linebacker Will Derting
is one of only two returning starters on defense. That alone almost
makes him invaluable to the team, But Derting comes back after
ranking second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss in 2003. He
is the type of player who is always around the ball, and he will
need to be to help the inexperienced supporting cast on defense
Derting is also a preseason All-American selection by Lindy's and a
Butkus Award candidate.
Quarterback: Sophomore Josh Swogger will
step in for the departed Matt Kegel after getting a limited amount
of reps filling in for the latter in 2003. Swogger has good size,
and proved his toughness in 2003 when he took more than his share of
abuse from opponents. He needs to be more accurate and being a bit
more mobile wouldn't hurt him either. The depth here is very
questionable. Redshirt freshman Alex Brink is thin
on experience and junior Chris Hurd was less than impressive in
the spring drills.
Running Back: Senior Chris Bruhn is the top candidate for the
starting role in the backfield, but he missed spring drills due to
hernia surgery. The Cougars will need him healthy since he is the
only running back with any real game action. Junior Allen Thompson
is the backup and he has been fighting a shoulder problem that has
plagued him for much of his college career.
Wide Receiver/Tight End: Sophomore Chris Jordan is the top
receiver and will look to improve on his 2003 performance that saw
him earn freshman All-American honors. Much will depend on how he
recovers from the torn ACL he suffered last season. Junior Marty
Martin has some limited experience, and he should be the possession
receiver of the group. Sophomore Jason Hill is loaded in terms of
physical attributes, but he is thin on playing time and recovering
from a shoulder injury. Junior Troy Bienemann, who earned second
team All-Pac 10 honors, is the only returning starter in the group.
The receiving corps is very young and both Jordan and Hill missed
spring practice.
Offensive Line: Seniors Calvin Armstrong, an All Pac 10
performer and Sam Lightbody return as the starting tackles. Junior
Nick Mihlhauser will start again at center. Senior Patrick Afif and
junior Riley Fitt-Chappell will step into starting roles at the
guards. The return of Armstrong and Lightbody could make this unit
one of the more solid ones in the conference, and the depth isn't
all that bad.
Defensive Line: The line will have to be completely rebuilt
this season as none of the starters from 2003 are returning. Senior
tackle Steve Cook will be the anchor. He will have redshirt freshman
Ropai Pitoitua at the other tackle with sophomore Odell Howard
battling for playing time. Sophomore Mkristo Bruce and junior Adam
Braidwood will be the starting ends. With an entirely new starting
cast, the line may need time to gel.
Linebacker: Senior Will Derting will lead the linebacking
corps from the middle linebacker spot. He is the star of the defense
and one of two returning starters. Senior Pat Bennett has some
minimal starting experience, and he will step into the role on the
weakside. Sophomore Scott Davis will take over on the strong side.
Davis has had a few starts as well, and should be a good one with
time. The depth at linebacker is somewhat young, but it isn't bad.
Secondary: Senior cornerback Karl Paymah is the only
returning starter in the secondary. Junior Alex Teems and sophomore
Don Turner will be in the hunt for the other starting corner. The
secondary will have two of the more seasoned players on the team
stepping into starting roles at the safeties. Jeremy Bohannon and
Hamza Abdullah are both seniors have both been top reserves and will
now get their chance to be starters.
Special Teams: Junior Graham Siderius will take over at
placekicker for the departed Drew Dunning. He has a strong leg and
his time has come. Punter Kyle Basler led the conference in punting
and he is one of the better punters in the nation. Junior receiver
Tramaine Murray will take over on returns for Sammy Moore.
Final Thoughts: The Cougars were not even close to capable at
running the ball in 2003, and they could use to improve on that in
2004. But first, they will need to get a healthy running back. If
Bruhn or Thompson can get healthy, they have a chance, it not, the
passing game will have to pick up the slack. Josh Swogger would
profit from a solid rushing attack that could take pressure off him
and the passing game, but the Pac-10 is not the Big Ten so the run
game is not as prominent. Swogger will have to find his comfort zone
and lead the team even with the inexperienced receiving corps. The
defense is very inexperienced and could be a concern except the
Cougars get a break with their schedule. The biggest test may not
come until October when they face Oregon State in their seventh
game. Unfortunately, they get USC and UCLA right after they play the
Beavers. Depending on how they start, Wazzou could do well again
despite the lack of returning starters.
-- JJ Pesavento
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Head
Coach: Bill Doba