Wildcats have eyes on title
ACU opens season Sept. 4 with visions of LSC crown
It's been a long time since an ACU football team began its season with realistic hopes of reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs.
But the 2003 version of the Wildcats certainly believes the talent is on hand to make the school's first-ever appearance in the NCAA football playoffs. ACU hasn't reached the post-season since 1977 when it won the NAIA Division I national championship.
Now, though, the Wildcats believe they're ready to challenge Texas A&M-Kingsville, Midwestern State and Tarleton State for the Lone Star Conference championship and one of four spots in the playoffs from the West region.
"We want a conference championship," said ACU's third-year starting quarterback, Colby Freeman. "We were so close last year (second in the LSC) that it's made us even more aware of how much we want to win it. Looking back on it, we had a great year, but the way it ended (22-16 loss to Kingsville in championship game) has still left a bitter taste in all of our mouths."
The Wildcats have been picked to finished third in the LSC South behind Kingsville and Midwestern State, but are ranked No. 24 in the nation according to Street and Smith's magazine and No. 31 according to Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette.
"Those rankings are nice, but we know they don't mean anything right now," said head coach Gary Gaines, who begins his fourth season at the helm after leading ACU to a 6-4 record in 2002, its first winning record since 1997. "We've got a lot of improvements to make to live up to what we think we can do this season. However, I think we're all excited about what this season could potentially bring, and I believe all of our guys -- coaches, staff and players -- are all ready to get the season started."
Much like last year, the Wildcats will play one of the most difficult schedules in the West region with games against nationally ranked opponents in Central Arkansas, Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Wildcats will also see Eastern New Mexico and Midwestern State during the season, both of which were nationally ranked last season and could be again in 2003.
The Wildcats will open their season on Thursday, Sept. 4, when they take on Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark. ACU has lost two straight to the Bears, who were ranked No. 4 in the nation according to Sports Illustrated and return Harlon Hill Award candidate Zak Clark at quarterback.
After the UCA game, the Wildcats will return home for three straight home games, starting with a Sept. 13 home game against Fort Lewis (Colo.), which returns quarterback Chris Brewer (4,109 yards passing and 37 touchdowns in 2002) and wide receiver Chris Brewer (86 catches for 1,283 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2002). Tarleton State plays at Shotwell on Sept. 20, followed by Eastern New Mexico on Oct. 4. The Wildcats will also host Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville at Shotwell Stadium where ACU was 4-1 in 2002.
"We've got a very difficult schedule once again," Gaines said, "but I believe that only makes you a better football team. But one of the keys to our season will be how well we play at home. We're fortunate in that we've got some of the better teams in our conference on our home field. If we can take care of our business there, we've got a shot at doing some good things this season."
One area where the Wildcats took care of business last year was defensively where they went from allowing 409 points in 2001 to 224 in 2002. The defense could be better in 2003 with the additions of Texas Tech transfer Joe Edwards at tackle and Texas A&M transfers Randall Webb at outside linebacker and Dawon Gentry and Adam Black in the secondary.
Webb had seven sacks for Texas A&M last year, and started at outside linebacker in the Aggies' final two games against Missouri and Texas. He would have contended for a starting spot for the Aggies in 2003 before transferring to ACU.
"We've certainly gotten more athletic on defense each year that we've been here, and this year is no exception," Gaines said. "We've got more playmakers than we've had in the past, and we've got more speed. There's no substitute for speed on either side of the ball, but especially on defense."
Aside from the transfers, the one player's name in every conversation seems to be redshirt freshman Daniel Manning, who will start at strong safety. Manning originally signed with the University of Nebraska in February 2001 as one of the top defensive backs in the nation out of Waxahachie High School.
However, he enrolled at ACU in January 2002 and has been waiting since the fall of 2000 to play in a real game.
"He could really be something special," Gaines said. "He's got all the things you can't coach -- size, speed, instincts, football savvy -- that make for a great player."
Outside linebacker Shawn Taylor returns for his third season as a starter. Taylor was a second team all-LSC player in 2002 after recording 91 tackles and twice earning LSC South Division Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"Shawn has made plays ever since he got on campus," Gaines said of the junior from Hallsville. "He loves to play the game, and it shows every time he steps on the field. He's got great speed, and that gives him a chance to be in good position on every play."
Offensively, the Wildcats will have to replace departed running back Eric Polk, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in his two seasons as a Wildcat. The only returning tailback is junior Willie Williams, who will fight transfers Richard Whitaker (Texas A&M) and Rashon Myles (Indiana) for the starting spot.
Whitaker was a part-time starter for Texas A&M as a freshman in 2000 before knee injuries limited his playing time in 2001. He "retired" from football before the start of the 2002 season, but has transferred to ACU in hopes of re-igniting his career.
Myles was a standout at Dallas Christian High School before signing with Indiana where he played for two seasons.
ACU does return its unquestioned leader in Freeman, who threw for 2,093 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2002 on his way to earning honorable mention all-LSC South Division honors. Freeman led all LSC South Division quarterbacks in passing yards, and he has already been voted the LSC South Division Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year.
"I'm looking forward to him having a great year, and, judging by the pre-season publicity he's gotten, a lot of other people are expecting a big year from him, too," Gaines said of Freeman, who has dropped 20 pounds from his 2002 playing weight of 235 pounds.
The Wildcats' group of wide receivers could be among the best in the conference with all-America DaRay Sims leading the bunch. Sims, a second team all-LSC South receiver last year, was an all-America kickoff returner.
The offensive line lacks depth, but senior starters Britt Lively and Blake Lewis return for their third seasons as starters at left tackle and center, respectively, to anchor the line.
The Wildcats' special teams units should also be among the league's best with junior Eben Nelson -- who has four game-winning field goals to his credit in two seasons -- returning as the placekicker and sophomore Chase Fishback back to handle the punting chores. Nelson's biggest moment to date was his 49-yard game-winning field goal into the wind last October against Eastern New Mexico.
Sims, Kendrick Walker, Manning, Gentry are among the candidates to handle the return duties.
Here's a closer look at the 2003 Wildcats:
QUARTERBACKS -- The Wildcats are in as good a shape as any team in the conference at the most critical position on the field. Colby Freeman (6-3, 215) returns for his senior season after leading all LSC South Division quarterbacks in passing yards in 2002 with 2,093 to go along with 12 touchdowns. Freeman has dropped 20 pounds from his 2002 playing weight, making him more of a running threat in 2003. Freeman is this team's unquestioned leader and the LSC South Division Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Greg Wiggins (6-3, 205) has spelled Freeman in each of the last two seasons, and his experience makes him one of the top backups in the league. Redshirt freshman Caleb Ensor (6-3, 215) has looked good in summer drills and will provide added depth at the position, and offensive coordinator Jim Reese likes what he has seen from walk-on quarterback Brock Pierce (6-3, 195).
RUNNING BACKS -- The Wildcats must find a replacement for the departed Eric Polk, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in two seasons as a Wildcat, including a school single-season record of 1,211 in 2001. Junior Willie Williams (5-8, 180) is the only returning tailback with experience, but he only rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries in 2002. Transfers Richard Whitaker (5-10, 200, Texas A&M) and Rashon Myles (6-1, 215, Indiana) will battle Williams for the starting spot with the edge expected to go to Whitaker. The senior from Jacksonville was a part-time starter for the Aggies as a redshirt freshman in 2000 before knee injuries curtailed his career. Myles was a standout at Dallas Christian High School who signed with the Hoosiers before transferring to ACU. Freshman Mark Gaines (5-9, 185), who rushed for 1,045 yards last year at Waco High School, adds depth.
RECEIVERS -- This could be one of the best units in the conference with all-America DaRay Sims (6-2, 190) leading the way. Sims caught 27 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns last year, but expect those numbers to go up. The Wildcats also return Dillon Cobb (5-11, 170), Roddy Alexander (5-8, 165), Tony Cunningham (6-1, 170) and Jason Campbell (6-1, 180). Cobb caught 23 passes for 430 yards and one touchdown, while Cunningham caught five passes for 79 yards and two scores, including the game-winner in the season-ending 35-31 win over West Texas A&M. The Wildcats have a wealth of newcomers at the position, including transfers Ben Baskin (6-1, 180, Navarro College), Vince Copeland (6-2, 180, Baylor), Macie Shaw (6-3, 225, Tarleton State), and Lawrence Hardman (6-0, 200, Kilgore College), as well as freshman Damion Draper (5-8, 160). Copeland played in 11 games last year at Baylor and caught 13 passes for 86 yards, and had two touchdowns on wide receiver reverses. Odis Dolton (6-3, 240), Clinton Farrell (6-1, 225) and Nick Anthony (6-1, 200) will battle for the tight end spot. Dolton missed all of the 2002 season after a knee injury, but did catch eight passes for 195 yards and one score as a wide receiver in 2001. Farrell saw limited playing time in 2002 and did not catch a pass, while Anthony was a backup at fullback.
OFFENSIVE LINE -- The Wildcats lack the depth they would like, but they do have two of the best linemen in the conference in left tackle Britt Lively (6-5, 310) and center Blake Lewis (6-4, 275). The two seniors are set to start for the third straight year at their respective positions, and Gaines is counting on both players. "I don't think there's a better lineman in the league than Britt Lively, and not far behind him is Blake Lewis. Those two guys are very good football players, and we're expecting big seasons from both of them." Senior Buddy Dowden (6-3, 285) takes over at left guard after missing the entire 2002 season with a broken foot. Dowden was set to start on the offensive line last season after moving over from the defensive line, but his right foot never healed in time for him to get on the field. Cody Stewart (6-2, 285) returns to his starting spot at right tackle, which he held for most of the 2002 season. Sophomore Charles Mock (6-4, 300) appears to be ready to deliver on his potential as he is penciled into the starting spot at right tackle. Mock, an first team all-state player at Abilene Cooper High School in 2000, was redshirted in 2001 and played in a backup role in 2002. The only experienced backups on the offensive line will be sophomore Jeff Shelburne (6-4, 250) and sophomore Josh Lively (6-5, 315), who will back up Lewis at center and Mock at right tackle, respectively. The backup at left tackle is slated to be true freshman John Douty (6-5, 290), while the backup at left guard is slated to be redshirt freshman Cody Savage (6-4, 310). True freshman Logan Bains (6-2, 270) is listed a the backup at right guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE -- This position was one of the Wildcats' strengths in 2002, and this season should be no different. ACU has two of the best starting ends in the conference in senior Brad Walton (6-3, 235) and sophomore Clayton Farrell (6-5, 275). Walton has the speed and quickness that could put him in an NFL training camp next summer, while Farrell showed last year why several Big 12 schools were after him coming out of Hallsville High School. Second team all-LSC South Division selection Devian Mims (6-1, 310) returns to his starting spot at nosequard to anchor the defensive line. Mims was a big reason the Wildcats allowed just 154 yards on the ground per game last year, compared to more than 200 yards per game in 2001. The other tackle spot will be a battle between senior Michael Walker (6-2, 265) and freshman Joe Edwards (6-3, 275). Edwards originally signed with Texas Tech out of Dayton High School, but transferred to ACU last January. Sophomores Mark Malunowe (6-1, 240) and Rahgene Cherry (6-2, 280) saw significant playing time in 2002, and are expected to do so again in 2003. Junior transfer Deshun Brown (6-3, 250, Southwest Texas State) is slated to back up Walton at right end.
LINEBACKERS -- Juniors Shawn Taylor (5-11, 215) and transfer Randall Webb (6-2, 225, Texas A&M) give ACU two of the quickest outside linebackers in the conference. Taylor, a second team all-LSC South Division selection in 2002, returns as a starter for the third straight season. Webb transfers to ACU after playing in 12 games and starting in two (vs. Missouri and Texas) for the Aggies in 2002. Webb recorded 61 total tackles at his outside linebacker position (44 solo), and had seven sacks, which was second on the team. He had two sacks against both Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, and a season-high eight tackles in A&M's 47-46 overtime loss to Texas Tech. He also had three fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown in the Aggies' win over Kansas. Taylor and Webb and will surround senior Cliff Compton (6-2, 225), who is scheduled to start at middle linebacker in 2003. ACU has solid backups in Matt Allen (6-1, 200) behind Webb, Todd Mrozek (6-3, 230) behind Compton and Daniel Evans-Pickens (5-11, 190) behind Taylor.
SECONDARY -- By the end of the season, Gaines said this could be one of the best secondaries in all of NCAA Division II football. The Wildcats return three starters from last year's unit in all-conference players Kendrick Walker (5-8, 170) and David Jones (6-0, 175), as well as starting cornerback Corey Thompson (5-10, 180). However, the secondary could be re-shuffled with the arrival of Danieal Manning (6-0, 195) and Texas A&M transfers Dawon Gentry (5-11, 195) and Adam Black (5-11, 190). Thompson is slated to start at left cornerback with Walker starting on the other side, backed up by Jones, who started last year at safety. Manning's starting spot at strong safety has been etched in stone since spring drills, and Gentry appears to be the man to start at free safety. "We've probably elevated the talent at this position more than any other," Gaines said. "We just had to get faster, and give ourselves a chance to get more favorable matchups. We had some outstanding players returning back there, but the new guys have really juiced up that group." The Wildcats have great depth in the secondary with Black and sophomore Omar Tejeda (5-11, 175) backing up Thompson, redshirt freshman Brandon Henry (6-0, 180) backing up Manning, freshman Nate Petross (5-10, 175) backing up Gentry, and Jones and sophomore Jaime Bueno (5-10, 170) backing up Walker.
SPECIALISTS -- Junior placekicker Eben Nelson (5-11, 165) returns after a 2002 season that saw him boot game-winning field goals in three straight wins over Eastern New Mexico, Central Oklahoma and Angelo State and add the game-winning extra point in a fourth straight win over Midwestern State. Nelson, whose 49-yarder into the win at the buzzer beat ENMU, also kicked field goals of 50 and 51 yards during the course of the season, which ended with him being named first team all-LSC South Division and earning several all-region honors. "We're really proud of Eben," Gaines said. "I don't think there's any doubt that he's one of the best placekickers in the country." Sophomore Chase Fishback (6-4, 200) returns to handle the punting duties after averaging 36.2 yards per punt in 2002. The return game -- both punt returns and kickoff returns -- appear to be in good hands with Sims, Manning, Gentry, Harman and Black handling most of the kick returns while Gentry, Walker and Manning handle the punt return duties.
