Football: A Look At The Rockets' Ninth Opponent - Western Michigan
8/20/2001 12:00:00 PM | Football
Written by Western Michigan University Sports Information Office.
Aug. 20, 2001
KALAMAZOO, MI - Back-to-back Mid-American Conference West Division titles. A 17-3 record at home over four seasons. Six returning all-conference picks. Seven starters back from the nation's ninth-best defense.
The signs point to another successful season in Kalamazoo.
STRONG START
In four years at Western Michigan, head coach Gary Darnell has built a program that stands among the MAC's elite, while inching closer to a top 25 ranking in the national polls.
Last year, WMU rose to 27th in the polls, due in part to an eight-game "in-season" winning streak that was the program's longest since the 1941 season. The Broncos compiled a 9-3 overall record, and went 7-1 in the MAC to set a school record for most league wins.
"We have a nucleus in place to continue doing what we've accomplished in the past," said Darnell, 2000 MAC Coach of the Year. "The bottom line is our performance on the field and I believe this team is finding its own personality."
ON THE DEFENSIVE
Balance was the key to WMU's success last season. The Bronco defense experienced its finest season in nearly three decades, posting three shutouts and ranking in the top 20 nationally in four categories: fourth in scoring, 13th versus the pass, 20th against the run and ninth overall. The 139 points allowed were the second fewest by a Brown & Gold squad at the Division I level since 1971.
At the same time, the offense continued clicking under first-year offensive coordinator Brian Rock, finishing third in MAC passing (232.1 ypg) and fifth in rushing (168.5 ypg).
Western Michigan has three voids to fill on offense in 2001. Lost to graduation were receiver Steve Neal, the MAC's all-time leader in receptions (235) and yardage (3,599), running back Robert Sanford, WMU's career rushing leader (4,219) and MAC MVP, and Corey Alston, the Broncos' second-leading receiver in career yards (2,456) and touchdown catches (25). Neal signed with the Tennessee Titans and Alston with the New York Jets in April.
QUARTERBACKS
The Broncos are, however, deep at the receiver position and have a second-year starter in quarterback Jeff Welsh who completed 58.5 percent of his passes last season, fourth best in school history. Senior Ryan Harris and junior Jonathan Drach figure in the quarterback competition.
RECEIVERS
WMU quarterbacks have plenty of receivers at their disposal. What he lacks in size at 5-9, Josh Bush (40 rec.-463 yards) makes up for with speed and toughness. Tight end Mobolaji Afariogun (32 rec.-365 yards) is the best at his position in the MAC, earning all-league honors last year.
Kendrick Mosley returns from an injury-shortened year to join sure-handed Micah Zuhl (13-136). Marco Wolverton (12-174), Darnell Jennings (7-139), Brandon Johnson, Antonio Thomas and redshirt freshman Tyrone Walker also figure in the Bronco offense. WMU often spreads the ball to as many as 10 receivers in a game, including runners out of the backfield.
RUNNING BACKS
The running game will be worth watching. For the past four seasons, Darnell has produced a 1,000 yard rusher, three times from Robert Sanford (1997, 1999, 2000) and once from Darnell Fields (1998).
Once again, a Miami native will shoulder the load, this time in senior Charles Woods (73 rushes-298 yards). Sophomore Phil Reed rushed for three touchdowns in the spring game and appears ready for a bigger role. Veterans Benny Clark and K.T. Robinson could see spot time as the Broncos scrap the fullback position in favor of a one-back set.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Up front, guards Jeff Hinson (6-2, 270) and Adam Cones (6-5, 273) join tackle Matt Stover (6-4, 305) on an offensive line that welcomes new starters in C.R. Moultry (6-6, 330) and Jake Gasaway (6-3, 278). Backing up are a pair of junior college transfers in redshirt junior Chris Montgomery (6-4, 269) and Fred McCants (6-6, 344).
CREATING A BALANCE
Four and five receiver sets are not uncommon in the Broncos' offensive scheme. With Sanford's production so high last year, it's easy to see why the Broncos favored the run (56 percent compared to 44 percent passing). Darnell sees more of a 50-50 relationship this fall.
"I think towards the end of last season we favored the run a little more. This year we would like to be more balanced, similar to our first three years. We'll continue to run, but we'd like to get the ball down field more."
DEFENSIVE TURN AROUND
The most noticeable change on defense was the hiring of coordinator Jim Knowles, who left Buffalo to rejoin the Bronco staff. He replaced coordinator Chuck Driesbach, who became the coordinator at TCU.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Western Michigan's defense took a storybook turn last season, going from 97th to 9th in NCAA total defense. Seven players received All-MAC accolades, including junior ends Anthony Allsbury (13 TFLs, 8 sacks) and Chris Browning (9 TFLs, 5 sacks). Sophomore Jason Babin (34 tackles) is just as quick up front while seniors Bryan Pinder (28 tackles, 5 TFLs) and Larry King fill the tackle spots.
Knowles, who coached the Bronco defensive line last year, will continue the practice of using 8-10 down linemen during a game. Redshirt freshman Nick Melcher, sophomore nose guard Chad Wangerin and junior tackle Jeff Westgate are key substitutes.
LINEBACKERS
WMU's biggest hit on defense occurs at the inside linebacker positions, where departed All-MAC performers Garrett Soldano (115 tackles) and Mario Evans (101 tackles) are replaced by first-year starters Bryan Lape and Jason Malloy. Soldano signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears on Draft Day.
SECONDARY
The Bronco secondary should rank among the conference's best with the return of All-MAC corner Ronald "Bo" Rogers (4 INTs, 12 pass deflections), who is flanked by fellow Floridian Joe Ballard (47 tackles, 6 deflections) at right corner. Junior Sam Reynolds is the heir apparent at the corners.
Carlos Smith and Jermaine Foreste are contending for the strong safety post vacated by Terrence Moore (14 TFLs, 5 forced fumbles). Brandon Brown (53 tackles) will patrol free safety for the second straight year.
Two-sport star Jermaine Lewis (46 tackles, 8 TFLs), a 6-4 sprinter on the track team, earned all-league honors in his first season at safety last year. A NFL prospect, Lewis started his collegiate career at Division III Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
"I've got a lot of confidence in our defense," said Darnell. "We'd like a few more players at the inside linebacker spot, but overall, we have the numbers on defense that allow us to play a lot of people."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams helped turn games around last season and Darnell looks for the same this season. Josh Bush returned two punts for touchdowns, finishing second in the MAC with a 15.0 return average. Rashad McDade, a sprinter on the WMU track team, is closing in on the school record for kickoff return yardage.
WMU lost Brad Selent to graduation, the most prolific scorer among kickers in conference history with 307 points. In his place, redshirt freshman Robert Menchinger and Korean native Byungwoo Yun will battle for starting time. Punter Matt Steffen enters his third season as a starter, looking to regain his 40-yard form of two seasons ago.
THE SCHEDULE
Keeping with a recent trend, Western Michigan's nonconference schedule features top-10 nationally ranked teams. After opening against Division I-AA Illinois State on CommUniverCity Night (Aug. 30), WMU travels to Virginia Tech (Sept. 8) and Michigan (Sept. 15). The I-94 clash with the Wolverines marks just the third meeting between the schools and the first since 1943.
WMU begins defense of its MAC West title on Sept. 22 when Ball State visits Waldo Stadium. The Broncos also renew their Peace Pipe Trophy game against Miami (Ohio) for the first time since 1994.
"This is one of the most challenging schedules in school history. If we want to continue to be a high profile program, we have to play teams of national caliber," said Darnell.
