2014 Sac State Preview
I was midway through this when the positional overviews were rolled out so there isn’t anything ground breaking here. All of the positional overview videos can be seen in the 2014 Fall Camp thread:
http://www.bigskyfans.com/hornets/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2241
The football program saw some significant changes over the offseason so there is no telling how the players will respond once the season kicks off. The good news is a lot of senior leadership and talent returns and not many players left due to the changes. The 2014 schedule is one of the weakest in the Big Sky so there is reason to be optimistic about the possibilities this season may entail. Coach Jody Sears takes over as interim head coach, who was originally brought on to serve as defensive coordinator this past spring. He has a lot of coaching experience in the D1 ranks and takes over after 2 failed years as the head coach at Weber State (a position that he also inherited).
All projected starters listed below are based off of their experience, the positional outlook videos, OG67's inside info, or in some cases just a flat out guess. The experience listed are career numbers, non-D1 experience is not included. As always everything is up for discussion so feel free to point out any errors or provide your opinions.
Offense
The offense will be looking to continue to build off of a successful season as it enters the third season under Offensive Coordinator Peterson. The passing efficiency (136.4, 37th FCS, 4th BSC) was atop the BSC but the 3rd down efficiency (38%, 64th FCS, 7th BSC) and red zone offense (78.3%, 73rd FCS, 9th BSC) will need to see significant improvement. The bottom line is the scoring offensive (27.2 ppg, 57th FCS, 6th BSC) needs to get better. The Hornets will need to improve in these areas as well as reduce the turnovers (19, 42nd FCS, T-6th BSC) to have a successful season. With Peterson in complete control of the offense for the first time, the pressure is on to have an outstanding and productive offense.
Quarterback
Coach Peterson retains the coaching duties for the quarterbacks. After a rough start to last season, Garrett Safron stepped up his game and excelled. Barring injury, he’ll leave Sac State as statistically the best quarterback in Hornet history. Safron’s versatility makes it difficult for opposing defenses to prepare for this offense and the success of this season rests on his shoulders and legs. Behind Safron it looks like Daniel Kniffin is being molded to be the quarterback of the future. Kniffin saw significant reps in the fall scrimmage and was touted by Peterson as being the clear front runner for the backup spot. Marcus McDade and Jihad Vercher will be battling for the backup role. Nolan Merker rounds out the group as a probable redshirt.
Starter:
- • (#12) Garrett Safron, RSR (26 starts, 31 appearance)
Bench:
- • (#16) Daniel Kniffin, RFR
• (#14) Marcus McDade, RJR (4 appearances)
• (#6) Jihad Vercher, SO (9 appearances, most @ holder)
• (#15) Nolan Merker, FR (probable redshirt)
Wide Receivers
Jason Pollak was promoted to wide receivers coach and he inherits a group led by senior speedster DeAndre Carter. There is some experience returning, but someone will need to step up to compliment Carter. It sounds like Shane Harrison and Dalton Hunkle will miss the the season due to off the field issues which leaves the door open for a newcomer to step up and claim a starting role. Nnamdi Agude has the most experience of the receivers vying for starting spots, after that everything is up for grabs. Given the style of offense the Hornets play, there will be plenty of opportunities for players to step up.
Starters:
- • (#2) DeAndre Carter, SR (21 starts, 29 appearances, Preseason All-BSC Team)
• (#86) Nnamdi Agude, RJR (14 appearances)
• (#87) Justin Cox, RJR (1 start, 9 appearances, injured last season)
Bench:
- • (#11) Joey DePalma, SR (9 appearances on ST)
• (#8) Dominic Coulter, T-RJR (1 appearance @ Nevada)
• (#81) Gary O’Leary, T-JR
• (#82) Aaron Maher, (#86) Bakari Smith, all RFR
• (#5) Isaiah Hennie, (#38) Damon Jackson, (#81) Jabarri Johnson, (#83) Jaelin Ratliff, (#34) Dre Terrell, (#85) Trevor Wright, all FR
• (#NA) Shane Harrison, RJR (6 starts, 22 appearances)
• (#5) Dalton Hunkle, SR (6 appearances on ST)
Tight Ends
Third year coach Fred Kelley takes over sole responsibility of the tight ends in addition to special teams. There is some experience returning at tight end, but the offense took a big hit with the transfer of Cole Hikutini. The starting duties will likely fall to Chris Broadnax who was named to the CFPA tight ends watch list. Stone Sander showed promise early last season before going down with an injury and should see plenty of action this season. Jonathan Bade was moved from tackle to add depth alongside John Cortez and Austin Hopkins.
Starter:
- • (#80) Chris Broadnax, RSR (12 starts, 27 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#41) Stone Sander, RFR (3 appearances, injury induced RS)
• (#89) John Cortez, (#47) Jonathan Bade, both RFR
• (#46) Austin Hopkins, FR
Running Backs
The Hornets return almost all of the running backs from last season for first year coach Samuel Lawanson. Of those returning, Brandon Kellermann had the most rushing yards and is a between the tackles rusher. There will most likely be a steady rotation of Kellermann, Jordan Robinson, De’Jon Coleman, and Demetrius Warren unless one of the backs steps up and claims the primary role. A couple of young backs with size were also added to the roster during the offseason.
Starter:
- • (#25) Jordan Robinson, SO (2 starts, 7 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#40) Brandon Kellermann, SR (4 starts, 11 appearances)
• (#4) Demetrius Warren, RSO (1 start, 9 appearances)
• (#9) De’Jon Coleman, JR (11 appearances, injured early last season)
• (#30) Hunter Rockwell, (#32) Garrett Steele, T-JR
• (#22) Jeremiah Reddick, FR (probable redshirt)
Offensive Line
Pretty much the entire offensive line returns for second year coach Bill Laveroni. The offensive line had a decent season a year ago and will look to improve this season. The offensive line is anchored on each end by redshirt junior tackles Lars Hanson and Aleksandar Milanovic. The interior is led by returning center John Wallace and guards Derek Nielsen and redshirt sophomore Casey Dakin who started the final 4 games of last season. Behind those 5 is a stable of sizable youth.
Starters:
- • LT: (#76) Lars Hanson, RJR (19 starts, 22 appearances)
• LG: (#50) Derek Nielsen, RSR (10 starts, 18 appearances)
• C: (#51) John Wallace, RJR (16 starts, 22 appearances)
• RG: (#70) Casey Dakin, RSO (4 starts, 12 appearances)
• RT: (#61) Aleksandar Milanovic, RJR (21 starts, 22 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#78) Anthony Viveiros, T-JR
• (#65) Pailake Aiono, (#77) Kyle Evanski, (#67) Rajaee Jordan, (#71) Pu’e Togia, (#62) David Villanueva, all RFR
• (#53) Ivan Espiritu, (#59) Wyatt Ming, (#55) Taylor Tappin, all FR (probable redshirts)
Defense
Head Coach Sears will be taking over the reins of a Hornet defense that struggled mightily a season ago. Historically Sears ran a 4-2-5 so on paper it doesn’t look like much of the alignments will change this season. Whether or not that is a good thing is up for debate as the Hornets ranked near the bottom of the BSC and FCS in scoring defense (33.2 ppg, 95th FCS, T-10th BSC) total defense (446.9 ypg, 99th FCS, 10th BSC) and pass efficiency defense (138.3, 92nd FCS, 9th BSC). The defense could not stop many opponents last season and desperately needs to improve this season.
Defensive Line
The defensive line has a lot of size and experience returning for first year coach Solomona Tapasa. Jaycee Totty will apply pressure from the outside while Nathan Castro will return to the interior from missing half of last season with injury. UCLA transfer Brandon Tuliaupupu is a likely starter in the interior alongside Castro. The other end spot is open so I listed Ben Cowger, who has the most experience among the returners. Nicholas Mazza and JJ Castillo also saw a lot of action last season on the interior. With the experience and depth that is returning, this unit needs to be a strong point for the defense this season. If the defensive line can step it up and provide consistent pressure against opposing quarterbacks, then the entire defensive unit should see significant improvement.
Starters:
- • DE: (#35) Jaycee Totty, SR (11 starts, 22 appearances, DE)
• NT: (#94) Brandon Tuliaupupu, T-RJR (5 appearances @ UCLA)
• DT: (#97) Nathan Castro, SR (11 starts, 25 appearances)
• DE: (#90) Ben Cowger, RSR (5 starts, 33 appearances, DE)
Bench:
- • (#91) Nicholas Mazza, RJR (12 starts, 21 appearances, NT)
• (#56) Ronald Ussery, RJR (11 appearances, DE)
• (#59) JJ Castillo, RSR (12 appearances, DT)
• (#92) Antonio Hayes, JR (2 starts, 9 appearances, DT)
• (#93) Peter Nonu, T-JR (DT)
• (#96) Lenny Cowens, T-RFR (redshirted at South Dakota State, DE)
• (#98) Ben Sorensen, RFR (DE)
• (#52) Printess Johnson, (#95) George Obinna, FR (DE, possible RS)
Linebackers
Tyler Almond enters his fourth season as a Hornet coach and his third as linebackers coach. Darnell Sankey moved from defensive end to linebacker and I think he is going to be a total wrecking ball for this unit. Sankey proved to be a playmaker last season and I think he has the potential to do even more damage at linebacker. Who lines up next to him is the question. It’s anyone’s guess so I went with the underclassman Russell Smith who started every game last season. Plenty of experience can be rotated in as Ofa Fifita and Henry Fernandez will be first off the bench.
Starters:
- • WLB: (#27) Russell Smith, SO (12 starts)
• MLB: (#44) Darnell Sankey, JR (10 starts, 21 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#17) Ofa Fifita, RSR (22 appearances )
• (#48) Henry Fernandez, RSR (30 appearances)
• (#42) James BoisD’Enghien, T-JR
• (#39) Jacob Bowman, RSO (5 appearances @ ST)
• (#49) Allen Alvaro, RFR
• (#45) Tyler Meeter, FR, (#75) Ruben Meza, (#37) John Wagstaff, FR (probable RS)
Defensive Backs
The secondary was horrendous a season ago. Somehow Coach Anthony Parker was retained on staff and was demoted from defensive coordinator to safeties coach. Sears will also serve as cornerbacks coach in addition to handling the coordinator duties. Quite a bit of experience graduated but Joshua Armstrong and Anthony Payne saw significant playing time at the corners last season. Mike Sellers started 3 games at free safety last season. Nick Crouch and Dexter Alcala played in every game last season, primarily on special teams. I listed incoming freshman Joey Banks as a starter in hopes of some newcomers stepping up and providing some solid play this season.
Starters:
- • CB: (#24) Anthony Payne, RSO (9 starts, 11 appearances)
• NB: (#1) Joey Banks, FR
• SS: (#33) Nick Crouch, SO (12 appearances)
• FS: (#18) Mike Sellers, SR (3 starts, 35 appearances)
• CB: (#7) Joshua Armstrong, RJR (14 starts, 19 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#28) Dexter Alcala, RSR (25 appearances)
• (#3) Robbie Kendall, SR (1 start, injured)
• (#20) Nicholas Payne, RJR (1 start, 9 appearances, injured)
• (#23) Randy Peterson, RSR (18 career appearances, missed last 2 seasons w/ injury)
• (#21) Marcus Green, RFR (3 appearances, injured)
• (#29) Myles Coleman, (#6) Jerry Haymon, (#36) Gary Robinson, all T-JR
• (#13) James Ferraro, T-SO
• (#10) Austin Clark, (#26) Ernest Jenkins, (#31) Tamas Stewart, all FR (probable RS)
Special Teams
The Hornets had an up and down year at special teams last season under Coach Kelley. The return game struggled to provide a spark for this team, the kicking game had some early struggles and the only consistent component was the punting game.
Kickers
The kicking game had some early struggles with Jesse Aguilar until Brad Cornish took over the place kicking duties midway through the season. There is a void at punter which as of now looks to be filled by Smith Heath. If Cornish can follow up with another solid season then the kicking game will be fine. The only concern here is punting. Heath struggled 2 years ago but looked solid in the fall scrimmage.
Starters:
- • K: (#58) Brad Cornish, JR (16 appearances)
• P: (#57) Smith Heath, SR (6 appearances)
Bench:
- • K: (#47) Jesse Aguilar, SR (6 appearances)
• P/QB: (#15) Nolan Merker, FR
Long Snapper
The snapping duties will be handled by returner Josh Latham. Tim Hernandez redshirted last season and may also be available.
Starter:
- • (#66) Josh Latham, RJR (12 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#64) Tim Hernandez, RJR
Punt/Kick Coverage
The coverage teams had their ups and downs last season. The kickoff coverage unit ranked 10th in the BSC in net yardage, while the punt coverage team ranked 4th in the BSC. A new punter will impact the punt coverage, but the kickoff coverage needs to improve.
Punt/Kick Return
The kickoff return game needs to find a spark (18.7 ypr, 96th FCS, 13th BSC). Given the amount of kickoffs that will likely be received due to a weak defense, the Hornets need to find someone capable of bring the ball up the field. The Hornets were in the middle of the pack on punt returns (8.6 ypr, 56th FCS, T-6th BSC) last season but graduated both returners. Joey DePalma and Nick Crouch are the only returning players to return a kickoff last season, so it’s anybody’s guess as to who fills these roles.
Returners
- • PR/KR: (#2) DeAndre Carter, SR
• PR/KR: (#5) Isaiah Hennie, FR
Schedule/Predictions
I’ve linked some previews below. The Hornets are pegged to finish in the middle of the pack and it’s hard to make an argument against those predictions. The Hornets do have the talent, experience, and favorable schedule to breakthrough into the playoffs but it appears there are some key pieces still missing. Hopefully I can get a game by game win-loss prediction posted sometime this week but I think the Hornets end up somewhere in the 6-8 wins range.
The Sports Network BSC Preview:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/...network&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4715972
Go Hornets!!!
Abbreviations:
- • T – Incoming Transfer
• R – Redshirt Already Used
• G – Grayshirt
• SR – Senior
• JR – Junior
• SO – Sophomore
• FR - Freshman
