Changes won't keep Cal Poly from GWFC favorite role

[weberwildcat]

Changes won't keep Cal Poly from GWFC favorite role
By Brett Kahn, FCS Intern

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4243171

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - It was an eventful season for Cal Poly in 2008, as the Mustangs beat FBS rival San Diego State in the season opener and rolled to seven straight wins at one point.

But it was a season of what ifs for Cal Poly, which lost two crucial games to Montana and Wisconsin on missed kicks and then dropped a wild, 49-35 decision to Weber State in the first round of the playoffs.

There were just as many surprises for the Mustangs after the season. Coach Rich Ellerson left the team to take the reigns at Army and their Walter Payton Award finalist at receiver, Ramses Barden, moved on to the New York Giants as a third-round draft choice.

Former Portland State coach Tim Walsh, who had spent the past two years as a West Point assistant, returns to the FCS ranks as the new Cal Poly coach. Under this new direction and with many key players returning, the Mustangs look to pick up where they left off, atop the Great West Conference.

Cal Poly's journey to a second straight conference crown won't be easy as UC Davis is expected to challenge for the title. Second-year FCS programs North Dakota and South Dakota hope to build their programs and Southern Utah continues its renovation process.

The Great West, which had lost Northern Colorado to the Big Sky and North Dakota State and South Dakota State to the Missouri Valley Football Conference in recent years, has found some stability with its five current members staying together for a second season.

1. Cal Poly (8-3 overall, 3-0 conference, first)

Walsh takes the helm of a team that is no stranger to success. The reigning Great West Champions look to continue their strong defensive style of play while trying to build on an offense that ranked first in the country last season.

Walsh had similar success at Portland State prior to coming to Cal Poly. He spent 14 seasons with the Vikings, posting a 90-68 record and taking PSU to one FCS playoff berth.

"I expect our offense to look very similar to last season," said Walsh. "The key is to try and keep the strengths from 2008 and enhance them."

Junior Tony Smith is expected to start at quarterback in the option-based attack. The transfer from Utah appeared in three games last season backing up starter Jonathan Dally who finished first nationally in passing efficiency.

All-American Jon Hall moves from fullback to halfback and will carry the load in 2009 after having a successful season in 2008 with 821 yards rushing and 11 scores. Halfback Jono Grayson and fullback Jordan Yocum are additional rushing threats.

Senior linebacker Carlton Gillespie and sophomore cornerback Asa Jackson anchor a Cal Poly defense that looks to bounce back to traditional form after struggling the past two years. Gillespie, a good leader and physical player, had a solid 2008 with 36 tackles, 12 for loss and eight sacks. Jackson picked off two passes in 2008 while registering 42 tackles. He is joined in the secondary by another stalwart, safety David Fullerton.

Place kicker Andrew Gardner, whose clutch field goal won the San Diego State game, but who had devastating misses in the losses to Montana and Wisconsin, has left the program. JC transfer Chris Pinto is Gardner's likely successor.

2. UC Davis (5-7, 2-1, second)

The Aggies are expected to challenge for the Great West title in 2009, but face a daunting task of figuring out how to win on the road. UC Davis lost all six road contests in 2008 but salvaged the season going 5-1 at home. The 5-7 overall record was only the second time the Aggies failed to post a winning record in the last 39 seasons.

Greg Denham, considered the best offensive player in the Great West, returns behind center for the Aggies. Last season, he threw for 3,478 yards and 27 TDs and ranked sixth in the country in total offense.

Chris Carter (69 catches, 11.1 average) and Bakari Grant (61 catches, 11.8 average), both NFL prospects, return this season to help improve an impressive offense that ranked 11th nationally last season.

Tommy Hernandez, one of the nation's top centers, leads a solid offensive line that helped the Aggie offense produce over 426 yards of total offense per game.

On defense, UCD must replace Buchanan Award finalist and GWFC defensive player of the year John Faletoese. The All-American defensive tackle ended 2008 with 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. Senior linebacker Mike Morales (72 tackles) will look to regain stability for a squad that ranked 50th nationally last season in yards allowed.

3. South Dakota (6-5, 1-2, tied for third)

The Coyotes roll into 2009 with plenty of confidence after posting a winning season in their first year at the FCS level. Head Coach Ed Meierkort returns for his sixth year at the helm and has lead the Coyotes to a winning season in each of his first five seasons with the team.

Noah Shepard (2,000 yards passing, 15 TD passes, 13 rushing touchdowns) is already one of the most successful quarterbacks in South Dakota history. But, FCS observers are learning the senior is also one of the best in the country.

Chris Ganious (755 yards, 6.6 average) should prove to be another threat in the ground game.

On the other side of the ball, All-American defensive tackle Ko Quaye and defensive end Wayne Curry (56 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) anchor the line.

4. North Dakota (6-4, 1-2, tied for third)

The Fighting Sioux held strong in their first season at the FCS level. North Dakota's biggest win of 2008 came in the final game of the season in an overtime thriller against South Dakota.

Second-year head coach Chris Mussman begins his 11th season on the Fighting Sioux coaching staff after two years as the offensive line coach/offensive coordinator and six seasons as the assistant head coach.

North Dakota took a hit when it lost its top running back to academic issues for the second year in a row. Josh Murray gained 1,146 yards and scored 12 TDs while replacing Ryan Chappell (1,253 yards and 15 TDs in 2007) last year. But Murray won't be around for 2009. Sophomore Catlin Solum (127 yards, 4.1 average) will step into the brink.

On defense, senior linebacker Andrew Miller recorded 36 tackles in 2008 and will look to provide the Sioux with leadership. Junior defensive end Ty Boyle (seven quarterback hurries) proved to be a solid pass rusher.

5. Southern Utah (4-7, 1-3, fifth)

Under new coach Ed Lamb, the Thunderbirds bounced back in 2008 after going 0-11 in 2007. Wins against Youngstown State and Texas State gave Southern Utah some desperately needed confidence.

"The question everyone had coming into the 2008 season was when will this losing streak end," said Lamb, a former San Diego assistant. "Now, the talk has become about where we can go in 2009. This year will be no fluke."

The Thunderbirds welcome back one of the best deep-ball threats in FCS, wide receiver Tysson Poots. In 2008, the junior hauled in 83 catches for 1,236 yards and 14 TDs.

Cade Cooper will likely be the quarterback trying to gets Poots the ball. Cooper redshirted at Oregon after earning national junior college player of the year honors at Snow College (Utah) in 2007.

On the defensive side of the ball, Robert Takeno returns as the top linebacker, racking up 94 tackles last season. The senior brings durability and passion to a defense that ranked a less than stellar 102nd in the country in 2008.

One of the biggest weapons to help the defense is All-American punter Trevor Ward, who was eighth nationally last year with a 42.8 average.

[SUUTbird]

Nice to finally see the GWC get some attention from the FCS writers. He paints a pretty accurate description but i honestly think the GWC title is up for grabs in 09 and any team could come away with it, even my thunderbirds. I can honestly see the standings turning out like this:

1st. Cal Poly- As of right now they are the team to beat, and with their triple option offense this makes me put them as one of the top contenders of the GWC.

1st. SUU- My Thunderbirds are returning the best team they have ever had in the FCS on paper. A great QB in Cade Cooper, a stable of great running backs and easily the best WR core and Offensive line we have ever seen. Our defense also returns alot of depth so i can easily see my Thunderbirds competeing for first.

3nd. UC-Davis- Another possible top contender for the GWC crown except as Mr. Kahn pointed out they seem to struggle mightily on the road (they are 5-13 on the road since 2006) and since they have to go to Cedar City and to Vermillion this year i think a third place finish is the best they can hope for.

4th. South Dakota- After a surprisingly decent season (except for the loss to ND) for their first year move up to the FCS i see the Coyotes doing more or less of the same, at least on offense anyways. The only question facing the coyotes this year will be if their defense can step up, losing their entire LB core will be hard to replace so i think they will be hard pressed to stop the many high powered offenses in the GWC.

5th. North Dakota- The...whatever they are called now ended the season on a high note beating their rivals Douth Dakota in Vermillion. However once again grades are an issue as ND loses their top running back. The Sioux played gritty at times but continuously gave up big leads (@ Idaho State and vs. SUU). I put them at fith based on their talent and the schedule they have to play (they go to UC-Davis and Cedar City this year.)