Volume 2/Number 1

1999

Football outlook

UD team is young and restless

Last fall, the Hens went 7-4 in what was judged to be the toughest schedule in the NCAA I-AA, but failed to make it to postseason play. Not willing to be left out of the NCAA I-AA playoffs for the second straight year, veteran players are eager for an opportunity to turn around the inconsistencies of a year ago. And, they'll have to compete with a talented group of incoming transfers and freshmen to earn their starting positions.

"In some respects, a season like last year was good for us," says Raymond, who has taken his teams to postseason play 19 times in his 33 seasons as head coach. "I think last year we had the general attitude that we would just automatically ascend to the playoffs. We were inconsistent, took some things for granted and lost some games we should not have."

Confident that things will be different in 1999, Raymond could already see a "renewed enthusiasm" among his players during the first days of spring practice. In addition to 44 letterwinners and 15 starters returning from last year's squad, the team welcomes some exciting new players, including transfers from Iowa State, Penn State and Temple. "This situation is kind of new to us, but it is an exciting thing. We have a young team (only three of the returning starters are seniors), but we also have some players coming in with know-how and experience," he says. "It really brings in an element of freshness that is good for this football team. I see more of a commitment."

Long known for the Wing-T attack that helped the Blue Hens annually rank among the national leaders in rushing, Delaware went to the air more than ever before in 1998. Riding the arm of then-sophomore quarterback Matt Nagy and the speed of senior All-American spread end Eddie Conti, the Hens featured one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the country. This year, however, they will return to their roots.

"We're trying to reinvent our running game," says Raymond. "The running game is our nuts and bolts and we have to make it happen. Our passing game continues to show great promise and I encourage that continued growth. We can improve in both areas, make both areas work better together and continue to be an explosive offensive team."

With the emergence of Nagy, a third-team All-Atlantic 10 pick last season, and the return of Brian Ginn from knee surgery, the Blue Hens may have one of the nation's most talented tandems at quarterback. Nagy, who set 10 school records last season, including a 556-yard passing performance against no. 4 ranked Connecticut, will be the Hens' starter during spring drills. Ginn, who threw for 1,681 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1997, is expected to be back at 100 percent for pre-season drills.

"Matt Nagy is a guy with raw ability and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet," says Raymond. "Having Brian Ginn back is great for our team. It gives us two quality quarterbacks who have proven themselves at this level."

The passing game stole much of the thunder from the usually vaunted Delaware backfield a year ago, but the Hens are hoping to improve in that area, thanks to some standout veterans. At halfback, senior Craig Cummings and junior Derrick Downs will return to their starting spots, battled by a group of speedy returnees. At fullback, a face-off looms between two-year backup, senior Steve Ricco, and junior Jimmy O'Neal, a former starter at Iowa State who transferred in from Nassau (N.Y.) Junior College.

The loss of Conti, a four-year standout receiver who was drafted this spring by the National Football League, will be felt deeply. Raymond will look to sophomore Jamin Elliott, redshirt freshman Joe Clark and sophomore Mike Medley, along with freshmen Keith Greisbaum and Corey Howard, to share the responsibilities this year.

On the offensive line, Raymond expects a young, promising group of returnees to make up for the loss of some experienced players. The Blue Hens return three starters with junior Jeff Fiss at center, junior Chris Phipps at guard and senior Jim Stull at tackle. Sophomores John Ahern and Jeff Dodge will battle for the other starting tackle spot.

On defense, a young group that struggled at times in 1998 is a year older in 1999, and Raymond says he hopes it will help them avoid some of the inconsistencies that plagued them last year. "We need a rebirth of hardness and enthusiasm for our defense," he says. "We didn't rush the passer well and didn't stop the ground game a year ago, and that is what we are focusing on. We are an awfully young team, especially on defense, so it may take time."

Junior outside linebacker Brian McKenna, the team's leading tackler a year ago when he posted 118 stops, will be counted on once again to lead the Blue Hen defense. Sophomore Darrell Edmonds, who posted a solid redshirt freshman year with 73 tackles, will return as a second-year starter. The third linebacker spot should be taken over by redshirt freshman Dan Mulhern.

The always athletic Blue Hen secondary will also add a touch of experience this fall, which should make for an improved unit. The Hens return three starters and two quality transfers to a group that a year ago intercepted 15 passes and broke up 32 more. Leading the unit is senior cornerback Tyrone Bowden, with sophomores Dominic Banks and Butch Patrick battling for the other corner spot. Also look out for sophomore cornerback Travis Blomgren, a high school All-American and transfer from Penn State. At free safety, junior Mike Furline returns as a third-year starter. Junior Mike Pearson and senior Joe Montoban will battle for the starting strong safety spot. Junior BaShawn Dixon, a transfer from Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he led the team to a no. 4 national ranking a year ago, also figures to fill a prominent role.

"I like our depth in the secondary," says Raymond. "We have six players who have started at some point in their careers and we have two outstanding transfers in Blomgren and Dixon. That should give us plenty of good combinations in defending the pass."

Finally, the Blue Hen kicking game returns intact, led by senior place-kicker Garon Sizemore and sophomore punter and kickoff specialist Ryan Bleiler.

Facing another challenging schedule this fall, the Blue Hens will open with three night games in September, a first in UD history. The October slate includes three consecutive games against teams that advanced to the 1998 NCAA I-AA playoffs.

-Scott Selheimer and Sharon Roat