I am looking forward to see how Bruce handles this new 5-2-4 defense (nickel back). I'm thinking that either he will have to make very good decisions or Grambling will have to find a running game.
."
Bruce Eugene (Monroe Newsstar)
Spartans set out in search of defense...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose State unit ranked among college football's worst last year
By Glenn Reeves, STAFF WRITER
www.timesstar.com/Stories...22,00.html
SAN JOSE -- After seeing his San Jose State football team go from three wins to six over his first two years as head coach, Fitz Hill is setting high goals for this season.
"We want to win the WAC championship," Hill said.
San Jose State helps get the 2003 college football season under way Saturday when it hosts Grambling State in the Literacy Classic at 3 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.
If the Spartans have a chance of contending along with the likes of Boise State, Fresno State and Hawaii in the Western Athletic Conference, they'll need significant improvement on defense. Last year they were 116th out of 117 NCAA Division I-A teams in pass defense, 115th in total defense and 105th in scoring defense.
"In crunch time, we couldn't stop anybody," Hill said.
Hill, who has increased the number of players on scholarship from 61 to 73 this season, has installed a 4-2-5 alignment -- two linebackers and five defensive backs -- as his base defense this season in an effort to get the team's best athletes on the field.
And it's not only San Jose's defense that reflects the pass-happy, often wacky WAC. The team's base offense includes three wide receivers and only one running back.
But playing five defensive backs is not that unusual in college football today. It is by no means confined to the WAC.
"We played the nickel all the time at Arkansas," Hill said of his previous stop in the Southeastern Conference.
The Spartans have the potential to be very good on offense this season. They averaged 28.9 points and 375.6 yards per game last year. And most of the offensive unit returns.
Quarterback Scott Rislov completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,251 yards and 22 touchdowns last year in his first season as a starter. Rislov is a 4.0 student who intends to become a doctor one day. Hill says if Rislov goes into neurology, he would not hesitate to choose Rislov to perform any brain surgery he might need.
The three starting wide receivers may be as good as any trio on the West Coast. Jamall Broussard (62 receptions), Kendrick Starling (49) and Tuati Wooden (35) combined for 146 receptions last season.
Courtney Anderson (6-foot-7, 270 pounds) is a big target at tight end.
Ezekiel Staples, Damarcus Ingram and freshman Yonus Davis (Skyline High) are slated to share running back duties. Diminutive Lamar Ferguson(5-5, 143) led the team in rushing last year with 634 yards and a 5.0 average, but suffered a knee injury in the final game against Tulsa that kept him out of spring practice and most of fall camp. The possibility of Ferguson being redshirted has been discussed, although no decision has been made.
With four of five starters returning on the offensive line, it becomes clear the potential for a high-scoring team exists.
The defense, however, is full of question marks. Hill sees hope in having two preseason all-WAC selections in defensive end Philip Perry and safety Gerald Jones (eight interceptions last season, three against Stanford.) But the Spartans are going to have to demonstrate on the field if they've actually improved enough to be a contender.
Trestin George will start at one corner. Last year as a freshman out of St. Mary's High in Berkeley he played both defensive back and running back, gaining 176 yards on 45 carries. He will concentrate on cornerback this season.
"He's a tremendous athlete, a very talented young man," Hill said. "He's a prototype corner."
And the Neil Parry saga continues at San Jose State.
Parry, a fifth-year safety, reported for fall camp July 29 and has participated in supervised workouts.
Parry had his right leg amputated 18 centimeters below his knee on Oct. 23, 2000,after suffering a compound fracture Oct.14 against UTEP. Since then he has undergone 24 surgical procedures.
Parry, who has been fitted with a knee brace to stabilize his prosthetic leg, is hoping to be allowed to join practice soon.
"It looks like he might have a chance," Hill said. "He's made the most progress I've seen since I've been here. It's very encouraging."
."
Bruce Eugene (Monroe Newsstar)
Spartans set out in search of defense...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose State unit ranked among college football's worst last year
By Glenn Reeves, STAFF WRITER
www.timesstar.com/Stories...22,00.html
SAN JOSE -- After seeing his San Jose State football team go from three wins to six over his first two years as head coach, Fitz Hill is setting high goals for this season.
"We want to win the WAC championship," Hill said.
San Jose State helps get the 2003 college football season under way Saturday when it hosts Grambling State in the Literacy Classic at 3 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.
If the Spartans have a chance of contending along with the likes of Boise State, Fresno State and Hawaii in the Western Athletic Conference, they'll need significant improvement on defense. Last year they were 116th out of 117 NCAA Division I-A teams in pass defense, 115th in total defense and 105th in scoring defense.
"In crunch time, we couldn't stop anybody," Hill said.
Hill, who has increased the number of players on scholarship from 61 to 73 this season, has installed a 4-2-5 alignment -- two linebackers and five defensive backs -- as his base defense this season in an effort to get the team's best athletes on the field.
And it's not only San Jose's defense that reflects the pass-happy, often wacky WAC. The team's base offense includes three wide receivers and only one running back.
But playing five defensive backs is not that unusual in college football today. It is by no means confined to the WAC.
"We played the nickel all the time at Arkansas," Hill said of his previous stop in the Southeastern Conference.
The Spartans have the potential to be very good on offense this season. They averaged 28.9 points and 375.6 yards per game last year. And most of the offensive unit returns.
Quarterback Scott Rislov completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,251 yards and 22 touchdowns last year in his first season as a starter. Rislov is a 4.0 student who intends to become a doctor one day. Hill says if Rislov goes into neurology, he would not hesitate to choose Rislov to perform any brain surgery he might need.
The three starting wide receivers may be as good as any trio on the West Coast. Jamall Broussard (62 receptions), Kendrick Starling (49) and Tuati Wooden (35) combined for 146 receptions last season.
Courtney Anderson (6-foot-7, 270 pounds) is a big target at tight end.
Ezekiel Staples, Damarcus Ingram and freshman Yonus Davis (Skyline High) are slated to share running back duties. Diminutive Lamar Ferguson(5-5, 143) led the team in rushing last year with 634 yards and a 5.0 average, but suffered a knee injury in the final game against Tulsa that kept him out of spring practice and most of fall camp. The possibility of Ferguson being redshirted has been discussed, although no decision has been made.
With four of five starters returning on the offensive line, it becomes clear the potential for a high-scoring team exists.
The defense, however, is full of question marks. Hill sees hope in having two preseason all-WAC selections in defensive end Philip Perry and safety Gerald Jones (eight interceptions last season, three against Stanford.) But the Spartans are going to have to demonstrate on the field if they've actually improved enough to be a contender.
Trestin George will start at one corner. Last year as a freshman out of St. Mary's High in Berkeley he played both defensive back and running back, gaining 176 yards on 45 carries. He will concentrate on cornerback this season.
"He's a tremendous athlete, a very talented young man," Hill said. "He's a prototype corner."
And the Neil Parry saga continues at San Jose State.
Parry, a fifth-year safety, reported for fall camp July 29 and has participated in supervised workouts.
Parry had his right leg amputated 18 centimeters below his knee on Oct. 23, 2000,after suffering a compound fracture Oct.14 against UTEP. Since then he has undergone 24 surgical procedures.
Parry, who has been fitted with a knee brace to stabilize his prosthetic leg, is hoping to be allowed to join practice soon.
"It looks like he might have a chance," Hill said. "He's made the most progress I've seen since I've been here. It's very encouraging."
