Southern Utah University football coach Jack Bishop wants wins, and he wants wins now.
With quarterback Rick Robins returning for his fourth year as the starter, and a supporting cast constructed of returners and 17 junior college recruits, most of which are offensive linemen, wins could very well be in the works - now."We went for immediate help, and we went big," he said. "We struggled the past couple years at the Division I-AA level. We had a string of three or four good season (in previous years before I-AA) and we'd like to get it going again."
Joining lettermen Jeff Rudy (6-3, 280) and Chris Hinton (6-2, 270) on the offensive line are transfers Tom Fell (6-3, 295), Wayne Arner (6-5, 290) Chuck Day (6-5 315) and Sam Lutui (6-3, 330).
"They're players," he said, "I think they have the potential to be one of the top offensive lines we've had."
Robins, SUU's all-time passing leader with 5,212 yards, threw for 1,707 yards last year with 11 touchdowns, after throwing for more than 1,800 yards the year before.
Senior returner Benji Hoskins (6-0, 210), who suffered through injury problems a year ago and had only 29 carries, is slated at fullback, while Snow College transfer Gary Perkins (5-9, 195) will replace 1994 leading rusher Shawn Jones, at tailback.
Kevin Cuthbertson and Micah Deckart, who were one two in catches last season, will head the receiving corps.
Defensively the T-Birds look equally tough with preseason all-America selection and two-time America West Conference selection Jeff Gaylean (6-1, 250) leading a solid set of defensive ends and linebackers.
Besides Gaylean, three-time letterman Joel Wilson (6-2, 255), Garrett Moon (6-4, 265) and Ryan Ross (6-3, 260) will make up a solid defensive line, but returning LDS missionary Reuben Togisala (6-0, 285) and Chris Garza (6-1, 240) will battle for a starting position.
Returners Marlan Bacon (6-0, 200), Garrett Atkin (6-3, 200), who tied with Gaylean with three quarterback sacks last year, and Jeff Jones (6-2, 225) will anchor the linebackers.
Leading tackler Duston Connaughton (6-2, 210) returns to the SUU secondary that also could consist of returner Mike Brown (6-0, 190), Ron Talbot (5-11, 185), Cuthbertson, who will see action both ways, and Shawn Holifield (5-9, 175).
Returner Craig VanWoerkom and Benji Nelson are slated for the punting and kicking duties, respectively.
SUU, that finished with a 4-7 record in 1994 and tied for second in the AWC, opens its 1995 season at the Coliseum of Southern Utah Sept. 2 when it hosts Angelo State University.
The T-Birds open their three-game America West Conference schedule Oct. 7 when they host Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
'95 SUU schedule
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 2 Angelo St. 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 Montana Tech 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Western St. 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Idaho St. 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 30 at SW Texas St. 6 p.m.
Oct. 7 Cal Poly-SLO 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 Neb. Kearney 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 at Saint Mary's 2 p.m.
Oct. 28 at CS-Northridge8 p.m.
Nov. 1 UC-Davis 1 p.m.
Nov. 11 at CS-Sacra. 7 p.m.
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