The secret is out - Southern Utah University runs the football and runs it very well as evidenced by the 331.5 yards per game that led all Div. I-AA schools in 1996.
In 1997 nothing will change. The T-Birds will run the ball and dare people to stop it."You've got to think when you're going to play us, which poison do you want, the quarterback, fullback or slot back," first-year head coach C. Ray Gregory said of his running game.
The T-Birds are led offensively by senior quarterback Joe DuPaix, who rushed for 1,246 yards (the most by any Div. I-AA QB) and 12 touchdowns and junior fullback Brook Madsen, who rushed for a team-high 1,405 yards and 15 TDS. At slot back are sophomore Terry Rose and senior Roosevelt Miller, who rushed for 366 and 312 yards, respectively.
Up front, the T-Birds are led by guards, sophomore John Uriarte (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) and senior Adam Black (6-4, 305), who Gregory says are as good as anyone in Division I-AA.
The T-Birds will call on young tackles: sophomore Andy Nelson (5-10, 245) and freshman Jeff Wilson (6-0, 235), while senior veteran Gary Sharp (6-2, 275) will handle the center chores.
Although the T-Birds threw fewer than 10 times a game in 1996, they lost three quality receivers, but Gregory said freshmen Sam Elliott, Kam Brown and Jackson Peck may see time.
Defensively, the T-Birds (4-7) allowed 32 points per game, but in their seven losses they yielded nearly 40 per contest, and that concerns Gregory, but he's confident this defense will be better.
Junior Ahaz Griffeth (5-11, 250), and senior Gary Reed (5-10, 235) will be counted upon at the defensive ends spots, while junior Mana Kula (5-11, 285), senior Curtis Cook (6-5, 235) and junior Mikol Nuga (6-0, 235) are in the running for defensive tackle.
Returning at linebacker are juniors Clay Marshall (6-0, 215), Jimmy Brimmer (6-2, 225) and Chance Larsen (6-2, 200) and sophomores Josh Paulman (5-11, 225) and Mike Shepard (6-0, 220), any of which could be in the starting line up for the T-Birds.
The much-improved secondary is headed by sophomores Kenny Lindsay (6-0, 170), Chad Huntsman (6-1, 180), Randy Hunter (6-0, 190, and Tom Barber (5-9, 180). Joining the sophs is senior Ron Talbot (5-11, 185) and freshman Koby Leon (5-11, 195). He could also see time at linebacker.
Junior Matt Rhea will take care of the kicking duties, while Cameron Jensen will do the punting.
The T-Birds host Illinois State Aug. 30 at Eccles Coliseum to start their 11-game regular season.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
'97 SUU schedule
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 30 Illinois St. 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 Fort Lewis 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Weber St. 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Arkansas St. 5 p.m.
Sept. 27 Montana Tech 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 W. Illinois 1 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Idaho St. 6:35 p.m.
Oct. 25 at SW Texas 2 p.m.
Nov. 1 UC Davis 1 p.m.
Nov. 8 at N. Iowa 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 at St. Mary's 3 p.m.
Radio: KBRE FM-94.9
Tickets: 586-7872