OGDEN -- They might be the first team in the state to hit the field for a game, but the Weber State Wildcats aren't sure if they're fully prepared.
"I'm ready," said second-year coach Jerry Graybeal. "But I don't have to play, and that's a good thing."Graybeal said he might be good for two plays, maybe three. His team, however, has a lot more playing time to look forward to. And with a game against Western State of Colorado slated for Thursday night, the Wildcats need to get things in order in a hurry.
"All the household names are gone," Graybeal said of the departed stars like Scott Shields, David Stroshine and Anthony Parker. "This year, we're trying to find out who are our weapons. It's time for our guys to establish their own names."
Weber State rode on the coattails of those stellar players all season and finished the year with the top-rated defense in the Big Sky. And not surprisingly, Graybeal has placed extra importance on rebuilding that defense. "That's my baby," he said. "I'm the one that runs it, and, yes, I'm a little concerned."
According to veteran defensive lineman Joel Barrow, Graybeal won't be fretting for too long. "It's a unique situation," the senior from Ogden said. "We have all the pieces but not the experience. We just need to get into a mindframe where we know we can shut them down. That might take a few plays to get down."
The loss of Shields leaves a huge void in the Wildcats' defense. Prior to being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, Shields was Mr. Everything for WSU. Multiple All-American honors as well as numerous Weber State school records were set. Replacing him will be no easy task.
But, the man given that task -- at least on paper -- is Keenan Gordon. The junior safety had 36 tackles a year ago and figures to become a focal point of the Wildcat defensive attack. He, along with senior cornerback Wade Davis, will be called upon to fill the holes left by the drafted Weber State secondary.
Barrow, a burley 270-pound tackle, was in on 61 stops last year and earned all-conference recognition. The junior is optimistic about the chances Weber State's revamped defense has.
"It's all there," he said. "When we can start running into someone else instead of ourselves, it will all come together. We'll just put the 11 best guys on the field and make a go of it."
Offensively, the Wildcats at least know what will work. It's getting something to balance it that will be a challenge.
Morgan Welch came from well down the depth chart a year ago to set a Weber State single season record with 1,629 yards rushing. Welch returns and has good support as Derek Poole -- who was ticketed to be the starter in 1998 before injuries let Welch snag the job -- will be back for his senior year. Poole had 541 yards rushing as a junior.
"Those people are back that stepped in and stepped it up," Graybeal said. "The running game is definitely going to be a strength for us. When you have guys like Morgan Welch and Derek Poole, other teams are going to need to bring a lunch bucket when you come to tackle them."
However, unless the Wildcats are able to develop a passing game, opponents will just put nine people in the box and beat up Welch, Poole and company. In 1998, Steve Buck went down in the second game of the season, and the Wildcat passing game never recovered. Chris Wallace, a native of Beverly Hills, became the starter and quickly became known for his ZIP code of 9021- oh no.
Wallace decided against returning to Ogden for his senior year, and transfers Cole Cooper (Ricks) and Dusty Harris (San Diego State) are still battling for the starter's job. Neither has much experience as a college starter but are reportedly pushing each other hard for the starter's job. Graybeal said it may be a game day decision as to whom will get the initial nod. Both will see significant playing time Thursday against Western State.
Should either become a solid quarterback, they'll have a few decent receivers. Senior Jimmy Atkins will man one starting receiver position, while a slew of newcomers will take turns attempting to snare passes.
The line is solid. The Judd twins, Ross and Rick, from Delta, are juniors and honors candidates. With fellow Delta product Carl Wright, the Wildcats figure to give whichever quarterback is playing enough time to develop well.
Clearly, if there is one problem the Wildcats will have, it is experience. Only six seniors can be found on the Weber State two-deep chart.
Another area of concern is the kicking game. Punting is a huge question mark, as freshman Joey Spendlove will handle the duties. Mike Minnoch takes over at placekicker after watching Shields do his magic for three years.