OGDEN — Weber State football coach Jerry Graybeal has said that his biggest fear for the upcoming season is that his defense will play like it did last season.
The defense caused Graybeal fits last season, as it gave up 40 points and 500 yards per game.
While Graybeal hopes that his defense has improved, he probably wouldn't be too upset if the offense can be as good as it was last year. The passing offense was the best in the Big Sky. That's the good news. The bad news is that the offense has to replace last year's starting quarterback, the fifth leading rusher in school history and the team's top receiver.
When Graybeal was asked what his team's biggest strength is for the upcoming season he said, "experience — all these guys got their butts kicked together last season."
QUARTERBACKS: Tate Bennett has been the team's starter for about two months and Graybeal feels comfortable with him running the offense. Bennett, who starred at San Juan High, has spent a lot of time with his receivers in personal workouts over the past couple of months and has a good grasp of the team's offense.
"He's going to be a great quarterback before this season is over," Graybeal said.
RUNNING BACKS: Replacing Johnnie Gray III's 2,017 all-purpose yards last season won't be easy. Graybeal will use three running backs — Nick Chournos, Gavin Brooks and George Patterson. The three don't have much experience, as they combined for 63 rushing yards last season. But Graybeal is hoping that they can come close to equaling Gray III's production.
RECEIVERS: Justin DeFour is being counted on to help replace Damon Greenberry's 56 catches and 11 touchdowns last season. But DeFour will miss at least the team's opener against New Mexico after he injured his ankle in the team's final scrimmage on Aug. 22. Two redshirt freshmen — Wiley King and Jason Norman — will be counted on while DeFour recuperates. Michael Hale and Josh Rebholz are the team's top threats at tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE: This is the strongest unit on the team. Senior center Ben Olson started all 11 games last season and junior tackle Chris Rhodes should have a solid year after missing the final six games last year with a broken arm.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Senior defensive tackle Randy Spencer led the line in tackles last season and earned honorable mention Big Sky honors. Tevita Kafoa returns after a redshirt year. Emil Metroka, a true freshman from San Diego, was the surprise of fall camp and could contribute this season.
LINEBACKERS: Junior Matt McFadden leads the linebacker corps. He was named to the Sports Network's preseason All-American team after earning first team All-Big Sky honors last season. He will be helped by Colton Swan, who started four games last season and was the team's fourth-leading tackler.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Seniors Charles Boughton and Sylvester Daniels will be counted on to play man coverage and limit big plays from the opposition. Junior college transfer Cody Murphy is expected to contribute right away at safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Joe Johnson joined the team in the spring and doesn't have any game experience. Punter Joey Spendlove returned from an LDS mission and was a consistent performer in fall camp.
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com