With the foundation firmly in place, Gary Andersen can begin constructing the building which is Southern Utah University football.
The T-Birds lose 11 seniors, but have a group of younger players who have learned what it takes to win.
"I feel good about the crew coming back," Andersen said. "Carry-over will be huge for those kids."
The T-Birds finished the year 4-7 with wins over Stephen F. Austin, Texas State, Western Oregon and St. Mary's.
Although the T-Birds were successful on the field this year, Andersen said this off-season will be crucial for the T-Birds to be successful next year.
"We will win games from Jan. 8 to Aug. 6," Andersen said.
The T-Birds finished 1-10 two years ago before posting four wins this year. Andersen said his team is still learning how to win games.
"We need execution throughout a whole football game and not have the little things come back and bite you," Andersen said.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS: Junior Casey Rehrer and freshman Ryan Zimmerman split time at quarterback. At times, both showed signs of improvement, but at other times showed they both had a lot to learn.
Springs drills will be the time, Andersen hopes, one will emerge as the clear-cut starter. Redshirt freshman Wes Marshall could push for considerable playing time.
"We want to come out of spring ball and declare a starter," Andersen said. "We're at the point in the program we have to declare a starter."
The numbers between Zimmerman and Rehrer were nearly identical. Zimmerman completed 118-of-230 passes for 1,248 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Rehrer completed 105-of-222 passes for 1,147 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Zimmerman will play baseball for the T-Birds in the spring.
RUNNING BACKS: Michael Culpepper, the T-Birds' leading rusher, is graduating. Charles Henderson, who played running back and tight end in his career at SUU, also is graduating. He suffered a broken leg early in the season and didn't contribute as much as expected.
Cory Ashby, who provided a spark for the SUU offense, is back for his senior year, while Ilaisa Tuiaki and Colin Ash could push for the starting spot.
TIGHT END: The T-Birds have a pair of solid receivers in Andy Hadfield, who transferred from BYU one week before the season opener at Nevada, and Waylon Bond, a converted high school quarterback. Hadfield led the tight ends in catches with 22 for 372 yards and two touchdowns, while Bond had just 10 catches for 99 yards and one score.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Junior College all-American A.J. Smith led the T-Birds in catches with 63 for 618 yards and a touchdown. With the graduation of Wes Patterson, Justin Walterschied will move into more of a receiver role along with returning kicks.
OFFENSIVE LINE: The T-Birds are very deep on the offensive line led by Iosefa Robbins, Derek Bringhurst, Lee Chart, Chris Shipman and Justin Johnson.
Jess Hacker, a transfer from the University of Utah, suffered an abdominal injury and didn't play, but he will be back at full strength for spring drills.
DEFENSE
SECONDARY: The T-Birds lose Allen Jacobsen, which leaves a big hole at cornerback. Andersen is looking for immediate help from Phillip Britt and Brian Kofoed, but Andersen said he will try and sign three cornerbacks in the spring. Brandon Perkins, who also doubles as the T-Bird punter, and Steve Smith bring back experience at safety. Perkins had three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
LINEBACKERS:Mike Overly; Nick DiPadova, a BYU transfer; Sammy Collier and LaVar Porter led a deep group of linebackers. DiPadova was the T-Birds' leading tackler with 133 stops. Overly was third with 96.
DEFENSIVE LINE:Justin Taylor, Major Salanoa, Sitiveni Tuivai and Sione Uipi will battle for starting positions. Sitiveni led the defensive line with 5 1/2 sacks. Taylor, Salanoa and Tuivai combined for 11 of SUU's 20 sacks.
2004 SUU football probable starters
Offense
QB — Ryan Zimmerman
QB — Casey Rehrer
RB — Ilaisa Tuiaki
WR — A.J. Smith
WR — Justin Waterscheid
WR — Ben Anderson
TE — Andy Hadfield
RT — Iosefa Robbins
RG — Derek Bringhurst
C — Lee Chart
LG — Chris Shipman
LT — Justin Johnson
Defense
CB — Brian Kofoed
CB — Phillip Britt
SS — Steve Smith
FS — Brandon Perkins
LB — Mike Overly
LB — Nick DiPadova
LB — Sammy Collier
LB — LaVar Porter
DL — Sitiveni Tuivai
DL — Justin Taylor
DL — Major Salanoa
DL — Sione Uipi
Special Teams
PK — Steve Pulver
P — Brandon Perkins
E-MAIL: jhinton@desnews.com