CEDAR CITY — The way his football team conducted itself through spring drills and now fall workouts, Southern Utah University football coach Wes Meier said it's hard to believe that his team went just 1-9 last year.
"This is a special group," he said. "I think the biggest thing was we're able to create an atmosphere where they felt that everything was going to be OK. We were going to work hard and we want to be winners and we want to turn this around."
First of all, the T-Birds, whose only win came over Northern Colorado, 20-17 in overtime, identified the weaknesses — and have corrected them.
"We went through spring ball with that attitude and they feel very confident," Meier said. "When it wrapped up we had improved dramatically ... I don't think any of these guys even think about the fact we went 1-9. I really think they feel like they are winners and feel very confident about what they are doing."
First and foremost, Meier plans to have a more balanced offense, utilizing sophomore running back Kyle Coop more to bolster a stagnant running game, while still relying on the big-play ability of the wide receivers.
The T-Birds averaged just 12.6 points per game last year, while rushing the ball for 70 yards a game and throwing for 205. They ran a total of 688 plays, and 402 were passes. What made it even worse, though, was that Zac Connors, who has since graduated, completed just 52 percent of his passes and backup Wes Marshall completed 40 percent.
"I think, as I look at it now, the mistake we made was we continually tried to force something that wasn't there instead of taking advantage of what was there," Meier said. "This year, we have a whole new approach. We're going to move the ball and get first downs. That's what matters."
The T-Birds had 33 fewer first downs than their opponents, and punted 20 more times.
Offensively, the T-Birds return 10 of their 12 top yard producers, led by Coop, who had 756 all-purpose yards in 2005. However, 561 of those came on kick off returns. Only 131 came running the ball.
Meier is looking to get Coop 20-25 carries if the offense so dictates. Jamar Lee led all running backs with 228 yards last year. He and Coop are a formidable running back tandem.
Top receivers Joey Hew Len and Larue Burley are back, as are Bobby Pond, Brett Johansen and Craig Gritton.
"I think the schemes we have put together and the attitude we have taken is much more sound right now than what we had going into fall last year," Meier said.
Marshall will be the starter at quarterback. Royal Gill, a New Mexico State transfer who was running neck-and-neck with Marshall for the position, was ruled ineligible Wednesday by the NCAA for violating transfer rules. Redshirt freshman Brandon Godfrey and true freshman Stetson Peck will now battle for the backup role.
Marshall threw for 927 yards and rushed for 147 in part-time duty last season.
"He has done a great job in camp," Meier said of Marshall. "He brought up the level of his game. He's been real strong in the run game as we know, and he's done a great job with his passing and making good reads and being able to deliver the ball."
Tim Husslebee, Brandon Guzman, Matt Roan, Ricki Tuuamalo and Mike Knight make up an experienced offensive line.
Defensively, the T-Birds allowed 32.8 points a game while surrendering 380.2 yards per game. With an experienced defensive line returning, Meier anticipates seeing both of those numbers drop considerably. Levi Erickson, Austin Curtis, Jimmy Judd and Derek Hood will anchor the defense.
"We've got great players, and in my opinion we have one of the best D-lines going," Meier said. "We're actually playing a little more loose with those guys. They are big and strong. We're letting them attack more."
The T-Birds lost their top five tacklers.
There is still a question at linebackers due to injuries, but the secondary, if it can stay healthy, should be better with the return of David Zelasko, Brian Kofoed and Spencer Meier.
"The secondary is doing a great job and the experience is there, but there's not a lot of depth," Meier said.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com