2002 OUTLOOK

Optimism is high in the Wayne State University football camp as the team prepares for the 2002 season. Head coach Steve Kazor enters his third season at the Warrior helm, recharged by a solid showing in spring ball, and a number of new assistants on his staff. Kazor and the Warriors feel that the ingredients are in place for a return to the upper echelon of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Wayne State returns 33 letterwinners, including 17 starters from last year’s squad which won two road games in the final minutes.

Kazor believes that the success will start on the offensive side of the ball, where the Warriors have nine returning starters.

[Offense || Defense || Special Teams
Schedule || GLIAC || Final Thoughts]

FALL PRACTICE
Aug. 8	Physicals
Aug. 9	Physicals/All players report
Aug. 9	Media Day
Aug. 10	Practice begins

OFFENSE
Kazor is excited about the experience of his football squad on both sides of the ball. On offense, the skilled position players have gone through the rigors of GLIAC football before, and know what it takes to succeed against tough conference opponents week-in and week-out.

“A couple of years ago we played a lot of younger players and experienced some pains, but now these guys are veteran players. The key is for these players to continue to grow, to maximize their abilities and potential.

“I feel like we have the athletes to have a good offensive line especially with fifth-year seniors Joel Grambau, Darrell Czubaj and Kevin GoodCourage returning at center, right tackle and left tackle, respectively.”

Juniors Ryan Strong and Shelton Hooks were listed as the top candidates at the guard slots following spring ball.

Expected to battle the incumbents for playing time on the offensive line include returnees Zac McKee, Andy Dombrowski, Jon Herstein, Greg Sims and Marvin Beaty.

Newcomers looking to be included in the mix are Jaime Farias, T.J. Smith, Peter Deike and Merrick Steele.

“Injuries decimated our offensive line corps last year. We will be experimenting a lot to find our best combination up front,” said Kazor.

Wayne State should be in good shape at quarterback with the return of Dan Gray and Randy Hutchison, plus the addition of James Phillips from College of the Redwoods.

Gray played in eight games last year and led the squad in passing efficiency (102.75), yards (1,735) and touchdown passes (13).

“Dan stepped up this spring but we’re anxious to see what gains he makes this summer.”

Hutchison saw action in six games and completed a team-best 48.4 percent of his passes.

“Randy did a very fine job coming in and contributing as a true freshman. I believe he has the confidence, and with his experience, a chance to compete for the starting spot.”

Phillips received all-region honors after throwing for nearly 2,600 yards.

No matter who takes the snaps for the Warriors, he will have no shortage of capable running backs to hand the ball of to.

Junior Jorge Gomez was second on the squad in rushing yards in 2001, while classmate Pat Harwood led the team in rushing touchdowns. Both will be pushed for playing time by junior college transfer Craig Duppong. He led Joliet to a 10-1 record with 1,310 rushing yards on his way to being named conference player-of-the-year. Wayne State also returns wing Nate Collins, who is the team’s top-returning receiver plus was the Warriors’ top rusher last season.

Many players have been waiting in the wings behind Pierre Brown, who signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.

Junior Roger White had 15 receptions last year, while sophomore Marqus Anthony had two touchdowns on only 11 receptions as a true freshman.

Reserves Greg Luvisotto, Michael Griffie and Lynn Morton should provide additional speed and depth at the wideout positions.

“Finding a replacement for Pierre Brown will be a big task for us, but we have several fine young receivers that hopefully will step up and give us the corps that we need to produce big numbers.”

Redshirt junior Mike Johnson will battle transfer Sam Anderson (Eastern Michigan) for the starting tight end spot. Freshmen Michael MacDonagh and Chris Smilo are looking for playing time.

“For us, the tight end spot is really three positions – a receiver, a running back and an offensive lineman. This is why we may rotate several players for specific situations this season.”

DEFENSE
After allowing nearly 200 yards a game rushing in 2001, Wayne State should be much improved defensively with the addition of defensive coordinator Maury Waugh.

Senior Steve Andonovski and redshirt freshman Leo Wells anchor the defensive end slots, while juniors Craig Jobe and Julius Haynes are scheduled to be the starting defensive tackles.

Battling for playing time on the defensive line will be Jaron Blueford, John Trudel, Andy Thomas and Albert Taliaferro. Newcomers looking to make an immediate impact are Martez Moore and Godwin Ihentuge.

“We tried to go out and find a few transfers to fill spots in the defensive line. Our spring showed much improvement in the defensive line as our entire defense had.”

The linebacking corps will be led by sophomores Mohamad Bazzi and Mike Macek, along with senior Shaun Holiday. Battling the top unit for playing time will be seniors Daniel Stuckey, Adam Kuehnlein, and Frank Hess and junior Nick Pappas.

Incoming freshmen Fred Harbor, Michael Hall and Douglas Ducat will look to make an impact on special teams and in a reserve role.

“We feel our linebacker corps may be the strength of our team. We return size, strength and speed that are needed to compete at this level.”

Wayne State’s defensive backfield will be young at the corners and experienced at the safeties.

Sophomores Earl Carruthers and Alvin Mask finished spring ball on the No. 1 unit and will be backed-up by Aaron Hannah, Ryan Rutley and newcomers Alphonso Clark and Jerrard Humes.

Fifth-year seniors Derrick Thomas and Qasim Basir are the top safeties and will have Nick Hall and Derek Ginyard, along with freshmen Aaron Reid and Jerell Batson as their understudies.

“Last year Earl and Alvin were thrust into our secondary as true freshmen. They have matured and are ready. Our battles at the safety spots will be very competitive.”

SPECIAL TEAMS
Place-kicker Stephen Wayne returns for his sophomore season after connecting on four field goals in his rookie season, including a long of 35-yards at Findlay.

Junior Adam Nemer-Kaiser handled the punting duties in 2001 and averaged 35.5 yards per boot.

“We need to improve on special teams individually and the teams collectively. Our punters and kickers must get better and the surrounding casts will then respond.”

THE SCHEDULE
The Warriors will play their lone non-league contest at Northern Iowa for the second straight season. WSU will play the Panthers in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Thursday, Aug. 29.

The remaining 10 games are against GLIAC competition. Wayne State will open the home portion of its schedule Sept. 21 against Grand Valley State. The Lakers went 13-1 last year and reached the NCAA Division II Championship game.

Also visiting WSU Stadium will be Ashland, who tied for fifth in the 12-team GLIAC last year, and Northern Michigan, who will be this year's Homecoming opponent. The final two home games are versus Mercyhurst and Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals went 9-1 in the league last year.

Besides facing Kurt Warner's alma mater (Northern Iowa), the Warriors have five conference road games. WSU begins league play at Findlay, and also travels to Ferris State, Hillsdale, Michigan Tech and Northwood.

THE GLIAC
As always, the GLIAC race shapes up to be as competitive as ever. Kazor sees Grand Valley as the frontrunner again in 2002.

“Grand Valley has got to be the team to beat. They won the GLIAC last year.”

FINAL THOUGHTS
Kazor lists several factors as instrumental to the success of his team in 2002. Taking care of the ball will be one key factor on offense. The Warriors had 40 turnovers last season, while recording 20 takeaways.

Defensively, Wayne State allowed over four yards a carry by its opponents in 2001, and opposing quarterbacks had three times as many touchdown passes as interceptions.

“We need to stay healthy. We are still building and have some good players but we don’t have the depth yet. We will be better on defense, and offensively our quarterbacks must have a better touchdown/interception ratio.”