Lehigh University Athletics
2009 Lehigh Football Spring Preview
3/31/2009 10:00:00 AM | Football
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Following an up-and-down start to the 2008 season, Lehigh rebounded to win three of its final four contests, including a 31-15 victory over archrival Lafayette in Easton. That win sent the Mountain Hawks into the offseason with plenty of momentum and optimism on what the future holds. Following a solid winter conditioning program, Lehigh enters the spring of 2009 with a good deal of experience and talent returning on both sides of the ball. Head coach Andy Coen, now entering his fourth season, expects plenty of competition throughout the spring segment of practice and into preseason camp, where the Mountain Hawks will look to fill several holes as well as develop depth in a number of areas. “We entered the offseason on a high note and I think that really motivated our guys to work hard throughout the winter months,” Coen said. “That said, there are plenty of areas we need to improve in and become more consistent with. We also have a few key spots on both sides of the ball where kids will be competing on a daily basis for playing time at.”
DEFENSE
The Lehigh defense was once again a formidable unit in 2008, ranking at or near the top of the Patriot League in several statistical categories, including sacks, scoring defense and rushing defense. Three All-Patriot League selections return for the Mountain Hawks on “D” and six starters overall will be back in ’09. “I think our linebackers will be the strength of the team,” Coen explained. “We have a lot of experience returning at that position as well as some very talented underclassmen that will get their shot to earn playing time beginning this spring.” He continued, “Our defensive line has a few spots that need to be filled as does the secondary, but overall I am excited about the potential of our entire defense.”
Defensive Line
Lehigh’s defensive line grew stronger and stronger week-by-week in 2008, culminating with a dominating effort in the win over Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks defensive linemen registered six-and-a-half sacks alone versus the Leopards, displaying an outstanding combination of speed and power throughout the game. Lehigh lost four members of its D-line to graduation, including two time All-American Brian Jackson, but despite those losses, a talented group of players returns.
First-Team All-Patriot League selection BJ Benning will anchor the defensive line. A native of Maryland, Benning registered six sacks a season ago including a career-best of three in Lehigh’s win over Fordham. A physically imposing presence with good athleticism Benning once again figures to be one of the top D-linemen in the entire league.
Senior Darrelly Ray appeared in ten games a season ago and totaled 15 tackles during that time, including three apiece versus Fordham and Colgate. Ray has improved in each of his first three seasons in the Brown and White and is primed for a big senior year. Classmate Steven Brown also returns and will look to make a push for increased playing time.
Junior David Brown is the largest defensive lineman on the roster, checking in at over 300 pounds. He got his first taste of action last season and did a nice job as Benning’s backup, appearing in five games. Along with sophomore Ted Lasher these two will compete for time at the nose guard spot.
Junior Phil Winnett returns to the lineup this spring after missing all of the 2008 campaign with an injury. Winnett had a great freshman season, appearing in all 11 games, and posting 12 tackles during that time. Fellow junior Billy Dokouslis made the switch from linebacker to defensive line during the offseason and Coen is excited about his future. “Billy is one of the stronger kids on the roster and he can run rather well, too. He has added some weight and we’re looking forward to what he can do at his new position.”
Other players at this position to keep an eye on are sophomores Andrew Knapp and Cody Connare, both of whom stand at least 6-2.
Linebackers
With three starters returning, including two time All-League honoree Matt Cohen, Lehigh’s linebacking corps once again figures to be its strongest position group. Last season Cohen was a dominant force, leading the Patriot League in sacks and tackles-for-loss as he finished with 53 total tackles. The Allentown native was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week after registering five tackles and returning an interception for his first career touchdown in a win over Bucknell.
Fellow seniors Heath Brickner and Al Pierce also return to the starting lineup after both had impressive junior seasons. Brickner is a two year starter and totaled 51 tackles, one interception and a blocked kick last season. He registered a career-high ten tackles at Holy Cross and used his 6-4 frame to block the second kick of his career at Princeton. Pierce came into his own last season, displaying tremendous speed and athleticism en route to 50 tackles, including six-for-loss and a pair of sacks. The New Jersey native totaled a season-best nine tackles, including two crucial tackles-for-loss in the win over Lafayette.
Other returning linebackers are seniors Troy Taylor and Tobi Showunmi. Taylor was a special teams demon a season ago, totaling more than half of his 39 tackles on special teams coverage. He suffered an injury in the Lafayette game however, but Coen hopes he will be back at full strength for preseason camp in August. Showunmi was coming off of an injury in 2008 and grew stronger and stronger with each passing week. He appeared in seven games and made ten stops during that time, including a career-high seven versus league foe Colgate. He also registered his first career sack at Georgetown.
Rounding out the crop of outside linebackers are junior Ben Flizack, who has impressed the coaching staff with the strides he has made in the weight room, and sophomores Fred Mihal and Mike Groome. Coen is very high on this pair of physically imposing ‘backers.
At inside linebacker, one junior and three rising sophomores will compete for playing time, including Robert Tulcin, Tanner Rivas, Alex Petroff, and Devin Greene. Greene earned the defensive scout team’s MVP award last season and Coen expects each of these youngsters to make a serious push for playing time.
Secondary
Lehigh entered the 2008 spring with a good deal of uncertainty throughout its secondary, but the Mountain Hawks wound up leading the Patriot League in interceptions last season and placed two players on the All-League teams. With one of those All-League selections and a host of other players that saw significant time returning, Lehigh’s secondary figures to be in solid shape.
Leading the charge are juniors Jarard Cribbs and John Kennedy at cornerback. Cribbs earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors after leading the league in interceptions and pass break ups and posting 38 total tackles. The Maryland native had three games of five or more tackles, and also doubled as the Mountain Hawks punt returner, returning a kick 82 yards for a touchdown versus Cornell. On the other side of the field Kennedy settled in nicely as the starting cornerback. An All-League selection as a kick returner following his freshman season, Kennedy used his top-notch speed to finish among the team leaders in tackles with 65, which included a career-best 11 at Princeton. He also picked off a pair of passes, none more memorable than the one he intercepted at Lafayette, which he returned 94 yards to pay dirt to all seal the Mountain Hawks win.
Junior Casey Eldemire appeared in ten games as a sophomore, posting his best game at Harvard where he made eight stops and picked off his first career pass. Sophomore Colin Newton made an impact on special teams last season and will compete for increased time at cornerback, while junior R.J. Overton will miss the spring season due to injury, but figures to be in the mix once preseason camp rolls around. Eldemire and Newton are two of the taller players in the secondary.
At the safety spot, senior Jesse Sanchez returns with the most experience, having appeared in over 20 games during the last two seasons. As a junior he totaled 13 tackles, including four apiece versus Cornell and Fordham. Sanchez is one of the more athletic players on the Lehigh roster. Junior John Veniero stands over six-foot and weighs over 200 pounds, giving Lehigh a physical presence at the other safety spot. He totaled six tackles a season ago, playing mainly on special teams.
Other candidates at the safety spot include senior Femi Ajewole, junior Shane Ryan, and sophomores Isadore Carrie and Jonathan Littlejon. Ajewole and Littlejohn are converted defensive backs, while Ryan is a former walk-on that has worked hard to put himself in position to earn playing time.
OFFENSE
From the time Andy Coen took the head coaching job in 2006, he has continually preached the importance of having a balanced offense. Last season the Mountain Hawks averaged 215 yards passing and nearly 100 yards rushing per game, but Coen would like to see Lehigh continue to improve on offense, particularly on the ground. “We want to build on the success that we had passing this past season, but we need to do a better job of running the ball, so that will be a point of concentration for us throughout the spring.” Last spring much of the attention was focused on who would be the Mountain Hawks starting quarterback, but now the focus has shifted to the running back and wide receiver positions, where Lehigh graduates a large number of its top players from a season ago.
Offensive Line
This should be the largest offensive line Lehigh has had since Coen became the head coach. That said, there are a few holes to plug, including replacing All-League selection Kevin Bayani and the ever-steady Chris Tiefenthal. “The door is open to everyone for competition throughout the spring and into camp,” Coen explained. “We’ve been able to add solid depth along the line the past few seasons and are now in a position where we can have great competition at each position.” Junior Will Rackley is the top returner after earning a spot on the All-Patriot League First-Team last season. A Georgia native, Rackley has started nearly every game during his first two seasons on South Mountain. Classmate Keith Schauder started all 11 games last year at center and returns a year older and more experienced. Other Mountain Hawks that saw significant time along the line last season are senior Frank Giacalone and junior Ricky Clerge.
The rest of the Lehigh line is comprised of junior R.J McNamara and sophomore Troy McKenna at tackle, sophomores Jim Liebler and Will Reich who can play either center or guard, juniors Ben Harden and Alex Rowe at guard, sophomore Vinny Pellegrini at guard and sophomore Stephen Ganoe who can play both guard and tackle.
Tight Ends
Lehigh loses just one tight end off the roster in Troy Healion who was a partial starter each of the last two seasons. Junior Alex Wojdowski is more than ready to assume the full-time role of starter however. “Alex clearly established himself as the starter,” Coen said. “He’s a two year letterwinner who is a good blocker and a solid pass receiver.” Wojdowski caught five passes a season ago, including a touchdown at Holy Cross.
Other Mountain Hawks in the mix at tight end are junior Brandon Radke and sophomores Mark Wickware and Kyle Holmes. Radke has been slowed by injuries each of his first two seasons but stands 6-4 and has plenty of talent, while Wickware appeared in nearly every game as a freshman making his mark on special teams. Coen describes Holmes as a “physical specimen” and he impressed the coaching staff with his improvement throughout 2008 and into the off season training regimen.
Receivers
Lehigh’s receivers played with much more consistency and stayed healthy for the majority of the 2008 season. The result was nearly 2,000 receiving yards by the Mountain Hawks wideouts. With the top three lost to graduation Lehigh will now look to its younger crop of receivers to make plays on a consistent basis. Seniors Brien Ruyak and Jimmy Potocnie are the veterans of the group. Ruyak caught eight passes a season ago, including the first touchdown of his career, while Potocnie played a great deal on special teams and will look to take the next step in 2009. “These two have progressively gotten better and better each year they’ve been in the program,” Coen says. “Now they need to become more polished and continue to develop.”
Other upperclassmen returning include junior Craig Zurn and sophomore Travis Artim. Zurn had a breakout season as a sophomore, totaling 415 yards of all-purpose offense, which included 118 receiving yards. Zurn has good speed and shifty moves out on the field, which aid him when returning kicks. Artim took a leave of absence during the 2008 fall semester but has since returned to campus and is practicing with the team. As a freshman in 2007 Artim appeared in nine games and hauled in nine passes for 124 yards.
De’Vaughn Gordon headlines a large and talented sophomore class that also includes Jake Drwal, Jimmy Jefferson and Preston Soeprasetyo. Gordon’s speed and elusiveness helped him make an immediate impact a season ago, as he did a little of everything, including pass receiving, rushing the ball and on kick returns. Drwal saw time on special teams toward the end of last season, but is a talented receiver that will be given his shot to earn time. Jefferson missed his entire freshman year after suffering an injury in preseason camp, while Soeprasetyo did not see any varsity action. Coen likes this pair of receivers for their size and good hands. Newcomer Luke Rudowsky will also compete for time at the wide receiver spot.
Running Backs/Fullbacks
Lehigh loses the heart and soul of its offense in Matt McGowan who had a strong senior season capped off by a gutsy performance in the win over Lafayette. Fellow graduate Adam Watson was a two year starter at fullback, so the Mountain Hawks backfield will have a new look to it in ’09, but that new look has experience to it. Junior Jaren Walker is completely healed from the injury that kept him out of nearly all of the 2008 campaign and is ready to go to work. Walker’s main focus throughout the spring will be to raise his level of fitness so that he is ready once preseason camp rolls around. Fellow junior Jay Campbell got his first taste of Lehigh Football a season ago as he carried the ball 20 times and scored his first collegiate touchdown. Sophomore Matt Fitz showed promise in his first season at Lehigh and is a talented athlete with good size and speed.
At the fullback spot senior Anthony Fossati takes over the starting role after serving as Watson’s backup each of the last two seasons. One of the strongest and more physical players on the roster Fossati has appeared in nearly every game the last two seasons, playing on both special teams and at fullback. Sophomore Bryce Arruda made the switch to offense during the offseason and will serve as Fossati’s backup.
Quarterbacks
Junior J.B. Clark earned the starting nod during last year’s preseason camp and never gave the spot up. The Florida native threw for over 2,300 yards and 23 touchdowns and earned MVP honors of the Lehigh – Lafayette game in 2008. His challenge now is to continue to progress and improve on a daily basis as junior Trace Cisneros and sophomore Chris Lum are eager to earn playing time of their own. “J.B. was made better through competition in the fall and that will continue to push him this spring,” explains Coen. “He earned the opportunity to be the starter and he knows that he must work very hard to continue to be the starting quarterback of this football team.”
Cisneros continues to develop both his skills and his knowledge of the Lehigh system. The 6-4 lefty has a nice throwing touch and has impressed the coaching staff with his development. Lum earned praise from the coaches and his teammates after receiving MVP honors of the offensive scout team. A Michigan native, Lum has a strong am and knack for fitting balls into any space he’s given.
SPECIAL TEAMS
One of the bigger areas of concern for Coen heading into the spring was improving the consistency of Lehigh’s kicking game. The Mountain Hawks missed far too many extra points and field goals a season ago, and so that will be a major point of emphasis throughout spring ball. Junior Tom Randazza was four-of-five on extra points last season and begins the spring as the top place kicker for the Brown and White. Sophomore Alex Smith has a strong leg and will look to step in for two time All-American Jason Leo who ranked seventh nationally in 2008 in punt average. These two will also battle for kick-off duties.
In the return game Lehigh should be in good shape with juniors John Kennedy and Craig Zurn returning to return kick-offs. Kennedy is a speedster who returned 30 kicks for over 650 yards a season ago, including a season long of 43 versus Fordham, while Zurn is shifty and brought back nine kicks for over 250 yards.
Junior Jarard Cribbs is the top punt returner after totaling 196 yards on 24 returns a season ago. Cribbs electrified the Mountain Hawks fan with a dizzying return of 84 yards for a touchdown versus Cornell and returned four punts for at least 25 yards throughout the course of the season. Other candidates in the return game are sophomores Travis Artim and De’Vaughn Gordon.
Junior John Veniero did a nice job with long snapping a season ago, while junior J.B. Clark and sophomore Chris Lum will begin the spring as Lehigh’s holders. Coen will, as always have open competition for all of these spots throughout the spring and into preseason camp.
