THURSDAY, AUG. 30 2012
SPECIAL SECTION
SPOKESMAN.COM/SPORTS
FOOTBALL 2012
DAN PELLE PHOTO danp@spokesman.com
The new guy When Washington State announced the hiring of Mike Leach last November, the highly successful coach appeared to find a perfect match for his unconventional offense and interesting personality STORY, PAGES 10-13
Eagles
Vandals
Pirates
Preps
Quarterback Kyle Padron keeps the Southern Methodist University connection alive, stepping into the big shoes left by former SMU teammate Bo Levi Mitchell. The junior transfer has made a smooth transition and is focused on team-oriented goals. Pages 14-15
It’s been a rough summer for the Idaho Vandals, and for new quarterback Dominique Blackman. The 6-5, 251-pound junior transfer from Old Dominion, known for his quick release, has turned his focus to leading the Vandals. Page 16
Whitworth quarterback Bryan Peterson has always had a live arm, and it helped him put together solid first-year numbers. With greater understanding of his reads, big things are predicted for the former West Valley star and minor league baseball player. Page 17
The Mead Panthers look like the team to beat in the Greater Spokane League, and two-time Idaho 5A State champion Coeur d’Alene is shooting for an unprecedented third straight title. Check out our previews of all the area football leagues. Pages 2-8
PAGE O2
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
FOOTBALL 2012: GREATER SPOKANE LEAGUE
DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com
Gunnar Kayser is leading candidate to lead the Mead Panthers at quarterback this season, and he will also play safety on defense.
Mead heavily favored Panthers are a cat of a different breed; Greater Spokane League race is for second place By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
T
he preview story for Greater Spokane League football begins and ends with the Mead Panthers. If Mead wasn’t part of the conference this fall, there would be an unparalleled balance between the other nine teams. The Panthers appear to be in a class by themselves. “They have more talent than our team that won a state championship two years ago,” said Ferris coach Jim Sharkey, whose team finished tied atop the conference standings at 8-1 with Mead last year. Mead coach Sean Carty knew his team would draw preseason respect. But he’s bothered that all fingers are pointing toward the Panthers. “I don’t know that we’re head and shoulders above everybody else,” Carty said. “I hate having the
Central Valley vs. Ferris at EWU Rogers Mt. Spokane vs. North Central* Lewis and Clark University vs. Mead* vs. Shadle Park* Gonzaga Prep
Top returners 7 p.m. 7 7 6:15 7 7 6:15 6:15 7
Ferris Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 13 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 25
vs. C.Valley at EWU vs. Shadle Park* vs. Gonzaga Prep* vs. Rogers* vs. North Central* vs. Mt. Spokane* vs. Lewis and Clark* at University vs. Mead*
7 p.m 5:30 6:15 5:30 5:30 8 8 7 6:15
Gonzaga Prep Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 13 Sept. 21 Sept. 27 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. Lewis and Clark* vs. University vs. Ferris* vs. Shadle Park vs. Mead* vs. North Central vs. Rogers vs. Mt. Spokane at Central Valley
8 p.m. 7 6:15 7 6:15 7 7 7 7
Lewis and Clark Aug. 31 Sept. 6 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 4 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. Gonzaga Prep* vs. Mt. Spokane* vs. Mead* at University at Central Valley vs. Rogers* vs. Ferris* vs. North Central* vs. Shadle Park*
8 p.m. 6:15 5:30 7 7 6:15 8 8 8
Here are the returning first team selections: Davian Barlow, running back, Mead; Luke Rogers, RB, Rogers; Dane Crater, offensive lineman, Mead; Nathan Hundeby, tight end, University; Brennan Schon, wide receiver, Lewis and Clark; Austin Rehkow, placekicker, Central Valley; Jake Hoffman, all-purpose player, North Central; Langston Ward, defensive lineman, Mead; Danny Mattingly, co-defensive player of year, Mead.
All-time lists Three players are close to breaking into the top 10 record list. Schon needs 13 catches to take over No. 10 in career receptions and needs two years to move into 10th in career receiving yards. Rogers needs 546 yards to take over No. 10 in career rushing yards. Hoffman, a run-pass threat as a quarterback, needs 1,043 yards to move into 10th in career total offense. All three have been three-year starters.
Early games Although anything can happen in high school football, Mead is considered close to untouchable. But the big mystery is how things will shake out second through 10th. The league will get an early indication the first week. There’s a key 3A matchup tonight featuring Shadle Park and Rogers. Kickoff at Joe Albi Stadium is at 6:15. It’s pivotal that both teams get off to a good start if they hope to climb out of the bottom of the division. In big matchups Friday at Albi, NC goes against Mt. Spokane at 5:30 and Gonzaga Prep takes on LC at 8. On Saturday, in a quadruple header at Eastern Washington University’s Roos Field, Central Valley and Ferris square off at 7.
Statistically speaking Mead Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 27 Oct. 5 Oct. 11 Oct. 19 Oct. 25
at University vs. North Central* vs. Lewis and Clark* vs. Mt. Spokane* vs. Gonzaga Prep* vs. Shadle Park* vs. Central Valley* vs. Rogers* vs. Ferris*
Barlow rushed for 1,023 yards in league. The Panthers must replace three-year starter Andy Wetzel at quarterback. Wetzel’s younger brother, Matt, a junior, and senior Gunnar Kayser, a starter at safety last year, are vying for the starting position. It’s likely both will share time early until one emerges. They’ll also share time at safety. “Athletically it’s a no brainer,” Carty said of the QB job, alluding to the abilities of Kayser, a three-sport athlete. “But Matt runs the offense real well like his brother did.” Carty knows he’s got the makings of a team that can make a deep run into the state playoffs. “We’ve got a special group and we hope we can take advantage of it,” Carty said. “(The kids) think they’re going to win it all. We have to work harder than anybody else because all of our opponents are going to have their best games against us. It’s more than talk. We have to make it happen.”
GSL story lines
4A Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 20 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 26
target on our backs. I see all the usual suspects will be battling things out.” Mead returns 12 starters. More than anything, though, it’s the quality of the returners that elevate the Panthers above the pack. The marquee returnee is senior linebacker/tight end Danny Kayser Mattingly, who gave the University of Notre Dame an oral commitment this summer. He injured his knee the first day of summer camp in late June, but he’s recovered and ready to go, Carty said. Mattingly was a defensive co-most valuable player last year. Just one other first team all-league selection is back on defense and that’s Mead senior defensive end/offensive lineman Langston Ward. Mead returns two first team all-league picks on offense – seniors Davian Barlow (running back) and Dane Crater (lineman).
7 p.m. 8 5:30 8 6:15 5:30 6:15 5:30 6:15
Three 1,000-yard rushers return in Barlow, Rogers and senior G-Prep QB Zach Bonneau. Those three should have solid seasons and look for others to threaten 1,000 yards – particularly Griffen Hare of G-Prep, Garrett Sykes of CV, Stu Stiles of Mt. Spokane and Anthony Hampton of Rogers. Most teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks. The three returners are Bonneau, Hoffman and Shadle Park sophomore Brett Rypien. Easily the best receiver back is
Schon, a senior. He led the league with 49 catches and 1,001 yards. Hundeby was second with 40 receptions.
What they’re saying You’ll need a roster to follow Ferris this fall. The Saxons are fielding their youngest team ever under seventh-year coach Jim Sharkey. “We started 19 seniors last year and some were two-way guys,” Sharkey said. “We lost our front seven on defense. But I’m encouraged with our young kids.” … LC is structured in what it does. Ask coach Dave Hughes about the offense and he qualifies what he says with ‘that’s just what we do’. Ask him a question about defensive philosophy and he adds the same phrase to the end of his comment. Coaches across the league expect good things from LC, which will feature possibly the best receiving corp. … “We won’t frighten people getting off the bus,” G-Prep coach Dave McKenna said of his team’s size. “But hopefully we’ll play well as a team.” … Mead coach Sean Carty will probably play two guys at QB early before settling on a full-time starter. Senior Gunnar Kayser, who has the rare combination of speed and power, and Matt Wetzel, junior and the younger brother of departed three-year starter Andy Wetzel, have been dueling in preseason practices. “To some degree we’ll have a two-quarterback system,” Carty said. … CV coach Rick Giampietri believes three and possibly four 4A teams could finish deadlocked for second, constituting a playoff to decide a play-in berth. “Mead’s got the upper hand on everybody, but the other four 4A schools could be in a dogfight for second,” he said.
Road to the playoffs The top two 4A teams and top two 3A teams qualify for play-in games against the Mid-Columbia Conference, the new league among the Tri-Cities schools and Walla Walla. The old Big Nine features the most northern schools, mostly 4A. It has one 4A playoff berth. The GSL and MCC will have crossover games for the other non-postseason teams.
Predicted order of finish 1. Mead, 2. Lewis and Clark, 3. Ferris, 4. Gonzaga Prep, 5. Central Valley, 6. Mt. Spokane, 7. Shadle Park, 8. Rogers, 9. University, 10. North Central
3A Mt. Spokane Aug. 31 Sept. 6 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. North Central* vs. Lewis and Clark* at Central Valley vs. Mead* vs. Shadle Park* vs. Ferris* at University at Gonzaga Prep vs. Rogers*
5:30 p.m. 6:15 7 8 8 8 7 7 5:30
North Central Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 20 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. Mt. Spokane* vs. Mead* vs. Rogers* vs. Central Valley* vs. Ferris* at Gonzaga Prep vs. Shadle Park* vs. Lewis and Clark* at University
5:30 p.m. 8 8 6:15 5:30 7 5:30 8 7
Rogers Aug. 30 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. Shadle Park* at Central Valley vs. North Central* vs. Ferris* at University vs. Lewis and Clark* at Gonzaga Prep vs. Mead* vs. Mt. Spokane*
Aug. 30 Sept. 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 18 Oct. 26
vs. Rogers* vs. Ferris* vs. University* at Gonzaga Prep vs. Mt. Spokane* vs. Mead* vs. North Central* vs. Central Valley* vs. Lewis and Clark*
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Mead at Gonzaga Prep vs. Shadle Park* Lewis and Clark Rogers at Central Valley Mt. Spokane Ferris North Central
6:15 p.m. 7 8 5:30 7 6:15 7 5:30 5:30
Shadle Park 6:15 p.m. 5:30 1 7 8 5:30 5:30 6:15 8
University 7 p.m. 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 7
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O3
FOOTBALL 2012: INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE IEL story lines Top returners Here are the first team all-IEL 5A players back: Cole Zacha, quarterback, Lewiston; Jeremiah Hazard, offensive lineman, Coeur d’Alene; Matt James, OL, CdA; C.J. Miller, OL, Post Falls; Joey Pfennigs, QB, co-offensive newcomer of year, PF; Mitch Bevacqua, wide receiver, co-offensive newcomer of year, Lake City; Reece Mahaffy, defensive back, CdA. 4A: Corey Hansel, RB, Lakeland; Tommy Fury, WR, Sandpoint; Matt Horne, OL, Lakeland; Bo Olmstead, OL, Moscow; Tyler Finlay, defensive lineman, Lakeland; Kyle Snyder, DB, Moscow; Casey Thorne, DB, Lakeland; Troy Carr, defensive most valuable player, Lakeland.
New coaches He’s new in terms of filling a head coaching position, but he’s familiar as is most of his staff. Shawn Nilsson, a longtime Lewiston assistant coach, takes over for the Bengals. He’s brought back his mentor and Idaho Hall of Fame coach Nick Menegas. They’ll co-coordinate the offense. Two of the three 4A coaches are new, and again one is a familiar face. Satini Puailoa returns at Sandpoint where he
Key game: champs battle
coached the Bulldogs to a state title in 1997. He’s brought back his staff that includes a bunch of gray beards. Puailoa returns with one goal – to make Sandpoint the best 4A program in the state. Phil Helbling, a 2006 Moscow graduate, takes over at his alma mater.
This ‘n that Coeur d’Alene is 23-1 the last two years and 30-5 the last three years, making the state playoffs six of the last eight years under coach Shawn Amos. The Vikings have won 21 straight dating back to early 2010. … At Lake City, Van Troxel, who founded the program when the school opened in 1994, has guided the Timberwolves to 15 straight playoff appearances as the school enters its 19th year. Troxel enters his 34th year overall as a head coach and is four wins away from 200 (196-148). … Post Falls is still seeking its first 5A playoff berth since last making the state playoffs in its final year in 4A in 2004.
What they’re saying “We’ve got to change a (losing) culture,” Puailoa said of taking over a team that went 1-8 last year and was
There might not be a better prep football matchup all fall. Defending Washington 4A state champ, Skyline of Sammamish, takes on defending Idaho 5A two-time champ, Coeur d’Alene, in the final of four games Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. In the earlier games, Clarkston faces Sutter, Calif., at 11 a.m.; Lewiston meets Sequoia, Calif., at 2; and Lake City goes against W.F. West at 5.
handled in most games. But Puailoa expects to make huge strides. … Lakeland, a 4A playoff qualifier last year, will be Sandpoint’s chief challenger. The Hawks return nine starters and will start junior Derek Bayley, son of offensive coordinator Mike Bayley, at quarterback. “We have a chance to be a pretty good team if we stay healthy,” Lakeland coach Tim Kiefer said. “We have good overall team speed and great character.” … CdA will start a familiar name at QB – junior Gunnar Amos, son of the head coach. “He’s been waiting patiently for his turn,” Shawn Amos, the coach, said. “It’s like he’s been waiting for 17 years.” … LC, indeed, has kept its playoff streak alive,
but has limped into the postseason the last couple of years. Troxel believes there’s been a change in attitude and passion since a year ago. “We’re a lot better than we were a year ago,” Troxel said. “They’re really into football. They want to be winners, be competitors. If we do those things, making the playoffs 16 years in a row will take care of itself.” … Post Falls very well could be the best 5A team in the state not to make the playoffs the last three years. The Trojans blew an opportunity to break through last year, and coach Jeff Hinz is frustrated that his program hasn’t broken through. “We’re youthful at some spots but I think we can compete for one of the two playoff spots,” Hinz said.
Road to the playoffs Just one 4A team advances to the playoffs. The format has changed in 5A. The top two teams go to the playoffs, but the teams will have play-in games the ninth week. The top seed from league play will entertain the No. 4 seed and the No. 3 seed will travel to No. 2. The winners advance to the postseason.
Predicted order of finish 5A: 1. Coeur d’Alene, 2. Lake City, 3. Post Falls, 4. Lewiston. 4A: 1. Sandpoint, 2. Lakeland, 3. Moscow.
KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
Coeur d’Alene High School senior Jeremiah Hazard, left, and junior Matt James will be anchoring the strength of the team this year, the offensive line.
Vikings still on top Two-time defending state champions have big holes to fill and plenty of talent in the cupboard By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
T
he Coeur d’Alene football team knows back-to-back 5A state championships are nice. But the Vikings want to prove that a third straight title is even nicer. No 5A team has won three consecutive state titles. The Vikings, who opened with a 40-36 road win over Skyline of Nampa last Friday, want to be in a category by themselves. “That could be pretty special,” CdA coach Shawn Amos said. “But we’re a long way from there. We just want to work like a state champion. Then you can be satisfied with whatever happens.” CdA, which was ranked atop the preseason poll last week, has a blueprint of what it takes to capture a state title. But even if the Vikings are athletically blessed, Amos has realized it takes much more than gifted players.
5A Coeur d’Alene Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Coeur d’Alene 40, Skyview 36 West Linn (Ore.) 7 p.m. Mercer Island (Wash.) 2 Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.)* 8 Highland (Pocatello) 7 at Post Falls 7 at Lewiston 7 Lake City 7 Play-in game, TBA 7
Lake City Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Sept. 29 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Eagle 35, Lake City 28 Kennewick 7 p.m. vs. W.F. West, Kibbie Dome 5 Post Falls 7 at Lewiston 7 Sandpoint 7 at Chiwana (Pasco) 7:30 at Coeur d’Alene 7 Play-in game, TBA
“It takes a lot of luck,” he said. “You have to have a lot of components come together. There are a number of things that are out of your control. You have to realize that you can set a state title as your goal, but most of the time you’ll fail.” That won’t keep CdA from trying. “They’re still the best team in Idaho,” Lake City coach Van Troxel said. “They know how to win and they believe. Everything right now goes through Coeur d’Alene.” Troxel points out that CdA must replace the best player in the state, quarterback Chad Chalich, who has turned some eyes in his first fall camp at the University of Idaho. Chalich played a relatively error-free season leading CdA to a 12-0 record last fall. “We’ve had an undefeated season (2006) and we’ve had to replace the best player in the state (Byron Hout),” Troxel said. “They’re hard to
Follow prep sports reporter Greg Lee on Twitter @srpreps
Lewiston Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Sept. 29 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Lakeland at Clarkston vs. Sequoia (Calif.), at Kibbie Dome Hermiston (Ore.) Lake City Bye Coeur d’Alene At Post Falls Play-in game, TBA
7 7
Post Falls Aug. 30 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Graham-Kapowsin (Wash.) at Sandpoint East Valley at Lake City Lakeland Coeur d’Alene at Richland Lewiston Play-in game, TBA
Lakeland Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7:30 7
Sandpoint
4A
7 p.m. 7 2 7 7
replace.” CdA will start more juniors (12) than seniors (10). The juniors, most of whom are new to varsity, comprise one of the most talented classes in CdA history. They were undefeated as freshmen and undefeated on the junior varsity. The Viks’ strength is their offensive line, anchored by seniors Jeremiah Hazard and Cameron Dominguez and junior Matt James. An extra interesting ingredient is Amos is throwing his junior-based team against the most difficult schedule in school history. “We’re aware of what we’ve got ahead of us,” Amos said. “It wasn’t done without consideration. We’ll see if they’re ready to execute against a higher level of opponent. If we’re not there yet we’ll see how far we have to go to get there. Win, lose or draw it will make us better. It’s going to be interesting to see how we adapt. Our kids want to play (the schedule).”
at Lewiston at East Valley Cheney at Deer Park Post Falls Colville at Timberlake at Moscow Sandpoint
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Moscow Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19
Grangeville 38, Moscow 10 at Clarkston 7 p.m. West Valley 7 at Pullman 7 Colfax 7 Raymond 7 Lewiston 7 at Sandpoint 7 Lakeland 7
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
East Valley Post Falls at West Valley at Timberlake At Cheney Lake City Moscow Clarkston at Lakeland
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
In print Read our daily roundups for coverage of your favorite prep football teams, and don’t miss our weekly Prep Page each Thursday for high school sports features, notebooks and commentary.
On the Web Check out The Spokesman-Review’s Prep Report page for local high schol sports scores, standings and stories, as well as prep reporter Greg Lee’s blog and archived Thursday columns at spokesman.com/preps
PAGE O4
G
THURSDAY
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
FOOTBALL 2012: GREAT NORTHERN LEAGUE
JESSE TINSLEY PHOTOS jesset@spokesman.com
Taylor Watkins returns for his second season as the starting quarterback at East Valley. Watkins is one of 15 returning starters for the Knights.
Should be wild, wacky As many as four teams should challenge for championship in Great Northern League By Greg Lee
Taylor Watkins is ready to lead the East Valley Knights in what should be a hotly contested season in the Great Northern League.
gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
I
f you’ve followed Great Northern League football in recent years, you know that if anything can happen it usually does. It’s arguably been the most competitive league in the region, and that won’t change this fall. And there’s another ingredient that will heighten the intensity, if that is possible – there won’t be any play-in opportunities. The league receives two automatic berths into the state playoffs. At least four teams should challenge for the league championship. And if just two qualify for the playoffs, well, do the math. At least two teams will be on the outside looking in. “Every game on the schedule for a lot of teams is winnable,” East Valley coach Adam Fisher said. “And you could lose if you don’t protect the football. It’s a credit to the league. No team is far superior than everybody else.” Coaches couldn’t settle on a clear-cut favorite. Co-defending champs Deer Park and West Valley along with Fisher’s Knights and Cheney are considered capable of capturing the league title or at least the second playoff berth. And don’t count out the possibility of a logjam at the top come season’s end – one that could require a Kansas City Tiebreaker to untangle. “We all had a lot of good kids graduate and we all have a lot of good kids back as well,” West Valley coach Craig Whitney said.
2A Cheney Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
East ValleyYakima at EWU Cashmere at Lakeland at Pullman at Sandpoint East Valley at Deer Park West Valley Colville at Clarkston
4 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Clarkston Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
Moscow Lewiston Sutter (Calif.) at Kibbie Dome at East Valley West Valley at Pullman Colville at Sandpoint at Deer Park Cheney
7 p.m. 7 11 a.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Colville Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
vs. Freeman at EWU Chewelah Timberlake at West Valley East Valley at Lakeland at Clarkston Deer Park at Cheney Pullman
1 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Deer Park Aug. 31 Sept. 7
at Chewelah Riverside
7 p.m. 7
Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
This much is true – whichever teams emerge by season’s end will be battle tested. And they’ll be quality. Three years ago WV played for the state title and two years ago EV advanced to the semifinals. “The league, like it has been the last couple of years, is unbelievably balanced,” DP coach Keith Stamps said. “Every night you’ll have to play well to win. When you play well you’re good
at St. Maries Lakeland Pullman at West Valley Cheney at Colville Clarkston at East Valley
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
East Valley Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
at Sandpoint Lakeland at Post Falls Clarkston at Colville at Cheney West Valley at Pullman Bye Deer Park
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Pullman Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
at Lakeside (WA) Freeman Moscow Cheney at Deer Park Clarkston Bye East Valley at West Valley at Colville
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
West Valley Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
Ellensburg at Moscow Sandpoint Colville at Clarkston Deer Park East Valley at Cheney Pullman Bye
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
enough to win, but when you don’t in this league you’re in trouble. Whoever ends up third in this league will be a pretty good team. You can’t afford a hiccup. If you get through our league you’re a pretty darn good football team.” No coach believes the league champ will go undefeated. “I’d be surprised,” Stamps said. “I’m not sure anybody is that much better than anybody else.”
GNL story lines Top returners Here are the returning first team all-league players: Keith Goulding, offensive/defensive lineman, West Valley; Sergio Rodriguez, OL/DL, Deer Park; Eric Igbinoba, wide receiver/defensive back, Cheney; Terrynce Duke, WR/DB, WV; Adam Talley, running back/kickoff returner, East Valley; Colby Ruark, RB, Clarkston; Zach Corean, DL, Cheney; Joel Paul, DL, Pullman; Coleman White, LB, Cheney; J.T. Phelan, DB, EV.
Outlook As many as four teams are considered contenders for the league title and two automatic state playoff berths. But all teams in the league should be competitive including Colville, which returns to the league after two years in 1A.
Road to the playoffs There are no play-in, Tuesday games this year. The top two teams advance to the playoffs and the Central Washington Athletic Conference receives three berths.
What they’re saying EV will be without two starters and a third won’t play until the second quarter of the Knights’ season opener. It comes down to accountability, coach Adam Fisher said. The players missed practice time when they attended a club sport event. “The accountability piece is important to us,” Fisher said. Fisher believes turnovers could be the difference in most league games. “As we say in football, more
Key games: In the red The WIAA’s season-opening quadrupleheader, usually held at CenturyLink in Seattle, is headed east and will have an all-eastern Washington flavor. The four games will be held Saturday at Eastern Washington University’s Roos Field. In the opener at 10 a.m., TekoaOakesdale/Rosalia takes on Reardan. In the second game at 1 p.m., Colville faces Freeman. In the third game at 4, East Valley of Yakima faces off with Cheney. And in the nightcap at 7, Greater Spokane League rivals Ferris and Central Valley collide.
@
On the Web: Find details for the Kickoff Classic, including event ticket prices and contact information, on the WIAA’s website at tinyurl.com/ecclassic
games are lost than won,” he said. Deer Park head coach Keith Stamps pointed out that the league doesn’t return a lot of big-name players. Which team’s players step up fastest will be key, he said. “Whoever is third in our league will be a pretty good team,” the Stags’ coach said. “We have a good mix of returning players with better depth than we have had in past years.”
Predicted order of finish 1. East Valley, 2. West Valley, 3. Deer Park, 4. Cheney, 5. Clarkston, 6. Colville, 7. Pullman
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O5
FOOTBALL 2012: IDAHO SMALL SCHOOLS IML story lines Top returners
Lumberjacks move down
New coaches
Here are the returning all-league first team players: Jereme Nereaux, offensive line, Timberlake; Forrest Herring, linebacker, Timberlake; Cory Squires, LB and co-defensive player of year, Kellogg; Carman Kirchbaum, LB, Bonners Ferry; Garrett Wendt, defensive back, Kellogg; Cam Riley, DB, Priest River.
Two of the four teams have new coaches. Casey McLaughlin, a longtime Sandpoint assistant coach, takes over at Bonners Ferry. He’s the fourth head coach in three years. Shane Douglas, an assistant the past two years, takes over at Priest River. He’s a 1985 Priest River graduate and the third coach in three years.
Road to the playoffs The top three of four teams advance to Oct. 26 play-in games against Snake River Valley League teams, with the winners earning state playoff berths.
St. Maries, an IML fixture, dropped to 2A and the three-team Central Idaho League. The Lumberjacks’ timing of joining the CIL couldn’t be worse. Defending 2A champs Grangeville returns its lineup intact. St. Maries returns eight starters. The Lumberjacks will be led by senior wide receiver Jordan Stapleton, a first team all-IML selection last year, and junior QB Luke Feasline.
What they’re saying “We have young talent and we should get better from week to week,” McLaughlin said. “The athleticism is there and if we can consistently improve, then
we will surprise some people. Depth could be a problem early on because we have a lot of kids ineligible with grade issues.”...
Douglas is excited about the challenge of turning around a program that was winless a year ago. “They’re coachable kids and they work hard every day to get better,” Douglas said. “We’re going to be very aggressive. Our goal is to compete with every team. If I didn’t feel like I could better the program I wouldn’t be here.” ... Kellogg returns just four starters. Coach Tyrel Hendrix said speed will be a team strength. ... Timberlake is going to have a new look defensively. Longtime coordinator Gerald Ely retired. Longtime assistant Mike Menti will coordinate the defense.
Predicted order of finish 1. Timberlake, 2. Bonners Ferry, 3. Priest River, 4. Kellogg
KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
Timberlake linebacker Forrest Herring, a returning all-league first team pick, will lead a young defense that should grow as season progresses.
Tigers roar atop league Timberlake tweaked its schedule this season to better prepare for longer run in the playoffs By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
I
n his first nine seasons as head football coach at Timberlake, coach Roy Albertson’s teams have made the State 3A playoffs each year. That isn’t about to change this fall. In fact, the Tigers are heavily favored to captured a seventh straight Intermountain League championship. Whether Timberlake can win a first-round playoff game for the first time since 2007 and ultimately advance to a state title game remains to be seen. Albertson’s Tigers have done all the right things to establish themselves as the dominant IML program. But they’ve fallen well short in the playoffs against
Snake River Valley League teams. “We have really struggled the last three years in the playoffs, especially early in games,” Albertson said. “It’s almost like we forget how to play a hard game.” Because the league has fallen short of preparing it for state playoffs in Herring recent years, Timberlake has beefed up its nonleague schedule. This year the Tigers will play defending 2A state champ Grangeville, perennial Washington playoff qualifier Colville, 2011 4A playoff qualifier Lakeland and 4A Sandpoint. “We’re hoping it will pay dividends in November,” Albertson said.
Wallace head of NSL class North Star League
By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
I
t seems like it’s a battle that can’t be won. North Star teams, by and large, have struggled mightily at playoff time against District II teams (south of Moscow). 1A Division II Kootenai has broken through a couple of times, but 1A Division I Wallace has yet to break through. Since Wallace joined the NSL in 2004, the Miners have been to the Division I state playoffs every year and knocked on the door for a state final appearance twice. But a District
Top returners Returning all-league picks: Gavin Rasmussen (Wallace), Kidman Cook (Wallace), Levi Lemieux (Wallace), Jordan Brown (Lakeside).
II team has been in the way. The Miners have been in the semifinals two of the last three years. It remains to be seen if this is the
St. Maries St. Maries 54, Kellogg 7 Medical Lake 7 p.m. Deer Park 7 Kellogg 7 at Priest River 7 at Grangeville 7 at Riverside 7 Orofino 7
Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Wallace 52, Kootenai 6 Lakeside (ID) 7 at Lacrosse-Washtucna 7 Clark Fork 7 at Mullan 3:30 at Lakeside (ID) 7 Mullan 7 Wallace 7 Clark Fork 7
1A DII
Aug. 25 Aug. 31 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19
Mullan 44, Timberline 26 at Clark Fork Colton (Wash.) Kootenai at Wallace Clark Fork at Kootenai Lakeside
Clark Fork
Lakeside (ID) at Kootenai Wallace at Lapwai Potlatch Clark Fork Kootenai at Prairie at Mullan at Wallace
Kootenai
Wallace 52, Kootenai 6 Cusick 7 p.m. at Lakeside (ID) 7 Kamiah 7 at Clark Fork 7 Mullan 7 Lapwai 7 at Kootenai 7 Lakeside (ID) 7
Mullan
1A DI Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
year Wallace gets past that hurdle. This is abundantly clear, though. The Miners are heavily favored to runaway with the NSL title. No team has the numbers or athletes that Wallace will put on the field. The battle will be for second between Kootenai, Clark Fork and Lakeside, and Kootenai appears to have the edge going into the season. Wallace graduated some key and talented players, but what the other teams can’t match is the Miners’ depth. “The big question is are we as good as we were last year,” Wallace coach Dave Rounds said. “At this time I’d have to say no. We lost some good ballplayers. But still we should be good.”
Wallace
2A Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19
Forecast: 1. Wallace, 2. Kootenai, 3. Lakeside, 4. Clark Fork, 5. Mullan
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7
Timberlake returns eight starters. The Tigers have several holes to fill, and they have just nine seniors. Most of the holes must be filled by juniors. The Tigers return five offensive linemen, led by senior Jereme Nereaux, a first team all-league pick last year. The line will be counted on to open holes for a deep backfield. Timberlake figures seven to eight ball carries could touch the ball each game. The most rebuilding comes on defense where Timberlake will start six juniors and a sophomore. “Offensively, we’re playing pretty well right now because of the line,” Albertson said. “It’s huge to have those linemen back. Defensively, we’re a work in progress. We’re not as good as we were a year ago. We need to get some games under our belt as a unit.”
Aug. 25 Aug. 31
Clark Fork 44, Lewis Co. 6 Mullan 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 Sept. 14
Selkirk At Kootenai
7 7
Sept. 21 Sept. 28
Wallace at Lakeside (ID)
7 7
Oct. 5 Oct. 12
at Mullan Timberline at Plummer
Oct. 26
Kootenai
3:30 7 7
7 3:30 3:30 7 3:30 7 3:30
On the web: Find an up-to-date digitial version of all Fall 2012 prep football schedules in our special online Prep Report page at spokesman.com/preps/games
3A Bonners Ferry Aug. 25 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Libby 14, Bonners Ferry 6 Lethbridge, B.C. 7 p.m. at Medical Lake 7 Freeman 7 Orofino 7 at Timberlake 7 Priest River 7 at Kellogg 7 Play-in game TBA
Kellogg Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
St. Maries 54, Kellogg 7 Grangeville 7 p.m. at Orofino 7 Salmon 7 at St. Maries 7 Timberlake 7 at Priest River 7 Bonners Ferry 7 Play-in game TBA
Priest River Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Kettle Falls at Newport at Chewelah St. Maries Kellogg at Bonners Ferry Timberlake Play-in game
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 TBA
Timberlake Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Riverside at Grangeville at Colville Sandpoint at Kellogg Bonners Ferry Lakeland at Priest River Play-in game
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 TBA
PAGE O6
G
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
FOOTBALL 2012: NORTHEAST A LEAGUE
COLIN MULVANY colinm@spokesman.com
Matt Trottier, in a new position at strong side linebacker for Lakeside, has high hopes for himself and the team.
Trottier on the move 1A
Lakeside senior adept at position changes, set to lead Eagles By Steve Christilaw Correspondent
A
nother season, another position switch for Lakeside senior Matt Trottier. As a sophomore, Trottier filled in on coach Brian Dunn’s offensive line, where his 6-foot-3 frame was needed. “Last year we had him playing tight end on offense and we used him as sort of a walk-off defensive end on defense,” Dunn explained. “Later in the year we moved him to an inside linebacker position and he did really well there. This year we’re putting him at strong side linebacker.” A second-team all-Northeast A League pick on defense a year ago, Trottier couldn’t be happier. “That’s kind of a glamour position,” he said. “You get the chance to hit people and make tackles and can make a real difference in a game. It’s the kind of position where you get noticed.” Getting noticed is important to Trottier, who would like to continue his football career after graduation. “He’s a good football player and I think he definitely has the tools to go on and play college football,” Dunn said. “I’m just beginning to hear from people, and I think if he has a good year he can have that chance.” “I’ve heard a little from college coaches,” Trottier said. “Right now, I think the best place for me would be to play junior college football and then hope to move to
a Division I program. I can use the time there to learn my linebacker position even better. “ Meanwhile, Trottier is committed to making the most out of his opportunity. “I know I have to be in the best shape of my life this year,” he said. “I’ve been working hard to get ready, doing a lot of Trottier running to get myself in the condition I need as well as lifting weights.” On offense, Trottier will move from tight end to become a slot receiver. “Oh, man, I know just how tired I’m going to be after one of our games,” he laughed. “There’s a lot of running playing linebacker, and a lot more running on offense. A very young team coming into last year, Lakeside did not win a league game – a rare occurance for the Eagles. “This year we’re still pretty young,” Dunn said. “We have a few seniors like Matt, but we played a lot of sophomores last year, so we’re still pretty young. But we are more experienced.” In addition to Trottier, the Eagles had a pair second-team all-NEA picks on offense in receiver Coleton Collins and offensive lineman Charles Mitchell. “We started Mitchell at center last year,” Dunn said. “I hate starting someone that young at such an important position, but he did really well. This year we’re going to move him to tackle.”
NEA story lines Top returners Derek Smith, Sr., QB, Chewelah; Jake Morse, Sr, OT, Newport; Coleton Collins, Jr., WR, Lakeside; Charles Mitchell, Jr., C, Lakeside; Ben Johnstone, Sr., LB, Chewelah, Matt Trottier, Sr., LB, Lakeside.
Kiss of death “I can’t remember the last time a team was predicted to win this league and actually won,” Lakeside coach Brian Dunn said. “Especially in this league, being picked to win it all is the kiss of death, so please don’t pick us!”
Coaching changes Two new head coaches debut this season, while a third, Medical Lake’s Wes Hobbs, returns. Last year’s Coach of the Year, Adam Daniel, left Newport to join Rob Bartlett’s staff at his high school alma mater, University. Taking over the Grizzlies this season is Zac Farnam, who served as defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Deer Park last year. Riverside’s new head coach, Tom Griggs, was an all-state offensive lineman at Montesano and played two seasons at Washington State (appearing in both the Sun and Rose Bowl) before a back injury ended his college career. He began his high school coaching career as an assistant coach at Pullman. He comes to Riverside after one season as head coach at Rochester.
Staying healthy The first order of business for Griggs was to hire new assistant coaches; only Randy Miller, who doubles as the school’s wrestling coach, returns. Next order of business: get healthy. “Our offensive line has been dinged up a bit and we haven’t had a chance to get everyone on the field at the same time,” he explained. “One kid had to have his wisdom teeth out, another had a virus and another had to go to a funeral. Nothing serious, but I’m looking forward to next week and seeing what we can do when we have everyone out
League shakeup Colville moves up to the Class 2A Great Northern League and two former league members return from different classifications. Medical Lake, which played as a Class 2A independent last year, and Kettle Falls, which played in the Northeast 2B League, join Chewelah, Freeman, Lakeside, Newport and Riverside.
there together.” The numbers were a challenge for Medical Lake a year ago. The Cardinals began the season with fewer than 30 players on the varsity roster and finished with fewer than 20 because of injuries. Coach Wes Hobbs was expecting a big freshman class this season and another next year. The Cardinals were 4-5 last year, losing to Riverside (31-20), Lakeside (35-7) and Freeman (41-0) in non-league games.
Finding solutions Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Lakeside will be its ability to put last year’s 2-8 season behind it. The weapons are there: senior tailback Tyler Howard ran for almost 500 yards a year ago and receiver Coleton Collins (6-2, 195) is a formidable receiver who hauled in 29 passes, good for eight touchdowns, a year ago. The Eagles added senior running back/linebacker David Littleton, a transfer from Rosalia.
Never forget If nothing else, Newport’s players will remember how many points Cashmere scored on the Grizzlies in their final game a year ago: 56. “One of the traditions I had at Deer Park was to have the team do pushups for every point we gave up in our last game,” Farnam said. “Every practice of spring camp and every workout at the
Whitworth camp this summer they did 56 push-ups. The goal is to help establish a defensive mindset and get them thinking defense first. Ultimately, we’d like to get it down to doing 14 or fewer pushups every week.”
Chewelah Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Deer Park at Colville at Lakeside (WA) Priest River Kettle Falls at Medical Lake Freeman at Newport Riverside
Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. Colville at EWU at Pullman Bonners Ferry Newport at Riverside Lakeside (WA) at Chewelah Kettle Falls at Medical Lake
Freeman
Around the league Chewelah returns the league’s top quarterback in all-NEA first-teamer Derek Smith, who is the Cougars’ second consecutive three-year starter at the position. “I don’t have a freshman who looks like they can step in next year, so I won’t have a third one in a row,” Chewelah coach Jim Fisk said. “We graduated Calvin Connall from last year, so we’re going to have to find a new fullback, but aside from that we have pretty good depth coming back. We’re thin and not very big on the offensive line, though.” Freeman has a returning starter at quarterback in senior Wyatt Smith, who started every game for the Scotties as a sophomore and ran the two-minute offense. His experience should help with the loss of RB Robinson, who shared the league’s offensive MVP honors with Colville back Colton Davis last year. “We don’t have that one running back who can do it all the way we did with Quinn,” coach Jim Wood said. “But we have several kids who can get the job done. They’re each a little different.”
Predicted order of finish 1. Freeman, 2. Lakeside, 3. Chewelah, 4. Medical Lake, 5. Riverside, 6. Newport, 7. Kettle Falls.
1 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Kettle Falls Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
at Priest River Tonasket at Riverside Lakeside (WA) at Chewelah Medical Lake at Freeman Newport
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 6
Lakeside (WA)
Moving up Kettle Falls returns from two years in the Northeast B League with experienced players at the skill positions. Junior quarterback Connor McKern started a year ago and was an all-Northeast 2B second-team pick as a kick/punt returner. Senior Brandon Thomas and junior Austin Anderson both are dangerous backs with the football in their hands. The challenge for the any football team moving up a classification is numbers.
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Pullman at Davenport Chewelah at Kettle Falls Medical Lake at Freeman Newport at Riverside at TOR
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Medical Lake Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 26
at St. Maries Bonners Ferry At Newport Riverside At Lakeside Chewelah at Kettle Falls Freeman
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Newport Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 27 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
at Manson Priest River Medical Lake at Freeman Lake City JV Riverside at Lakeside (WA) Chewelah at Kettle Falls
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
At Timberlake at Deer Park Kettle Falls at Medical Lake Freeman at Newport St. Maries Lakeside (WA) at Chewelah
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Riverside 7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O7
FOOTBALL 2012: NORTHEAST 1B LEAGUES Republic’s volleyball coach.
North story lines Surprising Wellpinit reached the State 1B quarterfinals, their first state tournament football appearance in school history. With an experienced team returning, the target is on its back. But there is optimism in Cusick, a state qualifier three straight years, capped by a finals appearance in 2010.
Don’t count out Cusick Wellpinit may have supplanted Cusick atop the division, but coach Sonny Finley isn’t conceding a thing. The Panthers lost only three
Predicted Finish
players and will run a more wide-open offense. “We’re probably a faster team than I’ve coached up and down the lineup,” he said. Speedy Ryan Sample returns at quarterback and Derrick Bluff is back in the backfield. “He’s the most dangerous player in the state with the ball in his hands,” Finley said. When asked to compare this year with past teams, Finley said with typical humor, “This being my fifth year coaching, this definitely is one of my top five teams.”
1. Wellpinit 2. Cusick 3. Northport 4. Curlew 5. Columbia-Inchelium 6. Republic 7. Selkirk
Republic returns After playing an independent schedule recently, Republic returns as a full-fledged member of the Northeast 1B League. The Tigers have a new coach, Chris Burch, who played football at Central Washington University and previously was
Wellpinit is not only experienced, but sizeable. Returning all-Leaguers are AJ Kieffer, Kyle McCrea, and 260-pound linemen Michael Sijohn and Lance Flamand. And the team has a 6-foot-5 receiver in junior Brodie Ford. Northport had seven all-leaguers and should remain in the mix. Selkirk, whose Trevor Grant is a player to watch, is “up and coming,” according to Finley. “And I’m excited to see what Republic will do with a new coach.” That said, the Redskins and Panthers have the upper hand.
Wellpinit hopes to make deep run in playoffs First state playoff experience a year ago motivation for this fall By Mike Vlahovich Correspondent
A
year ago the Wellpinit Redskins plowed new football turf by making their first State 1B tournament appearance. The hope this year is a run deeper than last year’s top-eight finish and 9-3 season record. “It was really exciting. Just making the playoffs was a big accomplishment for us,” said star running back and linebacker AJ Kieffer. “We want to do more.” It is a comment echoed by Wellpinit coach Clark Pauls. Kieffer, then a freshman, and Pauls arrived in Wellpinit together four years ago. Last year’s win total doubled the previous two seasons and 18 lettermen return, 13 who played substantially. “When I got to Wellpinit and took over the team, basketball was kind of a way of life,” Pauls said. “I always thought we’d have the ability to compete in everything and tried to change the mindset.”
“When I got to Wellpinit and took over the team, basketball was kind of a way of life. I always thought we’d have the ability to compete in everything and tried to change the mindset.” Clark Pauls Wellpinit head coach
He got players to give football a try and put in the effort. His first two squads were 5-5 and 4-6. “The kids started thirsting on that and wanted more and more,” said the Whitworth College graduate who played for his dad, Skip, winner of two state titles at Davenport. “Last year it kind of clicked.” Having Kieffer didn’t hurt. He’s part of a returning one-two offensive punch – along with Kyle McCrea –
South story lines A year ago, Almira/CouleeHartline and OdessaHarrington finished among the state’s final four, with the Warriors reaching the State 1B finals. Not bad for a division that had four teams. That is changing. Mansfield has dropped out, but four teams have moved in. With a seven-team conference, things could become interesting.
New kids on block Entiat, Pateros, Soap Lake and Waterville have all come down in classification to challenge the “Big Three.” It will, said new Wilbur-Creston coach Darin
that accounted for some 40 touchdowns, including those Kieffer threw from time to time as an added dimension in lieu of now-graduated quarterback Greg Wynecoop. Both Kieffer and McCrea were two-way all-Northeast 1B North Division players. “Last year those two probably combined for 75 percent of our offense. Both are state placers in track and field,” Clark Pauls said. “(AJ) makes everything click. He had over 2,400 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns. And he plays quarterback in some sets.” What will it take to improve upon last year’s unprecedented season? “Just a lot more work and dedication from everyone on the team,” Kieffer said. “Not just the starting players, but everybody on the team.” He credits Pauls with innovations that helped the team become successful. And with so many returning players, there’s reason this year for optimism. “(Is there) excitement (this year)?” Kiefer said. “That’s for sure.”
Predicted Finish
Reppe, “add a new dimension to the league.” The new Wildcats coach is no stranger to Northeast 1B football. He returns after a two-year absence having previously coached at Sprague-Harrington for seven years with three state appearances. He then became athletic director. “I just wanted to coach,” he said. “The opportunity came up that was too good to pass.”
1. Odessa-Harrington 2. Almira/Coulee-Hartline 3. Waterville 4. Pateros 5. Wilbur-Creston 6. Entiat 7. Soap Lake
Colin Deyarmin from the State 1B finalists further crimps things for the Warriors. “Obviously it’s hard to repeat when you lose 85 percent of your offense,” said coach Brandon Walsh.
Blow to Warriors Graduation of Almira/Coulee-Hartline’s Derek Isaak was bad enough. Transfer to University by
Outlook With all those new teams, coaches at the three hyphenated schools don’t know what to expect,
although Walsh said “We have a little bit of past history. A few years ago they were in our league.” Odessa-Harrington had only one senior last year and ACH has tradition. Besides QB Jared King, receiver Cade Weber and lineman Gabe Henneman were all-conference. At ACH, all-conference defender Drew Isaak replaces his brother at QB and several on the team played basketball for the state champs. Among them is sizeable receiver Thunder Wellhausen. Wilbur-Creston graduated every starter and will build around sophomore quarterback Trystan Rosman. “Now it’s a matter of getting to know kids and plugging them into the right places,” he said.
Odessa-Harrington ready to get rolling this season Senior-laden team poised to fulfill journey started as freshmen By Mike Vlahovich Correspondent
T
he game was new for a batch of wide-eyed Odessa varsity freshmen soon to embark on a memorable football journey. Now seniors, this year is the fourth in careers that progressed slowly but surely and led to last season’s State 1B semifinal game. One of those seniors, receiver/defensive back Cade Weber, looked back. It was shock enough, he said, going from junior high to playing games against bigger, stronger seniors. “Our freshman year we were (also) scraping to get guys to play,” he said. “We were playing games with only nine or 10.” Another of the then-freshmen, Jared King, started at quarterback. The rest, said Weber, subbed in for experience. “We struggled against the top teams,” said coach Bruce Todd of his youthful charges. “On the flip side, there were weak teams, too, and we did well
“Last year I think we were kind of hoping to win and were excited when we did. This year we’re going to be expecting to win.” Cade Weber Odessa-Harrington senior wide receiver/defensive back
against them.” The numbers issue was resolved the next year when Odessa combined with Harrington, a school previously allied with Sprague. “The co-op has worked well,” said Todd. “We got some good kids from there and the kids (from each school) work together well.” As sophomores, the Titans lost in the first round of playoffs for the second straight season, Weber said. “I think we had the talent to go farther,” he said. “We were just trying to mesh with the Harrington guys.”
North
Outlook
Last season, after dropping two of their first three games, the Titans began to click. King passed and ran for more than 40 touchdowns during the season. They lost just once in their final 10 games, avenging an earlier loss to Cusick and upsetting Colton in the playoffs to reach the 1B semifinals. Those losses came against state finalists Almira/Coulee-Hartline and titlist Neah Bay. “Jared just dominated,” said Weber, his favorite target. Todd said that the team improved from beginning of the season to end more than any he’s coached. “Beating Colton was huge.” The final season for the four-year Tigers begins Friday. “Last year I think we were kind of hoping to win and were excited when we did,” Weber said. “This year we’re going to be expecting to win.” What would it take to reach a State 1B title game? “Beat the team we meet in the semifinals,” Todd quipped.
Columbia-Inchelium Aug. 31 Sept. 7
Republic at Inchelium Wellpinit
3:15 p.m. 3:15
Sept. 14 Sept. 21
at Soap Lake vs. ACH (Columbia)
7 3
Sept. 28 Oct. 5
at Curlew Waterville at Inchelium
3 3
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
at Northport at Cusick
7 7
Oct. 27
Selkirk at Columbia
1
Aug. 31 Sept. 7
Pateros at Northport
Sept. 14 Sept. 22
at Republic Cusick
3 1
Sept. 28 Oct. 5
Columbia-Inchelium at Selkirk
3 7
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
at Wellpinit Northport
7 3
Oct. 26
Wilbur-Creston
7
Curlew 3 p.m. 7
Cusick Aug. 31 Sept. 7
Wallace at Odessa-Harrington
7 p.m. 7
Sept. 14 Sept. 22
Selkirk# at Curlew
7 1
Sept. 28 Oct. 5
Wellpinit Republic
7 7
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
at Selkirk Columbia-Inchelium
7 7
Oct. 26
at Northport
7 # Non-league
Northport Aug. 31 Sept. 7
at Selkirk# Curlew#
7 p.m. 7
Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5
at St. John-Endicott at Republic Selkirk at Wellpinit
7 3 7 3
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
Columbia-Inchelium at Curlew
7 7
Oct. 26
Cusick
7 # Non-league
Republic Aug. 31 Sept. 7
at Columbia-Inchelium vs. Mullan (Cusick)
3 p.m. 7
Sept. 14 Sept. 21
Curlew Northport
3 3
Sept. 29 Oct. 5
Entiat at Cusick
1 7
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
at Soap Lake Selkirk
7 3
Oct. 26
at Wellpinit
7
Selkirk Aug. 31 Sept. 7
Northport# at Clark Fork
7 p.m. 7
Sept. 14 Sept. 21
at Cusick# Wellpinit
7 7
Sept. 28 Oct. 5
at Northport Curlew
7 7
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
Cusick at Republic
7 7
Oct. 27
vs. Columbia-Inchelium 1 # Non-league
Aug. 31
St. John-Endicott
Sept. 7
at Columbia-Inchelium
Sept. 14
Sunnyside Christian
3
Sept. 21
at Selkirk
7
Sept. 28 Oct. 5
at Cusick Northport
7 3
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
Curlew at ACH
3 7
Oct. 26
Republic
2
Wellpinit 3 p.m. 3:30
South Almira/Coulee-Hartline Aug. 31 Sept. 7
at Soap Lake vs. Liberty Christian#
7 p.m. 7
Sept. 14 Sept. 21
vs. Entiat # at Columbia-Inchelium
7 3
Sept. 28 Oct. 5
at Waterville vs. Odessa-Harrington #
7 7
Oct. 12 Oct. 19
at Wilbur-Creston Wellpinit
7 7
Oct. 26
Pateros
7 # at Coulee City
Odessa-Harrington Aug. 31
at LaCrosse-Washtucna
Sept. 7
Cusick
7 p.m.
Sept. 14
Touchet
7
Sept. 21
Pateros
7
7
Sept. 28
at Wilbur-Creston
7
Oct. 5
at ACH
7
Oct. 12
Entiat
7
Oct. 19
at Waterville
7
Oct. 26
Soap Lake
7
Wilbur-Creston Aug. 31
at Colton
Sept. 7
Waterville
7 p.m.
Sept. 14
LaCrosse-Washtucna
7
Sept. 21
at Entiat
7
7
Sept. 28
Odessa-Harrington
7
Oct. 5
at Pateros
7
Oct. 12
Almira/Coulee-Hartline
7
Oct. 19
at Soap Lake
7
Oct. 26
Curlew
7
PAGE O8
G
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
FOOTBALL 2012: WASHINGTON SMALL SCHOOLS NE 2B story lines Defending champs Colfax has won four straight league titles since joining the league, which is down to six teams after Kettle Falls switched classifications . Colfax head coach Mike Morgan knows that the Bulldogs’ resume doesn’t guarantee them a thing, though, especially with tradition-rich programs such as Lind-Ritzville/Sprague and Reardan in the league. “I think the league will be competitive top to bottom this year,” said Morgan, who lost several players to graduation.
Predicted finish
“I think we will be contenders, but there are some really great players in this league and it’s a different dynamic. In order to get another league title, you have to get through Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague and Reardan, and that’s no easy task.”
Challengers The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos are hoping to buck the Bulldogs, and quarterback Dylan Hartz could be the biggest difference maker. “He’s a do-it-all type of quarterback,” Morgan said.
1. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 2. Colfax 3. Reardan 4. Davenport 5. Springdale 6. Liberty
“He’s a triple threat – in that he has the arm and he’s an excellent runner, but he’s also very smart, and that’s what you love about really great quarterbacks.” The Broncos won in the opening round of last year’s state playoffs, but faced Southeast 2B and eventual state champion Waitsburg-
Prescott in the quarterfinals and lost 42-7. The Cardinals went on to defeat Colfax 42-13 in the semifinals. “Not much of a difference there when you look at it like that,” said Morgan. “I would say (L-R/S) is the favorite this year, and it’ll be a dogfight between a few teams for the title.”
Outlook The Broncos and Bulldogs will likely finish one-two in the league, but it’s hard to say which team will walk away with the title. Morgan cautions against voting Reardan out, adding that Davenport has also had success in the past and could easily insert itself into the mix.
Colfax still king of hill But young Bulldogs could be vulnerable By Jess Brown jessb@spokesman.com, (509) 496-6657
L
ast year, the best offense for Mike Morgan and his Colfax Bulldogs was – literally – a good offense. This year, Morgan’s young offense will be a direct result of good defense. Just how good will soon be on display when the Northeast 2B football season opens Friday and the four-time defending league champions prepare to go after a fifth title. “It’s the $64,000 question every year,” Morgan said. “I don’t mean to be cliché, but I think we will be contenders again. I’ve said that pretty much every year, but not in the sense that I think it’s ours because we’ve won it before. “There are some really tough teams to get through, and defending this league title will be no easy task.” But thanks to a strong core of senior
linemen, Morgan’s Bulldogs might just be up to the challenge, with a different approach than in years past. The Bulldogs lost several key skill position players to graduation – including a 1,000-yard rusher, a core of all-league receivers and a veteran starting quarterback. Morgan has a total of seven seniors and four juniors among 38 total players. “We are a very young team and we’ve had to kind of go back to more basic stuff from that standpoint,” said Morgan. “When you have 11 upperclassmen, you know sophomores have to see playing time. Depth will be a concern for us.” But Morgan did retain a handful of senior linemen that he expects to anchor his new-look team. At the head of the senior class is two-way player Jon Mellor, an offensive lineman and middle linebacker with three years of varsity experience. “He’s our brains out front,” said
Southeast 2B story lines
SE 2B
The perfect finish On the final day of last season, the Waitsburg- Prescott Cardinals won the school’s first state football title by beating Morton/White Pass 33-7 in the Tacoma Dome. Star quarterback Zach Bartlow threw two touchdown passes to Dalton Estes and ran in another. Running back Billy Brown accounted for the other two touchdowns as Waitsburg-Prescott finished the season 14-0.
Outlook The defending state champion Cardinals, a perennial power in the league, may have lost Bartlow to graduation, but they are still the favorites to win the league, and they’re still loaded with skilled talent in senior running back Brown and senior wide receiver Estes. DeSales, a state
Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19
vs. Reardan at EWU at Liberty At Tri-Cities Prep Waitsburg-Prescott Dayton at Asotin at DeSales Mabton
10 a.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
qualifier last season, also has back a pair of key offensive weapons in senior running back Luke Fazzari and senior receiver Joe Duehn, as well as all-league defensive back
Morgan. “His knowledge of the game is pretty crucial to us.” Another critical piece to Morgan’s puzzle is senior Cole Neu, a returning all-league player on offense and second team defensive pick. Neu brings size and speed to the Bulldogs, and another three years of varsity experience. “We don’t have guys that are 200 pounds, and Cole is pushing that number,” Morgan said. “He’s 5-foot-8 and just a big brick house.” With all-league quarterback Justin Berarducci graduating last season, Brady Ellis has been handed the task of leading Colfax’s offense this season. Ellis has backed up Morgan for three years and spent time last year as a receiver and defensive back. Now he’s stepping into the role his brother, Levi Ellis, held in 2007. “It’s his turn,” said Morgan. “He’s excited about taking over, and I’m excited for it too. He runs the option really well for us, he’s quick, he’s got a good arm, and he understands what his role is and what he’s doing out there.”
Ryan Baumgart. Asotin will be competitive, while Dayton lost several key players to graduation. Other returning all-league players include: receiver Wyatt Frame (Dayton), offensive linemen Tyler Hanson (Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia) and Alex Naylor (Dayton), linebacker Briar Westerfield (Tri-Cities Prep) and defensive lineman Cody Koch (Asotin).
Sweet November Northeast 2B coach Mike Morgan (Colfax) is looking forward to the first week of November, when the Northeast and Southeast teams play the District 7/9 crossover games. “It’s like a week of playoff football during the regular season,” he said. “It’s nice to have some games in there with those teams.”
Predicted finish 1. Waitsburg-Prescott, 2. DeSales, 3. Asotin, 4. Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia, 5. Dayton, 6. Tri-Cities Prep
W-P still team to beat Defending state champs will be fine By Jess Brown jessb@spokesman.com, (509) 496-6657
I
f Mike Morgan has to lead his team against Jeff Bartlow’s Waitsburg-Prescott Cardinals again this season, he knows what to expect from Bartlow. The Cardinals – annual trouble for other area football teams in the Southeast 2B League – won the state 2B title last season with an unblemished 14-0 record. And they did it by running through two teams from the Northeast 2B League – Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, which they beat 42-7 in the state quarterfinals, and Morgan’s team from Colfax, which they defeated 42-13 in the semifinals. “It would be presumptuous to think that it will be us and them
again, but down there they reload every year and they’re going to be good again this year,” said Morgan. “They may have lost some key guys to graduation like we did, but I fully expect them to be every bit as competitive and dangerous this season.” Graduation took star quarterback – and coach’s son – Zach Bartlow away, but the Cardinals have back running back Billy Brown and receiver Dalton Estes. Both are seniors now, and both had everything to do with last year’s state title. “Those two players, I’ll tell you, they can hurt teams,” Morgan said of playing against the pair of skilled offensive weapons. On defense, Bartlow – the league’s reigning coach of the year – lost four
all-league players in Justin Zuger (defensive back), Dustin Wooderchak (linebacker), and defensive linemen Eshom Estes and Greg Steams. “But the thing about Jeff Bartlow is he’s always got something coming in behind those guys, so I don’t think you’re going to see any huge gaps to fill or areas where they have a lot of problems. “All these teams have their areas that can be exposed – we’ve got them – so it’s about finding it,” added Morgan. “They’re going to be tough to beat out of that league, and you can never count out DeSales or Sal Lopez and his team at Asotin. There is a lot of state experience in these parts and that’s what makes it exciting. To see who will come together.” If Bartlow has anything to say about it, he’ll be bringing home another title.
NE 2B Colfax Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Asotin Coeur d’Alene JV at Moscow Liberty at Reardan Springdale Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at Davenport
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Lake Roosevelt Lakeside (WA) at Oroville at Reardan Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at Liberty at Springdale Colfax
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
at Tri-Cities Prep 7 p.m. Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia 7 at Bridgeport 7 Lake Roosevelt 7 at Colfax 7 at Springdale 7 Davenport 7 Reardan 7 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 7
Davenport 7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Liberty
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
at Warden Kittitas Tri-Cities Prep at Springdale at Davenport Reardan at Colfax Liberty
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
vs. TOR at EWU 10 a.m. Kittitas 7 p.m. at Lake Roosevelt 7 Davenport 7 Colfax 7 at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 7 at Liberty 7 Springdale 7
Reardan
Springdale Sept. 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
Oroville 7 p.m. vs. Liberty Bell at Twisp 2 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 7 Liberty 6 at Colfax 7 Davenport 7 Reardan 7
SE 1B Colton Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
Wilbur-Creston Salmon River vs. Joseph (Ore.) Garfield-Palouse at LaCrosse-Washtucna Touchet Liberty Chrstian at Sunnyside Christian at St. John-Endicott Pomeroy
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Garfield-Palouse Aug. 31 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
Potlatch at Genesee at Colton at Liberty Christian St. John-Endicott at Pomeroy at Touchet Sunnyside Christian LaCrosse-Washtucna
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
LaCrosse-Washtucna Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
Odessa-Harrington Kootenai Wilbur-Creston at Sunnyside Christian Colton at Pomeroy Touchet St. John-Endicott at Liberty Christian at Garfield-Palouse
Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
at Lummi at Lewis County Clearwater Valley at St. John-Endicott at Sunnyside Christian LaCrosse-Washtucna Garfield-Palouse at Liberty Christian Touchet at Colton
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Pomeroy 7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
St. John-Endicott
Colton seeks risers Another Straughan ready to lead Wildcats ago, passing for 3,538 yards and 41 touchdowns as Colton captured the Southeast 1B championship before losing to Odessa-Harrington in the raduation hit the Colton Wildcats hard, first round of the state but coach Clark Vining playoffs. The major recipient of still has a Straughan around so pardon him if he feels like those passes was his brother, Jake. He caught 92 passes for his offense is in pretty good 1,528 yards and 21 TDs. Jake, hands.“That’s a rule, you a senior, is stepping behind have to have a Straughan at center, picking up where his quarterback,” Vining said, brother left off. laughing. “He can step up and do a Josh Straughan had a pretty good job,” Vining said. record-setting season a year By Greg Lee
gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
G
“We’re a team that’s going to get better as the season goes along.” Clark Vining Wildcats head coach
“He’s a guy we might run a little bit more than Josh. He adds a different weapon to the attack.” Colton’s league title was its first since the early 1990s and first under Vining. Pulling off a repeat would be quite the feat. Vining must replace eight starters overall. “We had a lot of seniors last year and that meant the
backups didn’t get on the field a whole lot,” Vining said. Vining returns two other starters – senior running back/defensive back Nick Robertson, who was all-league last year, and senior wide receiver/linebacker Zach Devorak. “For us to win the league a number of kids would have to step up,” Vining said. “We’re a team that’s going to get better as the season goes along.” Vining tabs Liberty Christian of Pasco – now eligible for the playoffs after meeting enrollment requirements – as the favorite.
Aug. 31 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
at Wellpinit Northport Pomeroy at Touchet at Garfield-Palouse Sunnyside Christian at LaCrosse-Washtuna Colton Liberty Christian
Sept. 8 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 1
Soap Lake at Odessa-Harrington Liberty Christian St. John-Endicott at Colton at LaCrosse-Washtucna Garfield-Palouse at Pomeroy at Sunnyside Christian
7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Touchet 7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O9
FOOTBALL 2012: COLLEGES Old Division I-AA not too crazy about FCS label second level was labeled the Football Championship Subdivision. There are 120 FBS teams, which play in bowl games and are allowed 85 scholarship FARGO, N.D. – Football is the only players. The 122 FCS schools decide a NCAA Division I sport that is divided champion through a 20-team playoff into two levels, the one that fills format and get 63 scholarship players. 100,000-seat stadiums and the one that The move to the FBS and FCS gets no respect. monikers has cured some heartburn for Representatives from colleges in the baseball and basketball coaches, but it second subdivision aren’t sure how to has led to more stammer than glamour fix it. for the teams in what was formerly “Quite frankly, our level of football continues to have an identity crisis,” said known as I-AA. “To be honest, Football Patty Viverito, commissioner of the Championship Subdivision is a Missouri Valley Football Conference. For years, this group of schools was in mouthful, and it doesn’t make the case for our Division I stature really much what was known as Division I-AA, a better than the I-AA moniker did,” moniker that became a sore spot with Viverito said. “We’ve tried to fix this for coaches from other sports. years. It’s a dilemma.” So in 2006, the top tier was renamed Six years after the switch to FCS, the the Football Bowl Subdivision and the By Dave Kolpack Associated Press
“To be honest, Football Championship Subdivision is a mouthful, and it doesn’t make the case for our Division I stature really much better than the I-AA moniker did. We’ve tried to fix this for years. It’s a dilemma.” Patty Viverito Missouri Valley Conference commissioner
NCAA is funding a rebranding initiative that could lead to a new moniker. A group of NCAA staff, college presidents, conference commissioners, coaches and athletic directors is
working on details for a brand rollout in 2013, to coincide with the FCS increasing its playoff to 24 teams. Some have suggested dumping all subtitles and playing as Division I, but that probably wouldn’t impress anyone, said John Iamarino, commissioner of the Southern Conference. “The reality is, there’s going to be a label used somewhere to differentiate between the Nebraskas of the world and the Woffords and Georgia Southerns of the world,” he said. “It is a case of do we want to control the label or not.” Even so, Iamarino believes the subdivision should be careful about changing monikers again so quickly because he fears even more confusion. “I almost think we just ought to grit our teeth and work a little harder and make FCS work,” he said.
Must-see Boise St. at Michigan St. When: Friday at 5 p.m.; ESPN Buzz: This will be fourth straight season Boise State opens with a tough contest that will immediately decide whether the Broncos can contend for a national championship.
Alabama vs. Michigan at Cowboys Stadium When: Saturday at 5 p.m.; ABC Buzz: It’s surprising these two giant college football programs have only met three previous times. Michigan is the underdog in this matchup.
Wisconsin at Nebraska When: Sept. 29, at 5 p.m.; ABC Buzz: A third straight trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl isn’t out of the question for Wisconsin.
Georgia at S. Carolina AP
FILE - In this Nov. 26, 2011 file photo, Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley celebrates the Trojans' 50-0 win over UCLA in an
Top 25 glance 1. Southern California QB Matt Barkley passed for 3,528 yards and aPac-12 record 39 touchdowns then bypassed NFL draft for shot at BCS title and Heisman Trophy. Trojans have best WR combo in Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, veteran OL, defense featuring DBs T.J. McDonald and Nickell Robey and get Oregon at home Nov. 3.
2. Georgia Bulldogs have best SEC defense with NT John Jenkins, LB Jarvis Jones and FS Bacarri Rambo, but four defensive starters, including Rambo, face early suspensions. RB Ken Malcome and freshmen Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall replace departed Isaiah Crowell. Elite QB Aaron Murray can carry to SEC, BCS title games.
3. Alabama Top-ranked defense might drop off with only 4 returning starters, but senior FS Robert Lester and NT Jesse Williams are anchors. QB AJ McCarron excelled in title win over LSU, and Saban is high on frosh RB T.J. Yeldon. Schedule includes neutral-site Michigan opener Saturday and road tests at Arkansas, Missouri and LSU.
4. Oklahoma Like USC’s Barkley, QB Landry Jones also passed on projected first-round NFL draft pick to lead veteran offense that adds freshman WR Trey Metoyer and returns injured RB Dominique Whaley. Ex-Arizona coach Mike Stoops is back as defensive coordinator. Tough finish at West Virginia, vs. Oklahoma State and at TCU.
5. Florida State Seminoles’ defense ranked fourth in nation and second against rush and returns bookend DEs Brandon Jenkins and Bjoern Werner and top CBs Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid. Senior QB EJ Manuel is mobile and freshman WR Kelvin Benjamin (6-6, 242) joins Rashad Greene. Noles’ key game is Sept. 22 vs. Clemson.
6. Oregon Redshirt freshman QB Marcus Mariota starts but may rotate early with soph Bryan Bennett while RB Kenjon Barner and all-purpose RB/WR/PR De’Anthony Thomas provide fireworks. Vet defense adds freshman DL Arik Armstead (6-8, 300). Ducks might get two shots at USC, on Nov. 3 in L.A. and in Pac-12 title game.
7. Wisconsin Ex-Maryland QB Danny O’Brien replaces ex-N.C. State QB Russell Wilson as transfer-inresidence, but he has two years of eligibility. Heisman finalist Montee Ball, who tied NCAA record with 39 TDs, returns. Badgers must improve run defense but have cakewalk to Big Ten title game since division rivals Ohio State and Penn State are ineligible.
8. LSU When Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu was kicked off and reportedly entered drug rehab, Tigers lost big-play dimension at CB/PR. But defense is elite with DEs Sam Montgomery
and Barkevious Mingo, and QB Zach Mettenberger is upgrade from departed Jordan Jefferson. Tigers get South Carolina, Alabama at home, finish at Arkansas.
9. Michigan Brady Hoke executed shocking turnaround in first season thanks to makeover of defense ranked 17th in country led by DBs Jordan Kovacs and J.T. Floyd. QB Denard Robinson, a run-pass Heisman candidate, must cut down 15 interceptions. Of five toughest games, only Michigan State on Oct. 20 is at Big House.
10. Clemson Tigers are loaded on offense with QB Tajh Boyd, RB Andre Ellington and WRs Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. New defensive coordinator Brent Venables must slow opponent scoring from 29.3 per game but has experienced athletes at LB and DB. Upset on Sept. 22 at Florida State paves way to ACC title game.
11. West Virginia Mountaineers hope momentum of Orange Bowl blowout and Heisman candidacy of QB Geno Smith leads to fast Big 12 start. Spread offense with WRs Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin fits new league, but new defensive coordinator Joe DeForest from Oklahoma State faces a major rebuild, changing to 3-4 scheme.
12. South Carolina If RB Marcus Lattimore returns to form after October ACL tear, Gamecocks can challenge Georgia in SEC East. Connor Shaw has stabilized QB spot, and defense that ranked third nationally benefits from maturation of soph DE Jadeveon Clowney. Georgia visits Oct. 6 before trips to LSU, Florida.
13. TCU QB Casey Pachall and talented WRs Josh Boyce, Brandon Carter and Skye Dawson figure to keep offense humming near last year’s 40.9 points pace. Tough defense features DE Stansly Maponga, LB Kenny Cain, but secondary lacks experience.
14. Arkansas Former Razorbacks assistant John L. Smith, who has 18 years head-coaching experience, is capable replacement for Bobby Petrino, but his scandalous exit disrupts program. All-SEC QB Tyler Wilson and RB Knile Davis lead topflight offense. Defense must improve in big games, but gets Alabama, Rutgers and LSU at home.
15. Stanford Junior Josh Nunes succeeds No. 1 NFL draft pick Andrew Luck at QB having completed 1of 2 passes for 7 yards. But Cardinal relies on its OL factory, RB Stepfan Taylor and possibly freshman Barry Sanders Jr., son of the Hall of Famer.
17. Rutgers Strong defense, soft schedule make Knights surprise BCS bowl contender. Big East defensive POY Khaseem Greene and DT Scott Vallone of Central Islip, Long Island lead No. 14 defense, which adds freshman DE Darius Hamilton.
18. Virginia Tech Versatile QB Logan Thomas, who passed for 3,013 yards and ran for 11 TDs, carries rebuilding offense with freshman RB Michael Holmes. But 10th-ranked defense returns 8 starters, including DE James Gayle and LBs Bruce Taylor and Tariq Edwards. Hokies have clear path to ACC title game in Coastal Division.
19. Ohio State Hiring of Ohio native Meyer, a two-time national champ at Florida, erases Jim Tressel ouster despite bowl ban. QB Braxton Miller’s run-pass ability fits Meyer’s offense, and 19thranked defense has DLs John Simon and Johnathan Hankins and influx of freshman talent.
20. Utah Rocky Pac-12 debut, but QB Jordan Wynn returns after missing nine games for shoulder surgery. RB John White IV averaged 116.8 yards, and Utes won five of last six. DT Star Lotulelei and safeties Brian Blechen and Eric Rowe lead a solid defense. Toughest games are at home vs. BYU and USC.
21. Louisville
When: Oct. 6; TBA Buzz: The SEC East Division crown could be up for grabs during this mid-season matchup.
Notre Dame at Oklahoma When: Oct. 27; TBA Buzz: Notre Dame has won eight of the last nine games against Oklahoma, with its sole loss coming in 1956.
Alabama at LSU When: Nov. 3; TBA Buzz: LSU is looking to avenge last year’s 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS title game.
Oregon at USC When: Nov. 3; TBA Buzz: Oregon has been cream of the crop in the Pac-12, but USC is eager to reclaim the top spot.
Florida St.at Va. Tech When: Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m.; ESPN Buzz: This matchup could be a preview of the ACC Championship Game.
Oklahoma at W. Va. When: Nov. 17; TBA Buzz: West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen is all too familiar with the Oklahoma football program, previously serving as Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator. Orlando Sentinel
Heisman hype
Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater and team with only nine returning seniors matured late last season. Offense adds redshirt freshman RB Corvin Lamb. If Cards handle a strong non-conference schedule, they should roll to the Big East finale at Rutgers.
The Buzz: Last season, he threw for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns. Down the stretch, Barkley was statistically one of the best QBs in the country.
22. Michigan State
Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Matt Barkley, USC
Nation’s sixth-ranked defense is largely intact, including potential first-rounders in DE William Gholston and CB Johnny Adams. Junior QB Andrew Maxwell replaces departed Kirk Cousins, but RB Le’Veon Bell keys attack.
The Buzz: The 5-foot-11 back rushed for 1,923 yards and tied the NCAA record for most touchdowns in a season (39).
23. Kansas State
The Buzz: Smith threw for a career-high 4,385 yards and 31 touchdowns thanks, in part, to new coach Dana Holgorsen’s high-powered offense.
Collin Klein set FBS record for QBs with 27 rushing touchdowns to lead offense that averaged 31.8 points. Starting backfield and receivers return, and Wildcats add JC WR Marquez Clark (98 catches, 1,639 yards). K-State won eight games by a TD or less and must improve D that allowed 27.9 points.
24. North Carolina Former Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora should right a ship rocked by scandal that led to a postseason ban. ACC pass efficiency leader Bryn Renner and 1,000-yard RB Giovani Bernard lead a talented offense. New defense features five DBs.
16. Boise State
25. Central Florida
Broncos replace NCAA’s winningest QB, Kellen Moore, with junior Joe Southwick. He leans on vet O-line and WRs Matt Miller and Mitch Burroughs. Defense will dominate MW before Big East move.
Knights should rebound after losing six games by TD or less. Defense ranked ninth nationally led by DE Victor Gray and FS Kemal Ishmael. Transfer Miami RB Storm Johnson joins a deep backfield ahead of Big East move.
Geno Smith, W. Va.
Denard Robinson, Mich. Buzz: Last season, he racked up more 3,340 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns. He led the team to its first doubledigit win season since 2006.
De’Anthony Thomas, Ore. Buzz: An explosive all-around threat, Thomas rushed for 595 yards and was the Ducks’ main receiving threat with 46 catches for 605 yards and nine TDs last season. He led the Pac-12 in kickoff returns with 983 yards. Orlando Sentinel
PAGE O10
G
THURSDAY
G
AUGUST 30, 2012
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
FOOTBALL 2012: WASHIN
Fresh face on Leach appears to be nice fit at WSU with “just do your best” mantra Stories by Christian Caple christianc@spokesman.com, (509) 998-3135
P
ULLMAN – The conference table is covered with lunch fixings – meat, side dishes, dinner rolls. Help yourself, Mike Leach says, sipping his coffee, depth charts and notes and printouts scattered before him. On this mid-August day, with Washington State’s football team knee-deep in training camp, it’s hard to say how long Leach has been in his Follow Christian office – “a Caple on Twitter glorified @ChristianCaple hallway, really,” he calls it – but it’s obvious he’s made this space in the Bohler athletic complex his temporary home. His son, Cody, is seated at dad’s desk watching television. It’s Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, and Leach stops this mini-tour long enough to comment on the programming. Of course he does. The show is about hogfish, which, as informed Leach followers already know, are a favorite meal of the WSU coach, a staple of his diet during the two years he spent away from coaching in Key West, Fla. “Oh, those are awesome,” Leach says with no lack of enthusiasm. “Hogfish are awesome.” On the wall there is some sort of skull-and-crossbones creation with a crimson “WSU” painted across the forehead, a souvenir sent to Leach by a fan, though you’re going to ask who and he just can’t remember. The coach has proposed renderings for a new football operations building displayed next to his desk. He gestures to the drawing and proudly rattles off the features from memory.
Mike Leach, the former Texas Tech coach who brings an impressive resume and the notable “Air Raid” offense with him to Washing
Washington State story lines
See MIKE LEACH, O12
All about the offense
Inexperience up front
It would be quite literally unprecedented if a Washington State quarterback doesn’t post passing numbers among the nation’s best this season. Not unprecedented for WSU, but for new coach Mike Leach. In 10 seasons at Texas Tech, Leach’s quarterbacks led the nation in passing attempts and completions nine times. And they also finished the season among the top five in passing yards in nine different seasons. It appears senior Jeff Tuel will start for WSU in its opener at BYU tonight, when he will begin his quest to become the next stat-stacking Leach quarterback. Leach’s expectations for his pass-happy offense are clear. He wants each of his receiver positions – there are four of them – to compile at least 1,000 yards each. Running backs are expected to account for another 1,400 total yards, and quarterbacks need to complete 65 percent of their passes. Most agree the Cougars have the kind of personnel to make it happen, with a crop of receivers well-suited to Leach’s schemes and two quarterbacks in Tuel and Connor Halliday who have shown potential in the past.
Chester Su’a started four games as a true freshman last season. Nobody else in Washington State’s linebacker corps – save for buck linebacker Travis Long, who spent the last three seasons at defensive end – has started a game in their college career. There are new, inexperienced faces all across WSU’s defensive front seven. SAM linebacker Eric Oertel and MIKE linebacker Darryl Monroe will be making their first career starts tonight. Long is playing a new position. And the defensive line could feature two first-time starters in Xavier Cooper and Ioane Gauta and four-time starter Adam Coerper. “They’re still trying to find their ways, but I’ve been really pleased with their effort,” defensive line coach Joe Salave’a said. “They’ve done everything that we’ve asked, and that’s a good start.”
Early schedule manageable WSU might be a 13.5-point underdog in its season opener at BYU. But it’s not unreasonable to think the Cougars could race to a quick start without winning. A three-game stretch against EWU, at UNLV and home against Colorado will likely see WSU favored in each game, meaning the Cougars could very well be 3-1 heading into their Sept. 29 game against Oregon.
Lineba by Lea
Mike Leach: A timeline 1961 - Born to Frank and Sandra Leach in Susanville, Calif., He was raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1960
1976 - Becomes assistant coach for his Dad’s Little League team and takes over two years later. Yankee’s Manager Billy Martin is his inspiration.
1970
Between 1961 and 1972 the Leach Family lives in Fall River Mills, Calif., Alexandria, Va. Saratoga, Wyo., Ft. Collins, Colo., Golden Colo., Sheridan Wyo., and Cody, Wyo. (Leach’s father was a forester.)
1979 Graduates from Cody High School, Cody, Wyo.
1980
Between 1975 and 1978 plays high school football.
1983 to 1986 - Enrolls in law school at Pepperdine University. Begins acting as a hobby during law school. Gets bit parts in two movies: “Grunt! The Wrestling Movie,” He plays a security guard and ”J. Edgar Hoover,” a TV mini-series where he plays the nonspeaking part of an F.B.I agent. Leach finds that he “... didn’t realize until way later how much you draw on the same skills in coaching, acting, or making a legal case. At the heart, what you’re doing is making a presentation in one form or another. You’re trying to connect with people.”
1981
1982
1983
1984
1983 - Graduates from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in American Studies. While at BYU, Leach closely follows the Brigham Young Cougars pass-oriented offense, guided by head coach LaVell Edwards and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
1987 - Begins college football coaching career as a part-time assistant coach at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Calif. 1987 - Earns a Master's of Sports Science degree from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala.
1985
1986
1987
1986 - Leach earns a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Pepperdine University School of Law. Writes famous trial attorney Gerry Spence asking advice about practicing law. Spence writes back, “If you are consumed by law, go be an attorney. If you are not, find something else.”
SOURCES: “Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and Life” by Mike Leach; Washington State University; USA Today
1988 - Hired as an assistant football coach at College of the Desert, Palm Desert, Calif. 1989 - Becomes head coach of a semipro team in Pori, Finland
1988 198
1989 1 9 89
1992 Follow Mum Valdo State Valdo Georg
11990 990
1989 - HIred by Hal Mumme as offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. They visit Provo, Utah to study BYU’s offense. After some tweaks to the BYU system, Leach brands their offense the “Air Raid.”
1996 - M and Lea hired by Univers Kentuck Lexingt
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
NGTON STATE COUGARS
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O11
n the Palouse Mike Leach’s quarterbacks and their passer ratings RAT = Passer efficiency rating ATT = Pass attempts COMP = Pass completions PCTG = Completion percentage YPA = Yards per attempt
VALDOSTA STATE, 1992-1996 OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR (Division-2) 1992: QB Chris Hatcher RAT – 129.8 (27th) ATT – 400 COMP – 264 PCTG – 66.0 YARDS – 2,548 YPA – 6.37 TD – 21
Mumme ach are y the ity of ky in on, Ky.
2004: QB Sonny Cumbie RAT – 138.5 (21st) ATT – 642 (1st) COMP – 421 (1st) PCTG – 65.58 (10th) YARDS – 4,742 (1st) YPA – 7.39 (44th) TD – 32 (T-5th)
1996: QB Lance Funderburk RAT – 154.5 (5th) ATT – 459 COMP – 300 PCTG – 65.3 YARDS – 3,732 YPA – 8.13 TD – 35
2005: QB Cody Hodges RAT – 148.3 (15th) ATT – 531 (1st) COMP – 353 (1st) PCTG – 66.48 (7th) YARDS – 4,238 (2nd) YPA –7.98 (27th) TD – 31 (4th)
KENTUCKY, 1997-1998 OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR 1997: QB Tim Couch RAT – 141.4 (21st) ATT – 547 (1st) COMP – 363 (1st) PCTG – 66.4 YARDS – 3,884 YPA – 7.1 TD – 37
FILE The Spokesman-Review
1998 Hired by Bob Stoops as offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.
Dec. 1999 Hired by Texas Tech as head football coach
1998: QB Tim Couch RAT – 153.3 (11th) ATT – 553 (1st) COMP – 400 (1st) PCTG – 72.3 YARDS – 4,275 YPA – 7.73 TD – 36
2007: QB Graham Harrell RAT – 157.3 (6th) ATT – 713 (1st) COMP – 512 (1st) PCTG – 71.8 (2nd) YARDS – 5,705 (1st) YPA – 8.0 (15th) TD – 48 (1st)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
2008: QB Graham Harrell RAT – 160.04 (8th) ATT – 626 (1st) COMP – 442 (1st) PCTG – 70.6 (3rd) YARDS – 5,111 (1st) YPA – 8.2 (19th) TD – 45 (3rd)
1999: QB Josh Heupel RAT – 133.9 (26th) ATT – 500 COMP – 310 PCTG – 62.0 YARDS – 3,460 YPA – 6.92 TD – 30
One of the biggest changes coach Mike Leach has brought to the Washington State football team has nothing to do with passing yardage or point totals. Leach shook up the WSU program by instituting his famed zero-tolerance policy in regards to the three violations he deems most reprehensible – drug use, theft, and abuse of women. Players found out quickly the consequences of violating these basic ground rules. In March, potential starting linebacker Sekope Kaufusi was dismissed from the team after an arrest for alleged marijuana possession. Anthony Laurenzi, a senior who likely would have started on the defensive line, was kicked off the team after police alleged he shoplifted a pair of headphones from Walmart shortly before camp started. Two other players have also been dismissed for violating team rules. C.J. Mizell (pictured), a talented but troubled linebacker, was shown the door after an altercation at a fraternity party in early February. And redshirt freshman defensive lineman T.J. Poloai was booted in mid-January for an undisclosed violation of team policy.
2009: QB Taylor Potts RAT – 137.1 (39th) ATT – 470 (T-8th) COMP – 309 (T-8th) PCTG – 65.7 (13th) YARDS – 3,440 (12th) YPA – 7.3 (T-51st) TD – 22 (T-24th)
SOURCE: Staff research by Christian Caple
MOLLY QUINN mollyq@spokesman.com
Cougs coverage online On the Web: Check out our WSU football coverage on our special Cougs Report page, which includes stories, photos and videos, as well as reporter blog posts, a full season schedule and quick look ahead to each week’s game. Find it online at www.spokesman.com/cougs
Total WON/LOSS
Mike Leach’s record at Texas Tech
Dec. 2009 Adam James controversy begins.
Big 12 WON/LOSS BOWL GAME
7-6
7-5
9-5
8-5
8-4
9-3
8-5
9-4
11-2
9-4
3-5
4-4
5-3
4-4
5-3
6-2
4-4
4-4
7-1
5-3
galleryfurniture.com
Alamo
Tangerine
Houston
Holiday
Cotton
Insight
Gator
Cotton
Alamo
vs. East Carolina LOSS 27-40
vs. Iowa LOSS 16-19
vs. Clemson WON 55-15
vs. Navy WON 38-14
vs. Cal. WON 45-31
vs. Ala. LOSS 10-13
vs. Minn. WON 44-41
vs. Virg. WON 31-28
vs. Miss. LOSS 47-34
vs. Mich. State. WON 41-31
2 0 00
2 001
2 002
2 003
2004
2008
2009
2000 Oklahoma Sooners win the National Championship.
2006: QB Graham Harrell RAT – 145.8 (21st) ATT – 616 (1st) COMP – 412 (1st) PCTG – 66.88 (10th) YARDS – 4,555 (3rd) YPA – 7.39 (40th) TD – 38 (2nd)
OKLAHOMA, 1999
Just keep running
acker C.J. Mizell was dismissed from the team ach in February after an altercation at a party.
ws me to osta e in osta, gia
2003: QB B.J. Symons RAT – 151.3 (13th) ATT – 719 (1st) COMP – 470 (1st) PCTG – 65.4 (12th) YARDS – 5,833 (1st) YPA – 8.11 (27th) TD – 52 (1st)
1995: QB Lance Funderburk RAT – 134.0 (26th) ATT – 544 COMP – 356 PCTG – 65.4 YARDS – 3,706 YPA – 6.81 TD – 26
If you won’t follow Leach’s rules,
2000: QB Kliff Kingsbury RAT – 116.9 (59th) ATT – 584 (1st) COMP – 361 (1st) PCTG – 61.8 (9th) YARDS – 3,412 (3rd) YPA – 5.84 (103rd) TD – 21 (16th)
2002: QB Kliff Kingsbury RAT – 143.7 (9th) ATT – 712 (1st) COMP – 479 (1st) PCTG – 67.3 (4th) YARDS – 5,017 (1st) YPA – 7.05 (59th) TD – 45 (1st)
1994: QB Chris Hatcher RAT – 179.0 (1st) ATT – 430 COMP – 321 PCTG – 74.6 YARDS – 3,591 YPA – 8.35 TD – 50
gton State, has his players’ attention in his first season in Pullman.
HEAD COACH
2001: QB Kliff Kingsbury RAT – 136.9 (28th) ATT – 528 (1st) COMP – 364 (1st) PCTG – 68.9 (2nd) YARDS – 3,502 (5th) YPA – 6.63 (76th) TD – 25 (12th)
1993: QB Chris Hatcher RAT – 157.3 (6th) ATT – 471 COMP – 334 PCTG – 70.9 YARDS – 3,651 YPA – 7.75 TD – 37
DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com
TEXAS TECH, 2000-2009
2005
2006
2007
Dec. 2, 2008 The Associated Press names Leach the Big 12 Coach of the Year.
2008 Texas Tech defeats #1 ranked Texas Longhorns.
Feb. 2009 Leach and Texas Tech agree to a new five-year contract.
ESPN analyst Craig James, Adam’s father, demands that Leach be fired.
Jan, 8 2010 Leach files lawsuit Dec. against 30, Texas 2009 Tech. Texas Tech fires Leach.
2 01 0
Nov. 4, 2009 Appears in an episode of “Friday Night Lights” telling Coach Taylor to "swing your sword" and "find your inner pirate"
July 2011 Releases autobiographical “Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and Life”
MOLLY QUINN
Aug. 2010Becomes football analyst for CBS College Sports Network
2 01 1
Nov. 2011 Accepts head coaching position at Washington State University
mollyq@spokesman.com
PAGE O12
G
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
FOOTBALL 2012: WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS WSU: Depth chart
POSITION Number/name/year
Washington State released its first official depth chart of the season on Monday. The Cougars will likely start six seniors, eight juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
LEFT TACKLE 77 John Fullington, Jr. 63 Gunnar Eklund, RS-Fr.
CORNERBACK 2 Nolan Washington, RS-Jr. 24 Daniel Simmons, RS-Sr.
LEFT GUARD 55 Wade Jacobson, RS. Sr or 66 Matt Goetz, RS-Jr.
X-WIDE RECEIVER 86 Marquess Wilson, Jr. 80 Dominique Williams, RS-Fr.
BUCK LINEBACKER 89 Travis Long, Sr. 83 Logan Mayes, So.
NOSE TACKLE 95 Ioane Gauta, Jr. 98 Toni Pole, RS-So.
H-WIDE RECEIVER 5 Rickey Galvin, RS-So. 82 Bobby Ratliff, RS-So.
FREE SAFETY 30 Taylor Taliulu, Fr. 15 Tyree Toomer, RS-Sr.
WILL LINEBACKER
QUARTERBACK 10 Jeff Tuel, Sr. or 12 Connor Halliday, RS-So.
45 Chester Su’a, So. 51 Justin Sagote, Jr.
CENTER 60 Elliott Bosch, RS-Jr. 70 Zach Brevick, RS-Jr.
RIGHT GUARD 69 Jake Rodgers, RS-So. 66 Matt Goetz, RS-Jr. RUNNING BACK 34 Teondray Caldwell, Fr. or 3 Carl Winston, Sr. or 23 Leon Brooks, RS-Jr.
STRONG SAFETY 20 Deone Bucannon, Jr. 4 Anthony Carpenter, RS-Jr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE 96 Xavier Cooper, RS-Fr. 94 Steven Hoffart, RS-Sr.
Y-WIDE RECEIVER 87 Andrei Lintz, RS-Sr. 1 Gino Simone, Sr. or 19 Brett Bartolone, Fr.
MIKE LINEBACKER 13 Darryl Monroe, RS-Fr. 37 Jared Byers, RS-Jr.
RIGHT TACKLE 71 Dan Spitz, RS-Sr. 69 Jake Rodgers, RS-So.
DEFENSIVE END
CORNERBACK
50 Adam Coerper RS-Sr. 71 Matthew Bock, RS-Jr.
6 Damante Horton, Jr. 27 Tracy Clark, RS-So.
Z-WIDE RECEIVER 84 Gabe Marks, Fr. 88 Isiah Myers, So.
SAM LINEBACKER 21 Eric Oertel, Jr. 42 Cyrus Coen, So.
SPECIALISTS PLACE KICKER 49 Andrew Furney, Jr. 46 Michael Bowlin, Jr.
PUNT RETURNERS 23 Leon Brooks, RS-Jr. 29 Theron West, Jr.
LONG SNAPPER 65 Alex Den Bleyker, So. 47 Ryan Saparto, RS-So.
PUNTER 46 Michael Bowlin, Jr. 49 Andrew Furney, Jr.
KICKOFFS 46 Michael Bowlin, Jr. or 49 Andrew Furney, Jr.
HOLDER 4 David Gilbertson, RS-Jr. 1 Gino Simone, Sr.
KICKOFF RETURNERS 23 Leon Brooks, RS-Jr. 5 Rickey Galvin, RS-So. 34 Teondray Caldwell, Fr.
SOURCE: Washington State University Football
MOLLY QUINN
he put it, “they were just really bad, and they had offered that job to most high school coaches in Iowa and they’d Continued from O10 turned it down.” Mumme, who had an opening for an offensive line coach, There’s the weight room, here’s the equipment room, the received a note and a resume from a young man with a coaches’ office. Leach’s path to Pullman is marked by Pepperdine law degree, an intriguing candidate who didn’t innovation and adversity, more of the former than the play college football but had been a small-time assistant latter. But after two years spent commentating, analyzing, coach for two years. book-writing and fishing, Leach is back in the game. But that’s not what caught Mumme’s eye. This is home now. “He was from BYU,” Mumme said. “I think it’s a refreshing change for Mike, and he’s going Mumme’s offense at Copperas Cove was based off BYU’s to be in a place that he really likes,” said Leach’s father, air-it-out style. He turned down coordinator jobs at other Frank. “The people, the ones I’ve met, they’re just great. I small colleges because none were willing to grant him total think it’s a good fit.” control of the Why wouldn’t team’s offense. it be? Leach’s At Iowa personality gets Wesleyan, that’s plenty of mesh route has become a staple of the Air Raid offense 1 exactly what he attention. But his The through the years. More than likely, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound had, along with a offense, the famed Andrei Lintz will be at the Y-receiver, and the 6-foot-4, 185-pound sidekick “Air Raid” passing Marquess Wilson will run past him at the X-receiver spot. unconventional attack, has fit enough to go everywhere he’s 4 along with it. tried it. 2 “In those days,” Mumme *** 5 said, “most Brigham Young people would was completing a have thought I historic comeback X Y was crazy.” over Southern 3 Not Leach. Methodist in the Z Though not a 1980 Holiday SOURCE: particularly Bowl, and Hal F H Q skilled player in Mumme watched, smartfootball.com high school as a intrigued, as the linebacker and Cougars threw receiver, he’d long been fascinated with college football, the ball all over the field en route to 446 passing yards and and especially with teams willing to throw the ball more a 46-45 win. than they ran it. Leach was in his second year as an undergraduate at Florida State, Leach said, intrigued him as a kid. They BYU – WSU’s first opponent in the Leach era, a nationally were explosive and had a cool mascot. televised, 7 p.m. game airing on ESPN tonight – six years “And,” Leach said after giving a history lesson about away from obtaining a law degree from Pepperdine. FSU’s famed sod cemetery, “they threw the ball more than “I don’t know what that guy in Provo is doing,” anybody else.” remembers thinking at the time. “But I’m going to find His decision to attend BYU was based mostly on out.” The rest is history, of course, as Mumme and Leach, who academics, though Leach was and still is a practicing Mormon. He attended some football games – “not every wound up working together for 10 years at Iowa Wesleyan, game, but I went to a lot” – and even then watched with a Valdosta State and Kentucky, began making expeditions to keener eye than most students. Those Cougars used space Provo to learn how coach LaVell Edwards’ offense worked, in a way he’d never seen, and that intrigued him. making their own tweaks and adjustments as they saw fit. Law school at Pepperdine resulted in a Juris Doctorate, “There’s no question he had a huge influence on me,” but Leach decided before he finished that he wasn’t going Leach said of Edwards. “More than probably I can to be an attorney. articulate, because there’s probably things just through His wife, Sharon, whom he met at BYU, tells it this way: observation I copy or aspire toward that I’m not aware of, I “He told me, ‘do you want me to be successful, make a lot don’t think.” of money being an attorney and come home and be Mumme was a big influence in his own right. He left Copperas Cove High School in Texas in 1989 to take the head coaching job at tiny NAIA Iowa Wesleyan, because, as See MIKE LEACH, O13
MIKE LEACH
The “Mesh Play”
mollyq@spokesman.com
Impact newcomer
Gabe Marks Gabe Marks made his presence in Pullman known from the first day of Washington State’s training camp. He’s also done it every day since then, too. Marks has earned praise from WSU coaches for his smooth, polished skills, showcasing talents rarely seen from a player months removed from high school. The Los Angeles product figures to start at outside receiver for the Cougars when they open the season on Aug. 30 at BYU. He is a sure-handed, shifty complement to the well-established Marquess Wilson, a junior All-American candidate who has taken Marks under his wing as a mentor figure. Confidence certainly won’t be a problem. Marks doesn’t mind telling WSU defensive backs just how badly he beats them in practice. And it happens often.
WSU Tonight Sept. 8 Sept. 14 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 23
at BYU EWU at UNLV Colorado Oregon at Oregon St. California at Stanford at Utah UCLA at Arizona St. Washington
7:15 noon 6 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 12:30
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O13
FOOTBALL 2012: WASHINGTON HUSKIES Now Sarkisian can let results do the talking COMMENTARY By Steve Kelley, Seattle Times
Everything about Steve Sarkisian’s early days at Washington was loud and designed to attract attention to a program that had lost its way. Everything he did was made to feel bigger than it actually was. His introductory news conference in the Don James Center had the feel of an inauguration speech. The only thing that was missing was a Bible and a solemn oath to uphold the values of Enoch Bagshaw, Jim Owens and Don James. The arrival of Sarkisian’s first defensive coordinator Nick Holt called for another full-house news conference. You would have thought Pete Carroll, not Holt, was leaving USC for Washington. Every tweet was an exclamation point. Every announcement was breaking news. Even the signing of every early recruit was reason for hyperbole. How many of those first players in that first class seemed to have all-conference,
All-American, NFL draft potential? Sarkisian came to Washington loud and just a little brash. He was heavy metal for a program that had become easy listening. He wanted fans, recruits, other programs to listen to the Huskies again. He couldn’t afford to be meek or mild about it. He was the coach-as-bullhorn. “I probably was a bit brash early on,” Sarkisian said, sitting on a couch in his office, finding a few minutes to talk before the beginning of a recent practice. “We probably did a few things to keep our name in the news so that people were talking about our program. I wanted us on the 11 o’clock news. I wanted high-school kids to see Washington football around. And I also wanted our current kids to know that we were here to win championships. I wanted them to understand that. “When I got the job I felt like the perception of this program had fallen off. I wanted to make sure that I was taking this job because of what this program once was and was going to be again. To do that, we had to get our
name out there. We had to get people talking about Washington football again.” And when Washington upset the Carroll-coached Trojans 16-13 in Sarkisian’s third game as a head coach, the new Washington coach proclaimed that rebuilding this once-moribund program wasn’t going to take very long. “I felt like we had a group of guys that year who wanted to do something in their careers that they hadn’t done before,” said Sarkisian, who came to Washington from USC, where he was Carroll’s offensive coordinator. “They were kind of downtrodden and beat up and they wanted to do some things that year for the reasons that they came here for. Win big games. Be on national television. And that game was indicative of how far we’d come. “Those kids knew what that game meant to me and I really felt like that was the first time our team had a chance to really celebrate and embrace the moment together. That moment allowed us to really come together and I think we’ve been apart very few times since
then.” In the beginning, everything was orchestrated to feel bigger than life for this program that had been near death. Dramatically, Sarkisian has changed Washington’s culture. He said, in his fourth year, he “feels different.” Feels as if he can rely more on the people surrounding him. That he can relax more, be more connected to his players and enjoy the experience more than he could when he arrived. The remodeling of Husky Stadium is, in part, a testament to the improvement he has engineered. The lack of ballyhoo when defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox was hired to replace Holt, or when recent four-star recruits have been signed, speaks to his belief that people are paying attention. In the four seasons before Sarkisian arrived Washington was 11-37. The Huskies are 19-19 in his three seasons. They’ve been to consecutive bowl games and Sarkisian is working on his fourth straight top-25 recruiting class. Now we hear the quiet that comes with success.
Associated Press
Washington sophomore receiver Kasen Williams will be the go-to guy in the Huskies offense this season.
All eyes on Williams Sophomore receiver has all the tools to have breakout year with Huskies By Christian Caple christianc@spokesman.com, (509) 998-3135
T
here is little debate about what Kasen Williams’ ceiling as a college receiver can be. The Washington Huskies sophomore is tall. He’s fast. He’s strong. And, as evidenced in last season’s Apple Cup game against Washington State, he can jump, too. His hurdle of WSU cornerback Nolan Washington is a gold standard of sorts for Williams’ athletic ability. So UW coach Steve Sarkisian knows he’s not going to raise any eyebrows when he says he thinks Williams could catch upwards of 70 passes for the Huskies this season. “He’s put in the time, not only physically but mentally, to be that guy,” Sarkisian said. “So we can move him around on the field more, and we’re expecting him to have a great year.” Expectations existed last season, too, when Williams entered UW as one of the most highly-touted recruits in school history. He
MIKE LEACH
Continued from O12 miserable every night? Or do you want me to go into coaching and maybe not make us much money and be happy when I come home every night?’” There were plenty of happy times at Texas Tech, where in 10 seasons as head coach Leach led the Red Raiders to 10 bowl games, gaining national fame as a quirky, trail-blazing figure who helped change the way college football is played. Then he was fired. Texas Tech claims that he commanded a concussed player – Adam James, the son of former ESPN analyst and failed Texas Senate candidate Craig James – to stand in a storage closet. Leach vehemently denies that accusation, and is suing the school, ESPN and a communications firm in an attempt to
excelled not only on the football field at Skyline High School, but cleaned up in the long jump and high jump, too. Oh, and he was Parade Magazine’s Player of the Year. So while he did catch 36 passes for 427 yards as a freshman last Williams season – a high ankle-sprain slowed him later in the season, though he still played in every game – the Huskies are expecting Williams to take over as their lead receiver after the graduation of former stalwarts Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar. Williams’ teammates don’t doubt he can replace their production. Quarterback Keith Price remembers one of the first passes he ever threw to Williams in practice. Price said he threw it too high, but Williams leapt “about four feet in the air” to haul it in. The Huskies know the talent is there. And Williams said his attention is focused where it needs to be this season.
clear his name. The move to Key West was good for him, Sharon says, but it took some getting used to. It was hard on their two youngest children. Lubbock was all they knew. “It was hard not having a team,” Sharon said. “We’ve always had a team. For two years we didn’t have a team, so that was tough.” *** Leach didn’t spend much time dwelling on it, but he swears the 2010 season could have been his best at Texas Tech. Their 2009 defense was one of his best to begin with, Leach says, and they were young, too. “It was disappointing, because I knew there was a high potential level to that team,” he said. Maybe that’s why he’s so confident
“I think (last season) could have been a lot better,” Williams said. “The reason why I wasn’t in the game as much was because I didn’t know the playbook like I should. I wasn’t dedicated like I should have been. I should be able to be in the game as often as possible.” His dedication is evidenced by the extra work he puts in after practice. “I think that’s the mark of a great competitor in any sport,” Sarkisian said. “You see Kobe Bryant miss a jump shot, he’ll go back after the game and shoot it 100 times. That’s how Kasen is. When practice is over, if he didn’t run that right route, he wants to run that route right 25 times in a row before he goes into the locker room. “That’s what it takes to be great. And he’s so talented. He’s so physically gifted that he was able to maybe get away with some other stuff before. But now, he understands that doesn’t work like that. You have to be precise, you have to be right on to make it all work.”
he can succeed long-term at Washington State. No coach in the modern era has. Not the way Leach did at Tech, anyway. “I always look at just doing the best I can every day and have your players do that, and just do it consistently, and the results pretty much take care of themselves,” Leach said. “Tech only got to go to 10 bowls in a row,” Mumme said sarcastically. “Apparently, they just got tired of it. I’m sure Washington State won’t.” And Leach has something here he didn’t in Lubbock. “You don’t have much of that bureaucratic turf war stuff,” Leach said. “Everybody pulls the same way. I think a lot of that has to do with the leadership here. That’s where it’s prevented. That’s where the vision’s set.” It’s his vision now. Leach may have
battled TTU administration, but athletic director Bill Moos has given him carte blanche to do with WSU’s program what he pleases. The changes are not subtle. Four players have been dismissed in nine months for violating team rules. Practices are closed. Players are off-limits to media during the week. Yes, Leach has made this program his home. He’s the toast of this college town, perhaps the biggest celebrity the Palouse has ever seen. “It’s strange to say, but it felt right,” Sharon said. “That’s what I would tell him. It just seemed like this is where we need to be, or where we should be. That’s kind of why we ended up here.” By doing so, Leach has accomplished the remarkable. He’s already won Pullman without coaching a game.
PAGE O14
G
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
FOOTBALL 2012: EWU EAGLES
TYLER TJOMSLAND tylert@spokesman.com
Eastern Washington quarterback Kyle Padron’s goals are team-oriented: winning the Big Sky outright and making another run at the national title.
Padron making all the right moves Arrival at Eastern, mixing with new teammates all positive for likable SMU transfer 2011 by the numbers
By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5437
As Kyle Padron starts a new chapter in his life, he’s already on the right page. And we’re not talking about the playbook. The previous chapter is closed, but speaks volumes about the character of Eastern Washington’s next quarterback, who will lead the Eagles into the 2012 season tonight at Idaho. It includes sudden stardom, self-doubt, newfound faith and a fresh start far from home. Through it all, Padron hasn’t lost his quick smile and easygoing attitude. Says EWU head coach Beau Baldwin, “If you can’t get along with Kyle Padron, then you just don’t like people.”
Three Septembers 2009 – Curiously, the last chapter began three years ago in Pullman, when the Southern Methodist football team blew a three-touchdown lead and lost in overtime to the Cougars, 30-27. SMU quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 424 yards and two touchdowns, but also tossed four costly interceptions. Two weeks later, Padron replaced an injured Mitchell in a game against Houston; Mitchell regained his health, but not his job, while Padron went on to lead the Mustangs to a 45-10 win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl. It was the program’s first bowl win in almost a quarter-century. 2010 – “I’m playing the game faster, seeing things a lot quicker and the defense is slowing down for me,” Padron, then just 19, told ESPN.com in a preseason story headlined “Padron Poised to Power Ponies.” While Mitchell got a new start – and a championship – in faraway Cheney, Padron threw for big numbers in June Jones’ run-and-shoot offense, completing 59 percent
73: Percentage of EWU offensive yards coming through the air, highest in the Football Championship Subdivision 65: Passing completion percentage by Eastern Washington opponents (204 for 315) 1: The Eagles’ national ranking in passing offense, with an average of 368 yards per game 46: Players who started on offense or defense during last year’s injury-plagued season
of his passes for 3,828 yards, 31 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Mustangs finished 7-7 against a difficult schedule but won the West Division of Conference USA. 2011 – After starting 21 straight games entering the season, Padron didn’t survive the opening game against Texas A&M. After throwing interceptions on two straight possessions, he was benched in favor of J.J. McDermott. “I made two bad throws, and I take full responsbility for those throws,” Padron told the Dallas Morning News the following week. “I’m not going to make excuses.” He played sparingly after that, then not at all after suffering a herniated disc injury in the SMU weight room; that after playing through the pain of an ankle injury suffered the previous year but not diagnosed until 2011.
Change of direction As he searched for direction that winter, he found something else. A friend brushed aside his excuses, told him to get in the car, and drove him a Christian young adults’ camp. “It was an awesome time,” Padron said, who said he confessed his faith in Jesus on Jan. 20. “I’m living for Him and trying to glorify Him in everything I do.” That still included football. When Mitchell
won the Walter Payton Award in his last season at Eastern, Padron was still in Dallas, but ready to follow in Mitchell’s footsteps. “We still talk a lot,” says Padron of Mitchell, now in the Canadian Football League. “He’s always been someone I could look up to, and he told me it was a great place to play and that the coaches put you in position to win.” During a visit in January, Padron says, Baldwin and his staff “did everything right, including assigning All-American wide receiver Nicholas Edwards to give him a tour around campus. “I had a lot of positives to take away from that visit,” Padron said. Still, it was a tough decision to play 30 hours away from home instead of 30 minutes, but Padron emphasized that his family told me they would support me and come up for the games.” In April, as the Eagles were in spring drills, Padron’s medical hardship application was approved by the Big Sky Conference, giving him the necessary two years’ eligibility required to transfer to an FCS school. Two months later, the business management major was enrolled in summer classes and throwing practice balls to Edwards, Greg Herd, Brandon Kaufman and the rest of a talented receiving corps. “It’s a serious challenge (missing spring ball),” said Baldwin, “but he did all the right things in terms of getting here and working with the guys in the summer without any of us around.”
The next chapter As fall camp began, Padron kept his cool in every way. “The weather here is awesome,” he said after another sweltering practice – sweltering, that is, if you’re not from Texas. But the heat was still on Padron, whose See PADRON, O15
When they were Mustangs Former Eagles quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and current EWU QB Kyle Padron played for Southern Methodist University before making their way to Cheney. Padron replaced Mitchell after a combination of injuries and spotty play landed Mitchell on the bench in 2009*. Padron, a freshman at the time, held the job through 2010 before finding his way to the bench early in 2011.
Years Completions Attempts Percentage Yards Touchdowns Interceptions Associated Press
Bo Levi Mitchell vs. Central Florida in 2008.
Mitchell 2008-10 385 696 56.9 4,590 36 33
Padron 2009-11 446 729 61.2 5,902 41 21
* Mitchell then transferred to Eastern Washington after the season and proceeded to lead EWU to a FCS national championship in 2010 and was the Walter Payton Award winner in 2011.
Associated Press
Kyle Padron vs. Texas Christian in 2010.
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
PAGE O15
G
FOOTBALL 2012: EWU EAGLES PADRON
Continued from O14 arm strength and experience made him the unofficial favorite to be the starter. Acclimating to the Eagles’ offense wasn’t as easy as it sounded, even for a player with big-school credentials. If anything, it was harder to grasp than June Jones’ run-and-shoot offense at SMU. “This offense has more multiple formations and personnel groupings, a lot of two-tight end sets, or one tight end,” Padron said. “At SMU it was more four wide (receivers) and just chuck it.” Even as he grasped the offense, Padron struggled at time to grasp the football, and balls hit the turf. The answer was simple: Padron has always played in shotgun formation, even in high school. “Being under center is a bit new for me,” he said. No matter the adjustments, teammates and coaches have made it easier. “I can text (the receivers) whenever, say ‘let’s go throw,’ and in 30 minutes they’ll be here.” The same goes for the coaches, including Baldwin, quarterbacks coach Zak Hill and quarterbacks coach Junior Adams, who’s become accustomed to late-night calls when
TYLER TJOMSLAND tylert@spokesman.com
Kyle Padron has impressed EWU receivers with his passing touch.
Padron wants to “bounce some things around.” Even the other quarterbacks – the Eagles have five – are “taking care of me,” Padron said. “This is one of the closer teams that
I’ve been on. On most teams, guys eat with the same guys every meal, but here people are hanging with different guys each day.” Especially the wide receivers. Says Kaufman, “Kyle is picking it up the
offense quickly; he’s coming around real nice.” That was on display at a recent scrimmage, when Padron laid a perfect pass that Kaufman one-handed against tight coverage. “No wobble at all,” Kaufman said. “He put it in a nice spot.” Which is where the Eagles hope to be in November. Padron’s goals are team-oriented: winning the Big Sky outright and making another run at the national title. “And beating Montana, that’s a big one,” said Padron, who got under Grizzly fans’ skins en route to Cheney: “Building up a strong dislike of people from Montana already – LOL,” he Tweeted while on the road. “I didn’t really think about it before I did it,” he said with a shrug. Before that, Padron will return to the Palouse, including a Sept. 8 game at WSU. He was on the sidelines that day Pullman three years ago, an 18-year-old freshman on the sidelines with no idea that he would follow Mitchell’s footsteps all the way to Cheney. “It’s amazing, really,” Padron said. “I don’t think that will ever happen again.” Padron has two years to follow those footsteps – and write a new chapter.
JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Eastern Washington University offensive line coach Aaron Best says he has a strong nucleus of starters, including team captain Will Post, far right.
EWU story lines Up front When asked last week about the “chemistry” of his offensive line, assistant coach Aaron Best replied, “Do you have a periodic table of the elements?” It was a cerebral answer, but then he is the team’s academic coordinator. The Eagles have enough elements – 16 players in camp – “that I’ve got more able bodies this year than I’ve had the ability to coach,” added Best, who says he also has a strong nucleus of starters, including team captain Will Post at right tackle. There’s a silver lining in the dark cloud of injuries that hung over the offensive line last year, and the Eagles are hoping to cash in on the experience gained by several new players. “The guys got a lot of games under their belt last year,” Best said. The line may also be a key in rebalancing the offense, which last year gained 73 percent of its yards through the air.
C. Washington connection
JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Beau Baldwin (head coach), class of 1996, quarterback, and later assistant and head coach John Graham (defensive coordinator), class of 1992, served 12 years as an assistant Ryan Sawyer (defensive line coach), four-year starter at defensive end, graduated in 2003 Zak Hill (quarterbacks coach), class of 2004, quarterback Nate Brookreson (strength and conditioning coach), class of 2006, wide receiver Cherokee Valeria (cornerbacks coach), wide receiver, class of 1999
Beau Baldwin prepares team for two FBS opponents.
The ‘trio’ On the first day of fall camp, head coach Beau Baldwin was asked what it would be like to have three 1,000-yard receivers in the same year. He scratched his head and politely replied that the running game might suffer. But anything is possible with wide receivers Nicholas Edwards (1,250 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, Greg Herd (67 catches, seven TDs) and Brandon Kaufman (injured for most of last year but who had 1,214 yards and 15 TDs in 2010). All have won All-American honors. The “Trio,” as they’re known, is arguably the top group in the Big Sky Conference, if not the country. “I’ve never had anyone like this,” says EWU receivers coach Junior Adams. “They don’t compete against the cornerbacks of Montana State or Weber State. They compete against each other.”
Save the date Last year, the Eagles almost beat Washington. This season, right out of the gate, they get two shots at Football Bowl Subdivision teams Idaho and Washington State. The money is good, and EWU has a shot at both games. But last year, they left a lot of emotion and energy behind at Husky Stadium; that, combined with injuries and some bad luck resulted in an 0-4 start. The difference this year is a well-placed bye after the WSU game and before the Big Sky opener at Weber State on Sept. 22. That should offset the psychological ups and downs of the back-to-back trips to the Palouse and put the team mentally right for the games that matter. Speaking of which, the Big Sky Conference has 13 members for football this year, but each team plays just eight conference games. The “misses” are just as important as the games you play. Eastern didn’t catch a break there, missing Northern Colorado (0-11 last year), Idaho State (2-9) and Northern Arizona (4-7).
One scheduling quirk that could loom large: the Eagles host highly regarded Big Sky newcomer Cal Poly on Nov.12 in a game that doesn’t count in the standings, but could mean a lot if both teams are in contention for the FCS playoffs.
The ‘wow’ factor The difference between a national championship team and a 6-5 season? Injuries, for sure, but more often it’s what you don’t see, like big plays such as takeaways and long returns. The 2010 FCS champions were a greedy bunch, taking 47 fumbles and interceptions. That number plummeted last year to 16, including just seven picks. “We have to do better this year,” said all-conference cornerback T.J. Lee III. But injuries at linebacker and the line allowed opponents to ball-control the Eagles with runs and short passes and complete 64.1 percent of their passes. In 2010, the Eagles scored eight touchdowns on returns, including kickoffs (three), punts (two), interceptions (one), and fumbles (two).
New faces The Eagles added three new assistants last spring and changed some responsibilities in the process. First on board was Brian Strandley, a former defensive coordinator at Idaho State who did something few coaches attempt: move to the other side of the ball. Strandley works with the tight ends and may have the best on-field “football voice” in the conference. Then there’s Cherokee Valeria, a soft-spoken “teacher” who took over the cornerbacks to give colleague Jeff Schmedding more time to work with safeties and special teams. The last to arrive was new running backs coach Kiel McDonald, who brings a truckload of agility drill equipment to every practice.
Eastern Washington Aug. 30
at Idaho
Sept. 8
at Washington St.
6 p.m. Noon
Sept. 22
at Weber St.
5 p.m.
Sept. 29
Montana
4:05
Oct. 6
North Dakota
5:05
Oct. 13
at Montana St.
12:35
Oct. 20
Sacramento St.
4:05
Oct. 27
at Southern Utah
Nov. 3
Cal Poly
Noon
Nov. 10
UC Davis
1:35
Nov. 17
at Portland St.
1:05
1:35 p.m.
Winning ways Eastern Washington University has enjoyed seven straight winning seasons and 14 in the last 16 years.
EWU vs. the ‘big boys’ Since the early 1980s when it began the move to become a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (in 1984), Eastern is now 7-20 all-time versus Football Bowl Subdivision teams. A 35-17 win over Connecticut on Sept. 8, 2001, snapped a five-game losing streak versus FBS foes. Against current Pac-12 Conference members, EWU is 0-6.
PAGE O16
G
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
FOOTBALL 2012: IDAHO VANDALS
Finding refuge
Story lines Offensive improvement? Following an abysmal 2011 for the Vandals’ offense, Robb Akey hired three new assistants and promoted Jason Gesser to coordinator. In just his second season as a college coach, Gesser will guide an offense with a quarterback who hasn’t played a game since 2009 (Dominique Blackman), a revamped receiving corps and at least two first-year starters on the offensive line. It’s hard to know what to expect from so many newcomers, but the Vandals will showcase more four- and five-receiver sets and should at least be more entertaining.
UI starting QB uses football to fight through painful losses By Josh Wright Correspondent
M
OSCOW, Idaho – They were all buddies back in Los Angeles. Dominique Blackman, Brandon Wimberly and Ken McRoyal – three gifted athletes bonded by football and family. Now just two of them remain, and Blackman – Idaho’s new starting quarterback – knows it could easily be just him. One friend’s life was narrowly saved; the other didn’t make it. Three months ago, Blackman and Wimberly – former teammates at L.A.’s Gardena High – were reunited to mourn the death of McRoyal, the Idaho receiver who was shot Blackman outside a Los Angeles party on May 13. Blackman and McRoyal were second cousins and best friends. Wimberly, a receiver at Nevada, was also close to McRoyal – and he nearly died from a gunshot 11 months earlier. Wimberly took a bullet in the abdomen in June 2011 in Reno, Nev. He spent two weeks in a hospital and missed all of last season recuperating. Blackman, 21, smiles widely as he relates the details of Wimberly’s recovery and return to football. But as the hulking, charismatic QB enters his first game with the Vandals – and his first collegiate start since 2009 – he’s still shrouded by loss and grief. “I lost so many people this summer,” he said. “It’s just been so much motivation, man. And that’s kind of why I come out here on the practice field and kind of use it as my sanctuary.” Fred Matua, Blackman’s cousin and a former USC offensive lineman, died Aug. 5 from a heart-related issue. And Calvin Johnson, whom Blackman described as another one of his best friends in high school, was also shot and killed. Raised in foster care in south central L.A., Blackman is used violence, and heartbreak. When he was 5, his father died in prison. His mother, a drug addict, was never part of his life. From the age of 2, Blackman lived with his aunt, Pauline Moses. He still refers to Moses as his mother and to her daughters as sisters, even though they’re his cousins. To Blackman, the family he’s had has always been important, which is why McRoyal’s death stung so much. He and other members of the Idaho program wear wristbands with McRoyal’s name to
Adversity a motivation? Few programs had a rougher offseason than Idaho. Wide receiver Ken McRoyal was shot and killed in May. The Mountain West opted against offering UI a spot in its conference, and the Sun Belt wasn’t interested either. All the bad news and low expectations on the field could end up galvanizing the team. The Vandals are hoping to avoid the fifth losing season in Robb Akey’s six-year tenure.
Punch at RB? The Vandals’ ground game ranked 102nd in the nation last year, and tailback Ryan Bass wasn’t nearly the factor that many expected after transferring from Arizona State. But the senior is finally healthy (and in the clear academically). James Baker and Todd Handley will get carries, but Bass needs to be a go-to back for the Vandals to thrive.
Promise on young OL
Alicia Carlson
Dominique Blackman has impressed with his decision-making and quick release.
remember their former teammate, and Blackman plans on getting his cousin’s face tattooed on his leg. “That’s my family,” he said. “That’s my cousin. We’re cut from the same tree. I think about it everyday.” Summer workouts in Moscow and near-daily practices the last month have helped ease Blackman’s pain. The 6-foot-5, 251-pound junior won the Vandals’ starting QB job in the second week of fall camp. Well before then, he and roommate Tracy Carter determined they would ratchet up their intensity after what happened with McRoyal. “Football, football, football. That’s all we talk about it,” said Carter, a junior cornerback. “He really wants to step up and grind and get this team to a bowl game.” Blackman has lost around 30 pounds since coming to Idaho as a transfer in the spring of 2011. He redshirted at Old Dominion in 2010 before having to sit out at UI last season. In 2009, he played at Los Angeles Harbor College after originally signing with Washington out of high school. Since his last game at L.A. Harbor, a bowl loss to Cerritos College that he remembers well, he’s poured all of his energy into scout games and
Idaho Aug. 30 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Nov.3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24
EWU 6 p.m. at Bowling Green 4 at LSU 5 Wyoming 2 at N. Carolina TBA N. Mexico St. 2 at Texas St. 4 at La. Tech 4 San Jose St. 2 at BYU TBA UT-San Antonio 2 Utah St. Noon
scrimmages. They’ve been his only avenues. How will that translate into live action after two full seasons off? UI offensive coordinator Jason Gesser is happy with Blackman’s preparation, but he said it’s still a major unknown. “I’ve seen guys who can play very well in practice, but now there’s people watching and they don’t know what to do,” Gesser said. “So we’re all going to find how that comes forward (against Eastern Washington in the season opener).” Blackman has absorbed the offense and shown an ability to make rapid-fire decisions, Gesser noted, all while showcasing a quick release. But the Vandals’ new offensive coordinator has had to work with his
gregarious QB on managing the different personalities on offense – including Blackman’s. “He’s a very charismatic guy,” Gesser said. “He understands things and gets out there. But he needs to understand how to approach certain areas when he’s talking to the line, when he’s talking to receivers, when he’s talking to other guys.” Blackman didn’t start football until his freshman year of high school, instead focusing on basketball. He played on a Nike Elite team with Russell Westbrook and Brandon Jennings, two NBA guards who are “my homies,” he said. During Blackman’s first year at Gardena High, he made the football team as a tight end. Given his size, agility and hoops background, it seemed to be his ideal position. But it wasn’t meant to be. Wimberly, a quarterback at the time, broke his ankle in Blackman’s first year of organized football. That set the stage for Blackman to move to QB, a change that proved to be permanent. He transferred after his sophomore year to Carson High, where he played with McRoyal. The two eventually reconnected at Idaho, but they never got to play together as Vandals. “We’ve been on the same team forever,” Blackman said. “It just don’t feel right taking that field without him.”
In Idaho’s season opener, the left side of the offensive line will be manned by Cody Elenz and Dallas Sandberg. Both are promising, sturdy linemen. But both are also redshirt freshmen who have yet to take a snap in a game. Does that worry first-year offensive line coach Gordy Shaw? Perhaps, but he’s not going to let youth dictate his approach. “It wouldn’t be fair to the university or the fans or the football team if I wasn’t playing the best guys,” Shaw said. “And the players on the offensive line understand that. There’s no dispute – we talk about it every other day. (I ask them), ‘Is there anybody who disagrees with who’s starting, who’s playing the best?’ “… That whole left side right now,” Shaw added, “that will be their first college football game come (tonight). And I’m sure they’re going to be excited, and I’m sure they’re going to make some mistakes. But they’re the best players right now.” Elenz, the Vandals’ left tackle, is a Texas native who had offers from UTEP, North Texas and other Texas schools, as well as Louisiana Tech. But he felt comfortable on his visit to Moscow, and he vaulted to the top of the depth chart this spring with three other UI tackles hurt. Because of injuries, it ended up being a “double-dip spring,” as Shaw put it, for Elenz and Sandberg. “They basically had probably two springs in one just because of all the snaps they had to take,” the coach said.
Academic issues The Vandals had relatively few injuries in fall camp, especially compared to last year, but they were still without key players for some or most of the preseason. The culprit this time: academic issues. Defensive end Benson Mayowa, tailback Ryan Bass and tight end Taylor Elmo – all former or projected starters – missed practice time because of grades. Bass was back with the Vandals last week and is expected to be a key part of the offense. But Elmo has not been around the team and Mayowa had yet to finish the necessary schoolwork last week. Coach Robb Akey wasn’t optimistic late last week that Mayowa would be cleared for the season opener.
Number has deep meaning for Mauga Tribute to late cousin, NFL superstar Junior Seau By Josh Wright Correspondent
It’s a quiet gesture of respect, and one reserved for more than just family. For his senior year at Idaho, linebacker Homer Mauga has changed his jersey number from 19 to 55 to honor his cousin Junior Seau. A former star NFL linebacker, Seau committed suicide on May 2. Seau’s 55 was retired by the San Diego Chargers after his death. At Idaho, Mauga will wear the number while fellow linebacker Robert Siavii said he’ll put a small 55 sticker inside his helmet during games.
“I was heartbroken too,” Siavii said. “I’m not even his family member, but as soon as I found out, I got 55 on (the back) of my helmet. I just dedicate this season to him too because he was a big inspiration growing up.” Seau’s death came almost a year after Mauga was at Seau’s house in Oceanside, Calif., for a Memorial Day celebration. Seau’s mother and Mauga’s mother are sisters, and the holiday was spent with lots of family. “Coming this year, it was close to Memorial Day too,” Mauga said. Follow Josh Wright’s Tweets @SR_joshwright
“It was just a shocking moment. I called my dad that morning and just heard him in tears. Ever since then my parents have been with his parents and they’ve just been continuing to pray for them.” In the months since, Siavii said Mauga has rarely talked about losing his cousin. Still, Siavii can tell it’s taken a toll. “It’s family. Once a family member is gone, you’re heart is broken,” Siavii said. “That’s exactly what he shows.” Eleven days after Seau died, Idaho receiver Ken McRoyal was shot and killed, adding an additional layer of shock and grief for Mauga. The Vandals’ outside linebacker said he’s devoting the season to his cousin and McRoyal, whom he referred to as his brother.
Alicia Carlson
Homer Mauga wears 55 to honor Junior Seau.
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O17
FOOTBALL 2012: WHITWORTH PIRATES NWC story lines Road, sweet road
Experienced defenders
If you want to see the Pirates in person early on this season, you might want to stop by practice. Whitworth opens with three straight road games – St. Scholastica (Minn.), Whittier and La Verne (both Calif.). Whitworth’s home opener will be Sept. 22 against Chapman. The Pirates have four home games and six on the road. Whitworth is tentatively scheduled to open the 2013 season at home with return games against St. Scholastica, Whittier and La Verne.
Six of Whitworth’s top seven tacklers return from last season. Cornerback Paul Miller (Mead High) led the team with 72 tackles and 12 pass break-ups. Safeties Fernando Noriega (62 stops) and Casey Monahan (Mead) had 44 tackles. Cornerback Cailen Thomason, who has graduated, was third with 47 tackles. Linebackers Scott Carr (Lakeland product had 44 tackles), Nic Brockhoff (43) and Ryan Loutsis (41) are back. “It seems like when we’re playing in
practice the windows are tight and I have to be precise and on time and the receivers have to make their breaks on times,” quarterback Bryan Peterson said of the pass defense. “It’s easier in games.”
Linfield favored
one. Coaches aren’t allowed to vote for their own team. Linfield is 18-0 in conference and 31-4 overall the last three seasons.
Numbers game
The Pirates were plus-8 in turnover Northwest Conference coaches expect margin, outgained foes by 20 yards per to see a familiar name at the top of game and outscored opponents 275-233 standings. Three-time defending last season, but they finished 4-6. The champion Linfield is favored to repeat, reason? Their six losses were by a according to the coaches’ preseason poll. combined 34 points. Pacific Lutheran was second, followed by Whitworth starting pulling out narrow Whitworth, which returns 15 starters. wins late in the season – 25-24 over Lewis & Clark, Willamette, Pacific and Willamette and 40-34 over Puget Sound. Puget Sound round out the poll. Another stat of concern from last year: Fifth-ranked Linfield received six Whitworth had just eight sacks, first-place votes and Whitworth received opponents 43.
DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com
Quarterback Bryan Peterson put together impressive numbers last season with the Whits, but he has a chance to be a “special player” this season.
Winning combination A better understanding of the game should help make rifle-armed Peterson a special player
Whitworth
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131
W
hitworth’s first football practice was halfway over when sophomore quarterback Bryan Peterson rolled right and on the move fired a 35-yard rope that hit a receiver in stride. Head coach John Tully turned to a few bystanders on the sideline with a did-you-see-that? grin on his face. Peterson was good, very good, as a freshman last year, but Tully has seen enough to believe the former minor league baseball outfielder is trending toward a big sophomore season. “I think people are going to be impressed with what they see this fall,” Tully said. “Last spring he was lights out. He’s in great shape. I think he can be a special player for us and he has other people around him that can make plays. “He knows the system, he knows the offense, his throwing is spot-on and with his athleticism I think he can have a lot of fun.” The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Peterson admits he wasn’t completely comfortable last season, though his statistics didn’t show it. He threw for 1,420 yards and 14 touchdowns with a 142.7 passer rating, but his grasp of the offense was a work in progress. “I felt great, I knew I could throw,” Peterson said. “The question was making the reads, which was an adjustment. In high school I didn’t really feel comfortable making reads. It just takes time to develop. “I was never to the point last year where I was comfortable with all the reads, but it got better as the season went on.” Peterson credits quarterbacks coach Joel Clark, a standout quarterback for the Pirates from 2003-06, for helping him learn how to decipher opposing defenses. The process continues, but Peterson senses he’s made significant gains. “In spring, it felt like the game was slower,” Peterson said. “I want to continue to improve and not take any days off.” *** If you Google ‘Bryan Peterson and minor league stats’, the first items that pop up are about Bryan
Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Nov. 3 Nov. 10
at Scholastica at Whittier at La Verne Chapman at Pacific (Ore.) Willamette at Linfield at Pacific Lutheran Lewis & Clark
11:00 a.m. 1 p.m. 6 1 1 1 1:30 12:30 12:30
Petersen, who plays for the Miami Marlins. There are a few listings for Brian Peterson, a 10-year minor league catcher. Finally, there are details of Bryan Peterson’s three seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization. Peterson committed to Washington State during his junior year at West Valley High, but opted to turn pro after being selected in the 11th round (362nd overall) by Boston in the 2008 draft. He got off to a promising start, hitting .277 in rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League. A series of nagging injuries put a dent in Peterson’s playing time and his batting average. The West Valley High product knew what was in store when he was summoned to a meeting with Red Sox officials during 2011 spring training. “They said I’d missed a lot of games and rosters were pretty full, we don’t really have a spot for you,” Peterson said. “They said, ‘If you’d like to keep playing we can help you out, with another team or an independent.’ I said, ‘I’m ready to move on.’ ” Peterson returned home and was planning on “going to college, just being a student and preparing for a working life.” His dad, Mike, a former WSU receiver, brought up another possibility. “We were shooting hoops and he said, ‘What do you think about playing football at Whitworth?’ ” Peterson said. “I was kind of nonchalant about it. He kept asking me about it and eventually it was, ‘Yeah, that would be cool.’ ” After a few phone calls and meetings with Pirates coaches, Peterson joined the program. A few of
Young Whits QBs: Short list, big upside
Local arms
Bryan Peterson’s freshman stats, compared to notable signal caller Joel Clark’s frosh season (2003). Clark was a Division III All-American 2006. Dennis Spurlock also started as a freshman in 1958 and was a 1960 NAIA All-American (stats unavailable).
Area prep QBs who’ve taken snaps for the Pirates: Peterson (2011-), West Valley High Zac Hill (2011) North Central Taylor Eglet (2009-10), Lewis and Clark Andrew Durant (2008-09), Rogers Joel Clark (2003-06), Mt. Spokane
Player
Com-Att-Int
Yds
Pct
TD
Avg
Bryan Peterson
122-193-6 1420
63.2
14
157.8
Joel Clark
121-219-9
55.3
4
141.4
1414
Note: Whitworth standouts Scott Biglin (1997), Danny Figueira (1990) and Dan Moomaw (1987) did not start as freshmen.
Peterson
Peterson’s highlight videos from his prep days convinced the staff to give Peterson a shot at quarterback. Peterson eventually won the starting job and put together a solid freshman season. “He just came in and played well and gained our trust,” said cornerback Paul Miller, who, like Peterson, started as a true freshman last season. “He’s just a great athlete so it was a smooth transition for him.” Peterson was never too far away from football, even during his baseball career. He served as scout team quarterback for younger brother Mitchell’s West Valley team that took second in state in 2009. He tossed passes to his sister’s boyfriend, Eastern Washington University receiver Nick Lenoue, who ran routes against Mitchell, a safety on WSU’s football team. “Even when I was playing baseball when fall rolled around I just got the fever for football,” Peterson said. “It didn’t leave me.” Baseball hasn’t totally left him either. He wanted to join Whitworth’s team last spring but he’s ineligible because he was paid as a minor league player. “There’s been an appeal,” he said, “but it’s going to be hard because the rule seems pretty clear.” *** The 22-year-old Peterson is in a good situation at Whitworth. “I’ve had a very good feeling, really since I got here,” he said. “Everyone is so awesome and I’ve developed some really nice relationships with people. I love my classes and they’re very interesting.” Peterson, who has a 3.7 GPA, is studying psychology, but he has a growing interest in the movie industry. He interned this summer in North by Northwest’s production office. He’s written screen plays for a feature film and short film. “When I finished writing (the feature), I felt like it was a reflection of me as a raw writer/film maker, not really having any professional experience,” he said. On the football field, Peterson acquired valuable experience last season and he’s ready to show what he’s learned when Whitworth opens the season against St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. on Saturday.
GO WHITWORTH PIRATES! #33! • • • •
Awnings Carports Sunrooms Retractable Screens
509.467.0600 | www.alpineonline.net
PAGE O18
G
THURSDAY
G
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
FOOTBALL 2012: FBS SCHEDULES All times Pacific AIR FORCE Sep. 1 Idaho St., 11 a.m. Sep. 8 at Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at UNLV, 7 p.m. Sep. 29 Colorado St., 11 a.m. Oct. 6 Navy, 8:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at Wyoming, 4 p.m. Oct. 20 New Mexico, 4 p.m. Oct. 26 Nevada, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Army, 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at San Diego St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 16 Hawaii, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Fresno St., 12:30 p.m. AKRON Aug. 30 UCF, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at FIU, 3 p.m. Sep. 15 Morgan St., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Tennessee, TBA Sep. 29 Miami (Ohio), 11 a.m. Oct. 6 Bowling Green, 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at Ohio, 11 a.m. Oct. 20 N. Illinois, 9 a.m. Oct. 27 at Cent. Mich., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Kent St., 11 a.m. Nov. 10 UMass, 11 p.m. Nov. 20 at Toledo, 4 p.m. ALABAMA Sep. 1 Michigan, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 W. Kentucky, 12:39 p.m. Sep. 15 at Arkansas, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 FAU, TBA Sep. 29 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 13 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 20 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 27 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 3 at LSU, 5 p.m. Nov. 10 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 17 W. Carolina, TBA Nov. 24 Auburn, TBA ARIZONA Sep. 1 Toledo, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Oklahoma St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 15 SC State, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Oregon, TBA Sep. 29 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 6 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 20 Washington, TBA Oct. 27 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 3 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 10 Colorado, TBA Nov. 17 at Utah, TBA Nov. 23 Arizona St., 7 p.m. ARIZONA ST. Aug. 30 N. Arizona, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 15 at Missouri, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Utah, TBA Sep. 29 at California, TBA Oct. 11 at Colorado, 6 p.m. Oct. 18 Oregon, 6 p.m. Oct. 27 UCLA, TBA Nov. 3 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 10 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 17 Washington St., TBA Nov. 23 at Arizona, 7 p.m. ARKANSAS Sep. 1 Jacksonville St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Louisiana-Monroe, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Alabama, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Rutgers, TBA Sep. 29 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 6 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 13 Kentucky, TBA Oct. 27 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 3 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 10 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 17 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 23 LSU, 11:30 a.m. ARKANSAS ST. Sep. 1 at Oregon, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Memphis, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Nebraska, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Alcorn St., 4 p.m. Sep. 29 W. Kentucky, 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at FIU, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 South Alabama, 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at La.-Lafayette, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at North Texas, 2 p.m. Nov. 8 Louisiana-Monroe, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at Troy, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Middle Tennessee, noon ARMY Sep. 8 at San Diego St., 4:30 p.m. Sep. 15 N. Illinois, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 at Wake Forest, TBA Sep. 29 Stony Brook, 9 a.m. Oct. 6 Boston College, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 Kent St., 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at E. Michigan, 10 a.m. Oct. 27 Ball St., 9 a.m. Nov. 3 Air Force, 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at Rutgers, TBA Nov. 17 Temple, 9 a.m. Dec. 8 Navy, noon AUBURN Sep. 1 Clemson, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Mississippi St., 9 a.m. Sep. 15 Louisiana-Monroe, 9:21 a.m. Sep. 22 LSU, TBA Oct. 6 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 13 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 20 at Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 27 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 3 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 10 Georgia, TBA Nov. 17 Alabama A&M, TBA Nov. 24 at Alabama, TBA BYU Aug. 30 Washington St., 7:15 p.m. Sep. 8 Weber St., noon Sep. 15 at Utah, 7 p.m. Sep. 20 at Boise St., 6 p.m. Sep. 29 Hawaii, 5 p.m. Oct. 5 Utah St., 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 20 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 10 Idaho, TBA Nov. 17 at San Jose St., 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at N. Mexico St., 12:30 p.m. BALL ST. Aug. 30 E. Michigan, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Clemson, 9:30 a.m. Sep. 15 at Indiana, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 South Florida, 1:30 p.m. Sep. 29 at Kent St., 9 a.m. Oct. 6 N. Illinois, noon Oct. 13 W. Michigan, noon Oct. 20 at Cent. Mich., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Army, 9 a.m. Nov. 6 at Toledo, 5 p.m. Nov. 14 Ohio, 5 p.m. Nov. 23 at Miami (Ohio), TBA BAYLOR Sep. 2 SMU, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Sam Houston St., TBA Sep. 21 at Louisiana-Monroe, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 13 TCU, TBA Oct. 20 at Texas, TBA Oct. 27 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 3 Kansas, TBA Nov. 10 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 17 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 24 Texas Tech, TBA Dec. 1 Oklahoma St., TBA BOISE ST. Aug. 31 at Michigan St., 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Miami (Ohio), 1 p.m. Sep. 20 BYU, 6 p.m. Sep. 29 at New Mexico, 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Southern Miss., TBA Oct. 13 Fresno St., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 UNLV, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Wyoming, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 San Diego St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Hawaii, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 Colorado St., 12:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Nevada, TBA BOSTON COLLEGE Sep. 1 Miami, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Maine, 10 a.m. Sep. 15 at Northwestern, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 29 Clemson, TBA Oct. 6 at Army, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 20 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 27 Maryland, TBA Nov. 3 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 10 Notre Dame, TBA Nov. 17 Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 24 at NC State, TBA BOWLING GREEN Sep. 1 at Florida, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Idaho, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Toledo, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at Virginia Tech, TBA Sep. 29 Rhode Island, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Akron, 2 p.m. Oct. 13 Miami (Ohio), 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at UMass, Noon Oct. 27 E. Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at Ohio, 5 p.m. Nov. 17 Kent St., 9 a.m. Nov. 23 Buffalo, TBA BUFFALO Sep. 1 at Georgia, 9:21 a.m. Sep. 8 Morgan St., 3 p.m. Sep. 19 Kent St., 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at UConn, 9 a.m. Oct. 6 at Ohio, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at N. Illinois, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Toledo, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Miami (Ohio), 9 a.m. Nov. 10 W. Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at UMass, TBA Nov. 23 at Bowling Green, TBA CALIFORNIA Sep. 1 Nevada, noon Sep. 8 S. Utah, noon Sep. 15 at Ohio St., 9 a.m. Sep. 22 at Southern Cal, TBA Sep. 29 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 6 UCLA, TBA Oct. 13 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 20 Stanford, TBA Oct. 27 at Utah, TBA Nov. 2 Washington, 6 p.m. Nov. 10 Oregon, TBA Nov. 17 at Oregon St., TBA
CENT. MICHIGAN Aug. 30 SE Missouri, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Michigan St., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Iowa, TBA Sep. 29 at N. Illinois, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Toledo, noon Oct. 12 Navy, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Ball St., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Akron, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 W. Michigan, 10 a.m. Nov. 10 at E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 17 Miami (Ohio), 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at UMass, TBA CINCINNATI Sep. 6 Pittsburgh, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Delaware St., 4 p.m. Sep. 29 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 6 Miami (Ohio), 4 p.m. Oct. 13 Fordham, TBA Oct. 20 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 26 at Louisville, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 10 at Temple, TBA Nov. 17 Rutgers, Noon Nov. 23 South Florida, TBA Dec. 1 at UConn, TBA CLEMSON Sep. 1 at Auburn, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Ball St., 9:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Furman, noon Sep. 22 at Florida St., TBA Sep. 29 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 6 Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 20 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 25 at Wake Forest, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Duke, TBA Nov. 10 Maryland, TBA Nov. 17 NC State, TBA Nov. 24 South Carolina, TBA COLORADO Sep. 1 Colorado St., 1 p.m. Sep. 8 Sacramento St., noon Sep. 15 at Fresno St., 5 p.m. Sep. 22 at Washington St., TBA Sep. 29 UCLA, TBA Oct. 11 Arizona St., 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 27 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 3 Stanford, TBA Nov. 10 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 17 Washington, TBA Nov. 23 Utah, noon COLORADO ST. Sep. 1 at Colorado, 1 p.m. Sep. 8 N. Dakota St., 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at San Jose St., 5 p.m. Sep. 22 Utah St., 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at Air Force, 11 a.m. Oct. 6 Fresno St., 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at San Diego St., 4 p.m. Oct. 27 Hawaii, 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at Wyoming, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 UNLV, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at Boise St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 New Mexico, 4 p.m. DUKE Sep. 1 FIU, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Stanford, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 15 NC Central, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Memphis, TBA Sep. 29 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 6 Virginia, TBA Oct. 13 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 20 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 27 at Florida St., TBA Nov. 3 Clemson, TBA Nov. 17 at Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 24 Miami, TBA E. MICHIGAN Aug. 30 at Ball St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Illinois St., 10 a.m. Sep. 15 at Purdue, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 6 Kent St., 10 a.m. Oct. 13 Toledo, TBA Oct. 20 Army, 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at Bowling Grn., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Ohio, 3 p.m. Nov. 10 Cent. Michigan, TBA Nov. 17 at W. Michigan, 11 a.m. Nov. 23 N. Illinois, TBA E. CAROLINA Sep. 1 Appalachian St., 9 a.m. Sep. 8 at South Carolina, 9:21 a.m. Sep. 15 at Southern Miss., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at North Carolina, TBA Sep. 29 UTEP, 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at UCF, 5 p.m. Oct. 13 Memphis, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at UAB, 4 p.m. Oct. 27 Navy, TBA Nov. 3 Houston, TBA Nov. 17 at Tulane, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 23 Marshall, 11 a.m. FAU Aug. 31 Wagner, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Middle Tennessee, TBA Sep. 15 at Georgia, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Alabama, TBA Sep. 29 North Texas, TBA Oct. 13 at Louisiana-Monroe, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at South Alabama, TBA Oct. 27 Troy, TBA Nov. 3 at Navy, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at W. Kentucky, 1 p.m. Nov. 16 FIU, 9 a.m. Dec. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA FIU Sep. 1 at Duke, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Akron, 3 p.m. Sep. 15 at UCF, 1 p.m. Sep. 22 Louisville, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at La.-Lafayette, 4 p.m. Oct. 4 Arkansas St., 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at Troy, 10 a.m. Oct. 27 W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 3 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 16 at FAU, 9 a.m. Nov. 24 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA FLORIDA Sep. 1 Bowling Green, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Texas A&M, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 at Tennessee, 3 p.m. Sep. 22 Kentucky, TBA Oct. 6 LSU, TBA Oct. 13 at Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 20 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 27 at Georgia, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Missouri, TBA Nov. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 17 Jacksonville St., TBA Nov. 24 at Florida St., TBA FLORIDA ST. Sep. 1 Murray St., 3 p.m. Sep. 8 Savannah St., 3 p.m. Sep. 15 Wake Forest, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Clemson, TBA Sep. 29 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 6 at NC State, TBA Oct. 13 Boston College, TBA Oct. 20 at Miami, TBA Oct. 27 Duke, TBA Nov. 8 at Virginia Tech, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 24 Florida, TBA FRESNO ST. Sep. 1 Weber St., 7 p.m. Sep. 8 at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Colorado, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 at Tulsa, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 San Diego St., 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at Colorado St., 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Boise St., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 Wyoming, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at New Mexico, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Hawaii, 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at Nevada, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 24 Air Force, 12:30 p.m. GEORGIA Sep. 1 Buffalo, 9:21 a.m. Sep. 8 at Missouri, 4:45 p.m. Sep. 15 FAU, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Vanderbilt, TBA Sep. 29 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 6 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 20 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 27 Florida, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 10 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 17 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 24 Georgia Tech, TBA GEORGIA TECH Sep. 3 at Virginia Tech, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 Presbyterian, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Virginia, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Miami, TBA Sep. 29 Middle Tennessee, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 20 Boston College, TBA Oct. 27 BYU, TBA Nov. 3 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 10 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 17 Duke, TBA Nov. 24 at Georgia, TBA HAWAII Sep. 1 at Southern Cal, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Lamar, 8:59 p.m. Sep. 22 Nevada, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 29 at BYU, 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at San Diego St., 5 p.m. Oct. 13 New Mexico, 8:59 p.m. Oct. 27 at Colorado St., 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at Fresno St., 4 p.m. Nov. 10 Boise St., 4 p.m. Nov. 16 at Air Force, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 UNLV, 8 p.m. Dec. 1 South Alabama, 8 p.m. HOUSTON Sep. 1 Texas St., 5 p.m. Sep. 8 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 at UCLA, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 29 at Rice, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 North Texas, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 UAB, TBA Oct. 18 at SMU, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 UTEP, 1:15 p.m. Nov. 3 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 10 Tulsa, 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at Marshall, 9 a.m. Nov. 24 Tulane, TBA
IDAHO Aug. 30 E. Washington, 6 p.m. Sep. 8 at Bowling Green, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at LSU, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 Wyoming, 2 p.m. Sep. 29 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 6 New Mexico St., 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at Texas St., 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m. Nov. 3 San Jose St., 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at BYU, TBA Nov. 17 UTSA, 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at Utah St., noon ILLINOIS Sep. 1 W. Michigan, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 at Arizona St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Charleston Southern, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 Penn St., TBA Oct. 6 at Wisconsin, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Indiana, 9 a.m. Nov. 3 at Ohio St., TBA Nov. 10 Minnesota, TBA Nov. 17 Purdue, TBA Nov. 24 at Northwestern, TBA INDIANA Sep. 1 Indiana St., 5 p.m. Sep. 8 at UMass, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Ball St., 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at Northwestern, TBA Oct. 6 Michigan St., 9 a.m. Oct. 13 Ohio St., 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Navy, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Illinois, 9 a.m. Nov. 3 Iowa, TBA Nov. 10 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 17 at Penn St., TBA Nov. 24 at Purdue, TBA IOWA Sep. 1 at N. Illinois, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Iowa St., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 N. Iowa, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Cent. Michigan, TBA Sep. 29 Minnesota, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at Michigan St., 9 a.m. Oct. 20 Penn St., 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at Northwestern, 9 a.m. Nov. 3 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 10 Purdue, TBA Nov. 17 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 23 Nebraska, 9 a.m. IOWA ST. Sep. 1 Tulsa, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 at Iowa, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 W. Illinois, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 6 at TCU, TBA Oct. 13 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 20 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 27 Baylor, TBA Nov. 3 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 10 at Texas, TBA Nov. 17 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 23 West Virginia, 12:30 p.m. KANSAS Sep. 1 S. Dakota St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Rice, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 TCU, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 at N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 6 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 13 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 20 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 27 Texas, TBA Nov. 3 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 10 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 17 Iowa St., TBA Dec. 1 at West Virginia, TBA KANSAS ST. Sep. 1 Missouri St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Miami, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 North Texas, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 6 Kansas, TBA Oct. 13 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 20 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 27 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 3 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 10 at TCU, TBA Nov. 17 at Baylor, TBA Dec. 1 Texas, TBA KENT ST. Aug. 30 Towson, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Kentucky, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 19 at Buffalo, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 Ball St., 9 a.m. Oct. 6 at E. Michigan, 10 a.m. Oct. 13 at Army, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 W. Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Rutgers, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Akron, 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at Miami (Ohio), 10 a.m. Nov. 17 at Bowling Green, 9 a.m. Nov. 23 Ohio, TBA KENTUCKY Sep. 2 at Louisville, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Kent St., 4:30 p.m. Sep. 15 W. Kentucky, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at Florida, TBA Sep. 29 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 6 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 13 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 20 Georgia, TBA Oct. 27 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 3 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 17 Samford, TBA Nov. 24 at Tennessee, TBA LSU Sep. 1 North Texas, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Washington, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Idaho, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 at Auburn, TBA Sep. 29 Towson, TBA Oct. 6 at Florida, TBA Oct. 13 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 20 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 3 Alabama, 5 p.m. Nov. 10 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 17 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 23 at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m. LOUISIANA TECH Aug. 30 Texas A&M, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Houston, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Rice, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at Illinois, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 6 UNLV, 4 p.m. Oct. 20 Idaho, 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at New Mexico St., 5 p.m. Nov. 3 UTSA, 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Texas St., TBA Nov. 17 Utah St., 4 p.m. Nov. 24 at San Jose St., 1 p.m. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE Sep. 1 Lamar, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Troy, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Oklahoma St., 9 a.m. Sep. 29 FIU, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 Tulane, 2 p.m. Oct. 16 at North Texas, 6 p.m. Oct. 23 Arkansas St., 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Louisiana-Monroe, 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Florida, TBA Nov. 17 W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 24 South Alabama, TBA Dec. 1 at FAU, TBA LOUISIANA-MONROE Sep. 8 at Arkansas, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Auburn, 9:21 a.m. Sep. 21 Baylor, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at Tulane, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Middle Tenn., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 FAU, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at W. Kentucky, 1 p.m. Oct. 27 South Alabama, 4 p.m. Nov. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette, 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at Arkansas St., 4 p.m. Nov. 17 North Texas, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at FIU, TBA LOUISVILLE Sep. 2 Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Missouri St., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 North Carolina, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at FIU, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at Southern Miss., 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 20 South Florida, TBA Oct. 26 Cincinnati, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 Temple, TBA Nov. 10 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 24 UConn, TBA Nov. 29 at Rutgers, 4:30 p.m. MARSHALL Sep. 1 at West Virginia, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 W. Carolina, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Ohio, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Rice, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 29 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 6 Tulsa, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Southern Miss., 4 p.m. Oct. 27 UCF, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 Memphis, 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at UAB, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 Houston, 9 a.m. Nov. 23 at East Carolina, 11 a.m. MARYLAND Sep. 1 William & Mary, noon Sep. 8 at Temple, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 UConn, 9:30 a.m. Sep. 22 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 6 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 13 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 20 NC State, TBA Oct. 27 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 3 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 10 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 17 Florida St., TBA Nov. 24 at North Carolina, TBA MEMPHIS Sep. 1 UT-Martin, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Arkansas St., 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Middle Tennessee, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at Duke, TBA Oct. 6 Rice, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at East Carolina, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20 UCF, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at SMU, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Marshall, 11 a.m. Nov. 10 Tulane, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at UAB, 11 a.m. Nov. 24 Southern Miss., 12:30 p.m.
MIAMI Sep. 1 at Boston College, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Kansas St., 9 a.m. Sep. 15 Bethune-Cookman, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 at Georgia Tech, TBA Sep. 29 NC State, TBA Oct. 6 at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 20 Florida St., TBA Nov. 1 Virginia Tech, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 17 South Florida, TBA Nov. 24 at Duke, TBA MIAMI (OHIO) Sep. 1 at Ohio St., 9 a.m. Sep. 8 S. Illinois, 10 a.m. Sep. 15 at Boise St., 1 p.m. Sep. 22 UMass, 9 a.m. Sep. 29 at Akron, 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at Cincinnati, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Bowling Green, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Ohio, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Buffalo, 9 a.m. Nov. 10 Kent St., 10 a.m. Nov. 17 at Cent. Michigan, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Ball St., TBA MICHIGAN Sep. 1 at Alabama, 2 p.m. Sep. 8 Air Force, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 15 UMass, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Purdue, 10 a.m. Oct. 13 Illinois, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20 Michigan St., TBA Oct. 27 at Nebraska, 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 10 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 17 Iowa, TBA Nov. 24 at Ohio St., 9 a.m. MICHIGAN ST. Aug. 31 Boise St., 5 p.m. Sep. 8 at Cent. Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Notre Dame, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 E. Michigan, TBA Sep. 29 Ohio St., TBA Oct. 6 at Indiana, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 Iowa, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 27 at Wisconsin, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 17 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 24 at Minnesota, TBA MIDDLE TENNESSEE Aug. 30 McNeese St., 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 FAU, TBA Sep. 15 at Memphis, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at Georgia Tech, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 La.-Monroe, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at FIU, 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 27 North Texas, TBA Nov. 1 at W. Kentucky, 6:15 p.m. Nov. 17 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 24 Troy, TBA Dec. 1 at Arkansas St., noon MINNESOTA Aug. 30 at UNLV, 8 p.m. Sep. 8 New Hampshire, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 W. Michigan, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Syracuse, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at Iowa, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 Northwestern, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 27 Purdue, TBA Nov. 3 Michigan, TBA Nov. 10 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 17 at Nebraska, TBA Nov. 24 Michigan St., TBA MISSISSIPPI Sep. 1 Cent. Arkansas, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 UTEP, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Texas, 6:15 p.m. Sep. 22 at Tulane, 9 a.m. Sep. 29 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 6 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 13 Auburn, TBA Oct. 27 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 3 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 10 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 17 at LSU, TBA Nov. 24 Mississippi St., TBA MISSISSIPPI ST. Sep. 1 Jackson St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Auburn, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 at Troy, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 South Alabama, TBA Oct. 6 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 13 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 20 Middle Tennessee, TBA Oct. 27 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 3 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 10 at LSU, TBA Nov. 17 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 24 at Mississippi, TBA MISSOURI Sep. 1 SE Louisiana, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Georgia, 4:45 p.m. Sep. 15 Arizona St., 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at South Carolina, TBA Sep. 29 at UCF, TBA Oct. 6 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 13 Alabama, TBA Oct. 27 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 3 at Florida, TBA Nov. 10 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 17 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 24 at Texas A&M, TBA N. ILLIOIS Sep. 1 Iowa, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 UT-Martin, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Army, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Kansas, TBA Sep. 29 Cent. Michigan, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Ball St., noon Oct. 13 Buffalo, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Akron, 9 a.m. Oct. 27 at W. Michigan, 9 a.m. Nov. 3 UMass, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 14 Toledo, 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at E. Michigan, TBA NC STATE Aug. 31 Tennessee, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at UConn, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 South Alabama, 3 p.m. Sep. 22 The Citadel, 3 p.m. Sep. 29 at Miami, TBA Oct. 6 Florida St., TBA Oct. 20 at Maryland, TBA Oct. 27 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 3 Virginia, TBA Nov. 10 Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 17 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 24 Boston College, TBA NAVY Sep. 1 Notre Dame, 6 a.m. Sep. 15 at Penn St., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 VMI, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 29 San Jose St., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Air Force, 8:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at Cent. Michigan, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Indiana, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 3 FAU, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Troy, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 Texas St., 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Army, noon NEBRASKA Sep. 1 Southern Miss., 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at UCLA, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Arkansas St., 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Idaho St., TBA Sep. 29 Wisconsin, 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Ohio St., 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Northwestern, TBA Oct. 27 Michigan, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 10 Penn St., TBA Nov. 17 Minnesota, TBA Nov. 23 at Iowa, 9 a.m. NEVADA Sep. 1 at California, noon Sep. 8 South Florida, 12:35 p.m. Sep. 15 Northwestern St., 4:05 p.m. Sep. 22 at Hawaii, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 29 at Texas St., TBA Oct. 6 Wyoming, 4:05 p.m. Oct. 13 at UNLV, TBA Oct. 20 San Diego St., 7:35 p.m. Oct. 26 at Air Force, 5 p.m. Nov. 10 Fresno St., 7:35 p.m. Nov. 17 at New Mexico, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Boise St., TBA NEW MEXICO Sep. 1 Southern U., 2 p.m. Sep. 8 at Texas, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 at Texas Tech, 6 p.m. Sep. 22 at New Mexico St., 5 p.m. Sep. 29 Boise St., 3 p.m. Oct. 6 Texas St., 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at Hawaii, 8:59 p.m. Oct. 20 at Air Force, 4 p.m. Oct. 27 Fresno St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at UNLV, 1 p.m. Nov. 10 Wyoming, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 Nevada, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Colorado St., 4 p.m. NEW MEXICO ST. Aug. 30 Sacramento St., 5 p.m. Sep. 8 at Ohio, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at UTEP, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 New Mexico, 5 p.m. Sep. 29 UTSA, 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Idaho, 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at Utah St., noon Oct. 27 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 10 San Jose St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 BYU, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Texas St., 1 p.m. NORTH CAROLINA Sep. 1 Elon, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Wake Forest, noon Sep. 15 at Louisville, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 East Carolina, TBA Sep. 29 Idaho, TBA Oct. 6 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 13 at Miami, TBA Oct. 20 at Duke, TBA Oct. 27 NC State, TBA Nov. 10 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 15 at Virginia, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 24 Maryland, TBA
NORTH TEXAS Sep. 1 at LSU, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Texas Southern, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Kansas St., 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Troy, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at FAU, TBA Oct. 6 at Houston, 4 p.m. Oct. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette, 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Middle Tennessee, TBA Nov. 3 Arkansas St., 2 p.m. Nov. 10 South Alabama, 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at Louisiana-Monroe, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at W. Kentucky, 10 a.m. NORTHWESTERN Sep. 1 at Syracuse, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 Vanderbilt, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Boston College, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 South Dakota, TBA Sep. 29 Indiana, TBA Oct. 6 at Penn St., 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at Minnesota, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 Nebraska, TBA Oct. 27 Iowa, 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 17 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 24 Illinois, TBA NOTRE DAME Sep. 1 at Navy, 6 a.m. Sep. 8 Purdue, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 at Michigan St., 5 p.m. Sep. 22 Michigan, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 Miami, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 Stanford, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 BYU, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 3 Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 17 Wake Forest, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Southern Cal, TBA OHIO Sep. 1 at Penn St., 9 a.m. Sep. 8 New Mexico St., 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Marshall, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Norfolk St., 11 a.m. Sep. 29 at UMass, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 Buffalo, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 Akron, 11 a.m. Oct. 27 at Miami (Ohio), 12:30 p.m. Nov. 1 E. Michigan, 3 p.m. Nov. 7 Bowling Green, 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at Ball St., 5 p.m. Nov. 23 at Kent St., TBA OHIO ST. Sep. 1 Miami (Ohio), 9 a.m. Sep. 8 UCF, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 California, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 UAB, TBA Sep. 29 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 6 Nebraska, 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at Indiana, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Purdue, TBA Oct. 27 at Penn St., 3 p.m. Nov. 3 Illinois, TBA Nov. 17 at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 24 Michigan, 9 a.m. OAKLAHOMA Sep. 1 at UTEP, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Florida A&M, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 6 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 13 Texas, TBA Oct. 20 Kansas, TBA Oct. 27 Notre Dame, TBA Nov. 3 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 10 Baylor, TBA Nov. 17 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 24 Oklahoma St., TBA Dec. 1 at TCU, TBA OKLAHOMA ST. Sep. 1 Savannah St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Arizona, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Louisiana-Lafayette, 9 a.m. Sep. 29 Texas, TBA Oct. 13 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 20 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 27 TCU, TBA Nov. 3 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 10 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 17 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 24 at Oklahoma, TBA Dec. 1 at Baylor, TBA OREGON Sep. 1 Arkansas St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Fresno St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Tennessee Tech, noon Sep. 22 Arizona, TBA Sep. 29 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 6 Washington, TBA Oct. 18 at Arizona St., 6 p.m. Oct. 27 Colorado, TBA Nov. 3 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 10 at California, TBA Nov. 17 Stanford, TBA Nov. 24 at Oregon St., TBA OREGON ST. Sep. 1 Nicholls St., noon Sep. 8 Wisconsin, 1 p.m. Sep. 22 at UCLA, TBA Sep. 29 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 6 Washington St., TBA Oct. 13 at BYU, TBA Oct. 20 Utah, TBA Oct. 27 at Washington, TBA Nov. 3 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 10 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 17 California, TBA Nov. 24 Oregon, TBA PENN ST. Sep. 1 Ohio, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 at Virginia, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 Navy, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Temple, TBA Sep. 29 at Illinois, TBA Oct. 6 Northwestern, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at Iowa, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 Ohio St., 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 10 at Nebraska, TBA Nov. 17 Indiana, TBA Nov. 24 Wisconsin, TBA PITTSBURGH Sep. 1 Youngstown St., 3 p.m. Sep. 6 at Cincinnati, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Virginia Tech, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Gardner-Webb, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Syracuse, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 Louisville, TBA Oct. 20 at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Temple, TBA Nov. 3 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at UConn, 5 p.m. Nov. 24 Rutgers, TBA Dec. 1 at South Florida, TBA PURDUE Sep. 1 E. Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 E. Michigan, 9 a.m. Sep. 29 Marshall, TBA Oct. 6 Michigan, 1 p.m. Oct. 13 Wisconsin, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at Ohio St., TBA Oct. 27 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 3 Penn St., TBA Nov. 10 at Iowa, TBA Nov. 17 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 24 Indiana, TBA RICE Aug. 30 UCLA, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Kansas, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 at Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Marshall, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 29 Houston, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Memphis, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 UTSA, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Tulsa, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Southern Miss., 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at Tulane, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 SMU, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at UTEP, 4 p.m. RUTGERS Sep. 1 at Tulane, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 Howard, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 13 at South Florida, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 6 UConn, TBA Oct. 13 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 20 at Temple, TBA Oct. 27 Kent St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Army, TBA Nov. 17 at Cincinnati, 9 a.m. Nov. 24 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 29 Louisville, 4:30 p.m. SMU Sep. 2 at Baylor, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Stephen F. Austin, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Texas A&M, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 29 TCU, TBA Oct. 6 at UTEP, 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at Tulane, 10 a.m. Oct. 18 Houston, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 Memphis, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at UCF, 4 p.m. Nov. 10 Southern Miss., TBA Nov. 17 at Rice, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 Tulsa, TBA SAN DIEGO ST. Sep. 1 at Washington, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Army, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 15 North Dakota, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 San Jose St., 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at Fresno St., 7 p.m. Oct. 6 Hawaii, 5 p.m. Oct. 13 Colorado St., 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Nevada, 7:35 p.m. Oct. 27 UNLV, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Boise St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Air Force, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Wyoming, 12:30 p.m. SAN JOSE ST. Aug. 31 at Stanford, 7 p.m. Sep. 8 UC Davis, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Colorado St., 5 p.m. Sep. 22 at San Diego St., 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at Navy, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 Utah St., 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at UTSA, 11 a.m. Oct. 27 Texas St., 1 p.m. Nov. 3 at Idaho, 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at N. Mexico St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 BYU, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m.
SOUTH CAROLINA Aug. 30 at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 East Carolina, 9:21 a.m. Sep. 15 UAB, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Missouri, TBA Sep. 29 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 6 Georgia, TBA Oct. 13 at LSU, TBA Oct. 20 at Florida, TBA Oct. 27 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 10 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 17 Wofford, TBA Nov. 24 at Clemson, TBA SOUTH FLORIDA Sep. 1 Chattanooga, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Nevada, 12:35 p.m. Sep. 13 Rutgers, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Ball St., 1:30 p.m. Sep. 29 Florida St., TBA Oct. 6 at Temple, TBA Oct. 20 at Louisville, TBA Oct. 27 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 3 UConn, TBA Nov. 17 at Miami, TBA Nov. 23 at Cincinnati, TBA Dec. 1 Pittsburgh, TBA SOUTHERN CAL Sep. 1 Hawaii, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Syracuse, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 at Stanford, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 22 California, TBA Oct. 4 at Utah, 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at Washington, TBA Oct. 20 Colorado, TBA Oct. 27 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 3 Oregon, TBA Nov. 10 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 17 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 24 Notre Dame, TBA SOUTHERN MISS Sep. 1 at Nebraska, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 East Carolina, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at W. Kentucky, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 Louisville, 5 p.m. Oct. 6 Boise St., TBA Oct. 13 at UCF, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Marshall, 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at Rice, 10 a.m. Nov. 3 UAB, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at SMU, TBA Nov. 17 UTEP, 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Memphis, 12:30 p.m. STANFORD Aug. 31 San Jose St., 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Duke, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Southern Cal, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 27 at Washington, 6 p.m. Oct. 6 Arizona, TBA Oct. 13 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at California, TBA Oct. 27 Washington St., TBA Nov. 3 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 10 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 17 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 24 at UCLA, TBA SYRACUSE Sep. 1 Northwestern, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 Southern Cal, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Stony Brook, 1 p.m. Sep. 22 at Minnesota, 5 p.m. Oct. 5 Pittsburgh, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Rutgers, TBA Oct. 19 UConn, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 3 at Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 10 Louisville, TBA Nov. 17 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 23 at Temple, TBA TCU Sep. 8 Grambling St., TBA Sep. 15 at Kansas, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Virginia, TBA Sep. 29 at SMU, TBA Oct. 6 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 13 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 20 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 27 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 3 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 10 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 24 at Texas, TBA Dec. 1 Oklahoma, TBA TEMPLE Aug. 31 Villanova, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 Maryland, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 at Penn St., TBA Oct. 6 South Florida, TBA Oct. 13 at UConn, TBA Oct. 20 Rutgers, TBA Oct. 27 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 3 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 10 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 17 at Army, 9 a.m. Nov. 23 Syracuse, TBA TENNESSEE Aug. 31 at NC State, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Georgia St., 1 p.m. Sep. 15 Florida, 3 p.m. Sep. 22 Akron, TBA Sep. 29 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 13 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 20 Alabama, TBA Oct. 27 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 3 Troy, TBA Nov. 10 Missouri, TBA Nov. 17 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 24 Kentucky, TBA TEXAS Sep. 1 Wyoming, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 New Mexico, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 at Mississippi, 6:15 p.m. Sep. 29 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 6 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 13 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 20 Baylor, TBA Oct. 27 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 3 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 10 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 24 TCU, TBA Dec. 1 at Kansas St., TBA TEXAS A&M Aug. 30 at Louisiana Tech, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Florida, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 15 at SMU, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 SC State, TBA Sep. 29 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 6 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 20 LSU, TBA Oct. 27 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 3 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 10 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 17 Sam Houston St., TBA Nov. 24 Missouri, TBA TEXAS TECH Sep. 1 Northwestern St., TBA Sep. 8 at Texas St., 4 p.m. Sep. 15 New Mexico, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 6 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 13 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 20 at TCU, TBA Oct. 27 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 3 Texas, TBA Nov. 10 Kansas, TBA Nov. 17 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 24 at Baylor, TBA TOLEDO Sep. 1 at Arizona, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Wyoming, 1 p.m. Sep. 15 Bowling Green, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Coastal Carolina, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at W. Michigan, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 Cent. Michigan, noon Oct. 13 at E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 20 Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 27 at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Ball St., 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at N. Illinois, 6 p.m. Nov. 20 Akron, 4 p.m. TROY Sep. 1 at UAB, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 Louisiana-Lafayette, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Mississippi St., 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at North Texas, 4 p.m. Sep. 29 at South Alabama, TBA Oct. 11 W. Kentucky, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20 FIU, 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at FAU, TBA Nov. 3 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 10 Navy, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 Arkansas St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Middle Tennessee, TBA TULANE Sep. 1 Rutgers, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 at Tulsa, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Mississippi, 9 a.m. Sep. 29 La.-Monroe, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at La.-Lafayette, 2 p.m. Oct. 13 SMU, 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at UTEP, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 UAB, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Rice, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Memphis, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 East Carolina, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Houston, TBA TULSA Sep. 1 at Iowa St., 9 a.m. Sep. 8 Tulane, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 Nicholls St., 4 p.m. Sep. 22 Fresno St., 5 p.m. Sep. 29 at UAB, noon Oct. 6 at Marshall, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 11 UTEP, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Rice, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 10 at Houston, 2 p.m. Nov. 17 UCF, TBA Nov. 24 at SMU, TBA UAB Sep. 1 Troy, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 at South Carolina, 4 p.m. Sep. 22 at Ohio St., TBA Sep. 29 Tulsa, noon Oct. 6 SE Louisiana, noon Oct. 13 at Houston, TBA Oct. 20 East Carolina, 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at Tulane, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Southern Miss., 4:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Marshall, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 Memphis, 11 a.m. Nov. 24 at UCF, TBA
UCF Aug. 30 at Akron, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Ohio St., 9 a.m. Sep. 15 FIU, 1 p.m. Sep. 29 Missouri, TBA Oct. 4 East Carolina, 5 p.m. Oct. 13 Southern Miss., 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Memphis, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at Marshall, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 SMU, 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at UTEP, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at Tulsa, TBA Nov. 24 UAB, TBA UCLA Aug. 30 at Rice, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 Nebraska, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 15 Houston, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Oregon St., TBA Sep. 29 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 6 at California, TBA Oct. 13 Utah, TBA Oct. 27 at Arizona St., TBA Nov. 3 Arizona, TBA Nov. 10 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 17 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 24 Stanford, TBA UCONN Aug. 30 UMass, 4:30 p.m. Sep. 8 NC State, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 at Maryland, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at W. Michigan, 11 a.m. Sep. 29 Buffalo, 9 a.m. Oct. 6 at Rutgers, TBA Oct. 13 Temple, TBA Oct. 19 at Syracuse, 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 9 Pittsburgh, 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Louisville, TBA Dec. 1 Cincinnati, TBA UNLV Aug. 30 Minnesota, 8 p.m. Sep. 8 N. Arizona, 7 p.m. Sep. 14 Washington St., 6 p.m. Sep. 22 Air Force, 7 p.m. Sep. 29 at Utah St., 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 Nevada, TBA Oct. 20 at Boise St., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at San Diego St., 5 p.m. Nov. 3 New Mexico, 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Colorado St., 4 p.m. Nov. 17 Wyoming, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at Hawaii, 8 p.m. UTEP Sep. 1 Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Mississippi, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 New Mexico St., 5 p.m. Sep. 22 at Wisconsin, TBA Sep. 29 at East Carolina, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 SMU, 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at Tulsa, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Tulane, 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at Houston, 1:15 p.m. Nov. 10 UCF, 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at Southern Miss., 5 p.m. Nov. 24 Rice, 4 p.m. UTAH Aug. 30 N. Colorado, 4 p.m. Sep. 7 at Utah St., 5 p.m. Sep. 15 BYU, 7 p.m. Sep. 22 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 4 Southern Cal, 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 20 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 27 California, TBA Nov. 3 Washington St., TBA Nov. 10 at Washington, TBA Nov. 17 Arizona, TBA Nov. 23 at Colorado, noon UTAH ST. Aug. 30 S. Utah, 5 p.m. Sep. 7 Utah, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 at Wisconsin, 5 p.m. Sep. 22 at Colorado St., 4 p.m. Sep. 29 UNLV, 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at BYU, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13 at San Jose St., 1 p.m. Oct. 20 New Mexico St., noon Oct. 27 at UTSA, 11 a.m. Nov. 3 Texas St., noon Nov. 17 at Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m. Nov. 24 Idaho, noon VANDERBILT Aug. 30 South Carolina, 4 p.m. Sep. 8 at Northwestern, 5 p.m. Sep. 15 Presbyterian, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 6 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 13 Florida, TBA Oct. 20 Auburn, TBA Oct. 27 UMass, TBA Nov. 3 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 10 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 17 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 24 at Wake Forest, TBA VIRGINIA Sep. 1 Richmond, noon Sep. 8 Penn St., 9 a.m. Sep. 15 at Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 at TCU, TBA Sep. 29 Louisiana Tech, TBA Oct. 6 at Duke, TBA Oct. 13 Maryland, TBA Oct. 20 Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 3 at NC State, TBA Nov. 10 Miami, TBA Nov. 15 North Carolina, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Virginia Tech, TBA VIRGINIA TECH Sep. 3 Georgia Tech, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 Austin Peay, 10:30 a.m. Sep. 15 at Pittsburgh, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Bowling Green, TBA Sep. 29 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 6 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 13 Duke, TBA Oct. 20 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 1 at Miami, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 8 Florida St., 4:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 24 Virginia, TBA W. MICHIGAN Sep. 1 at Illinois, 9 a.m. Sep. 8 E. Illinois, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 at Minnesota, 9 a.m. Sep. 22 UConn, 11 a.m. Sep. 29 Toledo, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 UMass, 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at Ball St., noon Oct. 20 at Kent St., 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 N. Illinois, 9 a.m. Nov. 3 at Cent. Michigan, 10 a.m. Nov. 10 at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 E. Michigan, 11 a.m. WAKE FOREST Sep. 1 Liberty, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 8 North Carolina, noon Sep. 15 at Florida St., 9 a.m. Sep. 22 Army, TBA Sep. 29 Duke, TBA Oct. 6 at Maryland, TBA Oct. 20 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 25 Clemson, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Boston College, TBA Nov. 10 at NC State, TBA Nov. 17 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 Vanderbilt, TBA WASHINGTON Sep. 1 San Diego St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at LSU, 4 p.m. Sep. 15 Portland St., 1 p.m. Sep. 27 Stanford, 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 13 Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 20 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 27 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 2 at California, 6 p.m. Nov. 10 Utah, TBA Nov. 17 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 23 at Wash. St., 12:30 p.m. WASHINGTON ST. Aug. 30 at BYU, 7:15 p.m. Sep. 8 E. Washington, noon Sep. 14 at UNLV, 6 p.m. Sep. 22 Colorado, TBA Sep. 29 Oregon, TBA Oct. 6 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 13 California, TBA Oct. 27 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 3 at Utah, TBA Nov. 10 UCLA, TBA Nov. 17 at Arizona St., TBA Nov. 23 Washington, 12:30 p.m. WEST VIRGINIA Sep. 1 Marshall, 9 a.m. Sep. 15 James Madison, 1:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Maryland, TBA Sep. 29 Baylor, TBA Oct. 6 at Texas, TBA Oct. 13 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 20 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 3 TCU, TBA Nov. 10 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 17 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 23 at Iowa St., 12:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Kansas, TBA WISCONSIN Sep. 1 N. Iowa, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 8 at Oregon St., 1 p.m. Sep. 15 Utah St., 5 p.m. Sep. 22 UTEP, TBA Sep. 29 at Nebraska, 5 p.m. Oct. 6 Illinois, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Purdue, 9 a.m. Oct. 20 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 27 Michigan St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 17 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 24 at Penn St., TBA WYOMING Sep. 1 at Texas, 5 p.m. Sep. 8 Toledo, 1 p.m. Sep. 15 Cal Poly, 3 p.m. Sep. 22 at Idaho, 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at Nevada, 4:05 p.m. Oct. 13 Air Force, 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Fresno St., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Boise St., 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Colorado St., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at New Mexico, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at UNLV, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 San Diego St., 12:30 p.m.
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 30, 2012
G
THURSDAY
G
PAGE O19
FOOTBALL 2012: NFL SCHEDULES Arizona Cardinals
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sept. 9 Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 16 at New England, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 30 Miami, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 4 at St. Louis, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 14 Buffalo, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 21 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Oct. 29 San Francisco, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Green Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 BYE Nov. 18 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 St. Louis, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 2 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 16 Detroit, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 23 Chicago, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 30 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Denver, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 16 N.Y. Jets, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 23 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 30 BYE Oct. 7 Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at Tennessee, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 21 at Cincinnati, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 28 Washington, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 12 Kansas City, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Baltimore, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 25 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Baltimore, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 9 San Diego, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 23 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Cleveland, 10 a.m.
Atlanta Falcons
San Diego Chargers
Sept. 9 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 Denver, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 30 Carolina, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at Washington, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 Oakland, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 BYE Oct. 28 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Dallas, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 11 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 Arizona, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 29 New Orleans, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 9 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Dec. 22 at Detroit, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.
Sept. 10 at Oakland, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 16 Tennessee, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 23 Atlanta, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 30 at Kansas City, 10 p.m. Oct. 7 at New Orleans, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 15 Denver, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21 BYE Oct. 28 at Cleveland, 10 p.m. Nov. 1 Kansas City, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 11 at Tampa Bay, 10 p.m. Nov. 18 at Denver, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 25 Baltimore, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 2 Cincinnati, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 9 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Carolina, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 23 at N.Y. Jets, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 30 Oakland, 1:25 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens
San Francisco 49ers
Sept. 10 Cincinnati, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 New England, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 27 Cleveland, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 7 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 Dallas, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at Houston, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 BYE Nov. 4 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 Oakland, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at Pittsburgh, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 25 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 2 Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 9 at Washington, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Denver, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.
Sept. 9 at Green Bay, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 16 Detroit, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 23 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 Buffalo, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 14 N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 18 Seattle, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 29 at Arizona, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 4 BYE Nov. 11 St. Louis, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 19 Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at New Orleans, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 2 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Miami, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 16 at New England, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 23 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 30 Arizona, 1:25 p.m.
Buffalo Bills Sept. 9 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Kansas City, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 New England, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 14 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 21 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 BYE Nov. 4 at Houston, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at New England, 10 a.m. Nov. 15 Miami, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 25 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Seattle (at Toronto), 1:05 p.m. Dec. 23 at Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.
Carolina Panthers Sept. 9 at Tampa Bay, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 16 New Orleans, 10 a.m. Sept. 20 N.Y. Giants, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 30 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 14 BYE Oct. 21 Dallas, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at Washington, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 Denver, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 26 at Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 23 Oakland, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at New Orleans, 10 a.m.
Chicago Bears Sept. 9 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Sept. 13 at Green Bay, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 23 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Jacksonville, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 14 BYE Oct. 22 Detroit, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Carolina, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 Houston, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 19 at San Francisco, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 Seattle, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 30 at Detroit, 10 a.m.
Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 10 at Baltimore, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Washington, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Jacksonville, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 7 Miami, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 Pittsburgh, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 28 BYE Nov. 4 Denver, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 Oakland, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at San Diego, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 9 Dallas, 10 a.m. Dec. 13 at Philadelphia, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 23 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Baltimore, 10 a.m.
Cleveland Browns Sept. 9 Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at Baltimore, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 7 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 San Diego, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 BYE Nov. 18 at Dallas, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 9 Kansas City, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Washington, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Denver, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 30 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.
Associated Press
Russell Wilson will start at QB for the Seahawks in their regular-season opener against the Cardinals.
Dallas Cowboys Sept. 5 at N.Y. Giants, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 23 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 1 Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 BYE Oct. 14 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 4 at Atlanta, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 11 at Philadelphia, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 18 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Nov. 22 Washington, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 2 Philadelphia, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 9 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 23 New Orleans, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Washington, 10 a.m.
Denver Broncos Sept. 9 Pittsburgh, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 17 at Atlanta, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Houston, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 30 Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 7 at New England, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 15 at San Diego, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21 BYE Oct. 28 New Orleans, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 4 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 San Diego, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 25 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 6 at Oakland, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 16 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 Cleveland, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 30 Kansas City, 1:25 p.m.
Detroit Lions Sept. 9 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at San Francisco, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 23 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 BYE Oct. 14 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Seattle, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 22 Houston 9:30 a.m. Dec. 2 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Green Bay, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 16 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 22 Atlanta, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30 Chicago, 10 a.m.
Green Bay Packers Sept. 9 San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 13 Chicago, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 24 at Seattle, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30 New Orleans, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 7 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Houston, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 21 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Arizona, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 BYE Nov. 18 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 at N.Y. Giants, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 2 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Detroit, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 16 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Minnesota, 10 a.m.
Houston Texans Sept. 9 Miami, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Denver, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 30 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at N.Y. Jets, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 Green Bay, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 21 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 BYE Nov. 4 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Chicago, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 18 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Nov. 22 at Detroit 9:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at New England, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.
Indianapolis Colts Sept. 9 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 BYE Oct. 7 Green Bay, 10 a.m.
Oct. 14 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Miami, 10 a.m. Nov. 8 at Jacksonville, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 18 at New England, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Houston, 10 a.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars Sept. 9 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Houston, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 Cincinnati, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 7 Chicago, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 14 BYE Oct. 21 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 28 at Green Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Detroit, 10 a.m. Nov. 8 Indianapolis, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 18 at Houston, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 New England, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Tennessee, 10 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs Sept. 9 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 San Diego, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 BYE Oct. 28 Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 1 at San Diego, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 12 at Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 Denver, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 23 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Denver, 1:25 p.m.
Miami Dolphins Sept. 9 at Houston, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Oakland, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 7 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 BYE Oct. 28 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at Buffalo, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 25 Seattle, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 New England, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 16 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at New England, 10 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings Sept. 9 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 San Francisco, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Washington, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 21 Arizona, 10 a.m. Oct. 25 Tampa Bay, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 4 at Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 11 Detroit, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 BYE Nov. 25 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Green Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Chicago, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Green Bay, 10 a.m.
New England Patriots Sept. 9 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Arizona, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Baltimore, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 30 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 Denver, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 14 at Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 21 N.Y. Jets, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Louis 10 a.m. Nov. 4 BYE Nov. 11 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 Indianapolis, 10 a.m.
Nov. 22 at N.Y. Jets, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 2 at Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 10 Houston, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 San Francisco, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 23 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Miami, 10 a.m.
New Orleans Saints Sept. 9 Washington, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 Kansas City, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Green Bay, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 7 San Diego, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 14 BYE Oct. 21 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 at Denver, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 5 Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 25 San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 29 at Atlanta, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 9 at N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 16 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Dallas, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Carolina, 10 a.m.
New York Giants Sept. 5 Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at Carolina, 5:20 p.m. Sept. 30 at Philadelphia, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 7 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 21 Washington, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 at Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 4 Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 11 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 BYE Nov. 25 Green Bay, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 3 at Washington, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 New Orleans, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 16 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Philadelphia, 10 a.m.
New York Jets Sept. 9 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 23 at Miami, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 San Francisco, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 Houston, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 Indianapolis, 10 p.m. Oct. 21 at New England, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 28 Miami, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 BYE Nov. 11 at Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 18 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Nov. 22 New England, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 2 Arizona, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 17 at Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23 San Diego, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 30 at Buffalo, 10 a.m.
Oakland Raiders Sept. 10 San Diego, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 16 at Miami, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 30 at Denver, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 7 BYE Oct. 14 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 Jacksonville, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 28 at Kansas City, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 4 Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 11 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 New Orleans, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 25 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 Cleveland, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 6 Denver, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 16 Kansas City, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 23 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at San Diego, 1:25 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles Sept. 9 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 30 N.Y. Giants, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 7 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 Detroit, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 BYE Oct. 28 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Nov. 5 at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 18 at Washington, 10 a.m. Nov. 26 Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Dallas, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 9 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 13 Cincinnati, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 23 Washington, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.
Seattle Seahawks Sept. 9 at Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 16 Dallas, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 24 Green Bay, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at Carolina, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 14 New England, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 18 at San Francisco, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 28 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Minnesota, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 11 N.Y. Jets, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 18 BYE Nov. 25 at Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 16 at Buffalo (Toronto), 1:05 p.m. Dec. 23 San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 30 St. Louis, 1:25 p.m.
St. Louis Rams Sept. 9 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 Washington, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 23 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 Seattle, 10 a.m. Oct. 4 Arizona, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 14 at Miami, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 New England (at London), 10 a.m. Nov. 4 BYE Nov. 11 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 18 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 at Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 2 San Francisco, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sept. 9 Carolina, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 16 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Dallas, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 Washington, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 7 BYE Oct. 14 Kansas City, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 New Orleans, 10 a.m. Oct. 25 at Minnesota, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 4 at Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 11 San Diego, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Denver, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 9 Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at Atlanta, 10 a.m.
Tennessee Titans Sept. 9 New England, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at San Diego, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 23 Detroit, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Houston, 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Oct. 11 Pittsburgh, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 21 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Chicago, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Miami, 10 a.m. Nov. 18 BYE Nov. 25 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 2 Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 17 N.Y. Jets, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23 at Green Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Jacksonville, 10 a.m.
Washington Redskins Sept. 9 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at St. Louis, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 23 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Tampa Bay, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 7 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Oct. 14 Minnesota, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 21 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Oct. 28 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Nov. 4 Carolina, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 BYE Nov. 18 Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Nov. 22 at Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 3 N.Y. Giants, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Dec. 30 Dallas, 10 a.m.
PAGE O20
G
THURSDAY
G
AUGUST 30, 2012
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW