NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Offense
The Huskies have a long history of good tailbacks and Thomas Hammock has been added to that list. Smallish in height at 5?8?? but powerful in stature at 214 pounds, the senior has averaged 109-yards per game in his last twenty outings. Behind Hammock in the depth chart is Michael Turner (5?10?? 217), who is a top-5 running back in the MAC this year, but is a backup on this team. In the past two years as a backup, Tuner has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 TDs. NIU has an army of quality players at tailback which also includes DuJuan Johnson, Jon Lanum, Robert Wallace & Kevin Woods. Obviously these young men have talent, but you don?t have this kind of success without a quality line. Northern Illinois has an offensive that should be one of the MAC?s best this year. Four starters return to the trenches led by Tim Vincent (6?6?? 299), Mark Orszula (6?7?? 302), Shaun Schroeder (6?2?? 288) & Todd Ghilani (6?3?? 288). There is quality depth with Joel Ellis (6?5?? 308), Graham Sleight (6?3?? 310) & Noah Washington (6?3?? 302). PJ Fleck is an all-purpose threat that will excel now that he is the main returning WR. Once again, there is good depth at this position with returning wideouts Mike Archie (6?2?? 195), Keith Perry (6?3?? 221), Turner Pugh (6?1?? 184) & Dan Sheldon (5?9?? 163). TE Matt Dunker (6?5?? 241) and FB James Johnson (5?10?? 242) excel at their respected positions.
Defense
According to veteran coach Joe Novak, "our biggest strength will be our defense. This should be our best defensive unit since I?ve been here." NIU returns nine starters and 21 letter-winners from a defense that ranked in the middle of most MAC defensive categories in 2001. The Huskies have the best returning DBs in the MAC. 1st team All-MAC performer Vince Thompson (5?10?? 178) and Randee Drew (5?9?? 176) return along with both safeties, Akil Grant (5?10?? 187) & Lionel Hickenbottom (6?0?? 192). This unit posted 17 INTs last fall and although some of these players lack some size, they make up for it in speed and hitting abilities. Nick Duffy (6?2?? 232) leads a very strong group of LBs, which includes Larry Williams (6?0?? 231), Brian Atkinson (6?2?? 218), Jason Hutton (6?1?? 232) and Jason Hawkins (6?2?? 237). There is a lot of size and athletic ability along the defensive line. Charles Johnson (6?2?? 293), Leonard Cooksey (6?1?? 280), Justin McIntyre (6?0?? 295), Anthony Falbo (6?3?? 273) & Jason Banks (6?2?? 273) offer some serious run stopping stuffers. On the ends, Jason Frank (6?6?? 245) looks for a breakout season while Quince Holman (6?3?? 238), Travis Moore (6?1?? 232) & Vince Reynolds (6?1?229) brings along a lot of speed for opposing offenses to contend with.
WAKE FOREST
Offense
Well Terrance Williams returns for the Deacs after fawking up his foot last season. One position that appeared to be in great shape for the 2002 season was the Wake Forest stable of running backs, with the return of 1,000-yard rusher and second-team All-ACC pick Tarence Williams and a pair of juniors, Fred Staton and Nick Burney.However, the ground game took a hit this summer when it was announced that Staton would sit out the 2001 campaign for academic purposes. One day later, Williams suffered a broken bone in his left foot and will miss some games in the early season.Statons absence ensures that Burney will see more action. As Wakes third-string back in 2001, Burney totaled 139 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. The door is also open for Cornelius Birgs, a redshirt freshman who sat out spring drills to concentrate on academics, and Chris Barclay, a true freshman.When Williams is healthy, he will look to become the first Deacon in school history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. For the first time in his career, senior quarterback James MacPherson enters a season knowing the job of Wakes starting signal caller is in his hands. In 1999, MacPherson served as a backup QB whose only game action was at punter. Coming off a knee injury in 2000, MacPherson was called to action much sooner than expected after starter C.J.Leak suffered a season-ending knee injury. MacPherson split time with true freshman Anthony Young that season. Both players returned in 2001, with the starting job up for grabs. Again, the duo split time until a foot injury sidelined Young. MacPherson responded well to being Wake??s only healthy QB, leading to Deacs to thrilling, come-from-behind road wins at Virginia and North Carolina.With the move of Young from quarterback to wide receiver, MacPherson entered the 2002 preseason as the Deacs starter. Backing him up is redshirt freshman Cory Randolph, an athletic player who was named the ACCs Best Option Quarterback by Street & Smiths magazine.
Defense
The Deacs return 8 starters from last years team. They play a 3-4 defense but Iam almost sure they will go into a 4-3 and mix it up to defend the running game of Northern Illinois. 1 new starter returns on the DL and he`s senoir Rodrick Stephens. On ebig mismatch will be in teh secondary...the tall fast WRS for Northern Illinois should be able to have there way with these small corners. Last season they gave up 150 rushing yards per game and nearly 400 offensive yards per game. The Deacons D has been questioned by the poor play they had last year against Northern Illinois. This year they are replacing 2 linebackers. Jamie Scott who is the rover was a running back the last 2 seasons and has converted to LB and Brad White who is a transfer from Georgia will see his first action this year in a a Deacs uniform. 2 starters though are said to be out...DBs Jason Carter and Obi Chukawama. Losing Obi would be even a bigger loss to the Deacs, he`s the veteran in that defense and led the team in tackles.
Overview
There's a section in the players' bios in the Wake Forest media guide that asks the Demon Deacons to recall their thoughts upon first meeting head coach Jim Grobe.Tailback Nick Burney's response was: "We're in some trouble now."Grobe arrived in Winston-Salem last year with a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, his policies on short haircuts and long workouts the product of his 11 years as an assistant at Air Force. So the Deacs cleaned up their do's and Grobe cleaned up the program, taking a team that had gone 2-9 in Jim Caldwell's final season in 2000 and making it bowl-eligible with a 6-5 finish. But if Wake players thought Grobe would soften his off-season conditioning program after the success they were sorely mistaken. If anything, this winter's workouts were tougher than last year's, featuring a running program more suited to the school's cross-country team and a drill that required all players - skilled guys included - to push the blocking sled. "One thing we didn't want to do is give the impression that we've arrived," Grobe explained. "We worked them maybe a little bit harder than last year, but it was probably more of a perception than anything."The military school approach doesn't seem to bother the success-starved players, who were willing to do whatever was necessary to win following just two winning seasons in the 12 years before Grobe arrived. "I love our coaching staff," tailback Tarence Williams said. "They have like a militant attitude. They're very strict, but at the same time they're very cool." Williams didn't feel too cool in June when he had to call Grobe and tell him he'd broken his foot getting out of bed. The second-leading rusher in the ACC last year with 1,018 yards, Williams hopped out of his top bunk in the middle of the night and came down awkwardly on his left foot. There may not be a stranger injury in college football this fall, but Williams' teammates to this point have gone easy on the joking. "Accidents happen," shrugged defensive end Calvin Pace. Williams, a 5-foot-10 senior who went to the same Wilmington, N.C. high school as Michael Jordan, is optimistic that he'll be back for the Demon Deacon's first game at Northern Illinois, but the medical staff is shooting for the ACC opener Sept. 14 at N.C. State. Until then, Burney will be the lone tailback in what was once expected to be a crowded backfield. But with Williams laid up and Fred Staton academically ineligible, the Deacs are depending on Burney, who averaged 4.3 yards on 32 carries last season. "Nick Burney's an excellent back. I think this will be his breakout year," Williams said. "When I come back it's going to be hell. It's going to be a 1-2 punch." The Deacs have at least one other weapon in their attack, which includes a good deal of option packages. Quarterback James MacPherson was steady enough last year that Grobe moved backup passer Anthony Young to receiver, giving MacPherson a vote of confidence before his final season.
Defensively, Pace needs 10 sacks to set the school's career record, while linebacker Kellen Brantley does it all for the Deacs, compiling 95 tackles, 11 for loss and three interceptions in 2001.
Grobe, who turned around Ohio's football fortunes before arriving at Wake, hopes the freak accident is not a precursor to a sophomore jinx. "I think we're going to be real competitive again if - I hate to say, 'If we can stay healthy' because we can't even keep them healthy getting out of bed." Once he gets his players safely to the practice field, however, Grobe knows exactly how to handle them.
Offense
The Huskies have a long history of good tailbacks and Thomas Hammock has been added to that list. Smallish in height at 5?8?? but powerful in stature at 214 pounds, the senior has averaged 109-yards per game in his last twenty outings. Behind Hammock in the depth chart is Michael Turner (5?10?? 217), who is a top-5 running back in the MAC this year, but is a backup on this team. In the past two years as a backup, Tuner has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 TDs. NIU has an army of quality players at tailback which also includes DuJuan Johnson, Jon Lanum, Robert Wallace & Kevin Woods. Obviously these young men have talent, but you don?t have this kind of success without a quality line. Northern Illinois has an offensive that should be one of the MAC?s best this year. Four starters return to the trenches led by Tim Vincent (6?6?? 299), Mark Orszula (6?7?? 302), Shaun Schroeder (6?2?? 288) & Todd Ghilani (6?3?? 288). There is quality depth with Joel Ellis (6?5?? 308), Graham Sleight (6?3?? 310) & Noah Washington (6?3?? 302). PJ Fleck is an all-purpose threat that will excel now that he is the main returning WR. Once again, there is good depth at this position with returning wideouts Mike Archie (6?2?? 195), Keith Perry (6?3?? 221), Turner Pugh (6?1?? 184) & Dan Sheldon (5?9?? 163). TE Matt Dunker (6?5?? 241) and FB James Johnson (5?10?? 242) excel at their respected positions.
Defense
According to veteran coach Joe Novak, "our biggest strength will be our defense. This should be our best defensive unit since I?ve been here." NIU returns nine starters and 21 letter-winners from a defense that ranked in the middle of most MAC defensive categories in 2001. The Huskies have the best returning DBs in the MAC. 1st team All-MAC performer Vince Thompson (5?10?? 178) and Randee Drew (5?9?? 176) return along with both safeties, Akil Grant (5?10?? 187) & Lionel Hickenbottom (6?0?? 192). This unit posted 17 INTs last fall and although some of these players lack some size, they make up for it in speed and hitting abilities. Nick Duffy (6?2?? 232) leads a very strong group of LBs, which includes Larry Williams (6?0?? 231), Brian Atkinson (6?2?? 218), Jason Hutton (6?1?? 232) and Jason Hawkins (6?2?? 237). There is a lot of size and athletic ability along the defensive line. Charles Johnson (6?2?? 293), Leonard Cooksey (6?1?? 280), Justin McIntyre (6?0?? 295), Anthony Falbo (6?3?? 273) & Jason Banks (6?2?? 273) offer some serious run stopping stuffers. On the ends, Jason Frank (6?6?? 245) looks for a breakout season while Quince Holman (6?3?? 238), Travis Moore (6?1?? 232) & Vince Reynolds (6?1?229) brings along a lot of speed for opposing offenses to contend with.
WAKE FOREST
Offense
Well Terrance Williams returns for the Deacs after fawking up his foot last season. One position that appeared to be in great shape for the 2002 season was the Wake Forest stable of running backs, with the return of 1,000-yard rusher and second-team All-ACC pick Tarence Williams and a pair of juniors, Fred Staton and Nick Burney.However, the ground game took a hit this summer when it was announced that Staton would sit out the 2001 campaign for academic purposes. One day later, Williams suffered a broken bone in his left foot and will miss some games in the early season.Statons absence ensures that Burney will see more action. As Wakes third-string back in 2001, Burney totaled 139 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. The door is also open for Cornelius Birgs, a redshirt freshman who sat out spring drills to concentrate on academics, and Chris Barclay, a true freshman.When Williams is healthy, he will look to become the first Deacon in school history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. For the first time in his career, senior quarterback James MacPherson enters a season knowing the job of Wakes starting signal caller is in his hands. In 1999, MacPherson served as a backup QB whose only game action was at punter. Coming off a knee injury in 2000, MacPherson was called to action much sooner than expected after starter C.J.Leak suffered a season-ending knee injury. MacPherson split time with true freshman Anthony Young that season. Both players returned in 2001, with the starting job up for grabs. Again, the duo split time until a foot injury sidelined Young. MacPherson responded well to being Wake??s only healthy QB, leading to Deacs to thrilling, come-from-behind road wins at Virginia and North Carolina.With the move of Young from quarterback to wide receiver, MacPherson entered the 2002 preseason as the Deacs starter. Backing him up is redshirt freshman Cory Randolph, an athletic player who was named the ACCs Best Option Quarterback by Street & Smiths magazine.
Defense
The Deacs return 8 starters from last years team. They play a 3-4 defense but Iam almost sure they will go into a 4-3 and mix it up to defend the running game of Northern Illinois. 1 new starter returns on the DL and he`s senoir Rodrick Stephens. On ebig mismatch will be in teh secondary...the tall fast WRS for Northern Illinois should be able to have there way with these small corners. Last season they gave up 150 rushing yards per game and nearly 400 offensive yards per game. The Deacons D has been questioned by the poor play they had last year against Northern Illinois. This year they are replacing 2 linebackers. Jamie Scott who is the rover was a running back the last 2 seasons and has converted to LB and Brad White who is a transfer from Georgia will see his first action this year in a a Deacs uniform. 2 starters though are said to be out...DBs Jason Carter and Obi Chukawama. Losing Obi would be even a bigger loss to the Deacs, he`s the veteran in that defense and led the team in tackles.
Overview
There's a section in the players' bios in the Wake Forest media guide that asks the Demon Deacons to recall their thoughts upon first meeting head coach Jim Grobe.Tailback Nick Burney's response was: "We're in some trouble now."Grobe arrived in Winston-Salem last year with a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, his policies on short haircuts and long workouts the product of his 11 years as an assistant at Air Force. So the Deacs cleaned up their do's and Grobe cleaned up the program, taking a team that had gone 2-9 in Jim Caldwell's final season in 2000 and making it bowl-eligible with a 6-5 finish. But if Wake players thought Grobe would soften his off-season conditioning program after the success they were sorely mistaken. If anything, this winter's workouts were tougher than last year's, featuring a running program more suited to the school's cross-country team and a drill that required all players - skilled guys included - to push the blocking sled. "One thing we didn't want to do is give the impression that we've arrived," Grobe explained. "We worked them maybe a little bit harder than last year, but it was probably more of a perception than anything."The military school approach doesn't seem to bother the success-starved players, who were willing to do whatever was necessary to win following just two winning seasons in the 12 years before Grobe arrived. "I love our coaching staff," tailback Tarence Williams said. "They have like a militant attitude. They're very strict, but at the same time they're very cool." Williams didn't feel too cool in June when he had to call Grobe and tell him he'd broken his foot getting out of bed. The second-leading rusher in the ACC last year with 1,018 yards, Williams hopped out of his top bunk in the middle of the night and came down awkwardly on his left foot. There may not be a stranger injury in college football this fall, but Williams' teammates to this point have gone easy on the joking. "Accidents happen," shrugged defensive end Calvin Pace. Williams, a 5-foot-10 senior who went to the same Wilmington, N.C. high school as Michael Jordan, is optimistic that he'll be back for the Demon Deacon's first game at Northern Illinois, but the medical staff is shooting for the ACC opener Sept. 14 at N.C. State. Until then, Burney will be the lone tailback in what was once expected to be a crowded backfield. But with Williams laid up and Fred Staton academically ineligible, the Deacs are depending on Burney, who averaged 4.3 yards on 32 carries last season. "Nick Burney's an excellent back. I think this will be his breakout year," Williams said. "When I come back it's going to be hell. It's going to be a 1-2 punch." The Deacs have at least one other weapon in their attack, which includes a good deal of option packages. Quarterback James MacPherson was steady enough last year that Grobe moved backup passer Anthony Young to receiver, giving MacPherson a vote of confidence before his final season.
Defensively, Pace needs 10 sacks to set the school's career record, while linebacker Kellen Brantley does it all for the Deacs, compiling 95 tackles, 11 for loss and three interceptions in 2001.
Grobe, who turned around Ohio's football fortunes before arriving at Wake, hopes the freak accident is not a precursor to a sophomore jinx. "I think we're going to be real competitive again if - I hate to say, 'If we can stay healthy' because we can't even keep them healthy getting out of bed." Once he gets his players safely to the practice field, however, Grobe knows exactly how to handle them.
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