SCOUTING REPORT

EAST
MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD
2002: 11-2 overall; 7-1 MAC East (1st)
Coach: Bob Pruett
Returning starters: 12; 6 offense, 6 defense
Players to watch: WR Darius Watts, WR Josh Davis, RB Butchie Wallace, OT Nate McPeek, DT Toriano Brown, DT Jamus Martin, LB J.T. Rembert, CB Roberto Terrell
Outlook: The Herd has a couple of capable quarterbacks, a stable of solid running backs, and plenty of speed and depth at wide receiver. If the line comes together, this could be just another Marshall offensive machine - and that is often good enough.
Schedule:
Saturday -- Hofstra4:30
Sep. 6 -- at Tennessee4
Sep. 12 -- Toledo7
Sep. 20 -- at Kansas St.TBA
Sep. 27 -- at Troy St.TBA
Oct. 11 -- Kent St.4:30
Oct. 18 -- at Buffalo1
Oct. 25 -- at W. Michigan2
Nov. 1 Akron4:30
Nov. 12 -- at Miami (Ohio)7:30
Nov. 19 -- at UCF7:30
Nov. 28 -- Ohio4:30
CENTRAL FLORIDA GOLDEN KNIGHTS
2002: 7-5 overall; 6-2 MAC (2nd-East)
Coach: Mike Kruczek
Returning starters: 13; 4 offense, 8 defense, kicker
Players to watch: QB Ryan Schneider, RB Alex Haynes, WR Tavaris Capers, OG David Ashkinaz, DE Rashad Jeanty, DT DeMarcus Johnson, LB Chad Mascoe, LB Stanford Rhule, FS Peter Sands, SS Atari Bigby
Outlook: Schneider has a good shot to break many of Daunte Culpepper's passing records, but no longer has to carry the offense by himself, thanks to the emergence of Alex Haynes at tailback. Despite losing productive Chris Pilinko, UCF's linebacking corps should be loaded. Safeties Peter Sands and Atari Bigby are excellent.
Schedule:
Sunday -- at Virginia Tech3
Sep. 13 -- at Florida Atlantic6
Sep. 20 -- at SyracuseNoon
Sep. 27 -- at Kent St.2
Oct. 4 -- Buffalo6
Oct. 11 -- at OhioTBA
Oct. 18 -- at Akron6
Oct. 25 -- Cent. Michigan4
Nov. 1 -- at West VirginiaTBA
Nov. 8 -- at E. Michigan1
Nov. 19 -- Marshall7:30
Nov. 28 -- Miami (Ohio)1
MIAMI REDHAWKS
2002: 7-5 overall; 5-3 MAC East (T-3rd)
Coach: Terry Hoeppner.
Returning starters: 14; 7 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter
Players to watch: QB Ben Roethlisberger, TB Luke Clemens, OL Jacob Bell, LB Terrell Jones, SS Matt Pusateri, PK Jared Parseghian
Outlook: The offense was one of the best in the MAC and a lot of its successes came as a result of the talents of Roethlisberger. Likely the MAC's next quarterback to take a high profile in the NFL draft, the 6-5, 240-pound Roethlisberger has the size, smarts, and the cannon to make the package complete.
Schedule:
Saturday -- at IowaNoon
Sep. 13 -- at NorthwesternNoon
Sep. 20 -- at Colorado St.TBA
Sep. 27 -- Cincinnati2
Oct. 4 -- Akron2
Oct. 11 -- Buffalo2
Oct. 18 -- at Ball St.3
Oct. 25 -- at Kent St.2
Nov. 4 -- Bowling Green7:30
Nov. 12 -- Marshall7:30
Nov. 22 -- at OhioTBA
Nov. 28 -- at UCF1
AKRON ZIPS
2002: 4-8 overall; 3-5 MAC East (5th)
Coach: Lee Owens.
Returning starters: 19 - 11 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter
Players to watch: QB Charlie Frye, TB Bob Hendry, WR Miquel Irvin, TE Mike Brake, LB Chase Blackburn, DT Marques Hayes, LB Diontre Earl, S Domenik Hixon
Outlook: The offense just got better and better as last season wore on, and everyone is back from a unit that averaged over 400 yards a game (with 43 touchdowns, and a school record with 4,852 total yards).
Schedule:
Thursday -- Kent St.7:30
Sep. 6 -- at WisconsinTBA
Sep. 13 -- E. Michigan6
Sep. 20 -- Howard6
Sep. 27 -- at Buffalo6
Oct. 4 -- at Miami (Ohio)2
Oct. 11 -- Cal Poly-SLO6
Oct. 18 -- UCF6
Oct. 25 -- at ConnecticutNoon
Nov. 1 -- at Marshall4:30
Nov. 8 -- at Cent. Michigan1
Nov. 15 -- OhioNoon
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
2002: 3-9 overall; 1-7 MAC East (6th)
Coach: Dean Pees.
Returning starters: 13; 7 offense, 5 defense, kicker
Players to watch: QB Joshua Cribbs, RB David Alston, WR Darryl Dowery, C Steve Smith, TE Neil Buckosh, LB Eric Mahl, LB Anthony Henriquez, DB Shannon Davis
Outlook: The presence of Cribbs makes Kent State a dangerous and explosive team. His speed, elusiveness, quickness and lion-hearted approach to playing the game often make a broken play or a scramble from the pocket the most productive move in the playbook.
Schedule:
Thursday -- at Akron7:30
Sep. 6 -- at Pittsburgh7
Sep. 13 -- Youngstown St.6
Sep. 20 -- at Penn St.TBA
Sep. 27 -- UCF2
Oct. 4 -- Ball St.2
Oct. 11 -- at Marshall4:30
Oct. 18 -- Connecticut2
Oct. 25 -- Miami (Ohio)2
Nov. 8 -- at OhioTBA
Nov. 15 -- at Bowling Green6
Nov. 22 -- Buffalo4
OHIO BOBCATS
2002: 4-8 overall; 4-4 MAC East (4th)
Coach: Brian Knorr.
Returning starters: 10; 2 offense, 8 defense
Players to watch: WR Stafford Owens, QB Freddie Ray, OL Dennis Thompson, LB Dennis Chukwuemeka, S Rob Stover, S Chip Cox
Outlook: The linebacker corps looks to be talented, versatile and deep. As a team, the Bobcats were in the top half of the conference in defense last season, and should be even better this time around.
Schedule:
Thursday -- SE Missouri7
Sep. 6 -- at Iowa St.2
Sep. 13 -- MinnesotaTBA
Sep. 27 -- W. Michigan8
Oct. 4 -- at N. Illinois7:30
Oct. 11 -- UCFTBA
Oct. 18 -- at Kentucky7
Oct. 25 -- at Buffalo1
Nov. 8 -- Kent St.TBA
Nov. 15 -- at AkronNoon
Nov. 22 -- Miami (Ohio)TBA
Nov. 28 -- at Marshall4:30
BUFFALO BULLS
2002: 1-11 overall; 0-8 MAC East (7th)
Coach: Jim Hofher.
Returning starters: 18; 8 offense, 9 defense, kicker
Players to watch: TB Aaron Leeper, C Eric Weber, OT Quenzell Smith, WR Matt Knueven, LB Lamar Wilcher, FS Mark Graham
Outlook: The Bulls biggest asset right now is likely also their biggest liability -- the preponderance of youth in the program. The Bulls return 18 starters from what was the youngest team in Division I-A last season -- 11 freshmen started in the season finale at Ball State.
Schedule:
Saturday -- at Rutgers7
Sep. 6 -- at IowaNoon
Sep. 13 -- Colgate6
Sep. 20 -- Connecticut6
Sep. 27 -- Akron6
Oct. 4 -- at UCF6
Oct. 11 -- at Miami (Ohio)2
Oct. 18 -- Marshall1
Oct. 25 -- Ohio1
Nov. 1 -- at Toledo7
Nov. 8 -- N. Illinois1
Nov. 22 -- at Kent St.4
WEST
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS
2002: 8-3 overall; 6-2 MAC West (3rd)
Coach: Gregg Brandon.
Returning starters: 15; 6 offense, 8 defense, kicker
Players to watch: QB Josh Harris, WR Cole Magner, OL Scott Mruczkowski, TE Craig Jarrett, DB Janssen Patton, DB Michael Malone, DB Keon Newson, LB Mitch Hewitt, DE Mitchell Crossley
Outlook: The defensive secondary is loaded with experienced playmakers who figure to give the Falcons a number of opportunities for takeaways. Josh Harris led the nation in scoring for more than half of the past season and is one of the best in the conference.
Schedule:
Thursday -- E. Kentucky7
Sep. 6 -- at PurdueNoon
Sep. 13 -- Liberty6
Sep. 20 -- at Ohio St.Noon
Oct. 4 -- Cent. Michigan4
Oct. 11 -- at W. Michigan2
Oct. 18 -- at E. Michigan6
Oct. 25 -- N. Illinois4
Nov. 4 -- at Miami (Ohio)7:30
Nov. 15 -- Kent St.6
Nov. 22 -- at Ball St.1
Nov. 28 -- ToledoTBA
TOLEDO ROCKETS
2002: 9-5 overall; 7-1 MAC West (T-1st)
Coach: Tom Amstutz.
Returning starters: 15; 5 offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter.
Players to watch: OT Erik Faasen, OT Nick Kaczur, TE Andrew Clarke, DB Patrick Body, LB Keon Jackson
Outlook: The strength of the Rockets this season lies in their diversity on offense, and the fact Amstutz has been a defensive coach most of his career and knows how to make that side work. Toledo has one of the best offensive lines in the conference, two capable quarterbacks and at least three different tailbacks at its disposal.
Schedule:
Friday -- at UNLV9
Sep. 6 -- Liberty7
Sep. 12 -- at Marshall7
Sep. 20 -- Pittsburgh7
Sep. 27 -- at Syracuse6:30
Oct. 11 -- E. Michigan7
Oct. 18 -- at Cent. Michigan1
Oct. 25 -- at Ball St.2
Nov. 1 -- Buffalo7
Nov. 15 -- N. Illinois7
Nov. 22 -- W. Michigan7
Nov. 28 -- at Bowling GreenTBA
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES
2002: 8-4 overall; 7-1 MAC West (T-1st)
Coach: Joe Novak.
Returning starters: 14; 7 offense, 6 defense, kicker
Players to watch: RB Michael Turner, WR/PR Dan Sheldon, QB Josh Haldi, WR Sam Hurd, K Steve Azar, LB Nick Duffy, LB Brian Atkinson, CB Randee Drew
Outlook: Besides having one of the best tailbacks in the country in Michael Turner, the Huskies have a host of weapons on offense for quarterback Josh Haldi to direct, including nine of last year's top 10 receivers. On defense, athletes like Randy Drew and Akil Grant look to create havoc in the secondary.
Schedule:
Thursday -- Maryland7:30
Sep. 6 -- Tennessee Tech1
Sep. 20 -- at Alabama7
Sep. 27 -- Iowa St.4
Oct. 4 -- Ohio7:30
Oct. 11 -- at Cent. Michigan1
Oct. 18 -- W. Michigan2
Oct. 25 -- at Bowling Green4
Nov. 1 -- Ball St.2
Nov. 8 -- at Buffalo1
Nov. 15 -- at Toledo7
Nov. 22 -- E. Michigan2
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
2002: 4-8 overall; 3-5 MAC West (5th)
Coach: Gary Darnell.
Returning starters: 12; 5 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter
Players to watch: DE Jason Babin, FS Jason Feldpausch, RB Phil Reed, QB Chad Munson, WR Kendrick Mosely, WR Antonio Thomas, K Robert Menchinger
Outlook: With big-play makers like Babin and Feldpausch on the defense, the Broncos will give opposing offenses fits. On offense, their receivers are talented and experienced, and Western Michigan's special teams might be as good as any in the league.
Schedule:
Saturday -- at Michigan St.3:30
Sep. 6 -- William & amp; Mary7
Sep. 13 -- Virginia2
Sep. 27 -- at Ohio8
Oct. 4 -- at E. Michigan6
Oct. 11 -- Bowling Green2
Oct. 18 -- at N. Illinois2
Oct. 25 -- Marshall2
Nov. 1 -- at ConnecticutNoon
Nov. 8 -- Ball St.2
Nov. 15 -- Cent. Michigan2
Nov. 22 -- at Toledo7
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS
2002: 4-8 overall; 2-6 MAC West (6th)
Coach: Mike DeBord.
Returning starters: 16; 7 offense, 7 defense, punter, kicker
Players to watch: HB Terrence Jackson, QB Jeff Perry, TE Tory Humphrey, FS James King, WR Steve Messam, DE Matt Wohlgemuth, LB Ed Hillery, LB Anthony Tyus
Outlook: The running game returns a healthy Terrence Jackson, who missed the first five games with an ankle injury last season, but rushed for 1,194 yards in 2001. The Chippewas also have a strong defensive line led by Matt Wohlgemuth, who can make big plays inside or at his typical end position.
Schedule:
Saturday -- at MichiganNoon
Sep. 6 -- New Hampshire1
Sep. 13 -- E. Kentucky1
Sep. 20 -- at Ball St.2
Oct. 4 -- at Bowling Green4
Oct. 11 -- N. Illinois1
Oct. 18 -- Toledo1
Oct. 25 -- at UCF4
Nov. 1 -- E. Michigan1
Nov. 8 -- Akron1
Nov. 15 -- at W. Michigan2
Nov. 22 -- at Navy1:30
BALL STATE CARDINALS
2002: 6-6 overall; 4-4 MAC West (4th)
Coach: Brady Hoke.
Returning starters: 13; 4 offense, 7 defense, punter, kicker
Players to watch: LB Lorenzo Scott, S Justin Beriault, LB Justin Riley, CB Jesse Avant, WR Ryan Hahaj, WR Dante Ridgeway, P Reggie Hodges
Outlook: Whether Hoke decides to start Andy Roesch or Talmadge Hill at quarterback, they've got plenty of talented receivers at their disposal. The defensive line returns a pair of experienced linemen in Travis Barclay and Jeff Ramsey, who are learning a new scheme under Hoke.
Schedule:
Thursday -- Indiana St.8
Sep. 6 -- Missouri4
Sep. 13 -- at PittsburghTBA
Sep. 20 -- Cent. Michigan2
Sep. 27 -- at Boston CollegeTBA
Oct. 4 -- at Kent St.2
Oct. 18 -- Miami (Ohio)3
Oct. 25 -- Toledo2
Nov. 1 -- at N. Illinois2
Nov. 8 -- at W. Michigan2
Nov. 15 -- at E. Michigan1
Nov. 22 -- Bowling Green1
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
2002: 3-9 overall, 1-7 MAC West (7th)
Coach: Jeff Woodruff -- At EMU and overall: 8-26, 3 years
Returning starters: 19; 8 offense, 10 defense, punter
Players to watch: QB Jeff Crooks, TB Ashantti Watson, WR Chris R. Roberson, WR Chris Talley, P David Rysko, LB David Lusky
Outlook: The Eagles will focus on their passing game to stay competitive on offense, with quarterback Jeff Crooks leading the way. Junior wide receivers Chris R. Roberson and Chris Talley enter their third season after being pressed into action as true freshmen two years ago.
Schedule:
Thursday -- East Tenn. State7
Sep. 4 -- W. Illinois7
Sep. 13 -- at Akron6
Sep. 20 -- at Navy1:30
Sep. 27 -- Maryland6
Oct. 4 -- W. Michigan6
Oct. 11 -- at Toledo7
Oct. 18 -- Bowling Green6
Nov. 1 -- at Cent. Michigan1
Nov. 8 -- UCF1
Nov. 15 -- Ball St.1
Nov. 22 -- at N. Illinois2
-- Scripps Howard News Service