Juniata Week
Let's start the look-ahead to Saturday's game at Juniata. The following was taken from the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:
Juniata Eagles
Last playoff appearance: 1973
Last year: 1-9, 0-8 CC
Last conference title: 1973
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 137
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 216
Wins increase from 06-07: Minus-1
Preseason ranking: 212 of 239
Players who started camp: 85
Head coach: Darrell Alt (fifth season, 4-36)
Starters returning: 14 (seven offense, seven defense, zero specialists)
Position battle to watch: The offensive and defensive lines. Alt made the trenches an emphasis during recruiting, and the effort paid off with increased numbers. Among the newcomers is Jason Marquis, who played in preps with Ohio State signee Terrelle Pryor. But Alt also has high expectations for defensive end Dan Kraft.
Pressure is on: T-E-A-M. Unlike many other coaches, Alt took the Centennial Conference preseason poll to heart. The Eagles were picked last in the conference. Now, they'll be looking to prove everyone wrong.
Where did he come from? J.D. Jones is a transfer from Gettysburg, and Alt believes he may fight for time in the linebacking corps. Alt said that Jones is a consummate team player and loves spending time in the weight room.
Their season will be defined by: The second game, a resumption of Juniata's rivalry with Susquehanna. The old MAC rivalry took a year off in 2007 when Juniata began play in the Centennial. They'll be fighting for Goalpost Trophy -- "an ugly, wooden goalpost, but it means a lot to us."
Predicted record: 0-10, 0-8
Capsule: The rebuilding process enters another phase for the Eagles. Alt said they're out to prove the rest of the conference wrong, that Juniata won't have the season that has been predicted for them. Bringing back 14 starters, including senior quarterback Jay Leonard, is a good start. With 547 more passing yards, Leonard will become the leading passer in school history. The offensive linemen were also a strength, though they were sixth in sacks against. Juniata threw more than any other team in the conference and were two sacks from being third in the conference. But the biggest improvement should come on defense, where eight starters return to a unit that was last or next to last in most every defensive category in the conference last year.
Juniata Eagles
Last playoff appearance: 1973
Last year: 1-9, 0-8 CC
Last conference title: 1973
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 137
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 216
Wins increase from 06-07: Minus-1
Preseason ranking: 212 of 239
Players who started camp: 85
Head coach: Darrell Alt (fifth season, 4-36)
Starters returning: 14 (seven offense, seven defense, zero specialists)
Position battle to watch: The offensive and defensive lines. Alt made the trenches an emphasis during recruiting, and the effort paid off with increased numbers. Among the newcomers is Jason Marquis, who played in preps with Ohio State signee Terrelle Pryor. But Alt also has high expectations for defensive end Dan Kraft.
Pressure is on: T-E-A-M. Unlike many other coaches, Alt took the Centennial Conference preseason poll to heart. The Eagles were picked last in the conference. Now, they'll be looking to prove everyone wrong.
Where did he come from? J.D. Jones is a transfer from Gettysburg, and Alt believes he may fight for time in the linebacking corps. Alt said that Jones is a consummate team player and loves spending time in the weight room.
Their season will be defined by: The second game, a resumption of Juniata's rivalry with Susquehanna. The old MAC rivalry took a year off in 2007 when Juniata began play in the Centennial. They'll be fighting for Goalpost Trophy -- "an ugly, wooden goalpost, but it means a lot to us."
Predicted record: 0-10, 0-8
Capsule: The rebuilding process enters another phase for the Eagles. Alt said they're out to prove the rest of the conference wrong, that Juniata won't have the season that has been predicted for them. Bringing back 14 starters, including senior quarterback Jay Leonard, is a good start. With 547 more passing yards, Leonard will become the leading passer in school history. The offensive linemen were also a strength, though they were sixth in sacks against. Juniata threw more than any other team in the conference and were two sacks from being third in the conference. But the biggest improvement should come on defense, where eight starters return to a unit that was last or next to last in most every defensive category in the conference last year.
posted by Pat McConnell | 4:20 PM
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