June 29, 2000
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Despite losing 17 starters from the 1998 squad that went 7-4, Western Kentucky University football fans had high expectations entering last season -- the Hilltoppers responded by finishing 6-5 while using seven starters in their first season of collegiate football.
So how high will the expectations be with 15 starters returning for the 2000 campaign?
"Our goal this year is to build around the young nucleus we established last year," said head coach Jack Harbaugh, who enters his 12th season on the Hill. "If we are able to do that, we'll have high expectations for success on the field in 2000."
Western has ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing in each of the last nine years, but as the Toppers look to extend their streak of four straight winning seasons, the defense might be the team's strength this year. The Hilltoppers return eight starters and 12 letterwinners from a group that allowed 22.3 points per game, including four players that earned all-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 1999.
Senior LB Melvin Wisham, a first-team all-OVC selection after leading the squad and finishing second in the league with 118 tackles, is Western's top All-American candidate. "Melvin is our most experienced defensive player," Harbaugh said. "His play in the middle and as a signal caller makes him a leader, and I'm very comfortable with that."
He is joined at linebacker by returning letterwinners Sherrod Coates -- who was honorable mention all-OVC in his first season on the Hill -- and Jon Drummond, who played in the final eight games last year. Hayes Thomas recorded 35 stops last season and can back up in either the middle or outside.
"Sherrod is one of the best athletes in the group," Harbaugh stated. "He had a very productive first year last fall, and we're looking to expand his role because of that. Jon made plays from a variety of positions in a limited time on the field last season, and the more you study Hayes on film, the more you realize what a solid, disciplined player he is."
The secondary is just as deep, as Western returns three starters and adds a transfer into the mix. Free safety Bobby Sippio comes off a season in which he -- as a true freshman -- was selected first-team all-conference and was twice named the TeamLink.com and OVC Newcomer of the Week.
"Bobby's athleticism is unquestioned," said Harbaugh. "We just need him to be more consistent back there. I was pleased with the way he started last fall, but he needs to finish stronger."
Junior cornerbacks Mel Mitchell and Joseph Jefferson also return -- Mitchell earned second-team all-league honors in his debut season in '99 and Jefferson recorded 38 tackles and four passes defensed despite playing through injuries all season. They will be joined by Kyle Moffatt, who sat out last season after transferring from Indiana. Patrick Third earned a letter as a freshman playing in nickel situations. The Topper secondary could be bolstered even further by the healthy return of Cris Riviere, who had five tackles in three quarters in his collegiate debut at UT Martin before suffering a season-ending knee injury and redshirting.
"We've never had as good a group of athletes in the secondary as we have now," Harbaugh said. "I expect them to play at another level this year. If they accomplish that, I would think that they would be the best group in my 11 years here.
"Mel is our most efficient player -- a big, strong cornerback who can play both the pass and the run," he continued. "Joseph was a similar player two years ago before struggling with injuries last year. If we can get him back to that level, we'll have a great situation on the corners."
Returning starters Arthur Wilson and Paul Marshall should anchor the defensive line, though this will be the least experienced area with three new starters. Sophomores Richard Gervais and Patrick Reynolds look to fill the end positions, where WKU will have to replace the 10? sacks and 21 tackles-for-loss from departed third-team All-American Ben Wittman, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. Neither has played a down for Western, though Gervais would have contributed last season if not for a season-ending ankle injury suffered during preseason practice. Mike Volkman earned one of the tackle spots with his performance in spring drills.
"This is obviously an area of concern for us," Harbaugh commented. "With the loss of Ben, someone has to step up and be a playmaker -- I don't know who that is yet because he didn't emerge in the spring.
"We should have improved play in the middle of the line with Arthur and Paul returning for another year," he said. "And, there are five guys on the end who could end up being a key for us. Patrick really caught our eye with his play in the spring, and I expect that Earl Miller should step up his game as well."
Key questions on offense include:
1. Who will quarterback the Toppers in 2000?,
2. Who will replace Rod Smart in the backfield?, and
3. How will three rookies fare on the offensive line?
Donte Pimpleton won the starting quarterback job prior to last season, but he, like Riviere, suffered a knee injury in the season-opener that limited him to five quarters of action all year. Western's leading returning passer and receiver entering the '99 campaign, he responded with a solid spring and should see plenty of time running the offense in the fall. However, junior-college transfer Jason Johnson, who earned All-American accolades at Kemper Military JC in '99 after leading the nation in total offense, will compete with Pimpleton for time. Add Jason Michael, who is Western's leading returning rusher and passer after starting nine games in place of Pimpleton last year, and the quarterback position could be one of Western's deepest.
"Donte played the entire spring without showing any effects from last season's injury," said Harbaugh. "Jason performed better than we expected after transferring prior to the spring semester. He really showed an ability to make big plays, which is what I feel is the greatest quality in a quarterback. We were spoiled after watching Willie (former All-American and current assistant coach Willie Taggart) for four years.
"Add Jason Michael, who quarterbacked the team to six wins as a freshman last year, and I feel that this is probably the strongest we are at any one position."
Senior DeWayne Gallishaw ran for 224 yards on 38 carries -- including a season-best 86 in just five attempts against No. 2 Tennessee State before leaving with a season-ending shoulder injury -- and won the starting tailback job in the spring. Keith Brooks, a mid-semester transfer from Ohio University, should be the backup. Those two face the task of replacing Smart, who earned honorable mention All-America and all-OVC honors last fall when he was the only player in the conference to rush for 1,000 yards, finishing with a career-best 1,249 -- the sixth-highest season total in Western history.
"DeWayne, in some ways, could be a big-play guy for us," said Harbaugh. "The question is -- can he stay healthy? Keith was a good addition -- he was outstanding in our spring scrimmages."
Rounding out the backfield are WB Brock Baker and FB Kevin Crisp. Baker is second among returning Toppers after posting 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 60 carries last fall, while Crisp returns after missing last year with recurring ankle problems. He was a starter as a sophomore in '98. Hal Bowden will backup on the wing and DeWayne Feacher moves into the role of backup fullback. Jon Frazier, who had 89 yards on 18 attempts, and Cory Jessup, who ran twice for 78 yards last fall, add depth to the backfield and also will see time at the new Z-Back position.
"Kevin is a good player for us," Harbaugh stated. "He gave us what we were looking for in the spring -- blocking, tough yards inside and the ability to break plays for big gains. Brock has moved all around the backfield in his first two seasons. I think his performance will be better now that we have settled him in at a position on the wing.
"What we will need from this group is depth," he continued. "Our starters have had trouble staying healthy in the past."
Starting guards Derek Forster and Chris Price return from an offensive line that keyed WKU's rushing performance last year, but gone are three-time All-American Patrick Goodman and honorable mention all-league selection Todd Sorrell. Junior-college transfer Joe Guinane looks to replace Goodman at center, while Marcus Caldwell earned the starting spot at right tackle and redshirt freshman Daniel Withrow won the nod at left tackle in spring practice. Senior tight end James Richie will hold down the tight end spot for the second straight year. Eric Ravellette returns with the ability to backup either guard and three-year letterwinner Jason Jacobs adds depth at tackle.
"With strong tackles over our line in most defensive schemes, our guards are the key to our line," said Harbaugh. "Last year, we had two first-year players struggle at times, but I think they will be much improved and the centerpiece of our offensive line this fall.
"Joe was a key pickup for us at center," he added. "And at the tackles, Daniel may be the best on the left side since Andy Hape (1995-98), while Marcus earned the other starting spot in the spring -- we expect him to get even better throughout the summer and fall. James is a high-intensity player on the field, and he's also great in the lockerroom. I love watching him play."
Alan Ogletree -- one of the most versatile players on the roster -- shifts back to starting wide receiver this fall, though he collected 68 tackles and a pair of interceptions after filling in for Riviere in the defensive backfield last fall. Ogletree caught six passes for 306 yards, an average of 51.0 yards per catch, with half his receptions going for touchdowns. Senior Leroy Littles also returns at receiver -- he also caught six passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
"We really haven't had an adequate replacement for Joey Stockton (1994-97)," said Harbaugh. "If you look back at our 10-win season (1997), I didn't realize what he gave to us.
"The key for Alan and Leroy to help our offense is to force opposing defenses to defend the deep ball," he went on. "We need big plays out of receivers, not a lot of catches."
Ogletree will handle the punting duties for a third straight year. Last season, he improved his average to 40.1 yards per kick, which ranked 29th in the nation, and was the final OVC Special Teams Player of the Week when he averaged 45.6 yards per boot on seven kicks at Southern Illinois. Peter Martinez won the place-kicking job in the spring -- he will replace departed four-year letterwinner and former All-American Jeff Poisel, who holds school records for career points by kicking and extra points, and is second all-time with 31 field goals.
Awaiting the Toppers is a schedule that features three teams ranked in last year's final Sports Network poll, and another two who were receiving votes. Western will have to battle two-time defending OVC champion Tennessee State as well as in-state rivals Eastern Kentucky and Murray State for the OVC crown, and will also take on nationally-ranked Elon and South Florida on the road in non-conference battles.
