1998 Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 31, 1998
The Missouri Tigers got over a big hump in 1997, posting their first winning record and making their first bowl appearance since 1983.
But there are more mountains to climb as Coach Larry Smith prepares for his fifth season at Ol' Mizzou.
"I didn't come here for one winning season," Smith said. "I came here for consistent winning seasons. We want to win again; win bigger."
Thanks to the presence of all-Big 12 quarterback Corby Jones, the Tigers have the ability to put a lot of points on the board. But to take the next step, the Tiger defense needs to improve against the score, and the kicking teams need to plug the holes that cost Mizzou dearly at times in 1997.
Missouri returns 16 starters - eight on offense, seven on defense, and its punter - from last year's club that posted a 7-5 record, won four of its final five regular-season games, and appeared in the Plymouth Holiday Bowl.
"I don't think they're satisfied," Smith said of his team. "They've got their nose to the grindstone. They're right in there working hard. They know they can win and know what they have to do to keep it up."
One of those things is summer preparation. About 90 Tigers spent the summer in Columbia working out, a trend that helped Missouri succeed a year ago.
Offense
QUARTERBACK - Headlining the 1998 Tigers will be senior quarterback Corby Jones, one of the nation's most exciting and versatile performers.
Jones burst into the national spotlight last season when he added a pinpoint passing touch to his already proven elusive running skills. He was Mizzou's offensive MVP after rushing for 887 yards and 14 touchdowns, and completing 53 percent of his passes for 1,658 yards and 12 scores.
Along the way to receiving first-team all-conference honors, he set 12 school records.
Jones is also an adept "pooch" punter. In his career, he's punted seven times from around midfield and had five of those downed inside the 10-yard line. Larry Smith has indicated that Jones will be utilized even more from the short punt formation in 1998.
There was a spirited competition for the backup quarterback role during the spring. Sophomore Ryan Douglass played in six games last season as the number-two signal caller, but right behind him are two redshirt freshmen - Jimmy Dougherty and Kurt Propst. Dougherty made strides during the latter half of spring workouts after Propst went down with a broken leg.
His rehabilitation was proceeding on schedule as of June, but his status for fall was still undetermined.
RUNNING BACK - Missouri has boasted of a potent running attack the last several years, ranking among the nation's top ten for two straight seasons. But three of the vital cogs in that ground machine have departed - all-time rushing leader Brock Olivo, and fullbacks Ernest Blackwell and Ron Janes - taking their talents to the NFL.
But that doesn't mean that MU's run-first attitude will change.
"We want to continue to have a strong running game," Smith said. "We'll have to change some priorities, though. The loss of our two fullbacks will affect us, but we want to keep our two-back set.
"That means that Corby Jones and Devin West will probably shoulder more of the carries. But with the good tight end corps that we have, we'll be able to formation more, subbing an extra tight end for the fullback."
West may have been Olivo's understudy for most of the past three years, but he virtually qualifies as a returning starter. He enters his senior campaign with 1,376 career rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. A dangerous runner when he gets to the corner, West gave a supreme effort in the Holiday Bowl, gaining 104 yards on just 11 carries.
As Mizzou's featured back in 1998, West is certain to receive more carries and he's beefed up to 222 pounds to prepare for the punishment.
"This is a very physical league," Smith said, "and you need a very physical tailback."
Diminutive sophomore Ricardo Rhodes has a big opportunity with Olivo's graduation. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in limited action last season, and has the elusive ability to be a coast-to-coast threat at any moment.
The Tigers also recruited to the tailback position, and three prized freshmen will have a chance to jump into the depth in August.
Missouri recruited three fullbacks, as well, and one of them entered school in January and participated in spring drills. Rob West is a 6-0, 236-pounder, from Southwest Mississipi Community College, who got ample opportunities in the spring to show his wares.
After a lost season due to injuries, sophomore Rashidi Johnson made a run at the position in the spring and emerged with the starter tag. West was running even with senior journeyman Sean Benton. Also back is sophomore Nathan Proctor, who spent part of the spring trying to learn the linebacker ropes before he returned to offense.
RECEIVERS - The passing game became a big part of the Missouri offensive arsenal in 1997, and the two leading pass catchers return - senior tight end Eddie Broks and junior wideout Kent Layman. Between them, they caught 45 passes for 845 yards and eight touchdowns.
But three senior wide receivers completed their eligibility - Jay Murchison, Ricky Ross and Torey Coleman - leaving a big void in the Tigers' depth.
Junior Kareem Wise is coming off a redshirt season and joined Layman as MU's only scholarshipped receivers who participated in spring drills. He's a big (6-3, 216), fast receiver who should step right in and contribute.
"We've got three coming in, one or two of whom could figure in prominent roles," Smith said. "(But) that means that one or two of our returning walkon receivers could find a spot." Sophomore John Dausman appears to be that person. He had a solid spring, topped off by a six-catch performance in the Black-Gold Game.
But while there are a few questions at wide receiver, the tight end position may be the deepest on the team. That depth is sure to mean that more passes will be coming the way of the tight ends in 1998.
Brooks adapted well to his move from wide receiver last season, and has beefed up to 233 pounds which will help him in his blocking assignments. Also returning is senior Jake Stueve, Mizzou's best blocking tight end. He skipped the spring while rehabbing a shoulder, but he is a proven commodity.
The future for Missouri lies in a trio of redshirt freshmen tight ends - Dwayne Blakley (6-4, 256), Brandon Ford (6-3, 245), and Garrett Hill (6-5, 256).
Blakley, an all-state basketball player in St. Joseph, had a standout spring and can be expected to see lots of action in 1998. He's an exceptional pass catcher.
"He caught everybody's eye in the spring," Smith said of Blakley. "He's a big target; he's quick. He gets out in patterns and knows how to use his body and get open and shield linebackers off. Our quarterbacks love him. They just put the ball up and he's going to bring it down. It's like him going up and bringing down a rebound or something."
Ford may be the best blocker, thanks to his high school experience at tackle. And Hill is a combination of both.
"The key to the last five games last season was that Corby Jones was very effective as a passer, so we want to see the continued development of our passing game; throwing more to the tight ends and to the backs out of the backfield," Smith said.
OFFENSIVE LINE - Two valuable starters depart from the left side of the line, all-conference guard Mike Morris and second-team all-league tackle Travis Biebel. But the offensive line is still going to be one of Mizzou's strengths.
Junior center Rob Riti (6-3, 283) will be one of the Big 12's best for the next two years. He had another outstanding off-season program, setting a school record with a 900-lb. squat lift. Other starters returning are right tackle Todd Neimeyer (6-5, 310), who has received some pre-season all-American attention, and right guard Craig Heimburger (6-3, 313).
Chris Meredith (6-5, 296) gets the first opportunity to replace Biebel at left tackle. Meredith has been a regular as an extra tight end the last two seasons, but will shed that role in 1998. He was pushed in the spring, though, by redshirt freshman Jeff Hellerstedt (6-4, 300).
Senior Cliff Smith (6-5, 284) has been a frequent starter at guard the last two seasons. He's a candidate for Morris' vacated left guard position, as is junior Michael Valadez (6-2, 288), who could also backup Riti at center.
Depth on the offensive line will come from redshirt freshmen Adrian Cole (6-4, 306), Aaron Crittendon, (6-5, 289), Mike Hayes (6-3, 298) and Paul Carrizal (6-4, 350), sophomore Joe Glauberman (6-3, 300), and junior Mike Silliman (6-5, 321).
"There was a lot of heated competition on the offensive line in the spring," Smith said.
Defense
Better experience on the defensive line - and speed behind it - give the Tigers every reason to think they'll continue to improve on defense in 1998. Last year, they showed marked improvement in the takeaway department, especially in the last half of the season when MU had a 13-5 advantage in turnover margin.
"We want to focus on playing better defense against the score, and cutting down on big plays," Smith said. "We did improve on forcing turnovers, and we want to continue to improve that. It was a significant reason why we won four of our last five games. We're going to be working hard to get more speed on the field."
Although the MU defense surrendered 30 points per game in '97, Smith thinks the Tiger defenders got some bad raps. MU allowed 76 points after already having victory salted away, allowed 20 points in overtime, and suffered from special teams breakdowns that allowed opponents to mount 23 drives of 56 yards or less.
DEFENSIVE LINE - Three veterans will prowl the middle - senior guard Justin Wyatt (6-4, 275), junior nose tackle Jeff Marriott (6-5, 288), and junior tackle Steve Erickson (6-4, 280). They've played a lot of football for the last two years and should benefit from that experience.
Junior strongman Pat Mingucci (6-2, 266) and sophomore David Webber (6-2, 314), a transfer from Nebraska, will offer depth. Mingucci moved from nose to guard in the spring to make room for Webber and both benefited from the switch.
Redshirt freshman tackle Michael Gavins (6-6, 300) got his first significant look this spring, with favorable reviews. He improved his strength dramatically during his redshirt year.
The end position will take on a new look in 1998. Marquis Gibson (6-2, 225), one of the top newcomers in the Big 12 last season, has moved to outside linebacker, or "bandit," for his senior season.
Stepping in at end will be senior Tim Mittelstadt (6-6, 263). A starter and contributor on the interior line in the past, he excelled on the edge during the spring and seems to have found a home. Prized freshman recruit Justin Smith from Jefferson City will get a quick look during the pre-season.
LINEBACKER - The Tigers will be looking for a more physical presence at the two inside linebacker positions in 1998. Junior Barry Odom (6-0, 219) returns to the weakside position. His speed has enabled him to make 175 tackles the last two seasons.
His strongside running mate, Al Sterling, sat out the spring while battling academic difficulties, but is expected to return in the fall. Especially good against the run, Sterling's presence will help bolster a thin group.
Without Sterling in the spring, Pat Duffy (6-1, 236) was left as the incumbent "Sam" linebacker and for the second straight year, he used the off-season practice to impress the Tiger coaches.
Redshirt freshman Duke Revard (6-3, 232) also showed during the spring that he can be a factor in 1998.
Junior Paul Schmanke (6-0, 219) is back to support Odom.
The moves of Gibson and Daryl Whittington (6-6, 227) to the bandit spot finally give the coaching staff the kind of athletes they've been looking for on the outside. Sophomore Barry Mazuch (6-5, 238) and junior Brian McKeown (6-4, 211) - both letterwinners in 1997 - also return.
Gibson was the team's top pass rusher last season with six quarterback sacks. Now that he's been moved outside for '98, it's apparent that the MU defense will feature more stunts and blitzes this year to utilize his attributes.
"The position was open with the graduation of Kevin Ford, and Gibson's the kind of athlete we need there," Smith said. "At end, he had problems last year getting covered up by a tight end. Moving him to the outside will free him up a lot more. And he can really drop in coverage."
SECONDARY - Missouri is well-set in the secondary with three starters returning - all-America candidate Harold Piersey at free safety, Caldrinoff Easter at strong safety, and Carlos Posey at one corner. All told, MU returns nine lettermen to the secondary and that experience will enable the Tigers to mix their coverages more.
Piersey led the team last year with five interceptions, all in the season's last four games, and was a second-team all-Big 12 selection. Easter will be starting for the third straight season, and has a nose for the ball. He's made 202 tackles in his career.
Posey was in and out of the lineup last season, but is a talented man-to-man defender with speed.
The other corner will likely be Wade Perkins, a senior who started the final three games last season and demonstrated that he can make big plays. He picked off two passes, forced a fumble and recovered one.
Up-and-coming sophomore Julian Jones, Mizzou's "nickel" back last season, is talented backup to Piersey, while sophomore Harold Hendricks will support Easter.
Senior Randy Potter, who began last season as a starting cornerback but had his season cut short by an ankle injury, returns to compete with Perkins, while sophomore Andre Roberson and senior Martez Young will work behind Posey. Young missed the spring while rehabilitating a knee that he injured in the Holiday Bowl.
Special Teams
Perhaps Mizzou's most important task during the spring was to shore up its special teams.
"We spent more time there than ever before," Smith said. He even staged one scrimmage as a "kicking-only" affair, where the ball could only be advanced through kicks and returns.
"Our special teams hurt us as a football team last year, and kept us from going 9-3, 10-2. It was a big factor that really jumped out in the bowl game. It cost us 21 pure points (vs. Colorado State) and some very critical field position.
"We worked on two phases of the team kicking game every practice. Then we worked on selection of personnel."
But the Tigers still need to find a kicker. Now graduated Scott Knickman had a record-breaking year as a senior last season when freshman recruit Jason Sproull couldn't answer the bell due to a thigh injury. The spring was expected to be his 'coming-out' party, but Sproull elected to quit, instead, leaving a pair of walk-ons - junior Tim Geiger and freshman Kevin Deptula - as Mizzou's only spring kicking candidates.
Smith eagerly awaits the August arrival of kicking recruit Alex St. Peter. Smith is looking for consistently deep kickoffs in addition to a kick-scoring threat, a quality that freshman recruit J.R. Romine may also be able to provide. Several new walk-ons with solid credentials also are expected to add competition.
The two men who have done virtually all of the Tigers' punting the last three years return, junior Vince Sebo and senior Jason Smith. "Our punters need to exhibit consistency with their punts," Smith said.
"We've also got to replace our deep snapper and our holder. Ben Davidson looks like he'll be able to step in as the snapper, and Ryan Douglass will work as the holder."
Finding consistent kick returners was also a priority.
"We made four turnovers in the punt return game last season. Randy Potter, Kent Layman and probably a freshman to be determined will be our people there. We have most of our kickoff returners coming back, and we took a good look at Ricardo Rhodes in the spring."
