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2005 Season Preview |
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The success of past Purple Raider teams has raised the bar of expectations beyond the realm of just being competitive. The goal at Mount Union is simple: WIN. And under the steady guidance of Head Coach Larry Kehres the Purple Raiders have done just that. Since taking the head coaching reigns from mentor Ken Wable in 1986, Kehres has led the Raiders to an outstanding overall record of 217-19-3 (91.4%). And even more unbelievable are the Raider records since the start of the 1992 season:
As usual, Mount Union returns a good mix of veteran players with five offensive starters from the ’04 squad that led the OAC in scoring and total offense and six starters from the conference's stingiest defense. Leading the offensive charge into 2005 will be a veteran and talented offensive line that returns four starters in senior tackle Tom Manning (First-Team All-OAC), senior guard Jeff Goodwill, junior tackle Jason Lewis and sophomore guard Derek Blanchard. Junior tackle Ryan Creachbaum and sophomore center Eric Safran are expected to battle for the remaining starting spot after seeing significant time in 2004. This expected group of starters averages a paltry 6’-3” and 278 lbs, which may not be the behemoth size that some of the past groups had, but don’t let their svelte waistlines fool you. This group has the potential to be a great O-line as all are athletic, experienced and hard working. The wide
receiving corp. returns two very sure handed and veteran receivers in
seniors Scott Casto (23 rec/4 TD’s) and Joe Bugura (19 rec/4 TD’s ) as well
as numerous young WR’s just waiting for their chance to produce. Among the
youngsters are Nick Ciani and Steve Palte who saw limited action in 2004.
The 2005 newcomers have big shoes to fill as Mount Union must replace it’s
top three pass catchers in Drew Though Mount Union lost its top two running backs due to graduation, the cupboard is hardly bare. The 2005 running game will be carried on the very capable legs of junior TB Aaron Robinson (63 car./465 yds/4 TD’s) and senior FB Kelechi Ibeh (28 car./151 yds/3 TD’s). Robinson brings great speed and an explosive “home run hitter’s” ability to the backfield as evidenced by his team leading 7.4 yards per carry in 2004. Making Robinson’s path clear will be the human wrecking ball that is Kelechi Ibeh. Ibeh is most known for his crushing blocks but is also a versatile runner and receiver in the balanced Mount Union offense. The biggest
question surrounding the offense is who will be manning the quarterback
position. The obvious candidates are junior Mike Jorris and senior Randy
Mason, both of which saw action in ’04 backing up Zac Bruney a 2004 All-OAC
and Gagliardi Finalist. A new QB’s best friend is a talented offensive line
and a solid running game, both of which the Raiders have coming into this
season. The QB question shouldn’t be too big of a worry with Larry Kehres
calling the shots based on his track record of producing First-Team All-OAC
QB’s such as Jim Ballard, Bill Borchert, Gary Smeck and Zac Bruney. The talk surrounding the Mount Union defense in the off-season has been the resignation of longtime Defensive Coordinator Don Montgomery who spent the last 27 years on the Mount Union sidelines. Don resigned last winter to become the head coach at Emory & Henry College in western Virginia and we all wish Don the best of luck. After 19 years with Coach Montgomery as the defensive architect, the question for ’05 is what will the defense look like? What style, what alignments, what changes will be implemented? While the defensive plan might be a question mark, it’s a sure bet that a fast and talented defense will once again be wearing purple and white in ’05 with four 2004 All-Conference selections and two additional starters returning.
The defensive
line will be anchored by senior Second-Team All-OAC defensive tackle Jesse
Wells (78 hits/7 for loss/3 sacks) and Honorable Mention All-OAC defensive
end Justen Stickley (53 hits/15 for loss/7.5 sacks) with senior Greg Brauer
(31 hits/6 for loss/4.5 sacks) manning the other DE spot. The Raiders once
again should be dominant in the defensive trenches as this group is very
explosive. The Raider secondary returns two starters in senior cornerback Ross Watson (37 hits/3 INT’s), a Second-Team All-OAC performer at cornerback, and senior strong safety Ken Whitfield (55 hits/1 INT’s). Also returning is sophomore cornerback Marquelle Knight who saw playing time in the playoffs as a true freshmen. The linebacking core took the biggest hit by the graduation of two-time All-OAC LB’s Shaun Spisak and Anthony Frate. The lone returner however is a good one in senior outside linebacker Mike Gibbons (91 hits/14.5 for loss/5 sacks), an Honorable Mention All-OAC pick last year. Strong special teams have been a Mount Union trade mark and look for that to continue into 2005. Larry Kehres and kicking coach Clyde Ross will have to find a new punter and place kicker as graduation has decimated both positions.
In order for the
Raiders to reach their ultimate goal of an 8th national championship, Mount
Union must deal with an ever-toughing Ohio Athletic Conference schedule that
is littered with potential landmines. The 2005 OAC schedule does shine on
Mount Union as three of the strongest teams will visit Mount Union Hopefully for the Raider program and its legion of fans, the 2005 season is one to remember. See you all in September!
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Hanley (First-Team All-OAC at tight end),
Jason Cavell (Second-Team All-OAC at wide receiver), and running back Rick
Ciccone.
Stadium
to face the Raiders. Only a trip to John Carroll in week two has the
Raiders playing a bitter rival away from the friendly confines of Larry Kehres Field. A week four showdown with the high-flying Capital Crusaders
provides a good mid-season test before the Raiders face the always tough
Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets and the Ohio Northern Polar Bears in
back-to-back weeks. The ’04 match-up with ONU