WAC football on rise, but faces uphill battle
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Like many groups formed in the 1960s, the Western Athletic Conference's original members have gone their separate ways.
The six founding schools — Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — now have P.O. boxes in the Pac-10 and Mountain West conferences.
Still, as the WAC celebrates its 40th anniversary, little else has changed. The WAC has a small slice of the television market — eight of their nine ESPN and ESPN2 appearances will be on weeknights — no confirmed reservations in the Bowl Championship Series and a Q-recognition factor just below the third Tenor's.
While Fresno State received national recognition and the cover story in Sports Illustrated following a 6-0 start, by season's end the Bulldogs were scrambling for a bowl berth. FSU's sports information department had to distribute highlight videos after ESPN stopped airing Bulldog games in late October.
But Fresno State coach Pat Hill said his strategy of playing highly regarded opponents is the only path to earning a berth in the BCS, which offers millions of dollars in appearance fees for participating teams.
"I think you have to play as tough a schedule as you can," Hill said. "We're going to keep scheduling as many nonconference opponents, as we can, that are high-visibility programs. ... You've got to go undefeated if you want to be in one of those (BCS) games. If you lose a game, and you're in the Western Athletic Conference, you're out. If you go undefeated and you don't play a tough nonleague schedule, you're out. The only way you have a chance to do it in our conference is to play as tough a nonconference schedule as you can and go undefeated. That's the hand we've chosen to play."
Every WAC school is following the Bulldogs' lead.
"I've been in this league six years, but it's better than it's ever been," Hill said. "Last year, I thought we had outstanding teams in the conference."
Hill said Hawai'i's 72-45 victory over Brigham Young showed the quickness of the league.
"As far as the speed factor, I think we've caught up with everybody," Hill said. "I don't know where we are depth-wise."
Last year, Hill said, he voted for four WAC teams to place in the top-25 poll.
"I think we have good teams in our conference, but you have to understand, the BCS is a lot more powerful than we all think," Hill said. "It's very difficult to crash their party."
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BOISE STATE BRONCOS
• Coach: Dan Hawkins
• 2001 records: 8-4/6-2 WAC (T-2nd)
• The skinny: In their WAC debut, the Broncos were the most annoying newcomer since American Idol's Simon, costing league members $1 million each by ousting Fresno State from Bowl Championship Series contention. Ryan Dinwiddie was fourth nationally in passing efficiency (164.7), despite being suspended for one game after being found unconscious behind the wheel of an idling car. He pleaded guilty to DUI, and was ordered to perform community service. Last year, Brock Forsey and David Mikell split time at tailback; this season, the power running Forsey will play tailback and Mikell, the faster of the two, goes to fullback.
• Player to watch: Usually when a defensive back leads the team in tackles, a team has a poor front seven. Not so here, where Quintin Mikell often is used as a blitzer and run-stuffer. He had seven tackles for losses.
• The good: The Broncos have home-field advantage against Fresno State, Louisiana Tech, Rice and Hawai'i. In the last three years, the Broncos are 19-1 in home games.
• The so-so: The state legislature is considering whether to continue its annual $4 million contribution to the athletic program. Hawkins recently turned down a five-year contract extension.
• The alumni: Former world champion cowboy Dee Pickett; NFL Hall of Fame member Dave Wilcox.
• Fun fact: Yes, Bronco Stadium is the only stadium with blue turf, but, no, a bird has never crashed onto the field after mistaking it for water.
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FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
• Coach: Pat Hill
• 2001 records: 11-3/6-2 (T-2nd)
• The skinny: When Hill was hired in 1997, he vowed to upgrade the schedule in a let-it-ride bid to elevate the Bulldogs into national contenders. Hill was willing to play any team, anywhere. The strategy nearly paid off when the Bulldogs earned a No. 8 ranking after winning their first six games last season. But the Bulldogs lost consecutive games to Boise State and Hawai'i, and essentially finished third in the WAC, although they trumped Boise State for a bowl berth. Again, the Bulldogs play an ambitious schedule — road games at Wisconsin, Oregon and Oregon State — and are fueled by an attacking defense and the league's best threat — Bernard Berrian, who uses his speed (4.3 seconds over 40 yards) as a wideout and kick returner. But for all of their talent, the Bulldogs have won only one league title — a three-way tie in 1999 — during Hill's tenure.
• Player to watch: Quarterback Jeff Grady was a backup the first two years before redshirting in 2001. He used the year as an apprenticeship, traveling with the team, wearing a headset during games and learning from starter David Carr, an eventual No. 1 NFL draft pick. While he might not ever match up to Carr, Grady is an accurate passer, nimble and, most of all, the Bulldogs' only experienced quarterback.
• The good: Running back Derrick Ward returns after missing last season, and he should help minimize the heat on Grady. All he needs to do is earn a passing grade in a biology class that ends Friday.
• The so-so: Training camp opens today as the Bulldogs prepare for the longest regular season in the nation. Four of their first five games are on the road, beginning Aug. 23 against Wisconsin. They close against WAC defending champion Louisiana Tech Dec. 5.
The alumni: U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill; basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian.
Fun fact: Defensive end Nick Burley moonlights as a hair stylist.
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HAWAI'I WARRIORS
• Coach: June Jones
• 2001 records: 9-3/5-3 (T-4th)
• The skinny: Despite a ban on mopeds this season, the Warriors will not be a pedestrian team. Jones, who changes his offensive playbook by 25 percent each year, is prepared to turn to the slots — first-year starters Nate Ilaoa and Chad Owens. In the past, the slots were mostly the safety valves, running the short patterns while the wideouts went deep. This year, the slots often will go deep, and, even, be used on running plays. The running backs and quarterback Tim Chang, fully recovered from offseason wrist surgery, should benefit from UH's most agile offensive line in years. The Warriors are hopeful that by establishing a lineup quickly, an early-season slump can be avoided. UH lost its season openers in 1999 and 2000, then started 1-2 last season.
• Player to watch: Weak-side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa has dramatically improved his strength and quickness, and is poised for a breakout season. Tinoisamoa, who was a partial-qualifier and did not play as a freshman in 1999, would be eligible for a fifth season, in 2003, if he earns a degree by next summer. That might be a moot point, since Tinoisamoa is expected to be a highly regarded draft prospect this year.
• The good: For the first time in nearly two decades, the Warriors have depth on the defensive line.
• The so-so: The Warriors, who have not had a winning season during an even-numbered year since 1992, travel to Brigham Young, Texas-El Paso, Boise State, Fresno State and Rice.
• The alumni: Entertainer Don Ho; diva Bette Midler.
• Fun fact: Center Lui Fuata once won a team dodgeball contest.
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LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS
• Coach: Jack Bicknell
• 2001 records: 7-5/7-1 WAC (1st)
• The skinny: Bicknell, who was the center when Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie threw the famed hail-Mary pass to beat Miami in 1984, indeed believes in miracles. Consider that the Louisiana Tech football team is overshadowed by its women's basketball team and, entering its first season in the WAC in 2001, wasn't regarded as the best "Bulldogs" in the league. Still, the Bulldogs won the league title last year, thanks mostly to quarterback Luke McCown, who thrived in the wide-open offense. With a budget dependent on appearance fees, the Bulldogs still will play a difficult nonconference schedule. This year, they travel to Clemson, Penn State and Texas A&M. But no longer are they anonymous. "I feel for our men's basketball team," running back Joe Smith said.
• Player to watch: Smith rushed for 931 yards last season, the most by a Bulldog since 1984.
• The good: With the WAC agreeing to a conditional deal with the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the Bulldogs have a chance to earn a postseason berth even without the winning the league title.
• The so-so: The Bulldogs were 0-4 in nonconference games. But with one of the smallest athletic department budgets in Division I-A, the future schedule won't soften for a long time.
• The alumni: Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone; former NFL quarterback/ALF sidekick Terry Bradshaw.
• Fun fact: Defensive lineman Booker T. Washington is not related to his famous namesake. In fact, his parents, Jimmie and Loretta Hill, just liked the name.
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NEVADA WOLF PACK
• Coach: Chris Tormey
• 2001 records: 3-8/3-5 WAC (T-7th)
• The skinny: Two seasons ago, Tormey's first as the Pack coach, 10 true freshmen started. Last year, redshirt freshman Chance Kretschmer led the nation in rushing, averaging 157.5 yards per game. With the growing pains over, Tormey believes his team is ready to challenge for a postseason berth. The players are stronger — more than a dozen can bench press 400 pounds; in 2000, only two lifted that amount — and game-tested. Quarterback Zack Threadgill should help balance an offense dominated by Kretschmer, who had 302 carries, an NCAA freshman record. Nevada is 5-18 in its first two WAC seasons, and there is pressure to improve, especially after Louisiana Tech and Boise State finished 1-2 in their first WAC season.
• Player to watch: Nate Burleson, who set a single-game WAC record with 326 receiving yards, doubles as a cornerback.
• The good: Kretschmer did not receive a scholarship offer as a high school senior, prompting his grandmother to write a critical letter to Tormey. He ended up joining the Wolf Pack as a walk-on. By the third game of last season, he was on scholarship. By the end of the season, he was on All-America lists.
• The so-so: In four of five home games, the Wolf Pack drew fewer than 20,000.
• The alumni: Boxing referee/TV judge Mills Lane; soprano Dolora Zajick.
• Fun fact: School officials figured out the cause of the stench at Mackay Stadium. Geese were using the FieldTurf, which really does resemble grass, as a litter box.
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RICE OWLS
• Coach: Ken Hatfield
• 2001 records: 8-4/5-3 WAC (T-4th)
• The skinny: For the Owls, amassing the best record since 1993 meant diddly when it came to postseason invitations. "We're a small Division I school," halfback Vincent Hawkins said. "We know we have to win the conference to have a definite bowl bid. It's disappointing, but we're not going around telling everybody, 'it's unfair.' We accept it." Hatfield has patiently built the program, recruiting only high school players and redshirting nearly all freshmen. There is enough depth that Jeremy Hurd, who was the No. 1 quarterback until suffering a season-ending injury last August, has been moved to wide receiver. Kyle Herm, at 5 feet 8 and 175 pounds, is a double-threat quarterback in Rice's run-option offense. The top four tacklers were among last year's 32 seniors, but defensive end Brandon Green, who recorded a WAC-high 12 sacks and 21 tackles for losses, is back.
• Player to watch: Seven of Gavin Boothe's 39 career catches have resulted in touchdowns.
• The good: The Owls have expanded the offense, often using receivers as more than blockers. With defenses flooding the tackle box with as many as nine run-stoppers, Rice receivers are left facing single coverages.
• The so-so: This year, the NCAA permitted teams to add a regular-season game. Hatfield declined, and the Owls' season ends Nov. 16 — three weeks earlier than Fresno State's last game. The squandered opportunity would have given the Owls a chance to fatten their record.
• The alumni: Author Larry McMurtry; Tandy Corporation founder Charles Tandy.
• Fun fact: "The Mob" — Marching Owl Band — is open to all Rice students, even those without musical talent.
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SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS
• Coach: Fitz Hill
• 2001 records: 3-9/3-5 WAC (T-7th)
• The skinny: Last year, the cost-obsessed Spartans traded away a home game against a conference opponent and traveled eight hours by bus for a game in Los Angeles. This year, the Spartans, with a schedule flooded with "money games," will play seven of their first eight games on the road, including all five nonconference games. Their first home game is Sept. 28, the second is Oct. 26. Hill has issued a no-whine philosophy over the budget crunch, and instead is focusing on improving a team with 63 scholarship players (22 fewer than the NCAA limit). For now, they are going for the quick fix: 16 of the 29 newcomers are junior-college transfers. But Hill has vowed to recruit more high school players. Quarterback Marcus Arroyo will try to rebound from an uneven season in which he was benched two weeks after throwing for five touchdowns and setting the NCAA single-game record for passing efficiency (298.02). There also has been some off-field progress. A $4 million weight facility is finished, and the athletic department recently received a six-figure pledge toward the academic center.
• Player to watch: Brandon Miles, undersized as a 253-pound defensive tackle last year, is now an imposing starting tailback. He can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds.
• The good: Last year, the Spartans relied too much on often-injured running back Deonce Whitaker, who reported late to training camp while trying to complete work on his degree. This year, Hill is committed to a balanced attack.
• The so-so: The Spartans might not have the depth to weather their first 13-game regular season since 1939.
• The alumni: Author Amy Tan; Smothers brothers; singer Stevie Nicks.
• Fun fact: Tailback Trestin George's poem, "Intro," is posted at www.poetry.com. He was invited to participate in the 2002 International Society of Poets Festival in Florida.
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SOUTHERN METHODIST MUSTANGS
• Coach: Phil Bennett
• 2001 records: 4-7, 4-4 WAC (6th)
• The skinny: Bennett brings unabashed enthusiasm into his first season at SMU after serving as Kansas State's defensive coordinator. A Texas native who played at Texas A&M, Bennett spoke to dozens of community and business groups during the offseason. "He's awesome," linebacker Vic Viloria said. "He has a tough attitude. That's something we needed in Dallas. I haven't been this pumped up about football in a while." Bennett will focus most of his attention on the offense, which is going from a one-back to a split-back scheme. He also is putting his trust in redshirt freshman quarterback Tate Wallis, who was impressive in spring drills. Last year's top quarterbacks decided not to complete their eligibility. David Page, who earned a degree last spring, joined an accounting firm and is enrolled in a training program in Virginia. Kelan Luker joined a rock band in Orlando.
• Player to watch: Despite not starting until the middle of the season, ShanDerrick Charles rushed for 860 yards, breaking Craig James' SMU rushing record for a freshman.
• The good: Eight starters return to the WAC's statistically best defense last season.
• The so-so: The defense had many chances because the offense lost 18 fumbles last year.
• The alumni: First Lady Laura Bush; television producer Aaron Spelling.
• Fun fact: The parents of right tackle Sterling Harris legally adopted outside linebacker D.D. Johnson.
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TEXAS-EL PASO MINERS
• Coach: Gary Nord
• 2001 records: 2-9/1-7 WAC (9th)
• The skinny: A year after winning the league title, the Miners struggled, a free fall frequently blamed on a decision to switch from a 4-3 defense to the blitz-heavy flex defense. The Miners scrapped the flex after six games. But more than anything else, the root of their problems was the loss of several fifth-year seniors after the 2000 season. With 10 returning starters on defense, the Miners should be better. "We're in a pretty good situation right now," said safety D.J. Walker, who has 12 career interceptions.
• Player to watch: As a true freshman last year, quarterback Jon Schaper received significant playing time. HIs best asset is his scrambling ability, a survival skill necessary in an offense that relinquished 35 sacks last season.
• The good: Nord had another good recruiting class. Last year's valedictorian was linebacker Robert Rodriguez, who led the WAC with 137 tackles (12.5 per game).
• The so-so: The Miners have had a difficult time luring coaches. They are scrambling to replace former UH coach Bob Wagner, who resigned two weeks ago to become athletic director at Kamehameha Schools' Big Island campus.
• The alumni: Olympic gold medalist long-jumper Bob Beamon; ABC anchor Sam Donaldson.
• Fun fact: Long snapper/fullback Jon Dorenbos is a professional magician who has performed in Las Vegas and Hollywood.
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TULSA HURRICANE
• Coach: Keith Burns
• 2001 records: 1-10/0-8 WAC (10th)
• The skinny: Burns gave up fast food and Dr. Pepper (OK, he switched to Diet Dr. Pepper), but he just couldn't kick his coaching addiction. This year, Burns takes over as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, turning the offense over to Dan Lounsbury. "You can't stop coaching," Burns said. "I wanted to get back on the field. ... On Saturday, I wanted that gut feeling that, hey, I'm making the call. I'm not listening to it through a headset." Tyler Gooch, who shared the quarterback job with Josh Blankenship last year, is the starter this season. Gooch would have won the job even if Blankenship had not transferred during the offseason.
• Player to watch: Linebacker Michael Dulaney, who transferred from Oklahoma two years ago, had a team-high 93 tackles. Dulaney has never smoked, consumed alcohol or had sex. "It's something I've made a vow to God," said Dulaney, a Christian. "I know how important it is when you make that vow that you don't break it."
• The good: Injuries to the top three defenders last year enabled their replacements to develop.
• The so-so: It has yet to be determined whether Burns' involvement with the defense will hurt his overall game management.
• The alumni: Actress Rue McClanahan; golfer Nancy Lopez.
• Fun fact: Dulaney already has been accepted into law school.
