BIG SKY PREVIEW.Byline: Howard Beck N. ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS Are they good?: Is Flagstaff Flagstaff, city (1990 pop. 45,857), seat of Coconino co., N Ariz., near the San Francisco Peaks; inc. 1894. Lumbering, ranching, and a lively tourist trade thrive in the region, where many ruined pueblos, numerous state parks, several lakes, and large pine forests hot in August? With 17 returning starters, the Lumberjacks should dethrone de·throne tr.v. de·throned, de·thron·ing, de·thrones 1. To remove from the throne; depose. 2. To remove from a prominent or powerful position. Montana and make run at the national title. Players who matter: QB Travis Brown Travis Brown is a common name shared by multiple people. Some of the more notable Travis Browns include:
(2) (Network Addressable Unit) An SNA component that can be referenced by name and address, which includes the SSCP, LU and PU. lost 2,000-yard rusher Archie Amerson Archie Amerson (born 1974) was a running back in the Canadian Football League, spending most of his career with the Toronto Argonauts. Amerson played high school football at Samuel F.B. Morse High School in San Diego, California, from which he graduated in 1993. . DE Nick Petrucci gets chance to shine now that he's out of shadow of brother Ben, an All-American DE who graduated. QB status: Brown is the next great Big Sky passer. He threw for 3,398 yards and 23 touchdowns as a freshman to lead NAU to its first I-AA playoff appearance. Coach Steve Axman ax·man n. 1. One who wields an ax. 2. Slang One assigned to perform a task involving ruthless reduction, as of a work force or budget. 3. tutored NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga QBs Troy Aikman Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966 in West Covina, California) is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, and currently a television sportscaster for the Fox network. and Neil O'Donnell For the former Norwich City player, see Neil O'Donnell (Scottish footballer). Neil Kennedy O'Donnell (born July 3, 1966 in Morristown, New Jersey) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons (1990-2003) with the and believes Brown will join them in the pros. ``This guy, one of these days, is going to be a very rich man,'' Axman said. Coach's status: NAU was 3-8 year before Axman got there, now is ranked No. 1 in the nation. (He gets bonus points for coordinating his last name with school's mascot.) How they'll win: If Brown avoids the sophomore jinx jinx n. 1. A person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck. 2. A condition or period of bad luck that appears to have been caused by a specific person or thing. tr.v. , and if the defense - Big Sky's third worst in '96 - improves as expected. How they'll lose: If the loss of Amerson proves too much to overcome. A pair of inexperienced RBs, Tyler McDonnell and Kino kino the juice of certain plants, some tropical and some Australian eucalypts, used in medicine as an astringent. Carson, will try to replace the yards. Schedule: Lumberjacks should cruise through early part of season, then get Montana, Eastern Washington
The key game: Hmm, tough call. How 'bout Montana on Oct. 25? MONTANA GRIZZLIES Montana Grizzlies is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Montana. The women's teams use the name Lady Griz. The university is a member of the Big Sky Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 12 varsity teams. Are they good?: Yes, despite losing 16 starters. Players who matter: All-American LB Jason Crebo matters a lot - he's the only defensive starter returning. The coach's son, Jake Dennehy, takes over at FS. QB Brian Ah Yat is among the nation's best, and he's got three excellent returning WRs in Raul Pacheco, Josh Paffhausen and Justin Olsen and returning RB Josh Branen. QB status: Ah Yat's lofty status alone (42 TDs, 3,615 yards) has some people picking Montana to repeat. His fans include Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated is the largest weekly American sports magazine owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. It has over 3 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men, 19% of the adult males in the country. , which featured him last week. Coach's status: Mick Dennehy inherited the 1995 national champions and took them back to the title game in 1996, his first year as coach. This rebuilding year is his first true test. ``We graduated maybe the best senior class in the history of the Big Sky,'' he said. ``That is where our problems arise.'' How they'll win: With warm and fuzzy feelings. Says Dennehy, ``The key is not necessarily to replace 10 kids . . . The key is to place 11 people on the field that care about one another and love each other like the 10 that left.'' How they'll lose: If it's true that love is never enough. Schedule: October is rough, at Wyoming to start and consecutive games against Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona Northern Arizona is dominated by the Colorado Plateau, the southern border of which in Arizona is called the Mogollon Rim. In the West lies the Grand Canyon, which was cut by the flow of the Colorado River while the land slowly rose around it. to finish. The key game: Sentimental pick is Nov. 22 against Montana State, but Big Sky title is decided at NAU on Oct. 25. E. WASHINGTON EAGLES Are they good?: One Big Sky coach picked them No. 1, and it wasn't their own. Players who matter: Second-team All-Americans, LB Derek Strey and FS Maurice Perigo, lead a group of seven returning defensive starters. RB Rex Prescott had 769 yards and eight TDs last year is among the best returning runners in the conference. QB status: Senior Harry Leons was 5-1 before tearing his ACL See access control list. 1. ACL - Access Control List. 2. ACL - Association for Computational Linguistics. 3. ACL - A Coroutine Language. A Pascal-based implementation of coroutines. ["Coroutines", C.D. . Freshman Griffin Garske took over and went 1-4 through the tougher part of the schedule. They're competing for the starting job, and the more seasoned Leons has the edge. Coach's status: Coach Mike Kramer, in his fourth year, has his team on the brink of greatness. ``I've got no excuses now,'' he said. ``We're good enough to challenge (for the title).'' How they'll win: If they can improve on a defense that ranked next to last (403.6 yards/game), and if Prescott can rush for 1,000 yards. How they'll lose: If they haven't learned to win in the clutch - they lost three Big Sky games (Weber, Montana, NAU) in the final minute of play. Schedule: They'll beat up on a couple NAIA NAIA abbr. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes Division II schools and newcomer Portland State to start the season but toughest games are on the road - at Montana and at Northern Arizona. The key game: Home against CSUN on Nov. 15. Eastern wants revenge for the broken jaw CSUN gave Perigo last year on a questionable hit. ``The incident was as ugly an incident as I've seen in sports,'' Kramer said. WEBER ST. WILDCATS Are they good?: Our thesaurus says synonyms for ``good'' include ``serviceable,'' ``adequate'' and ``competent.'' New Weber motto: ``Wildcats - we're adequate!'' Players who matter: If the Wildcats had a few more players like Scott Shields Scott Shields may refer to:
QB status: The Wildcats lost Roger Cook (3,200 yards, 20 TDs) and are uncertain who will replace him. Junior John Fassel (son of Jim Fassel Jim Fassel (born August 31, 1949 in Anaheim, California) was formerly the offensive coordinator for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and former head coach of the New York Giants. , the N.Y. Giants coach) threw one pass for Weber last season and competes with junior Steve Buck, a transfer from UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX ; freshman Josh Heupel Josh Heupel (born March 22, 1978), is the current quarterbacks coach at the University of Oklahoma and former quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners football team (1999-2000). Personal Heupel was raised, and played high school football, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. , high school player of the year in South Dakota South Dakota (dəkō`tə), state in the N central United States. It is bordered by North Dakota (N), Minnesota and Iowa (E), Nebraska (S), and Wyoming and Montana (W). , and sophomore Chris Wallace, a Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. High grad. Coach's status: Dave Arslanian enters his ninth year in charge. His teams have finished as high as third three times, including last season, compiling a 47-42 record during his tenure. How they'll win: If Shields adds quarterback to his resume. Or, alternatively, if the winner of the QB derby can find Quayle on a regular basis. How they'll lose: If FS Shields breaks a leg, sidelining P Shields and PK Shields in the process. Schedule: Even early nonconference games are tough, with Division II power Western State, I-AA independent Southern Utah and former Big Sky member Boise State. The key game: Oct. 18, at home against Portland State. Vikings are on the upswing, and a home loss to the recent I-AA arrival would be rough. MONTANA ST. BOBCATS Are they good?: Good enough to hang in there and keep it close, only to lose half their games anyway. Players who matter: Bobcats have one of the best defensive line tandems with DE Neal Smith and DT Ty O'Connor, and FS Tyson Tucker is also solid. Inglewood product Kenyatte Morgan is excellent return man and receiver. QB status: Rob Compson, who started last year as a sophomore, returns and is reliable, if unspectacular. He passed for 1,385 yards, nine TDs and seven interceptions last year. Coach's status: Cliff Hysell is in fifth year, and his fourth-place finish in 1993 ranks as his best year. Last year's 6-5 record is only second winning season. How they'll win: With defense. They had third-best overall defense in '96, and allowed league-low 12 passing TDs. How they'll lose: If they can't replace the offensive production of RB Matt Engelking (1,256 yards, 10 TDs). Schedule: Hysell is unhappy with late start - first game is Sept. 13 at Chadron State, leaving Bobcats a week behind in preparation. The key game: Nov. 22 vs. Montana, 'natch. PORTLAND ST. VIKINGS Are they good?: No, but getting better with infusion of JC transfers and redshirts. ``Portland State might be the most improved and best defensive team in the conference,'' said Eastern Washington coach Kramer. Players who matter: LB Tom Matijacic, an All-America candidate. RB Gary Clemons, last year's leading rusher with 646 yards, if he's eligible, or RB Charles Dunn if Clemons isn't. QB status: Redshirt freshman Jimmy Blanchard is leading candidate to replace last year's starter Eric Kiesau. Coach's status: Tim Walsh, who enters fifth year, inherited perennial Division II power and faces tough task of elevating it to I-AA contender. How they'll win: If the 20 guys they redshirted last year provide the talent infusion they think they will provide. How they'll lose: If they don't improve a defense that allowed 1,907 rushing yards in a pass-happy conference. Schedule: A rough ride begins at Fresno State Aug. 30 and never gets any easier. The key game: A win at Idaho State on Nov. 15 would let Vikings finish on a positive note. IDAHO ST. BENGALS Are they good?: Er, not exactly. Only 40 players with any experience at ISU ISU Iowa State University ISU Issue ISU Idaho State University ISU Illinois State University ISU Indiana State University ISU International Skating Union ISU International Space University ISU I-Shou University (Taiwan) return. Players who matter: RB Craig Joseph (820 yards in '96) will be heavily relied on, as new coach Tom Walsh tries to establish a ball-control running game in lieu of passing attack. QB status: QB Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson (born July 16, 1959 in Parys, Free State, South Africa) is a former American football placekicker. was 29 of 79 for 465 yards in injury-plagued season but is healthy now. Coach's status: Walsh, a longtime assistant with NFL's Raiders, takes over a program in disarray after the departure of Brian McNeely (10-26 conference record in five seasons). How they'll win: With long, methodic drives that keep the other offense, and ISU's defense, off the field. How they'll lose: If they still need name tags in September. Walsh's motto this season is, ``Introduce yourself and get to work.'' Schedule: Well, at least they get Montana and Northern Arizona at home. The key game: Oct. 4, at Sacramento, might be their only win. SACRAMENTO ST. HORNETS Are they good?: About as good as their dorky dork n. 1. Slang A stupid, inept, or foolish person: "the stupid antics of America's favorite teen-age cartoon dorks" Joshua Mooney. 2. '97 slogan: ``It's great to be a Hornet hornet: see wasp. in the Sky.'' Players who matter: Hornets' top three receivers all return, and are as good as you'll find: Tyrone Taylor, Carlos Smith and Sheridan Mitchell. QB status: A.J. Bernhardt, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior, is the new starter. He was all-conference at Shasta JC. Coach's status: Third-year coach John Volek has a healthy attitude in his rebuilding effort. ``We're going to do it the right way, get guys who are going to stay in school. We're not going to have the revolving door of a transfer program. . . . My contract was extended to 2001 to build this thing right.'' How they'll win: If offensive line of juniors stays healthy, avoiding all-freshman backup corps. How they'll lose: If more than one of their league-low 43 scholarship players gets hurt. Schedule: No chance to breath. Even rival UC Davis, a Division II program, is tough, ranked in the Top 10. The key game: Nov. 22 at Cal Poly Cal Poly may refer to:
SLO San Luis Obispo (California) SLO Service Level Objectives (information technology services) , best chance for a win. DAILY NEWS PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Ah Yat, Montana, Jr. Defensive Player of the Year: Derek Strey, E. Washington Newcomer of the Year: A.J. Bernhardt, QB, Sacramento OFFENSE QB: Brian Ah Yat, Montana, Jr. Threw 42 TDs as a sophomore RB: Craig Joseph, Idaho St., Sr. Lots of carries with new emphasis on rushing RB: Josh Branen, Montana, Sr. Ran for 1,000 yards including '96 playoffs WR: Gibbons Famous people named Gibbons include:
WR: Steve Correa, E. Washington, Sr. 23.4 yards/catch in '96 best in the Sky TE: Cam Quayle, Weber St., Sr. Top pass-catching TE in Division I-AA OT: Dan Finn, N. Arizona, Sr. All-American anchors stellar offense OT: Jason Baker, Montana, Sr. Stalwart in protecting Ah Yat C: Ryan Lingenfelder, N. Arizona, Sr. Tough last name, tougher blocker OG: Jim Buzzard buzzard, common name for hawks of the genus Buteo and the genus Pernis, or honey buzzard, of the Old World family Accipitridae. Honey buzzards feed on insects, wasp and bumblebee larvae, and small reptiles. , E. Washington, Sr. Best Eagle is a Buzzard OG: Paul Sauter, CSUN, Sr. Veteran presence on steady front line. K: Scott Shields, Weber St., So. Reliable FG maker when he's not tackling WRs Ret: Ricky Pearsall, N. Arizona, Sr. Simply elusive: top punt returner in I-AA DEFENSE DE: Neal Smith, Montana St., Sr. Imposing presence, had 9 sacks in '96 DE: Steve Mattson, E. Washington, Sr. Mr. Turnover: grabbed 2 ints., 3 fumbles DT: Chris Scott, E. Washington, Sr. 73 tackles and a powerful tandem with Mattson DT: Ty O'Connor, Montana State, Jr. Other half of Sky's other great D-line tandem LB: Jason Crebo, Montana, Sr. Should repeat as AP All-American LB: Marc Goodson, CSUN, Sr. Intense defender vying for All-America honors LB: Derek Strey, E. Washington, Jr. All-American had 126 tackles, 4 ints CB: Bennie Herron, CSUN, Sr. Returned two of his 4 picks for TDs in '96 CB: Buster Henderson, Sacramento, Jr. Bright spot on an inexperienced team FS: Scott Shields, Weber St., Jr. 10 ints. last year - and did we mention the FGs? SS: Josh Remington, Montana, Sr. Will help ease loss of defensive starters P: Scott Shields, Weber St., Jr. In Ogden they're calling him `Jack of All Trades.' BIG SKY CONFERENCE Predicted final standings: 1. Northern Arizona 2. Montana 3. Eastern Washington 4. CSUN 5. Weber State 6. Montana State 7. Portland State 8. Idaho State 9. Sacramento State CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, 2 Boxes PHOTO (1) Montana quarterback Brian Ah Yat threw for 3,615 yards and 42 TDs last season and has three returning receivers this year. Daily News File Photo (2) Montana State wide receiver Kenyatte Morgan burned Cal State Northridge for a game-winning 80-yard touchdown catch and is among the Big Sky's top returning receivers. Associated Press BOX: (1) DAILY NEWS PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM (see text) (2) BIG SKY CONFERENCE (see text) |
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