Fighting Scots Poised to Repeat Last Year's Success

Release Date: July 12, 2002

What will the Fighting Scots do for an encore?

That is the burning question as Monmouth coaches and players go into the stretch run of their preparation for the 2002 season. The Scots will enter the campaign on a four-game winning streak, and they'll be attempting to prove they're not a one-year wonder after last fall's 8-2 record and third-place finish in the Midwest Conference, which followed a 3-7 campaign in 2000.

Although key players were lost from last season's team, including All-MWC selections Brian Valentini (DE), Jason Robinson (LB), Nick Martin (RB), Randy Williams (WR) and Randy Terrell (RB), coach Steve Bell had a deep squad last season, and plenty of players are waiting for their chance to shine, including more than 60 new recruits.

"When you graduate very talented players like we did, good programs are able to fill those gaps and move on," said Bell. "We feel that we have talented enough kids to fill the gaps and move on to a higher level."

The area with the most openings is the offensive line, where four starters, including All-MWC picks Brett Gerue and Ryan Pearson, graduated. Tackle Jon Newcomb will be back to anchor the line, but finding a unit that can gel quickly and open running holes while protecting quarterback Rob Purlee is a high priority for Bell's training camp, which begins Aug. 17. Veterans Brett Black and Matt Copple will contend for starting line spots, and Bell feels good about his tight ends, where starter Nate Tipton will be backed up by Lucas Baker.

Purlee, in his first full season under center, had a record-breaking year in 2001, shattering the previous mark for TD passes by throwing 28. The All-MWC pick also set the Scots' yardage record, winding up with 1,979. He is certainly viewed as a strength on offense, and so his receiving corps. Nathan Gaskill stepped up last season with 625 yards and eight TDs, and Tyler Snyder also had some memorable moments, scoring five times. In addition, Ryan Wood, who led the Scots in receiving in 2000 with 717 yards, is back on the squad.

Tailback Todd Sabean thrilled Monmouth fans with an 89-yard TD run in his first collegiate contest, and he finished the season with 380 yards. He'll get the chance to be the No. 1 back this season in a wide-open competition, and Bell is high on Ed McCracken and Adam Chorazy at the fullback slot, a key position in the coach's offensive scheme. McCracken could also see dual duty at tailback.

"During our training camp, it's vital that we obtain some continuity with our offense," said Bell. "We need to establish consistency with our linemen so that they can give our talented skill kids a chance to make plays."

Defensively, Monmouth is strongest up front, where All-MWC selections and All-American candidates Matt Lerner (16 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) and Tobias Dickerson (4 sacks) anchor the Scots' first line of defense. Andy Stumpf, a key contributor at defensive end in 2000 with three sacks and three fumble recoveries, is also back after missing a year.

All-conference performer Rob Rogers figures to step into Robinson's leadership role in the linebacking corps, and Monmouth could return its entire secondary, including All-MWC performers Justin Oertle and Scott Stanton and two-year starter Luke Jackson.

"Defensively, we solidified a standard last year of stopping the run first," said Bell. "It's up to our defense this year to elevate that standard and become a dominating defense. We have the kids to do it."

On special teams, placekicker Andy Full and punter Phil Pullen are back, and Snyder (punts) and Gaskill (kickoffs) have experience as return men and could step into those roles again.

For Monmouth to have the kind of success it's seeking this season, a fast start will be the key. After opening on the road on Sept. 7 with non-conference foe Loras College, the Scots meet the two teams that finished ahead of them in the MWC - co-champions Ripon (Sept. 14) and St. Norbert (Sept. 21).

"Our goal was to upgrade our non-conference game, and by adding Loras, we've scheduled a very good football team from a very good conference," said Bell. "Regarding our conference schedule, I wouldn't want it any other way. We'll find out real early what kind of team we've got. We've got to be very focused during two-a-days."

Monmouth will have to get used to the new scheduling twist, as perennially strong St. Norbert and Ripon will be the Scots' first two league opponents through the 2005 season. St. Norbert has won or shared the MWC title the last three years.

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