EDINBORO, Pa. -- Scott Browning has won 13 games in his first two seasons at Edinboro, more than any previous Edinboro head coach in his first two years. As an assistant coach for the Fighting Scots he's been involved with five PSAC championship teams, eight teams that were selected for the NCAA playoffs, and ten teams that won eight or more games. Did we mention a pair of bowl appearances while working as a graduate assistant at Ohio State?
The point is, Browning knows a thing or two about winning. But when he comes to his 2008 Fighting Scot edition, he's not quite sure what to expect. “I told our squad at the end of spring ball that we could be 2-9 or 11-0,” he commented. “It all depends on how hard we work this summer. How do you respond the first time you face adversity. I think when you come out of spring ball you're not quite sure how tough you are, both mentally and physically.
“I think we have the talent to have a rewarding season. The question is, how quick can we grow up and gel. The last two years we lost an awful lot of good football players. We have a lot of young players who will be forced to play a lot of football. How will they respond?”
For years Browning has preached the need for a balanced attack, first as the Fighting Scots' offensive coordinator and over the last two years as the head coach.
Now as Browning enters his third season as the head coach and 23rd season as a member of the Edinboro coaching staff, he still strives for a balanced attack. However, after trying for years to inject more life into the passing game, now it's the ground game that has some catching up to do.
The Fighting Scots averaged 142.9 ypg., hardly pedestrian numbers, but still ranking just ninth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. “To be more effective as an offense we need to be more balanced,” Browning emphasized. “We need to be more effective running the ball.”
There's the key. It's not as if there's much wrong with the Edinboro offense. Junior quarterback Trevor Harris directs a high-octane aerial attack that ranked first in the PSAC and eighth in NCAA Division II at 312.8 yards per game.
The rest of the numbers show that the Fighting Scots possess one of the top offenses not just in the conference, but in the country. Edinboro averaged 35.7 ppg. a year ago, good for fourth in the PSAC and 25th nationally. Browning's offense scored 393 total points, the fourth-highest total in the 79-year history of the program. It scored 30-or-more points eight times, and 40-or-more points five times. Edinboro ranked second in the PSAC and 18th nationally in total offense (455.7 ypg.).
Eight starters return on offense, led by Harris, who was the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year and a Harlon Hill Trophy Northeast Region semifinalist. The numbers are staggering when you take into account the final two games of the 2006 season, when the Fighting Scots opened up the attack. Harris has averaged just over 312 yards per game passing in the last 13 games, with eight games of 300-or-more yards. Consider that Edinboro passers had previously had just six games of 300-or-more yards prior to Harris' arrival.
“There's no secret that we have the Player of the Year back,” related Browning. “Offensively everything starts around him. We have experienced receivers back and some experience at tailback. On the offensive line we have three starters back who are really good football players. I think offensively we have things in place and can move forward.”
But, as Browning reiterated, the need to move the ball effectively on the ground is paramount. A healthy Houston Brown would do wonders. The junior has played just 11 games at tailback after moving over from cornerback as a true freshman late in the 2006 campaign. He has accounted for 15 touchdowns during that period, but he missed the final four games after suffering a broken leg early in the Indiana(Pa.) game.
“We have to get back to being more physical as an offense, and that includes the offensive line and the backs,” Browning pointed out. “We need to be able to run the ball when we want to.”
The other point of contention for the Fighting Scots is the defense. It wasn't that long ago that Edinboro's defense ranked among the best in Division II. In fact, Edinboro paced the PSAC in rushing defense and total offense both in 2005 and 2006, and ranked first in scoring defense in 2005 and third in 2006.
Those numbers ballooned in 2007. The Fighting Scots ranked eighth in the PSAC in both scoring defense (27.8 ppg.) and total defense (381.4 ypg.). Both figures were the highest in years. In fact, the 306 points allowed were the third-highest total in school history.
In all fairness, the inflated numbers can be partially attributed to a more wide-open PSAC. The pass has become the trademark of the league, and with it inflated point totals. Consider that a year ago teams averaged 40 more pass attempts and 27 points during the season. But the blame also must fall to a defensive unit that has undergone a great deal of change over the past few years.
“Defensively we played a lot of young guys,” admitted Browning. “We lost some very good players. We really looked to simplify things for our young players a little bit during spring drills. It's important that we get back to being a defense that flows to the ball and is aggressive and physical.”
The good news for Browning is that 32 letterwinners return to a team that finished 7-4 a year ago while playing four nationally-ranked teams. The bad news is a schedule that figures to be every bit as arduous as last year's.
For starters, the Fighting Scots open up the 2008 campaign with three very difficult road games. It starts with a Saturday, August 30 date at West Liberty State. The Hilltoppers were 8-3 a year ago and barely missed making the NCAA playoffs.
That's followed by long road trips to C.W. Post and Shippensburg the next two weeks. C.W. Post is now an associate member of the PSAC and will compete in the Eastern Division. The addition of Gannon and Mercyhurst to the Western Division moved Shippensburg to the East.
The home opener is also the start of divisional play, and the Fighting Scots will face the preseason favorite right off the bat. California(Pa.), 13-1 a year ago, reached the Division II semifinals before suffering a narrow loss to eventual national champion Valdosta State. The Vulcans are rated as high as second in some preseason polls.
Indiana(Pa.), another NCAA playoff entrant a year ago with a 9-3 record, will also visit Sox Harrison Stadium, as will new local divisional rivals Gannon and Mercyhurst. Throw in a road game at Slippery Rock (9-2 in '07), and it's easy to see why Browning has such a wide range of possible victories.
OFFENSE
With Trevor Harris at the helm of an offense that returns eight starters the Fighting Scots should once again showcase a high-powered attack with plenty of balls filling the air. The record-setting signal-caller directed an attack that averaged 35.7 ppg. and 455.7 yards per game in total offense.
Few teams were able to slow down the Fighting Scots, as Edinboro scored 30-or-more points in eight games. However, the two most prominent teams that stand in the way of the Fighting Scots claiming a PSAC West title – Indiana(Pa.) and California(Pa.) – were the lone teams to hold Edinboro under ten points.
“I think we've got two exceptional players in Trevor Harris and Houston Brown,” noted Browning. “We have a solid group surrounding them. It all depends on how we progress. I think we're going to be better up front. The offensive line worked hard together and will go to war together.”
The Fighting Scots do have a few holes to fill. The line must replace four-year starter Andy Young, who started 38 games in his career, and Mike Mills, the starting right side of the line.
In addition, two-time All-PSAC West tight end Kyle Witucki is gone. He departed holding all of the school's receiving records for tight ends.
Quarterback
What few records Trevor Harris hasn't set will likely fall this year. The 6'3”, 215 lb. junior enjoyed the finest season ever by an Edinboro quarterback a year ago while being named the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year. He moved up to the All-PSAC West first team after earning second team honors as a freshman. Harris will make another run at the Harlon Hill Trophy after finishing as a Northeast Region semifinalist in 2007.
Harris completed 292 of 426 passes for 3,268 yards with 30 TDs, all school records. The pass completions also broke the PSAC record, while the yards passing ranks fourth all-time in the conference. He threw just 10 interceptions, and four of those came in the season finale against Slippery Rock. Throw in 250 yards rushing and five more touchdowns and Harris accounted for a school record 3,518 yards in total offense, the sixth-highest total in PSAC history. He ranked seventh in Division II in total offense and seventh in passing yards per game.
With still two years to play, Harris ranks third in career yards passing with 5,815 yards and fourth in total offense with 6,011 yards. He needs 1,484 yards to break the school record for yards passing, and 1,663 yards for a new standard in total offense. In addition, he is tied for third in career touchdown passes with 50, 12 shy of the school record.
“Trevor continues to get better in every phase,” warned Browning. “Physically, he's bigger, faster and stronger. He's mentally sharper. He's a natural leader. Bottom line – he makes us go.”
Joe Wanson will once again serve as the backup. The 6'4”, 225 lb. junior has seen limited action the last two years, completing 11 of 22 passes for 173 yards with a touchdown and 3 INTs a year ago, and knows the offense well.
Running Back
If the Fighting Scots are to showcase a more effective ground game, Houston Brown will play a key role. The 5'9”, 205 lb. missed the final four games of the season after suffering a broken leg against Indiana(Pa.).
When healthy, Brown is a dynamic performer who excels both as a runner and receiver. An outstanding athlete, he started as a true freshman at cornerback before moving to tailback for the final four games of the 2006 campaign. All told, he has played in just 11 games at tailback, scoring 15 touchdowns. Needless to say, the coaching staff is curious to see what Brown can do in a complete season.
Despite sitting out four games, Brown finished as the team's leading rusher with 424 yards on 81 carries with 7 TDs. He added 14 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Ulysee Davis has enjoyed a productive career while serving as a part-time starter the last three years. “Spud”, as he is known to teammates, enters his senior campaign ranking 15th in career rushing with 1,625 yards. A year ago he finished with 403 yards and 4 TDs on 76 carries.
Browning feels the Scots have plenty of depth at tailback. In addition to Davis, redshirt freshmen Davaun Stedge and Michael Battles are in reserve, along with junior Desmond Patrick. Patrick is a transfer from Allan Hancock Community College who was a former track and football standout at Aliquippa High School.
The emphasis on the passing game has eliminated the need for a fullback in many offensive sets. Jimmy Doran, a 5'9”, 225 lb. sophomore, is the lone experienced player at the position, and he has yet to play a down for the Fighting Scots. Doran redshirted a year ago after transferring from Mansfield, where he played in all ten games in 2006.
Browning is excited about a pair of freshmen. Nate Boland (6'2”, 220 lbs.) and Calyn Hamilton (5'11”, 220 lbs.) have a chance to help in their first seasons.
Receivers
Edinboro returns its top four wideouts, with two of the wide receivers posting near record-breaking campaigns. Rich Cerro earned second team All-PSAC West honors after catching 58 passes for 647 yards and 5 TDs. The senior ranked second in the PSAC in receptions per game, and despite missing one game due to injury, the 58 receptions are the second-highest total in school history. Cerro enters his final season ranked tenth in career receptions (85).
While Cerro is a diminutive 5'10”, 185 lbs., Ryan Rybicki serves as a solid complement at 6'2”, 215 lbs. Rybicki, also a senior, posted the third-best season ever by a receiver with 54 catches for 553 yards and 9 TDs.
“Richie is very competitive and quicker rather than fast,” explained Browning. “He's very versatile. Ryan catches everything and uses his body well. Both know how to get open.”
Jeremy Burr and Gary Nolen provide Harris with two more outstanding targets. Burr, a 5'10”, 188 lb. senior who joined the Fighting Scots a year ago from Erie(NY) Community College, finished with 40 receptions for 448 yards and 4 TDs.
Nolen might have been the biggest surprise among the wideouts. As a redshirt freshman he was often times inconsistent in practice, only to make big catches in the games. He finished with 34 catches for 514 yards and 3 TDs while providing the Fighting Scots with a deep threat.
The depth doesn't stop there. Nick Marino bounced between receiver and defensive back a year ago. He'll stay at wide receiver this year, and the sophomore has a chance to break into the rotation.
Stefan English is another sophomore looking to make an impact. He enjoyed a solid spring. D'mar Jeter is a redshirt freshman with plenty of talent who missed a lot of time due to injury.
The wildcard is Josh Brown, a sophomore who has bounced around but originally was recruited by Cincinnati. The speedster has run a 10.6 100-meters and could provide the Fighting Scots with a sorely-needed deep threat. He played two games at Glenville State in 2006, catching one pass.
Kyle Witucki's 30 catches and 4 TDs won't be easy to replace at tight end. However, the Fighting Scots have an intriguing prospect in Denayne Dixon. A year ago Dixon transferred from Gannon, where he played linebacker. A terrific athlete with great size at 6'3”, 255 lbs., Dixon displayed flashes of brilliance despite sitting out since 2004 and never playing tight end. He ended the year with 19 catches for 198 yards and 2 TDs. His role could expand greatly this year.
Promising Brad Gossett battled injuries all last year after seeing considerable time as a freshman. The 6'4”, 250 lb. junior has plenty of talent and could provide the Scots with a pair of outstanding tight ends if he matures and stays healthy. He caught just two passes a year ago.
Offensive Line
After a slow start the offensive turned in a strong performance in 2007. Consider that the Fighting Scots threw a record 448 passes a year ago, with the line giving up just 22 sacks. That figure is even more impressive when you take into account that West Chester sacked Edinboro quarterbacks eight times in the season opener.
With the need for an improved ground game, the meshing of the rebuilt offensive line into a cohesive unit is paramount. The right side of the line – guard Andy Young and tackle Mike Mills – is gone. The change became even more apparent during spring drills when Josh Bzorek, a three-year starter at left tackle and a second team All-PSAC West selection a year ago, was moved to right guard. Bzorek, a 6'4”, 305 lb. senior, has started 29 of 30 career games, all at left tackle.
Mike Fazio, a 6'4”, 300 lb. junior, is a versatile performer who has played center and guard. A year ago he started four games at right guard. Now he shifts over to right tackle, where he looked at home during spring drills.
Eric Costello returns to anchor the line at center. A 6'3”, 285 lb. senior, Costello is considered All-PSAC caliber player after starting all 11 games at center a year ago. He also started five games at guard in 2006.
Rob Stoner proved a pleasant addition at left guard last season. A 6'2”, 290 lb. sophomore, Stoner is another player with the ability to earn postseason accolades. He transferred from Youngstown State last summer and made a smooth transition from the defensive line, where he redshirted for the Penguins in 2006.
The fifth starter on the line figures to be sophomore Tyler Hersperger. A former high school tight end who came to Edinboro as a defensive end, Hersperger is now up to 292 lbs. on his 6'5” frame and will start at left tackle. He possesses limited experience but comes off a tremendous spring.
Depth will once again be an issue. In fact, not one reserve lineman has any playing time. The coaching staff is high on Shane Hess, a 6'5”, 270 lb. sophomore who figures to be the backup at right tackle. Hess redshirted in 2006 then suffered a broken leg early in fall drills last year and missed the entire campaign.
Brandon Petry is another young lineman coming off an injury. A 6'6”, 270 lb. sophomore, his story is similar to Hess', as he was redshirted in 2006, then missed the 2007 season following shoulder surgery. He'll be a backup at left tackle.
Three redshirt freshmen are also back from last year. Matt Black (6'4”, 280 lbs.) is in reserve at right guard, Jake Reynolds (6'1”, 305 lbs.) is a backup left tackle, and Jonathan Saine (6'1”, 285 lbs.) will back up Costello at center.
DEFENSE
It wasn't that long ago that the Edinboro defense was shutting opponents down on a regular basis while leading the PSAC in several statistical categories. A year ago a young group with six players in their first years as starters struggled at times.
With the likelihood of another young unit taking the field in 2008, the coaching staff went about simplifying things. It won't help that All-American defensive lineman Chris Amico must be replaced, along with All-PSAC performers Taurean Valentine and Tommy Davidson in the secondary.
Browning left spring drills encouraged by the progress, but with the possibility of six new starters once again, it is a unit that will be sorely pressed against the likes of West Liberty State, California(Pa.), etc.
Defensive Line
Chris Amico was the heart and soul of the defense, even in a year where he was hampered by several injuries. It will be difficult to replace his 64 tackles, team-high 16.5 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks, also a team-high.
But then again, Amico was an unknown when he arrived, not to mention a little-heralded walk-on. In Adam Smith-Friedman the coaching staff feels it has a player with another bright future to carry on the interior legacy of players such as Amico and A.J. Cousins. A 6'2”, 275 lb. sophomore, Smith-Friedman served as Amico's caddy at noseguard, finishing with 16 tackles and a sack.
Chad Brooks, who has grown into an interior lineman after coming to Edinboro as a linebacker, figures to start at defensive tackle. The junior is now up to 265 lbs., and he gained plenty of experience in his first season as a Fighting Scot. Brooks made a pair of starts a year ago while playing in ten games. He finished with 25 tackles and was second on the team with 5 sacks.
Mike Enoch and Jeremy Appell will line up at the defensive end spots. Enoch, a 6'3”, 240 lb. senior, has bounced between end and tackle during his previous three seasons, and has started 20 games over the last two years. He finished with 20 tackles and a sack a year ago. “Mike had a very good spring,” related Browning. “We look for big things in his last year. I think he saved his best for last.”
Appell is a smallish defensive end at 6'1”, 230 lbs. But he is an overachiever who earned a starting role in the third week of the season and started the final nine games. The junior totaled 46 tackles with 3 sacks.
The defensive line received a huge boost during the summer when Terry Tate decided to give up wrestling and join the football team. Tate is a 6'1”, 255 lb. junior who was a former PIAA state champion in wrestling. However, he also had a storied background in football at Tyrone(Pa.) Area High School, where he was the District 6 Class AA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and earned all-state honors as a junior and senior. Tate will no doubt have some rust to shake off, but he has a chance to be a huge presence in the interior.
Lucas Cox, Matt Caternolo and Evan Landis are the lone experienced reserves. Cox, a 6'4”, 257 lb. senior, played at Iowa for three years as a tight end before transferring last summer. He opened the year as the starter at defensive tackle, but he was hit hard by the injury bug. Cox finished with 8 tackles, and figures to spell Enoch at end this year.
Caternolo, a 5'10”, 260 lb. sophomore, played in seven games as a reserve noseguard and tackle in 2006 before redshirting last season. Landis is a 6'4”, 245 lb. sophomore who will serve as a backup at defensive end after finishing with 7 tackles a year ago.
Three other redshirt freshmen look to make their mark. On the inside there's Brandon Hensley, a 6'2”, 270 lb. tackle, and Nate Glasser, a 6'0”, 275 lb. noseguard. Both were injured during spring drills. At 5'11”, 200 lbs., James Thomas brings back memories of small but quick ends like Seth Fragale. Browning feels his effort and athleticism could play a large role in the future.
Linebackers
In actuality, all three starters return at linebacker, and all will see considerable action. But the position will still undergo some change. Last year's top two tacklers, Greg Sondag and Y'Hoshua Murray, battled throughout spring drills for the starting job at Mike linebacker.
Murray, a 5'11”, 220 lb. senior, gained the upper hand at the end. He finished as the second-leading tackler with 72 stops, but it was evident at times that he had not played since 2004. Murray played two seasons at IUP before sitting out the 2006 season after transferring to Edinboro.
Rest assured that Sondag, a 6'3”, 215 lb. sophomore, will see plenty of playing time. He finished as the team's leading tackler with 79 tackles, along with 3 sacks, and was accorded second team All-PSAC West honors. “With Y'hoshua and Greg rotating, we can really be good,” predicted Browning.
Hardin Moss returns as the starter at Sam linebacker. A 6'1”, 225 lb. senior, Moss had an up-and-down junior campaign but came on strong in the spring and looks primed for his best season. He started nine games, finishing with 52 tackles.
The wildcard in the linebacking corps is Ryan Greene. A 6'2”, 235 lbs. senior, Greene transferred from Morrisville(NY) Junior College last year after sitting out the 2006 season. He was slow to pick up some of the defensive schemes, but is another player who excelled in the spring. He is considered the most talented linebacker athletically.
There is little experience among the reserves. Sophomore Dan Nebraski (6'0”, 208 lbs.) finished with 12 tackles, with most of his action on special teams. He'll serve as a backup at Will linebacker, along with redshirt freshmen Kelley Ponsoll (6'0”, 200 lbs.) and Anthony Biagotti (5'10”, 185 lbs.). Ponsoll bears watching. One of six players on the Edinboro roster to help nearby General McLane High School to the 2006 state championship, he was pushing for significant time until suffering an injury late in spring drills.
Another of those former Lancers, Brad Callan (5'10”, 220 lbs.), will serve as a backup at Mike linebacker after redshirting. At Sam linebacker, redshirt freshmen Nick Jackson (6'1”, 215 lbs.) and Jordan Krentz (6'1”, 205 lbs.) will serve as backups to Moss.
Defensive Backs
Edinboro must replace three of four starting defensive backs, including cornerback Taurean Valentine and free safety Tom Davidson. Both were second team All-PSAC West selections last year.
The lone returning starter is Dan Skelton, who enjoyed an outstanding freshman season while starting nine games at strong safety. Skelton went on to earn second team All-PSAC West honors after finishing third on the team in tackles with 66. He proved to have a real nose for the ball, leading the team with 4 interceptions, including a 77-yard return for a touchdown to seal the win at Shippensburg. He also broke up 7 passes and had a pair of sacks.
Browning sees Skelton getting even better. “Dan had a real strong spring and is starting to understand the game much more,” Browning related. “He's not just running around, he knows the system.”
Skelton will likely be joined by fellow General McLane alum Ben Swank. Swank played wide receiver a year ago after spending one season at the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School. In the spring he was moved to free safety. “It was one of the best moves we made,” admitted Browning. The sophomore is an intelligent player who puts himself in the right position.
The cornerback spots are wide open. Charles Morris, a junior saw playing time on special teams and as a nickel back, finishing with 7 tackles. Sophomores Jesse Williams and Marcus Rose saw limited action but look to have a lot of talent. Rose had one interception.
Keep an eye on freshmen Branden Williams and Kenny Pettis, a pair of Ohio recruits. Williams comes from a highly-acclaimed St. Edward(OH) High School program and could make an immediate impact, as could Pettis, who played at Massillon Washington High School.
Redshirt freshmen James Camardese and D.J. Patterson are available at cornerback and safety, respectively.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Browning expects improved special teams play in 2008. The kicking game struggled, with Justin Gomes making 45 of 52 extra points and 2 of 6 field goals. J.D. Rodgers edged fellow freshman Ryan Genco for the punting job, but averaged just 32.0 yards on 30 punts.
Gomes has departed, but Browning views Merle Bouchat, a freshman from Highlands(Pa.) High School as a big-time kicker. Alex Romanias, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Pittsburgh, will vie for the job, as well.
Rodgers is gone, as well. Genco will again battle for the punting job, with Bouchat a candidate to handle both jobs.
Redshirt freshman Ron Bardo looks to take over as the long snapper for Ben Harris.
Browning noted that the return men won't be decided until the fall. Rose returned eight kickoffs for an average of 21.8 yards, and Brown also has experience on kickoff returns. Swank and Marino handled most of the punt return chores, with neither enjoying a great deal of success.
