Blacknbengal
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GSU hurt by senior losses
Posted on August 28, 2002
Dan Currier
Grambling coach Doug Williams knows that his offense will have to learn quickly after the return of only 10 starters.
GRAMBLING - The offensive skilled positions have been plundered by graduation and academic problems, yet the Grambling State football team is unswayed.
As the Tigers prepare to defend back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, consider this: Gone from last season's team are starting quarterback Randy Hymes, starting receivers Levi Washington and Ellis Spears and the starting backfield tandem of running back Brad Hill and fullback Jadaw Lawrence.
Those players accounted for 4,379 of Grambling's 4,621 yards of total offense last year and scored all but 12 of the Tigers' 48 touchdowns.
"We're definitely looking for some identity," head coach Doug Williams said. "We've got a lot of potential, but no experience whatsoever."
Hymes, Washington and Spears ran out of eligibility, but Hill and Lawrence were academic casualties.
"We have got to replace a bunch of fellas," offensive coordinator Melvin Spears said. "We have to be patient, but we have some guys who have shown some promise."
Of all the losses, none has stung as much as Hill. Grambling was counting on the big, bruising tailback to take the pressure off the offense until it could come together.
Last season the 5-10, 230-pounder became Grambling's first 1,000-yard rusher in eight years with 1,023 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Tigers' plan was to give opponents a heavy dose of Hill early.
"Brad Hill hurt us big time," Williams said. "We had a plan. We wanted to take the pressure off the quarterback, but you can't cry over spilled milk."
Instead the Tigers are hoping to create a productive offense around a new cast of characters.
The leading role falls to sophomore quarterback Bruce Eugene. Eugene saw limited playing time last year, playing in seven games. Eugene completed 51-of-101 passes for 693 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Eugene, who is listed at 6-1, 230, is a totally different quarterback than Hymes. Hymes was a superb athlete who made plays with his legs and strong arm on sheer ability.
Eugene is not blessed with Hymes' athletic ability. In fact, few are, but Eugene brings a more cerebral approach to the position and a quiet leadership.
"He has had a great camp and worked well with the guys here," Spears said. "Eugene's strength is his ability to know any position. He's a smart guy and he understands the game. He has a real feel."
The coaches were concerned about Eugene in the spring because he had gained so much weight in the off-season. However, Eugene reported to camp a little slimmer and is established as the No. 1 quarterback.
"Bruce brings a lot of knowhow of the game," senior center Terry Riley said. "He's a good reader of defenses and knows all the audibles. He's a real inspiration to the team. He knows what's at stake and I think he will uphold it."
The new receiving corps features junior Tramon Douglas, who is expected to step into the go-to role, along with sophomore Moses Harris and senior Thyron Anderson.
Douglas finished fourth on the team last year with 19 receptions for 231 yards and one score.
"Watching Ellis and Levi and Scotty (Anderson two years ago) as the go-to guys, I saw how to handle it," Douglas said. "When it's your turn, you've got to make big plays and everytime I get the ball I'm going to try to make something happen with it."
One of the hits of camp has been Harris, a 6-0, 180-pounder. Harris has shown the ability to give the Tigers a deep threat, which is so vital to their vertical passing attack.
"Moses has been a surprise," Spears said. "We knew he had skill, but he's caught the ball much better than we thought. We were going to move him to defensive back, but he's been the surprise of camp."
The senior Anderson has been tagged with the "potential" label for years, but has never put it together. But Williams and Spears see signs the 6-4, 180-pounder is ready to put together a good season.
The big question, however, revolves around the backfield. With the loss of Hill, the running duties fall to junior Karrell Charles and freshman Lindsey Sanders.
"Lindsey Sanders has got ability and Karrell Charles has shown the ability to make people miss and gain yards," Williams said. "People would have played us more honest with Brad Hill, but somebody's got to step up now."
The security blanket Williams can wrap around all this inexperience is an offensive line anchored by two seasoned veterans in Riley and left tackle Brandon James. Also, left guard Alan Brice and right tackle Kenneth Ogletree have game experience.
"We can help lead the younger guys and coach them along the way," Riley said. "We've got talent, it's just a matter of guys getting the feel for the game. The biggest thing is we all believe in each other."
Posted on August 28, 2002
Dan Currier
Grambling coach Doug Williams knows that his offense will have to learn quickly after the return of only 10 starters.
GRAMBLING - The offensive skilled positions have been plundered by graduation and academic problems, yet the Grambling State football team is unswayed.
As the Tigers prepare to defend back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, consider this: Gone from last season's team are starting quarterback Randy Hymes, starting receivers Levi Washington and Ellis Spears and the starting backfield tandem of running back Brad Hill and fullback Jadaw Lawrence.
Those players accounted for 4,379 of Grambling's 4,621 yards of total offense last year and scored all but 12 of the Tigers' 48 touchdowns.
"We're definitely looking for some identity," head coach Doug Williams said. "We've got a lot of potential, but no experience whatsoever."
Hymes, Washington and Spears ran out of eligibility, but Hill and Lawrence were academic casualties.
"We have got to replace a bunch of fellas," offensive coordinator Melvin Spears said. "We have to be patient, but we have some guys who have shown some promise."
Of all the losses, none has stung as much as Hill. Grambling was counting on the big, bruising tailback to take the pressure off the offense until it could come together.
Last season the 5-10, 230-pounder became Grambling's first 1,000-yard rusher in eight years with 1,023 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Tigers' plan was to give opponents a heavy dose of Hill early.
"Brad Hill hurt us big time," Williams said. "We had a plan. We wanted to take the pressure off the quarterback, but you can't cry over spilled milk."
Instead the Tigers are hoping to create a productive offense around a new cast of characters.
The leading role falls to sophomore quarterback Bruce Eugene. Eugene saw limited playing time last year, playing in seven games. Eugene completed 51-of-101 passes for 693 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Eugene, who is listed at 6-1, 230, is a totally different quarterback than Hymes. Hymes was a superb athlete who made plays with his legs and strong arm on sheer ability.
Eugene is not blessed with Hymes' athletic ability. In fact, few are, but Eugene brings a more cerebral approach to the position and a quiet leadership.
"He has had a great camp and worked well with the guys here," Spears said. "Eugene's strength is his ability to know any position. He's a smart guy and he understands the game. He has a real feel."
The coaches were concerned about Eugene in the spring because he had gained so much weight in the off-season. However, Eugene reported to camp a little slimmer and is established as the No. 1 quarterback.
"Bruce brings a lot of knowhow of the game," senior center Terry Riley said. "He's a good reader of defenses and knows all the audibles. He's a real inspiration to the team. He knows what's at stake and I think he will uphold it."
The new receiving corps features junior Tramon Douglas, who is expected to step into the go-to role, along with sophomore Moses Harris and senior Thyron Anderson.
Douglas finished fourth on the team last year with 19 receptions for 231 yards and one score.
"Watching Ellis and Levi and Scotty (Anderson two years ago) as the go-to guys, I saw how to handle it," Douglas said. "When it's your turn, you've got to make big plays and everytime I get the ball I'm going to try to make something happen with it."
One of the hits of camp has been Harris, a 6-0, 180-pounder. Harris has shown the ability to give the Tigers a deep threat, which is so vital to their vertical passing attack.
"Moses has been a surprise," Spears said. "We knew he had skill, but he's caught the ball much better than we thought. We were going to move him to defensive back, but he's been the surprise of camp."
The senior Anderson has been tagged with the "potential" label for years, but has never put it together. But Williams and Spears see signs the 6-4, 180-pounder is ready to put together a good season.
The big question, however, revolves around the backfield. With the loss of Hill, the running duties fall to junior Karrell Charles and freshman Lindsey Sanders.
"Lindsey Sanders has got ability and Karrell Charles has shown the ability to make people miss and gain yards," Williams said. "People would have played us more honest with Brad Hill, but somebody's got to step up now."
The security blanket Williams can wrap around all this inexperience is an offensive line anchored by two seasoned veterans in Riley and left tackle Brandon James. Also, left guard Alan Brice and right tackle Kenneth Ogletree have game experience.
"We can help lead the younger guys and coach them along the way," Riley said. "We've got talent, it's just a matter of guys getting the feel for the game. The biggest thing is we all believe in each other."
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