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OGDEN, UTAH - The second chapter of the Ron McBride football era at Weber State gets underway this SATURDAY, MARCH 25 as the Wildcat gather for the first practice of 2006 Spring football drills. The first practice is set to get started at 10:00 am (MST) and will be held inside STEWART STADIUM. Under NCAA regulations, the Wildcats will have 15 practice dates to be completed within a 30 day period. The first two practice sessions (Saturday and Monday, March 27) will be helmets and shorts only. The first full pad practice is set for Tuesday, March 28. Depending upon weather and ground conditions, the Wildcats will rotate practice sites between the Stadium and the practice field on the southwest edge of campus.
The ‘Cats are set to practice on MONDAY-TUESDAY-THURSDAY -SATURDAY next week, the fall into a TUESDAY-THURSDAY-SATURDAY routine for the last three weeks beginning on Tuesday, April 4. Again, those dates are subject to change depending upon weather conditions. The SPRING GAME is set for SATURDAY, APRIL 22 at 12:00 noon in Stewart Stadium.
NEW FACES ON THE STAFF: The Wildcats have three new coaches on the staff for the 2006 season. ED LARSON takes over as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from Ron Haun. Larson come to WSU after spending the past couple of seasons as the head coach at Ogden High. Larson previously served as an offensive coordinator at Ricks College and Snow College. ALEX GERKE has taken over as the offensive line coach replacing Ken Schmidt. Gerke comes to WSU after serving as the head coach at Golden West JC in California. Former WSU standout linebacker COLTON SWAN has been elevated to full-time status. He will oversee the cornerbacks taking over for Jugi Hogue.
WHO'S BACK: McBride and his staff return 31 lettermen and 12 starters off of last year's squad which produced a 6-5 record overall and a 5-3 mark in Big Sky Conference actions. That came on the heels of a 1-10 record in 2004 and a 1-7 record in Big Sky Conference games.
There are SEVEN returning starters on the offensive side led by quarterback IAN PIZARRO (6-3, 210 Sr.), a pair of veteran runningbacks in ZACH HALL (6-0, 210 Sr.) and ADRIAN CONWAY (5-11, 215 Jr.), a solid receiver in TERRY LARSEN (6-2, 195 Sr.) and offensive linemen DAVID HALE (6-6, 300 Jr.), CHAD GLOVER (6-6, 300 Sr.) and DIMITRI TSOUMPAS (6-4, 290 Jr.).
Pizarro completed 161-313 passes for 2,357 yards and 17 touchdowns with a passing efficiency rating of 125.59. Pizarro earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors. Hall and Conway provided a good one-two punch at the runningback position. Conway began the season as the starter but suffered an severe ankle spring in the fifth game of the season at Montana. He ended the season with 98 carries for 560 yards and six touchdowns. He opened the year with a career high 208 yards in 61-0 win over Western State and was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.
Hall started the last six games and rushed for 848 yards on 188 carries and scored nine touchdowns and added 10 receptions for 71 yards. He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors as well.
Terry Larsen came in as a junior college transfer and immediately established himself as one of the best receivers in the Big Sky. Larsen had 39 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns. He too earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors.
The Wildcats lost the McQuistan twins (Paul: Left Tackle / Pat: Left Guard) to graduation. The two 6-6, 315 blocks anchored the left side. Paul earned was named First Team All-Big Sky and First Team All-America. Pat was named Second Team All-Big Sky.
Hale (Honorable Mention All-Big Sky),. Tsoumpas and each bring two years of experience as starters along the line and form a solid nucleus to build around this Spring.
Defensively the Wildcats return just four starters and lose all four starters in the defensively backfield.
Gone are Brady Fosmark (6-3, 260 DE) and Shane Barkdull (6-3, 275 DT). Fosmark leaves as the school's career leader in tackles for loss (66.5), quarterback sacks (32.5) and forced fumbles (9). Fosmark was the 2004 Big Sky Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year and consensus First Team All-America. In 2005 he was First Team All-Big Sky and named First Team All-America.
Barkdull leaves with the third most quarterback sacks in school history (21.5) and the most fumble recoveries in a career with eight. Also gone is starting strong safety Dallas Drecksel (6-1, 220) who led the Wildcat in total tackles last season with 81.
The top returning player on the defensive side in roverback TYLER DeBRY (5-10, 235 Sr.). DeBry came in as a walk-on last Spring and quickly established himself as one of the leaders on the defense.
He started all 11 games and was second to Drecksel in total tackles with 78. He also had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Another player to watch on the defensive side is nose guard DEREK JOHNSON (6-2, 285 Jr.). Johnson played in the shadows of Fosmark and Barkdull but quietly went about creating havoc in the middle. He had 56 total tackles.
McBride and his staff will also have to revamp the kicking game. The ‘Cats lost three-year starter Joe Johnson (5-8, 185) as the placekicker. Johnson was 13-22 in field goals during 2005 and leaves Weber State as the second all-time leading scorer (254 points) and tied with Roger Ruzek in second for career field goals made with 46.
Also gone is punter Wyatt Kennah (6-1, 170). During his four-year career he attempted more punts (201) and had more punting yards (7,971) than any other Wildcat in school history. He averaged 39.65 yards per kick during his career.
The Wildcats picked up placekicker CONNOR FOLEY (6-1, 175 So.) this Winter after he decided to transfer from New Mexico State. The punting duties will most likely fall on the foot of incoming freshman MIKE SNOY (6-2, 170) from near by Northridge High, ironically, the same school which produced Kennah.
WEBER STATE SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
(Times and practice site subject to change)
Saturday March 25 10:00-12:30
Monday March 27 3:00-5:30
Tuesday March 28 3:00-5:30
Thursday March 30 3:00-5:30
Saturday April 1 10:00-12:30
Tuesday April 4 3:00-5;30
Thursday April 6 3:00-5:30
Saturday April 8 10:00-12:30
Tuesday April 11 3:00-5:30
Thursday April 13 3:00-5:30
Saturday April 15 10:00-12:30
Tuesday April 18 3:00-5:30
Thursday April 20 3:00-5:30
SATURDAY APRIL 22 SPRING GAME 12:00 NOON
