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La.-Monroe Indians (2000: 1-10) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programInjuries and a brutal early schedule in 2000 led to Louisiana-Monroe’s worst season since joining the Division I-A ranks in 1994.The 1-10 record included eight losses where the Indians scored 10 or fewer points. Three losses were shutouts and another was a 70-3 blowout at Tennessee. The offensive breakdown led ULM coach Bobby Keasler to make the first coaching changes since taking over the program in 1998. Keasler promoted quarterbacks coach Stan Humphries to offensive coordinator. Humphries played quarterback on the Indians’ 1987 I-AA national championship team. Humphries will move the offense to a one-back set from the spread used in the past. The offense averaged just 242.3 yards per game last year, 112th among Division I-A teams. The Indians were 114th in I-A -- that’s dead last -- with their average of 8.7 points per game. Another change this season for ULM will be joining the new Sun Belt Conference with Arkansas State, Idaho, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State and North Texas. The Indians have competed as a I-A independent the last seven seasons. Keasler thinks the move to a conference will provide immediate benefits. “I can see some rivalries right off the bat,’’ Keasler said. “With North Texas and Louisiana-Lafayette being so close, those can be rivalry games and I can see us developing a nice rivalry with Middle Tennessee.” Last season, ULM opened the season by playing at Minnesota, Memphis and Tennessee in the first four games. The 2001 season opener will be at Malone Stadium against Sam Houston State. Road games will follow to Florida and Cincinnati before the conference schedule begins. Also on the non-conference schedule are Central Florida and Troy State “It’s really important for us to open up at home,’’ Keasler said. “It’s always tough if you open up on a negative. “Cincinnati, a Conference USA opponent, is a good test for us. Central Florida should also be a good test for us. It’s a very competitive schedule.’’
OffenseEight starters return to the offensive unit who started at least four games last year, including junior quarterback Andy Chance.When Chance went down with a concussion the fourth game last season, senior Andre Vige (6-3, 200) stepped in and completed 54.3 percent of his passes in three games as a starter. The offense sputtered, however, so Chance again heads the depth chart heading into the 2001 season. Two years ago, Chance passed for 1,327 yards and ran for 438. ULM averaged only 57.5 yards per game rushing last year and gone is leading rusher Mark Henderson (88 carries for 436 yards). Junior Keith Thomas (5-11, 190), who was ULM’s third-leading rusher in 1998 before sitting out the 1999 season, ran for 186 yards on 56 carries last year. He started two games and also caught 11 passes for 80 yards. Louisiana-Monroe’s hopes suffered a serious setback in late June when junior receiver John M. Floyd (6-4, 215) was charged with attempted second-degree murder and receiving stolen items. Floyd was expected to be a key player in the ULM offense this season. ULM coaches thought he would be a quick fix for an offense that scored just 96 points during a 1-10 season in 2000. With Floyd missing, taking over at the “Z’’ receiving position will be junior Sean Brown (5-9, 166), who returns for his third season after catching 59 career passes.
Defense and special teamsULM returns both defensive ends in sophomore Corey Conde (6-4, 240) and junior Brennan Bertrand (6-4, 238). Conde, however, was moved to tackle during spring drills and Bertrand ended spring drills behind sophomore John Thompson (6-2, 245), a transfer from South Carolina.Conde started 10 games last year on the left side and finished with 32 tackles, 23 unassisted. Bertrand led the linemen in tackles with 56 last year. He also led the team in quarterback sacks (three) and tied for the team lead in tackles for lost yardage (6-26). His nine quarterback hurries were also a team-best. Injuries depleted the linebacker corps last year, but that allowed sophomore Maurice Sonnier (6-2, 210) to see plenty of playing time. He made 67 tackles and could become a dominant player at “Will’’ linebacker. Senior Dedrick Buckles (5-11, 215) and sophomore Seneca Lee (5-11, 170) both return after starting last season, but both spent the spring adjusting to new positions. Buckles, who led the Indians in tackles in 2000, has moved from strong safety to free safety. Lee, last year’s starter at free safety, is now the first team right cornerback. Buckles made 103 tackles last year, 61 unassisted. He also broke up four passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Lee made 69 tackles last year and returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown. The punter will once again by sophomore Steven Hunnicutt (6-3, 209), who averaged 35.0 yards per punt last year.
Bottom lineThe promotion of Humphries to offensive coordinator should pay off for the Indians, who were pathetic offensively last season.As it is with most teams, the offensive line must come through. It will be crucial for the junior college signees to add depth. The defense dominated in the spring game with the Maroon team limiting the Gold to only two touchdowns that came from the second-team offense against the second-team defense. That kind of effort will be needed during the regular season. It would be a great lift if ULM could open the season with a home victory over Sam Houston State. A loss there could lead to disaster because the next six games are against Florida, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State and Central Florida. Don’t expect another 1-10 season by the Indians, but it will be a surprise if they finish above .500. |
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