The All-America and Doak Walker candidate did give the Cardinals a little scare in spring practices when he suffered a strained right patella tendon. He sat out the annual Cardinal and White scrimmage, but should be fine by August practices.
"He’s a really good back, and that’s where our offense starts," Lynch said.
With four offensive linemen back and two seasoned tight ends, Merriweather should have plenty of holes to run through again this year. What would help even more, though, is for junior quarterback Talmadge Hill (6-0, 195) to straighten out after a disappointing sophomore season.
The offense, which has 10 players back with starting experience, might have to shoulder the load early while the defense fills some holes, most notably on the defensive line.
"We have experience there, and the offense might have to carry us early," Lynch said.
The one thing the Cardinals hope to avoid is digging an 0-4 hole like they have done the past two seasons. Auburn spanked BSU, 30-0, to open 2001, and the Cardinals then dropped three straight close games before getting their first win, a 35-14 decision over Eastern Michigan.
The victory sparked a four-game win streak that included a 24-20 victory over nationally ranked Toledo, which entered the game ranked 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today poll and 25th by the Associated Press.
The Cardinals, despite losing two of their final three games, clinched a share of the MAC West title with a 35-31 win at defending MAC West champion Western Michigan in the season finale.
QUARTERBACKS
After earning MAC Freshman-of-the-Year honors, Hill endured a bit of a sophomore slump last season. He completed 159-of-301 (.528 percent) passes for 1,953 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts, but also threw 15 interceptions, which was tied for the most in the MAC.
In fact, the mobile Hill posted better numbers as a freshman, when he was voted the team MVP after throwing for 1,455 yards on 130-of-212 (61.3) passing with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His rushing numbers also dipped from 256 yards in 2000 to just 79 last season.
Over the last 10 years in the MAC, quarterback play has been a key to championship seasons, and the Cardinals will need a more consistent year from Hill if they hope to have one.
"Last year’s expectations were so high, it was a little unfair on him," Lynch said. "But he’s got to progress this year."
Quarterbacks coach Brent Baldwin, who led BSU to a MAC title and the Las Vegas Bowl in 1996, worked with Hill in the off-season on his decision-making.
Two other quarterbacks on the spring roster were junior Andy Roesch (6-4, 230) and red-shirt freshman Eric Hooks (6-0, 190). If Hill does not progress, Lynch might turn to Roesch, a pocket passer who played well during spring drills.
"Andy’s right there competing with [Hill]," the BSU coach said. "I think it’s safe to say that we can win with both of them."
Lynch didn’t have to exhaust himself making a recruiting pitch to his son, freshman Joey Lynch (6-2, 180), who signed with the Cardinals after leading Delta High School of Muncie, Indiana to the Indiana High School Athletic Association state championship game as a senior. Fellow freshman Todd Racine (6-4, 220) joins the program from Noblesville High School in Indiana.
RUNNING BACKS
The Cardinals like to use only one back in their spread offense and Merriweather fits the system perfectly. The 2001 All-MAC first-team selection might lack blazing speed, but he more than makes up for it on the field by doing just about everything else, including catching the ball.
"He’s got it all. He’s the total package," Lynch said. "He’s big and strong, has good feet, breaks tackles and is tough to bring down."
If he stays healthy, Merriweather figures to break BSU’s all-time rushing mark at some point this year. He enters the season needing 1,100 yards to eclipse the mark (3,484 yards) held by Bernie Parmalee (1987-90), who went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Merriweather’s 269 carries made it difficult for anyone else to run with the ball last season, but junior Scott Blair (6-1, 204) still managed 53 carries for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
In his only start last season, Blair ran for 104 yards against Northern Iowa despite fumbling twice. With three tailbacks injured in spring practice, Blair shined in the team scrimmage with 171 yards on 33 attempts.
There is plenty of competition to back up Merriweather. Senior Johnny Short (5-6, 201) made some noise coming out of Bishop McNamara in Illinois, but has not had much of a chance to play at BSU because of numbers.
The real buzz during the spring sessions came from red-shirt freshman Charles Wynn . The 5-11, 230-pound "Mini Bus" turned heads before breaking his ankle, which is not expected to keep him off the practice field in August.
"He’s a load," Lynch said. "He has a [Pittsburgh Steeler] Jerome Bettis-type body."
Fifth-year senior fullback Scott Volk (5-11, 227) does not touch the ball often, but is a valuable asset to the team as a blocker and receiver.
Freshman Eric McClurg (6-1, 192) waits in the wings after being chosen to the Associated Press All-State team at Center Grove High in Greenwood, Ind. He also can play defensive back and returns kicks.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
For a team that hopes to pass the ball effectively, the Cardinals do not have much experience after losing five fifth-year seniors. Senior Sean Schembra (5-11, 180), the only seasoned receiver left, missed the last week of spring practice after suffering a concussion.
Schembra finished second on the team last year with 34 receptions for 432 yards and three touchdowns.
Fortunately for BSU, it likes to utilize a two tight-end set and returns fifth-year seniors Jon Eckert (6-4, 242) and Tim Streit (6-4, 245).
Eckert was the fourth-leading receiver last year with 17 catches for 217 yards and one score and Streit had 10 receptions for 131 yards and one touchdown. Twelve of Eckert’s receptions, for 155 yards, came in the final two games.
"Jon’s an all-conference caliber tight end," Lynch said.
One place the Cardinal quarterbacks might look for help is 6-foot-4 red-shirt freshman Ryan Hahaj. The wide receiver, an All-Indiana player from Fort Wayne, has a 38-inch vertical leap, which he had on display during spring ball.
"He’s a good player, but we didn’t want to waste him last year [with five seniors]," Lynch said. "But he could have played last year."
Also in the receiver fold are juniors Clint Planck (6-3, 201) and Wayne Washington (6-1, 204) and sophomores Steve Sutherland (6-3, 204), Jason Barnes (6-0, 191) and Michael Williams (6-0, 178).
Incoming freshmen Derek Broussard (6-1, 190) and Chris Jackson (6-0, 185) could play their way into the lineup. Broussard hails from Deer Park, Texas and was selected All-Greater Houston as a senior.
OFFENSIVE LINE
With four starters back, the offensive line could be the strongest area for the Cardinals next to running back.
The anchors of the line are two fifth-year seniors -- center Colin Johnson (6-2, 289) and guard David Miller (6-3, 324), a solid run blocker. The duo, along with junior guard Travis Barclay (6-4, 284), can get the job done in the middle. Merriweather’s 1,000-plus yard season is a testament to that.
"They look the part," Lynch said. "If someone shows up at our game and sees them, they’ll be like ‘who is that?’"
Junior Kris Berry (6-3, 286) started seven games at left tackle last year, while senior Joel Hofmann (6-6, 286) moves into the right tackle spot vacated by John Moore.
Sophomore guard Nick Tabacca (6-4, 275) and junior center Mike Jantzen (6-1, 314) provide the Cardinals with some depth in the middle.
Sophomore Ty Knisley (6-6, 322), and red-shirt freshmen Adam Rothstein (6-5, 302) and Adrian Stiffarm (6-6, 295) provide some large insurance policies at the tackle position.
The Cardinals also brought in four freshmen linemen. Included in the group is Mike Brown (6-4, 300) from Plainfield High in Mooresville, Ind., and Kris Anastopoulos (6-5, 304) from Joliet Catholic in Illinois.
KICKERS
Sophomore Mike Langford (5-9, 163) had the perfect season for the Cardinals, finishing 6-for-6 in field goals and 21-for-21 on extra points to lead the MAC. He took over the place kicking duties before the Cardinals’ first victory, against Eastern Michigan, and kept the job.
Junior Phil Cunningham (6-2, 200) is behind Langford on the depth chart.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Junior defensive tackle Greg Pagnard (6-1, 277) might be a little lonely on the defensive line. His other three line mates from last season are gone -- leaving BSU with some big shoes to fill, literally, in its 4-4 defensive scheme.
"In an ideal world, your defense would lead you from Day 1," Lynch said.
If that is the case, the Cardinals need to discover some run stuffers and a few pass rushers before the season starts. Pagnard is a good place to start after he posted 55 tackles, four sacks and 10 quarterback pressures last season.
Senior Jonas Williams (6-0, 252) might be a little undersized, but he has the inside track on one of the end spots. He made 12 total tackles in a limited role last season. Sophomore nose tackle Keith Anderson (6-2, 249) contributed eight tackles last season, but had off-season knee surgery.
Junior end Paul Strabavy (6-1, 237) made six tackles last season, while sophomore tackle Conrad Slaughter (6-3, 250) made 15 stops and sophomore end Brad Hess (6-3, 219) had seven. Sophomore end Martin Ferrill (6-3, 232) also figures in the mix.
The coaching staff hopes a few people stand out from the group to fill in the holes.
"We have a bunch of them in the pack," Lynch said. "We’ve got to find a couple guys who can rush the passer."
Incoming freshmen like Tom Kellar (6-3, 250), from Decatur Central in Indianapolis, and St. Thomas Aquinas’ lineman Justin Schweighardt (6-1, 265), from Florida, might have to be pressed into action early.
LINEBACKERS
The heart of the defense lies in returning starters Justin Beriault (6-3, 190), a sophomore, and junior Lorenzo Scott (6-2, 210).
Beriault started all 11 games as a freshman at "hawk" linebacker and finished second on the team in tackles with 117, including 77 solo. He was selected to several postseason freshman All-American teams, including The Sporting News third team, and finished third in the nation in tackles for a freshman.
His partner, Scott, led the team in tackles with 124, and has 220 for his career, at weak-side linebacker. He finished fourth in the league in tackles, while Beriault was seventh.
Scott also plays baseball at BSU and did not take part in spring football drills for the second straight year.
"They are both good players," Lynch said. "The strength of our defense is our linebackers."
Red-shirt freshman Donta Smith (6-1, 205) has impressed the coaches with his play in spring camp. Junior Justin Riley (6-3, 240) gives BSU a stellar foursome in the starting corps.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Cardinals have two-thirds of the backfield covered with cornerbacks Steve Monson , a senior, and Jesse Avant , a junior, back.
Monson (5-8, 168) shared the interception lead with Avant, each with two, and broke up a team-high nine passes. Avant (5-8, 179) posted 46 tackles and broke up seven passes.
Neither player is a giant in the backfield, but both get the job done. Sophomore Tommy Schembra (6-0, 185), fifth-year senior Jeremy Coleman (5-9, 177) and junior Quentin Manley (6-0, 185) provide depth at the corner spots.
The lone safety position is shaping up to be a three-man battle between fifth-year senior Charles Avant (5-9, 181), Jesse’s older brother, fifth-year senior Jade Winchell (5-10, 196) and junior Douglas Owusu (5-11, 175). Winchell led the group in tackles with 28 tackles and one interception.
"We need to find a new safety during fall camp," said Lynch, who extended the search to replace last year’s starter, Alger Boswell.
PUNTERS
The job belongs to junior Reggie Hodges (6-1, 221) once again after he finished fourth in the MAC, 43rd in the nation, last year with a 41.3 average. In 60 punts for 2,481 yards, Hodges placed 12 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
As a freshman, he placed just one of his 64 kicks inside the 20, but a solid second season has drawn comparisons to current Chicago Bears punter Brad Maynard, a former Cardinal.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cardinals went into last season hoping to find some kickers and appear to be solid at both positions with Hodges and Langford back.
The return game will take a big hit without Corey Parchman, who returned kicks for 100- and 93-yard touchdowns last year and led the MAC in returns. BSU also lost its top punt returner in Billy Lynch, the coach’s son.
Schembra handled some kick returns last year, but both jobs appear to be open going into the fall.
RECRUITING CLASS
A pair of 5-6 seasons has helped increase the Cardinals’ appeal outside the Midwest region and allowed them to dip into hotbeds like Florida and Houston. The results have helped BSU landed its second straight solid recruiting class, which includes Kellar and McClurg.
BSU signed two players from Houston -- Broussard and fullback/linebacker Jason Sieman (6-3, 220) from Taylor High. The three players from Florida were linebacker Vincent Davis (6-3, 200), from Dillard in Fort Lauderdale, defensive back Aaron Matthews (5-10, 190) from University in Orlando and Schweighardt.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BSU continues to make strides in the right direction, but does it have enough to rise to the top of the MAC’s West Division again this year?
Lynch seems to think so, and his bosses appear to like what he has done, evidenced by the fact they extended his contract after he led the program back from the dead. Lynch also graduates players, with a 77 percent success rate. That ranks ninth in the nation.
There’s no question the Cardinals have one of the conference’s premier players in Merriweather and a strong offensive line, but either Hill or Roesch needs to seize the quarterback spot and bring some consistency to the job.
Eckert and Streit figure to see the ball often in the passing game until the young receivers establish themselves. Hahaj’s development could be a big factor, and a big target, for either quarterback.
The defense, which got the job done last year even if the numbers were average, needs to find some linemen, preferably guys with size. Scott, Beriault, Riley and Smith won’t be able to do their jobs if people don’t tie up the opponent’s offensive line.
The Cardinals need to avoid another 0-4 start, even though they turned out all right last season in the MAC. Missouri and Clemson might be tough games to win early, but BSU should be able to handle Indiana State and Connecticut in the first four weeks.
If the Cardinals can win the close games -- they lost four games by a combined 23 points last year -- and fill some holes, they should be right in the MAC pack in the West.
