It wasn't the start that Northwestern Oklahoma State head football coach Alan Hall had hoped for. After building momentum with four straight victories to end the 2012 season, the Rangers opened 2013 with seven consecutive losses. On the surface, the slide from 4-7 to 2-9 may seem like a step back, but a much tougher schedule – the Rangers' first full Great American Conference slate and a date with national powerhourse Pittsburg State – masked what was an otherwise improved football team.
With 2013 behind them and the Rangers one step closer to full NCAA membership, Hall will focus more on improving the bottom line in 2014.
"We can't use [the schedule] as a crutch anymore," Hall said. "Now that we've seen all these new opponents, we know what to expect and can move forward. This is our third year. A lot of these kids have been here three years, so it's time for us to stand on our own two feet."
Northwestern began its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2012. Hall, then a first-year head coach, opted to build from the ground up with a heavy emphasis on freshmen recruits. Now in year three, that youth movement is beginning to bear fruit.
"We're excited about the level of athleticism that we'll have," Hall said. "This is probably the best collection of talent that we've had over there since we've been here."
Northwestern's much more veteran roster will benefit from some new energy. Offensive line coach Kevin Turco has taken over as offensive coordinator, a move that will allow Hall to focus more of his energy on the big picture.
"Kevin is very passionate about what he does and brings a high level of knowledge, attention to detail and organization to devising our offensive system," Hall said. "I'm excited to see where we are headed as an offensive unit.
The Rangers also have a new defensive coordinator in Dan Lemke who spent the past three seasons coaching defensive backs at Upper Iowa. In addition, Lemke will serve as strength and conditioning coordinator.
"He's a high-energy, up-tempo type of coach who has breathed new life into our program, Hall said. "The kids seem to have responded to him well and we are looking forward to the return of the 'Black Cloud' defensive mentality."
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OFFENSE
Points were at a premium in 2013 as redshirt freshmen quarterback Reid Miller worked to get up to speed, while simultaneously battling injuries. He played in just seven games last year. While his numbers weren't especially strong (he completed just 45.9 percent of his passes for just over 109 yards per game), he showed flashes of
potential – especially as a runner.
Miller, now a much more confident sophomore, has worked to improve physically, but his biggest improvement has come between the ears.
"You can sit and watch somebody for a year and pick up little things, like habits and preparation, but until you actually go through it for yourself for a year, you don't really know what it's like," Hall said. "Now he's been through it and understands the level that he has to be at, and so now he's preparing himself at a much higher level."
Junior college transfer Cody Weizenheimer and true freshman Ty Hooper will provide both competition and depth.
Hall hopes a maturing offensive line will help take some of the pressure off of Miller by buying him time and opening up lanes for the run game.
"The offensive line should be a strength for us. These guys have done a great job of providing leadership and stability in our program," Hall said. "Coach Turco does a great job having them ready to play every week, and I'm looking forward to see their progress going into their third year together."
All five offensive line starters are back on the roster, though right tackle Kenneth Stewart and right guard Eric Thigpen – both juniors – have moved to the defensive side of the ball. Senior left tackle Jake McGuire (6-3, 290) was an Honorable Mention All-GAC selection in 2013. Joining him atop the depth chart are a pair of two-year starters in junior center Austin Maly (6-4, 310) and junior guard Stefan Simpson (6-3, 315).
Two more juniors round out the projected lineup. James Pitts (6-1, 275) saw extensive action as a utility lineman in 2013 and has started 14 games over the past two years. Jonte Barry (6-4, 310) joined the team late in camp last fall and saw a steadily increasing role as the year wore on.
Junior college transfers Phillip Romano and Scott Batchelder will also be in the mix, as will true freshman signees Grant Lee (Clinton HS) and Levi Allen (Woodward HS).
Hall is equally excited about his running backs – the deepest, most athletic position group he's had since his arrival.
Javari Liggins, the team's leading rusher from a year ago, but steady producers Jarion Tudman and Zachary Doyle return. Doyle (5-6, 172-pound, Jr.) finished last year with 187 yards and one touchdown. Tudman (5-6, 179, RS-So.) was the team's second leading rusher with 418 yards and scored seven touchdowns, while averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
Though similar in stature, the duo bring different styles to the table. Tudman relies on explosive speed, while the shifty Doyle has a knack for finding creases.
"Tudman and Doyle both had great springs," Hall said. "They both provide leadership and dependability in the backfield and are a nice compliment to each other."
Senior Avery Morris redshirted in 2013. He recorded 21 catches – five of them for touchdowns – in 2012 but now makes the switch to running back. Redshirt freshman Malcom Robinson and true freshman Janarri Glover – a two-time state champion on the 100 meters for Oklahoma City's Millwood High School – will also push for time.
Expect Miller's number to be called in the running game, as well. He netted 212 yards and rushed for three scores, while averaging a team-high 4.5 yards per carry.
Miller has some good targets to throw the ball too, although the group is light on overall experience. Sophomore Reginald Harris (5-10, 182) provides the bulk of the returning production, having caught 10 passes for 103 yards in 2013.
Coaches like the potential of Justin Schanbacher (6-2, 215), a former quarterback and all-state performer at nearby Cherokee High School. After spending the first half of the 2013 season on defense, Schanbacher made the move to wide receiver and by the end of the year had played himself into a starting role. He finished out the year with four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown over the final three games.
Freshman DaShawn Gordon (Los Angeles), transfer Stanford Rozar and a host of Oklahoma high school signees, such as Riley Hess (Alva), Micah Kee (Woodward) and Caleb Webster (Claremore) could also be immediate factors.
DEFENSE
Opponents averaged 45.2 points per game against the Northwestern defense last year. Some might call it weakness. Hall sees an opportunity for improvement. If Lemke can nudge the bar upward, even a little, Northwestern stands to make significant overall strides.
"We're excited about where we are, coming out of spring practice. With the addition of coach Lemke and his defensive schemes and energy we are looking for a much improved year on this side of the ball. We have some new faces that will be taking the field this year for the first time in both the transfer and high school categories," Hall said.
Experience will help, too. The defense returns nine starters from a year ago, including all four defensive linemen. Jacoby Beasley (6-1, 280) and Theodis Williams (6-6, 230) are back as battle-tested sophomores. Beasley – a nose tackle - finished with 33 tackles and sack during his freshman campaign, while Williams collected 21 tackles and a sack from the left defensive end spot.
Junior Donavon Guidry (6-2, 250) will make the shift from tackle to end after picking up 31 tackles and a pair of sacks in 2013. Senior defensive end Jeremy Gutierrez (6-0, 240) had a team-high three sacks last year.
Further depth and size comes by way of the aforementioned transplants Eric Thigpen (6-3, 320, Jr.) and Kenneth Stewart (6-4, 323).
The back seven returns five starters from 2013 including linebacker Alex Hemberger (5-10, 200) an Honorable Mention All-GAC performer who finished second on the team in tackles with 66 and grabbed two interceptions.
Another Honorable Mention All-GAC performer, junior Derrick Thompson (6-3, 226), is back at linebacker. A two-year starter, Thompson ranked third on the team with 65 tackles to go with one interception.
Brandon Cannon, a transfer from Erie Community College, will challenge for time, as will and Hall believes that any number of last year's redshirts might step up at any point.
Safeties Chris Ladd (5-9, 174, Jr.) and Keenan Santacruz (6-0, 205, Sr.) are both two-year starters. Traveon Kelly has made a team-high 25 career starts, but he'll enter 2014 with a new position to learn. Kelly, who finished with 42 tackles and ranked fourth in the conference in pass breakups last season, will make the move from cornerback to safety.
Hall expects to continue juggling pieces until he finds the right fit. He has a few new ones to work with in transfers Devouris Means, David Boatright and high school signes Teofilio Freeman and Zach DeVore.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Expect to see a few new faces on special teams. Sophomore Alex Dorrell split time as the punter last year. Newcomers Will Hawkins and Andrew Lesnick are both versatile enough to punt, place kick and handle kickoff duties. That could ultimately lead to a platoon situation once the competition has played out.
Tudman nearly set a single-season school record for kick return yards in 2013, but the extent of his 2014 special teams role remains to be seen. Ditto for Kelly as the punt returner. The Rangers must also find a replacement for graduated long snapper Gene Glenn, who went the entirety of his four-year career without a bad snap.
