Preseason All-PFL selection Lanny Funsten had 685 receiving yards and six TDs in 2010.
'Cats Ready to Soar with New-Look Offense
8/30/2011 4:00:00 AM | Football
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Nobody ever said life for a college head football coach would be easy. The challenges are always there. Play to play, game to game, season to season. Adjustments have to be made, risks taken. It's great when it all works. But when it doesn't?
Davidson coach Tripp Merritt knows. His team last season finished 3-8 and below expectations, especially his. Adding to his frustration was that Davidson wasn't that far away from being able to compete for a Pioneer League championship. A few plays here or there would have made an enormous difference. But that's part of the game.
It was no secret. Merritt knew that his offense – anemic at too many times – was going to have to get dramatically better.
The 2010 offense sputtered, averaging only 287 yards and 14.8 points a game. The passing game produced an equal number of touchdowns to interceptions – 13. Meanwhile, the ground game wasn't effective enough to keep drives alive as the team averaged 80 yards a game rushing or 2.6 yards an attempt.
That's not a winning recipe for college football in this day and age. Merritt knew he had to take bold steps to fix an offense that too often put Davidson's defense in bad situations. He was at a crossroads. With academic standards that make it challenging for Davidson to recruit large numbers of big, athletic, physical linemen, the Wildcats have to discover extraordinary, unique ways to move the football. It's been that way, dating all the way to the late 1960s when the late and brilliant coach Homer Smith dazzled the Southern Conference with a passing game that was so difficult to defend that it landed Davidson a berth in the 1969 Tangerine Bowl.
Merritt concluded that his offense would have to choose one of two paths. It could become a true option offense, the type run effectively by the service academies and Georgia Tech. Or, he could throw caution to the wolves and sling the ball around.
Looking at his roster and personnel, he decided to go to the air, especially after seeing sophomore quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff's performance against Drake last season, when he set a school record for completions with 41.
The Offense
In searching for a new offensive coordinator last winter, Merritt talked to a lot of folks. Then he met Matt Mumme. Thirty-six years old, born in Texas, Mumme played college quarterback at Kentucky behind Tim Couch and for his father Hal Mumme, the head coach.
Hal Mumme derived much of his pass-happy offensive philosophy from former Brigham Young coach Lavell Edwards, an offensive mastermind who believed in throwing the ball all over the field, any time, any place. Hal Mumme had Mike Leech on his staff as assistant coach. Leech, of course, later gained national renown for his offensive explosions as head coach at Texas Tech.
Matt Mumme was assistant coach for his father for eight seasons, including last season as offensive coordinator at Division III McMurry in Abilene, Texas. McMurry passed for 3,665 yards and 45 touchdowns last season.
As Merritt and Mumme talked in the interview process and watched tape and drew plays on a board, it became obvious to Merritt that he had found what he was looking for to spice up his Davidson offense and to give it not only a new look but also a new attitude. Mumme was his guy.
“I think we had a connection from the beginning when we discovered that we are both Jimmy Buffett and country music fans,” Merritt says with a chuckle.
Some might describe Matt Mumme as being a tad cocky. He probably wouldn't take offense to it. At the very least, he has a Texas swagger and unbridled confidence that the entire Davidson offense has embraced.
The Pioneer League will be introduced to the Air Raid offense this season. “Basketball on grass” is the way basketball coach Rick Pitino described it when Hal Mumme coached it at Kentucky.
The Wildcats will practice and play fast. It's not necessary for Davidson's offensive players to go through conditioning drills because their two-hour daily practice takes care of it. If a receiver catches the ball on his own 8-yard line in practice, he runs 92 yards to score. Running backs take handoffs and run the entire distance to the end zone, even if it means going 99 yards.
Hal Mumme borrowed this idea from the late football genius Bill Walsh during Walsh's championship dynasty at the San Francisco 49ers.
“Sprinting all the way to the end zone not only gets them in shape but also emphasizes that we expect them to go score every time they touch the ball,” Mumme says. “This offense gives kids that maybe aren't quite as athletic or talented as some of their opponents a good chance to win.”
Davidson is going to sling the ball around. Since this is his first season at Davidson, has he had time to incorporate the entire offensive package? “This offense can be installed and taught in three days,” he maintains.
“We're going to use all the real estate,” Mumme says. “If we're not fast enough to beat you deep, we'll beat you across the field.”
The Wildcats will use wide splits on the offensive line to make it a longer dash for defensive linemen to get to the quarterback. Defenders don't like to play against the Air Raid because it's relentless and wears them down. You'll not see the Wildcats huddle on offense. Never.
“I don't even know how to put a huddle together,” Mumme says.
The Air Raid must have a really good quarterback to function at a high level. He says Davidson certainly has one in Carkhuff, who passed for 2,002 yards and 12 touchdowns last year as a freshman.
“He has field smarts, can read defenses and has the ability to move guys around as the situation calls for it,” Mumme says.
Carkhuff was coached in high school by Mike Muschamp, the brother of Florida head coach Will Muschamp.
“You can't rattle the kid,” Merritt says of Carkhuff. “In our game against Drake last year, he was knocked down 18 times and always got up ready for the next play.”
Carkhuff is backed up by junior Chris Cochrane and senior Matt Heavner. Mumme says he's pleased with the talent and depth at quarterback.
Early in the season, after Carkhuff becomes more familiar with the Air Raid, he'll be calling 30 to 40 percent of the plays himself.
“Our work is done during the week to get the quarterback ready to do this,” Mumme says.
While passing will be the central theme of the Air Raid, the running backs will play a huge role in determining its success.
“Our backs will catch a lot of balls,” Mumme says. “Our goal is to lead the league in all-purpose yards.”
The running backs are capable of doing big things in this offense. Sophomore Marcus Johnston is a physical player who likes contact. Backups are Clem Butler, a senior who moved from defense to offense, and sophomore Chris Gorman. They will all get work as Mumme substitutes often at the skill positions.
Of course, the receivers had better be able to make plays. Mumme's not all that concerned. He looks over his roster of receivers and says, “ I was pleasantly surprised with the talent on the roster in the spring. We've got some guys who can run. They're good enough and fast enough that if they run our routes properly, they'll be fine.”
It doesn't much matter who the starters will be at wide receiver, because “eight or nine will have to be ready to play in each game,” Merritt says.
Senior Jonathan Adams and juniors Lanny Funsten and Houegnon Attenoukon were listed as the frontrunners heading into fall camp. The starting tight end is Reese Williams, a sophomore. “A talented player from Texas,” Merritt says, “who can be a playmaker for us. You'll see him in a lot of places on the field.”
Juniors Danny Martinez, Josh Wiggins, Sherrod Davis and Nick Orobello are also expected to see plenty of action as members of the receiving corps.
When Mumme came to Davidson last spring to install the new offense, he felt he could make do with having young players at the skill positions but desired experience and age on the offensive line. He'll have four seniors playing a lot on the offensive line along with talented sophomore guard Adam Kurtz.
Seniors Colin Wint (left tackle), Joe Newlon (left guard), Alex Fleming (center) and Ethan Clark (right tackle) will give Mumme the experience and talents he covets for his offensive line.
“We're as athletic along the offensive line as we've been since I've been head coach,” Merritt says.
While Mumme will substitute often at the skill positions, he seldom replaces his quarterback or the offensive line. “The offensive linemen will be our warriors,” he says, “because they'll play pretty much the whole game.”
The offensive unit quickly bought into Mumme's swashbuckling approach. He told them from the start, “It's not about the opponent's defense. It's about us. If we do what we're supposed to do, we'll be fine.”
He's going to spread those defenses out, make them uncomfortable, try to wear them out and frustrate them. “We have 40 or 45 players on offense, and each one of them will help us,” he said.
The Air Raid has made believers out of the team's offensive players – and they needed a good jolt after last year's less than impressive numbers. They need to have fun playing football.
“Our players have some of the toughest academic rigors in the country at Davidson,” Mumme said. “When they finish classes and come to practice, football ought to be fun.”
The Defense
While the offensive approach will be brand new to the Wildcats, the defense will try to continue to build on the success coached by defensive coordinator Meade Clendaniel, in his 12th year as coordinator, and associate head coach Brett Hayford, in his 19th season on the Davidson coaching staff.
The Wildcats will line up in their traditional 3-4 and make opposing offenses wonder where the pressure is coming from.
Clendaniel believes his defense can be very good again this season, but it's not without some key questions, mainly at cornerback, where the Wildcats will be young and inexperienced after graduating four corners from last year's team. But don't mistake inexperience for lack of talent.
Sophomore Michael Corbett is expected to start at one corner. Most of his game experience has come on special teams, but he loves competition. “He could become a three-year starter for us at corner,” Merritt says. “He's tough as nails.”
Says Clendaniel, “People say he's too small. That's good. Let 'em talk. Michael always has something to prove. He's quick, fast, tough, an ROTC guy.”
Junior Adam Dulberger will get a good look at the other corner. “He has the size we're looking for,” Clendaniel says. “He was a wide receiver in high school so he can run and has good ball skills.”
Also in the picture at corner are juniors Brody Medford and Toms Bernhards-Callahan, who played wide receiver his first two seasons at Davidson, as well as sophomore John Ferreira.
The outlook at safety is much more predictable because there is talent and experience at those two positions. The strong safety is Pete Kidwell, who might well be the best player and athlete on the team and made second-team all-conference last season.
“He's everything you'd ever want in a football player,” Clendaniel says. “He's one of the best secondary players that Davidson has ever had.”
His backup is senior Malcolm Moses-Hampton “who on game day is our fastest player,” Clendaniel says. “He's tough and plays at inside linebacker in our nickel defense.”
“Malcolm is a tireless worker,” adds Merritt. “He even eats ice cream at 110 miles per hour.”
A young player will work his way onto the field is Dan Casey, a sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C. “He's a young Kidwell,” Clendaniel says, paying the ultimate compliment, “and we use him at outside linebacker when we're in nickel.”
Junior Pete Anderson is the free safety. He has such natural instincts for football that he knows what every man on the defense should be doing and where they should be lined up.
“When Anderson speaks as the quarterback of our defense,” Clendaniel says, pausing for emphasis, “it's law.”
Backing up Anderson is senior Tyler Hammett, who had three interceptions in the spring game. “He has played quarterback and is a smart football player,” Clendaniel says.
The outside linebackers bring talent and big plays to the Davidson defense. Senior John Behm is such a leader that he was named one of only 22 players nationally to the AFCA Good Works Team. He was a preseason choice for the All-Pioneer League team.
“Very athletic,” Clendaniel says. “He used to play strong safety for us and was a wide receiver in high school.”
Clendaniel is also high in praise of Behm's backup, junior Jelani Doeman. He came to Davidson as a tailback and is athletic and versatile. “Both of those guys can line up and play in any defense we call,” Clendaniel says.
Senior Patrick Hunt is one of the defensive anchors at outside linebacker. He's experienced and knowledgeable. “He's the thinker,” Clendaniel says. “He knows what everybody on the defense is supposed to do.” He's good in the open field and can run. Junior Grant Thomas will back up Hunt.
Junior Patrick Moynahan is a starter at one inside linebacker. Affectionately called the “Mad Irishman” by his teammates, he led the team in tackles last season. He's an instinctive player who is excellent against the run.
Senior Richard Lockridge is his backup. He's so good at rushing the passer that he will often be on the field at defensive end when the Wildcats are in their nickel defense.
The other starter at inside linebacker is senior Gianni Ricci. He's an emotional leader who will call the defenses. He grew up a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and requested the number 58 jersey when he came to Davidson because it was the number worn by former Steelers great linebacker Jack Lambert.
“He's been a backup for three years,” Clendaniel says of Ricci. “He has great instincts and is everything you'd want in a linebacker.”
Ricci played at Montour High School in Pittsburgh, and for one season there, his coach was Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, the legendary linebacker from the Chicago Bears.
Ricci's backup on the inside will be sophomore Ben Prater, who Clendaniel praises for having good football instincts and the ability to play both the run and the pass with equal effectiveness.
The number one strength of the defense might be the defensive line, where Coach Hayford brings back talent and experience. The Wildcats lost no members of last year's defensive line to graduation.
Senior Morgan Popham is a preseason All-PFL selection at one defensive tackle. The other defensive tackle is Ellis Martin, a senior who played nose guard his first three years. They will unquestionably be the leaders on the defensive line.
Junior Lewis McAlister should be the starter at nose guard. He has good feet, and Hayford says he's “slippery and very hard to block.”
Hayford is excited about others on the defensive front, including junior Torry Treu, who is Popham's backup at one of the defensive tackle positions. Treu, says Hayford, is quick and a good run defender. He started in six games last season.
Junior Brad Johnson is another backup at defensive tackle. Hayford says, “he keeps getting better and better. He had a good spring and is an excellent pass rusher.”
McAlister is backed up by Jake Hall, a sophomore from Charlotte's Providence High School.
Davidson's defensive line, says Merritt, isn't as big as some others in the Pioneer Football League but he adds, “I think this group is as athletic as any we've had.”
Another hallmark of the Wildcats defense is versatility, which is good because depending on offensive personnel on the field, they will adapt to get their best athletes on the field.
Davidson's defense out of the 3-4 is designed to stop the run first, eliminate big plays and disguise where the fourth rusher is coming from in passing situations.
“The Pioneer League is a quarterback's league,” Hayford says, “and our goal is to make it as confusing and uncomfortable for the opponent's quarterback as we can.”
As far as depth is concerned on the defense, Clendaniel says he's pleased with it at every position but cornerback. Young but talented players will have to answer the call there.
Special Teams
Merritt has always placed extraordinary attention on special teams, and that philosophy will continue this year even though he has installed wide receivers coach E.J. Henderson as special teams coordinator.
“E.J. brings an extraordinary amount of special teams experience and organization,” Merritt says. “He and I agree that we want to have some fun on special teams. We've faked seven punts in the last two years so our fans shouldn't head to the rest room on fourth down.”
Senior Brenton Goodman is number one on the depth chart at punter and is backed up by junior Chazzo Habliston.
“Goodman has a good leg and Habliston can do it all,” said Merritt.
Habliston is the place kicker backed up by senior Bo Swanson. Junior Robert Schick will also be in the mix for the kicking duties. Speedsters John Adams and Michael Corbett will return kickoffs and punts.
The deep snapper is linebacker John Behm and holder for extra points and field goals is quarterback Matt Heavner. Behm was named FCS preseason first-team All-America by the College Sporting News as a long snapper.
It should also be noted that Merritt traditionally tells freshman that their best way to get on the field right away is to excel on special teams, so look for some rookies to be on the field covering and returning kicks and punts.
Merritt says he's happy with the freshman that reported to fall camp in August. He inherited a program that struggled to dress out 70 players and now routinely has about 100 at practice each day.
Davidson football is recruiting well, the players are doing well in the classroom and depth is vastly improved. Things are on the uptick.
“We're doing everything right and obviously, we want to win more games,” Merritt said. “Nobody knows that better than I. But we will. We're going to win here.”
Davidson coach Tripp Merritt knows. His team last season finished 3-8 and below expectations, especially his. Adding to his frustration was that Davidson wasn't that far away from being able to compete for a Pioneer League championship. A few plays here or there would have made an enormous difference. But that's part of the game.
It was no secret. Merritt knew that his offense – anemic at too many times – was going to have to get dramatically better.
The 2010 offense sputtered, averaging only 287 yards and 14.8 points a game. The passing game produced an equal number of touchdowns to interceptions – 13. Meanwhile, the ground game wasn't effective enough to keep drives alive as the team averaged 80 yards a game rushing or 2.6 yards an attempt.
That's not a winning recipe for college football in this day and age. Merritt knew he had to take bold steps to fix an offense that too often put Davidson's defense in bad situations. He was at a crossroads. With academic standards that make it challenging for Davidson to recruit large numbers of big, athletic, physical linemen, the Wildcats have to discover extraordinary, unique ways to move the football. It's been that way, dating all the way to the late 1960s when the late and brilliant coach Homer Smith dazzled the Southern Conference with a passing game that was so difficult to defend that it landed Davidson a berth in the 1969 Tangerine Bowl.
Looking at his roster and personnel, he decided to go to the air, especially after seeing sophomore quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff's performance against Drake last season, when he set a school record for completions with 41.
The Offense
In searching for a new offensive coordinator last winter, Merritt talked to a lot of folks. Then he met Matt Mumme. Thirty-six years old, born in Texas, Mumme played college quarterback at Kentucky behind Tim Couch and for his father Hal Mumme, the head coach.
Hal Mumme derived much of his pass-happy offensive philosophy from former Brigham Young coach Lavell Edwards, an offensive mastermind who believed in throwing the ball all over the field, any time, any place. Hal Mumme had Mike Leech on his staff as assistant coach. Leech, of course, later gained national renown for his offensive explosions as head coach at Texas Tech.
Matt Mumme was assistant coach for his father for eight seasons, including last season as offensive coordinator at Division III McMurry in Abilene, Texas. McMurry passed for 3,665 yards and 45 touchdowns last season.
As Merritt and Mumme talked in the interview process and watched tape and drew plays on a board, it became obvious to Merritt that he had found what he was looking for to spice up his Davidson offense and to give it not only a new look but also a new attitude. Mumme was his guy.
“I think we had a connection from the beginning when we discovered that we are both Jimmy Buffett and country music fans,” Merritt says with a chuckle.
Some might describe Matt Mumme as being a tad cocky. He probably wouldn't take offense to it. At the very least, he has a Texas swagger and unbridled confidence that the entire Davidson offense has embraced.
The Pioneer League will be introduced to the Air Raid offense this season. “Basketball on grass” is the way basketball coach Rick Pitino described it when Hal Mumme coached it at Kentucky.
The Wildcats will practice and play fast. It's not necessary for Davidson's offensive players to go through conditioning drills because their two-hour daily practice takes care of it. If a receiver catches the ball on his own 8-yard line in practice, he runs 92 yards to score. Running backs take handoffs and run the entire distance to the end zone, even if it means going 99 yards.
Hal Mumme borrowed this idea from the late football genius Bill Walsh during Walsh's championship dynasty at the San Francisco 49ers.
“Sprinting all the way to the end zone not only gets them in shape but also emphasizes that we expect them to go score every time they touch the ball,” Mumme says. “This offense gives kids that maybe aren't quite as athletic or talented as some of their opponents a good chance to win.”
“We're going to use all the real estate,” Mumme says. “If we're not fast enough to beat you deep, we'll beat you across the field.”
The Wildcats will use wide splits on the offensive line to make it a longer dash for defensive linemen to get to the quarterback. Defenders don't like to play against the Air Raid because it's relentless and wears them down. You'll not see the Wildcats huddle on offense. Never.
“I don't even know how to put a huddle together,” Mumme says.
The Air Raid must have a really good quarterback to function at a high level. He says Davidson certainly has one in Carkhuff, who passed for 2,002 yards and 12 touchdowns last year as a freshman.
“He has field smarts, can read defenses and has the ability to move guys around as the situation calls for it,” Mumme says.
Carkhuff was coached in high school by Mike Muschamp, the brother of Florida head coach Will Muschamp.
“You can't rattle the kid,” Merritt says of Carkhuff. “In our game against Drake last year, he was knocked down 18 times and always got up ready for the next play.”
Carkhuff is backed up by junior Chris Cochrane and senior Matt Heavner. Mumme says he's pleased with the talent and depth at quarterback.
Early in the season, after Carkhuff becomes more familiar with the Air Raid, he'll be calling 30 to 40 percent of the plays himself.
“Our work is done during the week to get the quarterback ready to do this,” Mumme says.
While passing will be the central theme of the Air Raid, the running backs will play a huge role in determining its success.
“Our backs will catch a lot of balls,” Mumme says. “Our goal is to lead the league in all-purpose yards.”
The running backs are capable of doing big things in this offense. Sophomore Marcus Johnston is a physical player who likes contact. Backups are Clem Butler, a senior who moved from defense to offense, and sophomore Chris Gorman. They will all get work as Mumme substitutes often at the skill positions.
It doesn't much matter who the starters will be at wide receiver, because “eight or nine will have to be ready to play in each game,” Merritt says.
Senior Jonathan Adams and juniors Lanny Funsten and Houegnon Attenoukon were listed as the frontrunners heading into fall camp. The starting tight end is Reese Williams, a sophomore. “A talented player from Texas,” Merritt says, “who can be a playmaker for us. You'll see him in a lot of places on the field.”
Juniors Danny Martinez, Josh Wiggins, Sherrod Davis and Nick Orobello are also expected to see plenty of action as members of the receiving corps.
When Mumme came to Davidson last spring to install the new offense, he felt he could make do with having young players at the skill positions but desired experience and age on the offensive line. He'll have four seniors playing a lot on the offensive line along with talented sophomore guard Adam Kurtz.
“We're as athletic along the offensive line as we've been since I've been head coach,” Merritt says.
While Mumme will substitute often at the skill positions, he seldom replaces his quarterback or the offensive line. “The offensive linemen will be our warriors,” he says, “because they'll play pretty much the whole game.”
The offensive unit quickly bought into Mumme's swashbuckling approach. He told them from the start, “It's not about the opponent's defense. It's about us. If we do what we're supposed to do, we'll be fine.”
He's going to spread those defenses out, make them uncomfortable, try to wear them out and frustrate them. “We have 40 or 45 players on offense, and each one of them will help us,” he said.
The Air Raid has made believers out of the team's offensive players – and they needed a good jolt after last year's less than impressive numbers. They need to have fun playing football.
“Our players have some of the toughest academic rigors in the country at Davidson,” Mumme said. “When they finish classes and come to practice, football ought to be fun.”
The Defense
While the offensive approach will be brand new to the Wildcats, the defense will try to continue to build on the success coached by defensive coordinator Meade Clendaniel, in his 12th year as coordinator, and associate head coach Brett Hayford, in his 19th season on the Davidson coaching staff.
The Wildcats will line up in their traditional 3-4 and make opposing offenses wonder where the pressure is coming from.
Clendaniel believes his defense can be very good again this season, but it's not without some key questions, mainly at cornerback, where the Wildcats will be young and inexperienced after graduating four corners from last year's team. But don't mistake inexperience for lack of talent.
Sophomore Michael Corbett is expected to start at one corner. Most of his game experience has come on special teams, but he loves competition. “He could become a three-year starter for us at corner,” Merritt says. “He's tough as nails.”
Junior Adam Dulberger will get a good look at the other corner. “He has the size we're looking for,” Clendaniel says. “He was a wide receiver in high school so he can run and has good ball skills.”
Also in the picture at corner are juniors Brody Medford and Toms Bernhards-Callahan, who played wide receiver his first two seasons at Davidson, as well as sophomore John Ferreira.
The outlook at safety is much more predictable because there is talent and experience at those two positions. The strong safety is Pete Kidwell, who might well be the best player and athlete on the team and made second-team all-conference last season.
“He's everything you'd ever want in a football player,” Clendaniel says. “He's one of the best secondary players that Davidson has ever had.”
His backup is senior Malcolm Moses-Hampton “who on game day is our fastest player,” Clendaniel says. “He's tough and plays at inside linebacker in our nickel defense.”
“Malcolm is a tireless worker,” adds Merritt. “He even eats ice cream at 110 miles per hour.”
A young player will work his way onto the field is Dan Casey, a sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C. “He's a young Kidwell,” Clendaniel says, paying the ultimate compliment, “and we use him at outside linebacker when we're in nickel.”
Junior Pete Anderson is the free safety. He has such natural instincts for football that he knows what every man on the defense should be doing and where they should be lined up.
Backing up Anderson is senior Tyler Hammett, who had three interceptions in the spring game. “He has played quarterback and is a smart football player,” Clendaniel says.
The outside linebackers bring talent and big plays to the Davidson defense. Senior John Behm is such a leader that he was named one of only 22 players nationally to the AFCA Good Works Team. He was a preseason choice for the All-Pioneer League team.
“Very athletic,” Clendaniel says. “He used to play strong safety for us and was a wide receiver in high school.”
Clendaniel is also high in praise of Behm's backup, junior Jelani Doeman. He came to Davidson as a tailback and is athletic and versatile. “Both of those guys can line up and play in any defense we call,” Clendaniel says.
Senior Patrick Hunt is one of the defensive anchors at outside linebacker. He's experienced and knowledgeable. “He's the thinker,” Clendaniel says. “He knows what everybody on the defense is supposed to do.” He's good in the open field and can run. Junior Grant Thomas will back up Hunt.
Junior Patrick Moynahan is a starter at one inside linebacker. Affectionately called the “Mad Irishman” by his teammates, he led the team in tackles last season. He's an instinctive player who is excellent against the run.
Senior Richard Lockridge is his backup. He's so good at rushing the passer that he will often be on the field at defensive end when the Wildcats are in their nickel defense.
The other starter at inside linebacker is senior Gianni Ricci. He's an emotional leader who will call the defenses. He grew up a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and requested the number 58 jersey when he came to Davidson because it was the number worn by former Steelers great linebacker Jack Lambert.
Ricci played at Montour High School in Pittsburgh, and for one season there, his coach was Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, the legendary linebacker from the Chicago Bears.
Ricci's backup on the inside will be sophomore Ben Prater, who Clendaniel praises for having good football instincts and the ability to play both the run and the pass with equal effectiveness.
The number one strength of the defense might be the defensive line, where Coach Hayford brings back talent and experience. The Wildcats lost no members of last year's defensive line to graduation.
Senior Morgan Popham is a preseason All-PFL selection at one defensive tackle. The other defensive tackle is Ellis Martin, a senior who played nose guard his first three years. They will unquestionably be the leaders on the defensive line.
Junior Lewis McAlister should be the starter at nose guard. He has good feet, and Hayford says he's “slippery and very hard to block.”
Hayford is excited about others on the defensive front, including junior Torry Treu, who is Popham's backup at one of the defensive tackle positions. Treu, says Hayford, is quick and a good run defender. He started in six games last season.
Junior Brad Johnson is another backup at defensive tackle. Hayford says, “he keeps getting better and better. He had a good spring and is an excellent pass rusher.”
McAlister is backed up by Jake Hall, a sophomore from Charlotte's Providence High School.
Davidson's defensive line, says Merritt, isn't as big as some others in the Pioneer Football League but he adds, “I think this group is as athletic as any we've had.”
Another hallmark of the Wildcats defense is versatility, which is good because depending on offensive personnel on the field, they will adapt to get their best athletes on the field.
Davidson's defense out of the 3-4 is designed to stop the run first, eliminate big plays and disguise where the fourth rusher is coming from in passing situations.
“The Pioneer League is a quarterback's league,” Hayford says, “and our goal is to make it as confusing and uncomfortable for the opponent's quarterback as we can.”
Special Teams
Merritt has always placed extraordinary attention on special teams, and that philosophy will continue this year even though he has installed wide receivers coach E.J. Henderson as special teams coordinator.
“E.J. brings an extraordinary amount of special teams experience and organization,” Merritt says. “He and I agree that we want to have some fun on special teams. We've faked seven punts in the last two years so our fans shouldn't head to the rest room on fourth down.”
Senior Brenton Goodman is number one on the depth chart at punter and is backed up by junior Chazzo Habliston.
“Goodman has a good leg and Habliston can do it all,” said Merritt.
Habliston is the place kicker backed up by senior Bo Swanson. Junior Robert Schick will also be in the mix for the kicking duties. Speedsters John Adams and Michael Corbett will return kickoffs and punts.
The deep snapper is linebacker John Behm and holder for extra points and field goals is quarterback Matt Heavner. Behm was named FCS preseason first-team All-America by the College Sporting News as a long snapper.
It should also be noted that Merritt traditionally tells freshman that their best way to get on the field right away is to excel on special teams, so look for some rookies to be on the field covering and returning kicks and punts.
Merritt says he's happy with the freshman that reported to fall camp in August. He inherited a program that struggled to dress out 70 players and now routinely has about 100 at practice each day.
Davidson football is recruiting well, the players are doing well in the classroom and depth is vastly improved. Things are on the uptick.
“We're doing everything right and obviously, we want to win more games,” Merritt said. “Nobody knows that better than I. But we will. We're going to win here.”
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