Senior captain Pete Anderson
2012 Davidson Football Outlook
8/28/2012 9:00:00 AM | Football
- 2012 Digital Media Guide
- Football Preseason Sights & Sounds - Episode 1
- Football Preseason Sights & Sounds - Episode 2
- Football Preseason Sights & Sounds - Episode 3
- Football Preseason Sights & Sounds - Episode 4
- Football Preseason Sights & Sounds - Episode 5
Written by John Kilgo
The 2011 Wildcats, playing with a new fast-paced offense, finished with a 4-7 record and 2-6 in the tough Pioneer League. With a break or two, the record could have been reversed. While that's factual, it doesn't alter the ultimate truth of 2011: four wins, seven losses.
Learn from it and move on.
Davidson got off to the desired start last year winning two of its first three games. But a price was paid. The Wildcats lost several key players in games two and three, both victories, and the depth wasn't there – especially at wide receiver and offensive line – to overcome the injuries.
Matt Mumme was in his first year as Davidson's offensive coordinator. He inherited an offense that had been more of a John Deere than a racecar, so obviously the staff had not recruited to the more wide-open offensive tactics that Mumme coaches. The injury to offensive players particularly at skill positions was a killer. As the Wildcats got healthier towards season's end, the results were evident. Closing victories over Morehead State and Valparaiso produced point totals of 28 and 30 respectively. Showed what the offense was capable of doing when all hands were on deck.
Those two season-closing wins were crucial as they sent the Wildcats into off-season conditioning work, recruiting and spring drills with renewed confidence and enthusiasm. People were fired up.
So now the table is set up for the 2012 Wildcats. A tough 11-game schedule features six home games including encounters with perennial Pioneer League powerhouses Dayton, Jacksonville and San Diego.
“Those last two wins last season gave us a ton of hope,” said Coach Merritt. “We had big improvement in all three areas of our play. As we got guys back from injury our offense peaked and showed what it could do.”
Now the trick is to sustain that momentum for an entire season. It takes equal parts skill, talent and luck.
There's going to be help from the freshman class. A total of 31 freshmen were brought in and Merritt calls it “the best freshman class” in his tenure as Davidson's head coach. To demonstrate how Merritt and his staff have enhanced the program's chances of success, the Wildcats will dress 101 players this fall. His first year as head coach saw 69 players in Davidson uniform.
Some of the keys to the season, as Merritt observes:
- Develop the offensive line including depth at those positions.
- The continuing improvement of quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff and his ability to direct Mumme's rapid fire offense.
- Kicking game consistency, which was lacking a year ago.
- Staying healthy on defense, especially at safety.
- The defense's ability to get a big push on the opposing quarterbacks in order to create some chaos.
“We're excited about the season and understand our need to improve in order to close the gap on the top teams in our league,” Merritt said. “The quality of play in the Pioneer League gets better each year. It's also going to help the entire league when our champion will qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2013.”
As Merritt looks at a roster that has more speed and depth than it did a year ago, he feels strongly that Davidson is close to moving up in the Pioneer League's pecking order.
“We're close to the league's top echelon,” he said. “Our goal is to break into that circle.”
THE OFFENSE
Tripp Merritt knew after the 2010 football season that he had a key decision to make for his program's future. The Davidson offense was coming off another season when it had trouble sustaining drives and producing points. The traditional offensive approach of running mixed in with some passing wasn't working.
Merritt believed that Davidson couldn't be conventional on offense. It couldn't just line up and knock defenses off the line of scrimmage and win with power football. He felt that he needed to choose between two types of offense in order to give Davidson its best chance of winning. He could choose to open up the offense, spread the defense, stress the passing game, or he could follow the lead of such successful programs as Navy, Georgia Tech and Air Force and go with the triple option.
He chose to put the ball in the air. Throw it and then throw it some more.
To orchestrate that offense he hired Matt Mumme as offensive coordinator. Mumme learned the offense from his father, Hal Mumme, who used it successfully at several schools including the University of Kentucky where Matt played as a collegiate quarterback with his father the head coach.
When Matt Mumme introduced the Air Raid offense to Davidson in the spring of 2011, it was somewhat of a culture shock to players who had been used to an entirely different approach.
Mumme had players sprint all the way to the end zone even if it meant running 100 yards to get there. He wanted them to get used to the feeling of scoring. Going without huddling, he demanded that plays be called rapidly. He didn't hesitate to put the ball in the air from any point on the field. Attack, attack, attack. The players took to it, liked it, and quickly believed in it.
Even though the offense was slowed by injuries, Mumme's first year produced exciting and encouraging results. The Wildcats were 8th in FCS football last year in passing at 303 yards a game and 59th in total offense (357 a game).
With a year's experience running the offense, and with added depth at receiver and offensive line and getting his injured tight end back healthy, Mumme is excited about what this year's offense could produce.
“I might have been a little arrogant when I first arrived here,” Mumme said. “I thought we could get after people right away. We were close to winning, but we had some injuries early that were costly.”
The players have a much better grasp now of what Mumme's philosophy is on offense. Each player has a defined role that he must carry out on each snap for the offense to succeed. That means a wide receiver might sprint deep on one play with the sole objective of getting another receiver open. For sure, Mumme likes players that can score from any point on the field.
The trigger of the offense is junior quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff, 6-0, 195. He passed for a school-record 3,326 yards in 2011, with 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
“He had a good year last season, not a great one,” Mumme said. “The offense was new to him and it took him some time to adjust. He's a smart kid and he'll be better this season.”
It's no trade secret that Mumme is going to toss the pigskin around. For it to succeed it starts with the offensive line. Head coach Merritt says he has more depth in those positions than he's ever had. Mumme likes what he sees up there.
“We have a mix of veterans and freshmen on the offensive line,” Mumme said. “We told our veterans before they left school for the summer that they'd better work hard because we have no problems starting freshmen if they're the best players.”
Mumme's offense requires excellent pass protectors that have to be in excellent physical condition. He likes offensive lineman that are tall and rangy with long arms to help in keeping defensive linemen at bay. Adam Kurtz, 6-2, 280, junior was a preseason pick for Phil Steele's All-Pioneer League team at right guard.
“We lost four starters from last year's offensive line,” Merritt said. “We have good players at those positions that have not been battle tested, but the depth there is the best we've had.”
Of Davidson's 31 freshmen, 17 are offensive players and six of those are offensive linemen.
“Funsten is really good,” Mumme said. “He'll get a lot of attention this year which will open things up for others. We have depth at wide receiver this year. The staff did a great job of recruiting receivers than can run and stretch the field.”
While Mumme likes to stick with about five offensive linemen in a game if possible, he uses 14 or 15 wide receivers. Danny Martinez, a speedster at 5-8, Chris Trinetti and Tim Hines are among the veterans that will be counted on along with a promising rookie class.
One of Davidson's most costly injuries last year was to tight end Reese Williams, who played in only four games. He's back and should give the offense another valuable weapon.
Mumme plays his tight end all over the field and features him prominently in the offense. Williams is 6-3, 220 and athletic. “He's instrumental to our offense,” Mumme said. “When we lost him to injury last year it really hurt us.”
While Davidson's offense is centered on the passing game, the running attack is certainly not ignored. A typical Mumme game plan might call for a pass-run ratio of 70-30. But if the defense hangs back, Mumme won't be hesitant to put the ball into the hands of running back Chris Gorman who gained 591 yards last season for an average of 4.8 yards a carry. “Chris has great vision and the ability to make the first defender miss,” Mumme said. “He's going to get the ball in our offense.”
Mumme's Air Raid offense has been well received by Davidson's recruiting targets. “For quarterbacks and receivers, this offense is a dream come true,” he said. “Linemen like it because they like to play fast. Running backs know they're going to get the ball in the run game as well as with passes out of the backfield.”
Mumme wants football to be fun for his players. He calls the average Davidson player smart, hard working and determined. His philosophy is to keep his offense simple, saying the package includes about three running plays and 15 pass plays. He maintains that he can teach the entire package in a short period of time. Repetition is the key, in his opinion. Each play he calls in a game has been practiced over and over during the week of preparation. He's looking for perfection of a short play list rather than a fat playbook where many plays are seldom given practice attention.
Year two of the Air Raid offense is up and running.
THE DEFENSE
Veteran coaches Meade Clendaniel (defensive coordinator) and Brett Hayford (associate head coach) return to direct a defense that has a chance to be outstanding.
“Our defense was solid last year and gave us a chance to win in the end,” head coach Merritt said.
“In my opinion we could have won two more games last season with better defense in the fourth quarter,” Clendaniel said. “We might play more players this season in an effort to stay fresher. It's important for us to get in the habit of finishing strong. Our last two years have been pretty good on defense. Now it's time to take it up a step.”
Davidson's defense was sixth in the Pioneer League in 2011. But injuries to key personnel hampered the defense as much as the offense.
There was a no-nonsense approach to defense that Davidson's players discovered when they showed up for training camp in August. FINISH THE GAME. Clendaniel clearly was not in the mood for fourth quarter breakdowns in 2012.
Hayford coaches the defensive line. He expects a big year and leadership from senior tackle Brad Johnson. Torry Treu, another senior, began training camp as first on the depth chart at the other tackle while Lewis McAlister, yet another senior led the way at nose guard.
The Wildcats also brought in four freshmen that will play on the defensive line giving the unit needed depth. There is talent, size and athleticism in the rookie class. “We expect this to be a steady group, sound in our gap defense,” Hayford said. “We're always on the move and this is a pretty fast and athletic group. The four freshmen that we brought in for the defensive line are as talented as any group we've ever had.”
Pretty impressive when one considers that Hayford is in his 20th season coaching the Wildcats. He's seen a lot of the Red and Black.
Clendaniel in his role as defensive coordinator likes to be unpredictable and cause as many sleepless nights as possible for opposing offensive coordinators. He's real good at it. In that vein he lines people up in different positions, changes looks often and tries to make it next to impossible for the quarterback to know where the rush is coming from.
With all the spread offenses that Pioneer League teams are running, defensive speed is key. And nowhere is that speed more important than at linebacker. The Wildcats need some players to step up on defense and claim 2012 as their time.
A good year is needed from outside linebacker Jelani Doeman, whom Clendaniel calls a solid leader and adds, “It's his time to step up.” Doeman played in seven games last season and had four unassisted tackles. He came to Davidson as a tailback and made a good transition to defense.
In a move to get more depth and athleticism at linebacker, Cam Harris, a 6-2, 205-pound sophomore has been moved from quarterback to outside linebacker. He has good instincts and can run. If a player can run, Clendaniel will take a close look.
Others that began the summer camp on the depth chart at outside linebacker include sophomores AJ Pignone and Mike D'Andrea, and senior Chad Harper. A player that could step into a key role at linebacker is freshman Chris Woods who played basketball and football in high school and is athletic and fast. He loves to play the game and his enthusiasm is contagious.
Coach Merritt, meanwhile, said Prater could be “as good an inside linebacker as we've had here. He's a very promising player.”
Grant Thomas and Matt Casey are expected to compete for playing time on the inside. Casey, one of the team's best athletes, will be on the field when Davidson is defending against five-receiver sets.
The secondary has some excellent football players that will be expected to play major roles this season. One of the most talked about is free safety Bryant Bednarek, a sophomore. Injuries forced him to play at San Diego in the fourth game last season and all Bednarek did was get in on 19 tackles. He was hurt for a good bit of last season so he's still not a highly experienced player, but his potential would seem to be off the charts. Clendaniel calls him “smart, physical, a great tackler and instinctive.”
Pete Anderson, who played at free safety, has switched and heads the way at strong safety. He's a senior and one of the team's five captains. Experienced, an excellent leader, dependable. Dan Casey, a 6-2 junior, will also be in the mix at strong safety. He's tough and according to Clendaniel “has a world of talent.”
The Wildcats have playmakers at safety, but depth is questionable. It'll help a bunch if these guys stay healthy.
There is depth and talent at cornerback.
“We were inexperienced at corner last year, but we're looking for real improvement at those positions this year,” Clendaniel said. “We feel real good about our top four corners.”
Inconsistent play plagued the corners last year. Tops on the depth chart at the two corners are Adam Dulberger, a senior, and Michael Corbett, a junior who loves to hit. Dulberger was in on 53 tackles last season with two interceptions and three pass breakups. Corbett was in on 33 tackles and had three interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
“The key here is to get Dulberger and Corbett to play well at the same time,” Clendaniel said.
The depth at corner is excellent. Colin Merrill, a sophomore, backs up Dulberger and Toms Bernhards-Callahan, a senior who also excels as a punt returner, backs up Corbett.
Clendaniel says his defense is deeper than it's been in recent years. He raves about the unit's unselfish approach to playing team football rather than bothering with individual statistics. Thirteen of the freshman recruits reported to the defensive side in August, and five or six will probably play in some key situations this season.
The defense would appear to be solid and ready to compete with the best in the Pioneer League. That is, if they finish the game the way Clendaniel and Hayford want. Needless to say, finishing on defense is a point of emphasis.
THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Coach Merritt doesn't try to put a pretty face on it when he talks about his team's kicking game. “We have to get better and more consistent in that area,” he said. “There's no doubt about it.”
Special teams coach #E.J. Henderson# has worked hard to improve the performance in this area. There is talent, but while it is a cliché, consistency is the key. It's not very helpful to bang one punt 60 yards and have the next one slide off the side of the kicker's foot.
“And we have to be able to make a 40-yard field goal,” Merritt said. “Last year we were not confident that we could do it.”
One of the ramifications of that was Davidson went for it on fourth down 29 times last season and made only five, a conversion rate of 17 percent. That's not a winning number. Consistency in the range of 40 yards in field goals would reduce the number of fourth-down gambles.
Chazzo Habliston, who has a strong leg, is back for his senior season and heads the lineup both as the team's punter and placekicker. His main mission is to find consistency.
Habliston was 7-of-13 in field goals last season with his long at 33 yards. Overall Davidson was 7-of-14 in field goals made which ranked ninth out of 10 teams in the Pioneer League.
Habliston was listed No. 1 on the punting depth chart heading into the season. He punted one time last season for 31 yards as the chore was handled by the graduated Brenton Goodman, who averaged 38.2 yards a punt, good for fourth in the Pioneer.
Some freshmen were also expected to get a look in the kicking game.
When it comes to returning punts, the Wildcats have a preseason all-league pick in senior Toms Bernhards-Callahan. Davidson was third in the Pioneer League in kickoff returns last year at just under 20 yards. Bernhards-Callahan returned 23 kicks last year for 451 yards and brought back 19 punts for an average of 11.6 yards an attempt. In other words, Bernhards-Callahan got his team a first down on average each time he returned a punt in 2011.
Having him as kick and punt returner gives Davidson a weapon that could prove invaluable.
2026 Davidson Football Spring Zoom Call
Thursday, March 19
WEEK 12: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, November 18
WEEK 11: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, November 11
DC Football The Final Push, A Gridiron Club Check (11-04-25)
Friday, November 07
