Snapshot:
Tulane Green Wave
2008 record: 2-10 (1-7 CUSA, 5th West)
Head coach: Bob Toledo (6-18, 2 years; 84-86 overall, 15 years)
Returning Starters: 16: 8 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter
Leaders on Each Side: Offense: RB,
Andre Anderson Defense: NT, Reggie Scott
The 2008 finish
for head coach Bob Toledo was not pretty, seeing the Green Wave drop their
final eight contests during a 2-10 run. The lone wins on the season came
against Louisiana-Monroe and SMU, certainly no one to write home about.
If Tulane wants
to get the ball rolling early, a win over BYU in New Orleans on Sept. 12 could
do the trick. The Tigers will come calling in the midst of Conference USA play,
so the Green Wave will certainly have their offense broken in.
Prior to his
injury in the Green Wave’s seventh game of 2008, running back Andre Anderson’s
142-yard per game average was good for fourth best in the nation. The senior,
who is still recovering from a shoulder fracture, was held out of contact this
spring.
The defensive
line is the strong suit for first year defensive coordinator Steve Stanard. Stanard
has simplified the game plan from the complex schemes of O’Neill Gilbert, which
should benefit a side that returns just six starters.
The Green Wave
began last season with a pair of statement games, playing both Alabama and East
Carolina close until deep into the second half. Tulsa and BYU are the opening
pair in 2009, and Toledo and Co. would love nothing more than to add a couple
of wins to the board early.
Quarterback
Joe Kemp – 6’4”, 206, So.
Kevin Moore – 6’5”, 234, Jr.
Kevin Moore got
the starts in 2008, but the junior is not going to be the man for Toledo in
2009. Instead the Green Wave turn to sophomore Joe Kemp, who got the starting
nod following spring evaluations.
If Kemp can’t
get the job done, at least Toledo can turn to an experienced arm. Moore threw
for over 2,000 yards last fall in twelve appearances.
Running Back
Andre Anderson – 6’0”, 211, Jr.
J.T. McDonald – 5’9”, 210, So.
Production
begins and ends with Andre Anderson, who was on fire prior to a shoulder injury
suffered against Rice last fall. The Stone Mountain, Ga.-native has the
potential to put up some of the nation’s top numbers, but his health will be
the biggest concern.
At the second
spot, offensive coordinator Dan Dodd will turn to sophomore J.T. McDonald. The
Lone Star State product recorded three scores on 37 touches and 124 rushing
yards during his freshman campaign last fall.
Wide Receivers and Tight End
Jeremy Williams – 6’1”, 201, Sr.
Casey Robottom – 5’11”, 173, Jr.
Alan Mitchell – 6’3”, 160, Jr.
Chandler Davis – 6’2”, 180, So.
Cody Sparks – 6’4”, 239, Jr.
Brian King, the
leading receiver for the Green Wave in 2008, is lost to graduation. That means
that Jeremy Williams, who racked up 437 receiving yards and a team-high five
touchdown grabs before getting injured in week five last fall, will be the
go-to-guy for Kemp.
Tight end Cody
Sparks, who hauled in 20 passes for 245 yards in 2008, will be another one of
Kemp’s favorite targets. Casey Robottom, DJ Banks and Alan Mitchell all look to
make an impact on the unit.
Offensive Line
Pete Hendrickson – 6’7”, 297, Jr.
Harris Howard – 6’4”, 300, So.
Andrew Nierman – 6’1”, 294, Jr.
Tyler Rice – 6’4”, 292, Sr.
Nick Landry – 6’7”, 295, Sr.
Three starters –
Pete Hendrickson, Andrew Nierman and Nick Landry – return to the Green Wave
offensive line. Hendrickson and Landry will man the two tackle spots, with
Nierman filling in at center.
The two newcomers,
Harris Howard and Tyler Rice, slide in at left and right guard, respectively. Toledo
has made it clear, if Anderson hopes to return to his form from 2008, the
unit’s performance will need to be on point.
Defensive Line
Logan Kelley – 6’2”, 246, Sr.
Reggie Scott – 6’4”, 260, Sr.
Oscar Ponce de Leon – 6’2”, 302, Jr.
Adam Kwentua – 6’3”, 250, Sr.
The defensive
line is certainly coordinator Steve Stanard’s strongest unit. Reggie Scott and
Adam Kwentua, both seniors, are starting once more. Scott – who was granted his
sixth year of eligibility - recorded 31 tackles last fall, while Kwentua was in
on 48 stops at right end.
Oscar Ponce de
Leone will get the start at the other nose tackle spot, while senior Logan
Kelley – who was in on 28 tackles last fall – will line up at left end.
Linebackers
Travis Burks – 6’0”, 215, Sr.
David Kirksey – 6’1”, 224, Sr.
Kristofar Rhymes – 6’0”, 220, So.
The linebacker
depth chart is not a pretty sight, and the unit returns only one full-time
starter from their 2008 set. Senior David Kirksey, who logged 41 tackles last
fall, is the experienced man of the bunch.
Travis Burks and
Kristofar Rhymes are slated to be the other two starters, though Rhymes sat out
most of the spring with hamstring problems. Burks, who was in on 40 stops
during his junior campaign, has starting experience.
Defensive Backs
Charles Harris – 6’3”, 176, Sr.
Phillip Davis – 5’10”, 170, Jr.
Chinonso Echebelem – 6’1”, 200, Sr.
Alex Lauricella – 6’0”, 178, Fr.
The health woes
continue into the secondary, where one of the unit’s top hopefuls – safety Alex
Lauricella – can never seem to stay at 100 percent.
Charles Harris
and Chinonso Echebelem bring game experience, while Corey Sonnier – who led the
team in tackles last fall with 86 – is back for his senior campaign. The three
names will be ones to watch for if Stanard hopes to make a first-season splash.
Three-year
starter Josh Lumar is gone at the other corner spot, where junior Phillip Davis
will fill the void.
Special Teams
Ross Thevenot – 6’0”, 180, Sr.
If Ross Thevenot
can find a steady foot, the senior could handle all the duties for the Green
Wave. Last fall, he was 9-of-20 on field goal attempts and averaged 45.8 yards
a kick.
If the number
can’t increase, look for Ryan Rome to replace the senior on Tulane’s field goal
attempts.