August 28th, 2024 10:00am
It’s football time in the Great American Conference, the home of the 2023 Division II national champions. While Harding (rightfully so) collected plenty of laurels last season and in the offseason, the league as a whole was thrust into the spotlight. Now, as the 2024 season dawns, the conference is looking to take advantage of the extra attention and show the rest of the nation they’re more than just Harding or even Ouachita Baptist.
Top to bottom, this could be a really fun year in the GAC. You obviously have the defending national champions in Harding, but you also have the trio of Ouachita Baptist, Henderson State and Southern Arkansas who will have their say this year as to why they deserve some talk about being able to knock the Bisons off their throne.
The middle of the league has improved significantly over the years, while optimism abounds in the lower tier. Who knows what 2024 will bring, but we’ll be here to cover it all for you this season.
Let’s take a look at how the league’s coaches predicted the order of finish
2024 Preseason Coaches Poll
Preseason polls are tough, no question. With the constant roster churn and the difficulty to get accurate information on who is coming and who is going, it’s no wonder the coaches tend to go off historical data. Frankly, that’s a lazy way to do things and it results in some really head-scratching rankings. Let’s go through this poll and rip it up a bit.
-Obviously, Harding coach Paul Simmons can’t vote for Harding, so another team was going to get a first place vote. The fact that ANOTHER team got a first place vote instead of Harding is quite shocking. Would love to know who that was because that’s a really bold stance I just don’t agree with. As of today, Harding is definitely above the rest of the league and they don’t need a big national championship trophy for that to be true.
-Spots 2-4 you can make the case for any of those three in any order. You can see my order below. All three are deep, talented and have a lot of experience returning. None are without questions, however, so I think the round-robin between those three schools is going to be really fun this year.
-Let’s skip the squishy middle and look at the bottom. The bottom three should be Arkansas-Monticello, SWOSU and NWOSU in some order. There’s nothing about the past few years that indicate it should be anything else. Again, this is that lazy approach of “well UAM has had some players in the past and SNU just lost a guy so they’re obviously cellar dweller again.” Lazy thoughts.
-Spots 5-9 are up for debate as well, but I am not sure why SEOSU and Tech continue to get so much love. Again, look at what has transpired the past few years. Not sure why we have to resort to past history instead of taking stock of more recent history.
Rant over.
Now, let’s get into the 2024 GAC Preview. Teams are listed in order of my predicted finish in the league.
1. Harding
Head coach: Paul Simmons
2023 record: 15-0
Key Returners: QB Cole Keylon, RB Blake Delacruz, RB Braden Jay, RB Jhalen Spicer, OL Jake Dugger, DL Dre Hall, DL Wesley Coleman, LB Clark Griffin, LB Cayden Pierce, DB Kendale Allen, DB Ty Dugger
Key Losses: WR Roland Wallace, OL Brayden Willis, OL Landon Ray, OL Levi Pate, OL Austin Toler, DL Nathaniel Wallace, LB Zach Strickland, S Malik Mays, DB Ahmad Butler
What is there to say? The Bisons were an absolute juggernaut in 2023, winning the program’s first national championship in dominating fashion. How will Harding follow up this magical season? By returning a large amount of that squad and aiming to repeat.
Offensively, the biggest question is the offensive line, which lost four starters from a year ago. However, the Bisons played the backups a lot last year, so those stepping in beside lone returner Jake Dugger are not without experience, even in playoff situations. Still, it takes time for a unit to come together, so expect a few hiccups along the way. It helps nearly the entire backfield returns for the Bisons, led by quarterback Cole Keylon. In fact, over 85 percent of the Bisons’ NCAA record 6,160 rushing yards return for 2024, including the top six individual rushers. Expect more of the same from Harding on offense.
Defensively, the pieces to replace stand out a bit more, especially the loss of Nathaniel Wallace along the defensive line. But there are plenty of experienced veterans back to keep Harding as the best defensive unit in the GAC, and one of the best in the nation. Dre Hall and Wesley Coleman anchor the line with Clark Griffin returning at linebacker. Kendale Allen will continue to be a leader in the secondary, a group that grew up a lot last year as the season went along.
When you look at the stability of the Harding program and just how much the Bisons have coming back, it’s really hard not to jump to extremes and call for a second straight national title. However, the road is long, injuries happen, chemistry doesn’t work out and losses jump up and bite you. But when you see what the Bisons have, dismissing the notion of a repeat would be quite unwise.
2. Henderson State
Head coach: Greg Holsworth
2023 record: 9-3
Key Returners: LB Gary Lewis, QB Andrew Edwards, LB Jakob Neel, TE Cayden Davis, RB Fredrick O’Donald, WR Timieone Jackson, S Tim Jennings, DB Cameron Thomas, OL Blaise Smith, OL Brandon Bishop
Key Losses: OT Robert Dunham, DT Denzel Walter, C Conner Justus, WR Chris Hatzis, DL Tyler Strain
2023 was a banner year for the Reddies, as they returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 on the heels of winning the Battle of the Ravine over Ouachita Baptist for the first time since that same year. However, if the Reddies are to make a run at the GAC title and return to the playoffs, it will be under the new leading voice. Head coach Scott Maxfield retired in June and turned the reigns over to longtime defensive coordinator Greg Holsworth. Holsworth is no stranger, having been in Arkadelphia since 2017, but a new role is still a new role. Adjustments will not be unexpected. Fortunately, the Reddies are loaded on both sides of the ball, which should make the transition fairly smooth.
Offensively, it all starts with quarterback Andrew Edwards, the best quarterback in the league from this columnists’ perspective. Edwards had just four turnovers as a sophomore a year ago while tossing 28 touchdowns. He’ll need some receivers to step up after losing leading receiver Chris Hatzis, but there are plenty of talented options coming up, including last year’s second-leading receiver Timieone Jackson. Look for Micah Greene and Sekou Konate to be key targets as well. The offensive line will be looking to replace some key pieces from a year ago, but does get several players back who missed time last year with injuries. How that group performs could be the key to the season for the Reddies.
The defense has a bevy of talent at all three levels and should be among the league’s best once again. Not only is the defense deep and talented, but it’s also extremely experienced, with seniors and redshirt juniors all over the two-deep. Outside linebacker Gary Lewis, linebacker Jakob Neel and safety Tim Jennings can be viewed as the leader at each level of this unit. It feels like this group has been building toward a dominant season, and with the players already in place, along with the new pieces added in the offseason, it appears 2024 could be that year.
The experience on this roster will go a long way toward helping the Reddies return to the playoffs, especially the experience of getting torched by Central Missouri in the first round. No doubt Henderson State would love to wipe that taste out of their mouths in 2024 with a GAC championship and a deep playoff run.
3. Ouachita Baptist
Head coach: Todd Knight
2023 record: 9-2
Key Returners: RB Kendel Givens, WR Connor Flannigan, WR Carter McElhany, TE Garrison Jackson, OL Dylan Horton, OL Eli Wilson, DL Mikey Gonzalez, DL Braylen Butler, DL Chance Taylor, LB Jax Miller, LB Dawson Miller, DB Mario Ganter Jr., DB Steven Weston, DB Josiah Johnson
Key Losses: OL Zac Henson, OL Nate Turner, DB Dhante Gibson, LB Trey Proctor, K Gabe Goodman, P Joe Couch
2023 was a solid year for the Tigers, but any season that doesn’t end in a championship and/or a playoff appearance is disappointing. Such are the standards Todd Knight has established in Arkadelphia. The good news for Ouachita fans is that the drought could last just a single year. The Tigers are deep and experienced on both sides of the ball and should once again challenge for the GAC crown. The OBU roster boasts an astonishing 26 seniors, which has made this a much more player-led team than last year’s group.
Last year, the Tigers struggled (relatively) in the run game. The inconsistencies on that front saw the Tigers post sub-200 yards rushing in over half of the 2023 season. Now, it’s obviously a luxury to nitpick like that, but the fact remains the Tigers weren’t as polished offensively last year as they have been in the past. The deep and experienced group OBU brings back this year should alleviate those concerns. Running back Kendel Givens, wide receiver Connor Flannigan and the quarterback tandem of Riley Harms and Eli Livingston make for a foundation most teams in the country would be envious of.
Defensively, the Tigers lose some pieces, but have veteran leaders at every position, so this group should be solid and fierce like normal. Jax and Dawson Miller (no relation) anchor the group from the linebacker position, but defensive end Mikey Gonzalez could be the most disruptive player on the field after leading the team with eight TFLs last year. Ouachita was top-5 in most defensive categories a year ago and that should be the baseline of expectations this year.
Despite the disappointing finish to the year, the Tigers were oh so close to being right back in the playoffs. They were tight with Harding into the third quarter and the loss to Henderson State could’ve easily flipped in their favor. Another year of experience for this veteran group may be all Ouachita needed to make a return to the playoffs and perhaps the top of the GAC.
4. Southern Arkansas
Head coach: Brad Smiley
2023 record: 10-2
Key Returners: RB Jariq Scales, OT Colton Grier, G/C Thomas Bowman, TE Matthew Whitten, WR Cole Williams, CB Melvin Smith, DE Dawson Scott, DT Elvin Calhoun, FS Hosea Singleton
Key Losses: QB O.B. Jones, MLB Jacob Berry.
The Muleriders were outstanding in 2023, picking up 10 wins and a dominating bowl win over Missouri Western. A case could be made for the Muleriders being in the playoffs instead of Henderson State. After all, SAU did go into Arkadelphia and beat the Reddies on their home field. But that debate is past and all Southern Arkansas can do is run it back in 2024. They’ll have a chance to, having lost just four starters off last years team. However, one of those is quarterback OB Jones, who will be tough to replace. It’ll be either Judd Barton, who has played in every game the last two years behind Jones or Marco Siderman, a transfer from Tarleton State.
Running back Jariq Scales is back off his third consecutive 1,000 yard season and will provide an easy transition for whoever is the quarterback behind an experienced offensive line. The receiving corps is deep as well, but coach Brad Smiley said they need to have a few guys step up to be go-to targets. Cole Williams is an obvious candidate, but will need others to rise up as well.
The defense has playmakers at every level, headlined by cornerback Melvin Smith, who is a legitimate NFL prospect after being named a 1st team All-American last year. Middle linebacker Jacob Berry leaves some big shoes to fill, but a stout defensive line led by defensive end Dawson Scott should make that a bit easier for the next man up. Smiley also mentioned needed to find some depth pieces in the secondary to bolster that unit. The starting group is as good as any in the league, but beyond that, there’s more uncertainty.
Smiley has done an outstanding job in Magnolia in his two years on the job, and there’s little reason to think the Muleriders will take a big step back in 2024, despite replacing both coordinators from last year. Whether or not they challenge for the conference title again will probably be determined by quarterback play, but if it’s there, SAU could make the GAC title race quite interesting.
5. Oklahoma Baptist
Head coach: Chris Jensen
2023 record: 6-5
Key Returners: LB Scooter Baker, DB Tainique Taylor, DB Chase Whitebear, LB Brayden Johnson, S Brandon Spencer, OL Yonas Daniel, WR Nick Harris, TE Haven Lysell-Stewart, WR Michael Marshall, QB Kenny Rosenthal, OL Andrew Sawyer, OL Jacob Sitsler, QB Aidan Thompson, K Patrick Maxwell, K Luke Watkins
Key Losses: OL Jordan Allen, DL Nick Carpin, LB Rian Fields, DL Brett Karhu, DB Tyler King, LB Jake Landers, TE Sam Sharp
The Bison bounced back from a disastrous 2022 season with a winning record in 2023. In the process, OBU found a lot of young talent that can be the foundation of the program for years to come. One of the biggest emphases on Bison Hill the past two recruiting cycles has been building depth across the roster. Last year, the Bison brought in 14 offensive linemen to address that area. This year, coach Chris Jensen feels they’ve improved the depth of most position groups.
Improvement is needed in several areas according to Jensen. The Bison converted just 32 percent on third downs last year and scored touchdowns on barely 50 percent of their trips into the red zone. In total the Bison came up empty on one-third of the red zone forays in 2023. Defensively, OBU turned away opponents just three times in the red zone. Another area of concern is the rushing attack. OBU ran for just 85 yards per game on three yards per carry. That has to improve if the Bison are to be more than one-dimensional in 2024. Running back EJ Moore is back after missing the last six games of the season with injury. The rushing attack took a big hit when he went down. Quarterback Aidan Thompson is back after a solid year in 2023. He has plenty of weapons around him, along with several returning starters along the offensive line.
Defensively, Scooter Baker is back to lead the defense from his linebacker position after racking up 121 tackles last year. There’s a lot to replace along the defensive line, so that will be an area to watch in the first few weeks of the season. This was an area the Bison addressed using the transfer portal in the offseason. The back seven is dotted with a lot of experienced players, so that should help the line come along quickly.
Top to bottom, the Bison are on the younger side, with over 50 percent of the roster listed as a freshman or sophomore. However, there’s plenty of confidence the returning veterans can build on last year’s success while also building up the young roster for the future.
6. Southeastern OSU
Head coach: Bo Atterbury
2023 record: 5-6
Key Returners: DB Tyveon Williams, DB Michael Hookfin, DL Jordan Hood, DL Fred Hardy, DL Josh Horlick, LB Braeden Winters, RB DJ Brown, RB Ryan Hirt, WR Kaleb Whitley, TE Matthew Nunez, OL Malik Culp, OL Trace Tidwell, OL Dorian Maple, K Dylan Cox, P Jackson Nalley
Key Losses: WR Marquis Gray, LB Cam Tate, WR Hunter Hawthorne
Season outlook: Bo Atterbury’s second stint in Durant got off to an uneven start in 2023, as the Savage Storm struggled throughout the year to find consistency in all facets. Atterbury said from the top down, last year’s squad didn’t prepare correctly to have success each week. So far in 2024, he said he’s been pleased with the approach of this year’s squad, so we’ll see if that results in improvement on the field.
One thing that’s going to determine the success of SEOSU this year is how talent translates to games. There’s some great young talent on this roster, but not a ton of experience. The quarterback position will be one spot to keep an eye on in particular. Both Weston Conaway and Bryce Fields are gone, and not a single quarterback on the roster took a single snap a year ago. Atterbury said he has a lot of confidence in that group which includes redshirt freshman Luke Hohenberger, redshirt sophomore Sergio Perez and true freshman Damarion McPherson. There will be talent around whoever ends up under center, including running back DJ Brown and several starters along the offensive line.
Defensively, the Savage Storm bring a lot back, particularly along the defensive line. Defensive back Ty Williams is back in the secondary to anchor that unit, while Braeden Winters will be counted on to fill the shoes of the departed Cam Tate at linebacker. SEOSU will have to replace some pieces at each level of the defense, but there are plenty of veterans returning, so the defense could be the strength of the team while the offense finds its footing around a new signal-caller.
Turnovers killed the Savage Storm a year ago, as Atterbury went as far to say they were lucky to win five games with how poor they were in that area. If they can get those things cleaned up, there should be some improvement this year. However, a lot hangs on whoever lines up under center and how fast they can grow and be the leader this team needs.
7. Southern Nazarene
Head coach: Dustin Hada
2023 record: 6-6
Key Returners: OL Zach Cizek, OL David Morales, OL Andy Cardenas, RB Carlos Zapeda, WR Donovaughn Hill, WR Donald May, WR Braxton Burd, TE Dalen Smith, LB Carter Brock, DL Austin Martin, LB Emmanuel Obinna, DB Ethan Minor
Key Losses: QB Gage Porter, WR Asa Robertson, OL Will McCune, DB Josh Johnson, DB Jalen Mays, DB Holden Hill
For the first time since 2016, Southern Nazarene will field a roster that doesn’t include quarterback Gage Porter. But the 2024 edition of the Crimson Storm are eager to prove that while Porter was one of the best in the nation the last two years, they were more than just a one-man show. 2023 was a banner year for the Crimson Storm, as they posted their first winning record in GAC play. A tough bowl game loss to Emporia State gave SNU a little taste of the next step, and the returners are determined to take it this year.
Bryson Evans will be the guy tasked with replacing the irreplaceable Porter, but he’ll be surrounded by a group of skill position players that coach Dustin Hada says is faster and more skilled than the 2023 edition. The offensive line, the criminally unsung heroes of SNU’s offensive success the last two years, also returns four starters and several other pieces who saw time in 2023. While the Crimson Storm might look a little different this year, there is no expectation about a drop off. In fact, many in the building feel they’ll be more explosive because of the greater amount of speed they’ll put on the field.
The defense continues to make strides, but needs to catch up with their offensive counterparts. SNU gave up too many big plays last year, ranking 11th in the GAC giving up 6.2 yards per play. The talent level continues to increase, and the secondary should be the primary beneficiary of this influx, although they will miss cornerback Josh Johnson. The defensive line will rely on veterans Austin Martin and Nick Blanchard, while the linebacker group should be the strength of the whole defense with Carter Brock and Emmanuel Obinna anchoring the middle.
SNU has improved from one win to five to six in Hada’s time in charge of the program. Things continue to improve across the board for the Crimson Storm on the recruiting trail as well. The next step forward is consistent winning seasons. We’ll see if that can happen in 2024.
8. Arkansas Tech
Head coach: Kyle Shipp
2023 record: 5-6
Key Returners: RB Deuce Wise, WR Caleb Tanis, DB Ben Stegall, DL Vershaud Richardson
Key Losses: QB Taye Gatewood,
The Wonder Boys are perhaps the most perplexing team in the Great American Conference. The biggest school in the league has just never put it all together for whatever reason and coming into 2024, you begin to wonder if Tech can ever become some dominant power in the GAC. The Wonder Boys are coming off back-to-back 5-6 seasons, including last year when they start 0-4 before winning five of seven to close the year.
Offensively, Tech will need a new quarterback and a quartet of players, two transfers and two returners, are vying for the starting nod. Coach Kyle Shipp is keeping things close to the vest on that front and could play multiple quarterbacks early in the season to see who gives the Wonder Boys the best shot as success. Among those is former Northwestern OSU starter Ethan Everyone. They’ll be handing off to the last year’s leading rusher in Deuce Wise and last year’s leading receiver in Caleb Tanis. Joyrion Chase is also back at receiver, so whoever the quarterback is will have plenty of experienced skill position players around them.
Defensively, Vershaud Richardson finished 2023 as one of the top sack leaders in the GAC with 10.5. He’s back to terrorize quarterbacks some more for a unit that was a middle-of-the-pack group a season ago. Ben Stegall and CJ Palmer will anchor the secondary for Tech while Javon Love and Jyrin Steward fill the middle of the defense at linebacker after both finishing top-5 on the team in tackles a season ago.
Coach Kyle Shipp says the talent level in Russellville is as good as it has been since he’s been head coach. Now the key will be producing wins from that talent. Tech hasn’t had a winning season since 2017. Is 2024 the end of that streak?
9. East Central
Head coach: John Litrenta
2023 record: 3-8
Key Returners: DE Ke'Von Curry, DE Prince Umanmielen, DT Seth Aguilera, DT Oladotun Olanipekun, OLB Darian Williams , CB Gio Waller, OL Ce'Darrion Crooks, OL Ty Dodd, TE Jackson Allen, WR Hayden Stewart, QB Sergio Kennedy
Key Losses: LB Devon Roush, RB Miles Davis
East Central crashed back to earth last year after a stellar 2022 season that saw the Tigers win nine games. Little things added up to a rough 2023 season in which ECU lost several close games, potentially even games they should have won.
2024 will be a better year if the Tigers can find consistent play at the quarterback position. No one ever really settled in at that spot a year ago, and it showed as the offense finished just 10th in the league in yards per game. Coach John Litrenta is excited about the growth of the quarterback room, and is rolling with redshirt freshman Sergio Kennedy as the starter. Last year Litrenta was more secretive in his approach to naming a starter, but changed course this year, going all in with Kennedy to help his development and grow the trust of the team. We’ll see how that plays out this year. The Tigers are going to need players to step up at every position in order to be successful this year. Averaging just 287 yards per game isn’t the fault of just one position group. ECU will definitely need more out of the run game, which average less than 100 yards per game a season ago. Transfer wide receivers KJ Peoples and Dequavius Bowens along with transfer running back Myles Featherston should help lift those numbers.
Defensively, the Tigers should be solid once again. The defense was the strength of the 2022 success, but now the majority of those players have graduated and moved on. Litrenta still believes it will be the strength of the team this year due to the remaining veteran players and the maturity from the rest of the unit. Last year, ECU was still a good group, ranking third in the league in yards per play allowed at 5.2. If they can duplicate that performance this year, it will go a long way to helping the offense find its footing. The line should be solid with Prince Umanmielen and Seth Aguilera anchoring things up front. Darian Williams is an experienced leader at the linebacker position, as is Gio Waller in the secondary.
2023 wasn’t a pleasant experience in Ada, but opportunities abound to get back on the winning track in 2024. A lot has to go right, so we’ll see if that’s possible or if another rebuilding year is needed.
10. Arkansas-Monticello
Head coach: Hud Jackson
2023 record: 2-9
Key Returners: QB Demilon Brown, DL Alfernee Hankins, WR Isaiah Cross, OL Kendall Walker, OL Ryan Williams
Key Losses: TE Ian Meche, LB Damarous White ,DB Demauryon Holmes, DL Theron Bellard, DL Michael Pope
For the second straight season, the Weevils started fast and sputtered to the finish. After starting 2022 3-1 and finishing 3-8, UAM began 2023 2-0 before losing their final nine games of the season. The common denominator in those seasons? Losing quarterback Demilon Brown to season-ending injuries. Brown is back for a final (maybe?) run in Monticello and when healthy, is one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the league. He’ll need to reconnect with his skill position players, along with a host of newcomers if UAM is going to be successful on offense this year. Last year, the loss of Brown proved too much to overcome and offensively, it was a major struggle. Coach Hud Jackson is excited about the depth in the quarterback room this year, so a significant drop-off from Brown doesn’t appear as likely in 2024.
Defensively, the Weevils brought in a lot of guys in the transfer portal to replace a couple of key leaders from the 2023 unit. Jackson said the linebacker group in particular is as talented as he’s had in quite some time. Now, it’s about translating talent to production and raising up a group that finished 10th in the GAC in both scoring and total defense. Defensive lineman Alfernee Hankins is a name to know for UAM defensively. Last year, Hankins was a major bright spot in an otherwise frustrating year for the Weevils, racking up 13 TFL and 5.5 sacks. He’ll be joined on the defensive side by a collection of transfers Jackson is very excited about.
Ultimately, the Weevils’ season will go as their health goes. Last year UAM was decimated by injuries and was never able to overcome them. This year, those who were thrown into the fire last year will be coming in with valuable experience that translates to a deeper, more seasoned team. Whether that translates to an improvement in wins remains to be seen.
11. Northwestern OSU
Head coach: Ronnie Jones
2023 record: 1-10
Key Returners: RB Darien Gill, WR Travis Romar, FS Bashu Delco, OLB Wilson Cal
Key Losses: OL Josh Baker, OLB Antoine Martin.
It was a rough first year for Ronnie Jones and company in his return to his alma mater, but a new year brings about new optimism in a program that’s been near the bottom of the GAC for the last several years. This year, Alva is in the spotlight because of the hire of Jerry Glanville as defensive coordinator. Yes, THAT Jerry Glanville. Glanville’s probably forgotten more about football than his players have ever learned about the game, but it will be interesting to see how the players respond to a coach who could be their grandfather. Regardless, it’s getting the Rangers some positive attention. It’s also helped grow the football acumen of the entire program, according to coach Ronnie Jones. Everyone has benefitted from the addition of Glanville to the staff.
Jones said he’s excited about what the defense will be able to do, but also acknowledged there must be improvement along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in order for the Rangers to take steps forward in 2024. Offensively, the skill positions have some talent, but who is under center remains a question mark. NWOSU has a few transfers vying for the starting job, so it will most likely be a new face at quarterback this year. As previously mentioned, the offensive line has to be better to take pressure off the new quarterback and allow the Rangers to run the ball more effectively than they did last year. Overall, the Rangers return just three starters on each side of the ball, but Jones is very excited about how he and his staff have overhauled the roster. The talent level is up and floor of what the Rangers can accomplish has been raised considerably.
Many eyes will be on Northwestern this year, if for no other reason than to see how Glanville turns around the Ranger defense. But for the conference as a whole, the bottom of the league raising its level of play is a good thing for everyone, so improvement in Alva would be a welcome sight for all.
12. Southwestern OSU
Head coach: Andrew Rice
2023 record: 0-11
Key Returners: OL Isaac Foster, RB Ethan Hyche, QB Scott Pfieffer, LB Logan Monroe, DLCam Guyton, DL Johnny Scales, DB Mason Daugherty
Key Losses: DL RJ Powell, LB Richard Silva
2023 was a year to forget in Weatherford. Few good things can be gleaned from a winless campaign where the Bulldogs were outscored by an average of 34 points per game. However, hope springs eternal with a new head coach in Andrew Rice, fresh off an outstanding campaign as the offensive coordinator at Southern Arkansas. Rice’s biggest task will be rebuilding a roster that’s been extremely volatile the last few years due to the high number of transfers brought in by his predecessors. The volatility prevented any semblance of culture being built as well. Four different head coaches in four years doesn’t help, either. However, Rice has said he didn’t come into a program down in the dumps from a morale standpoint, so maybe the focus can be more on football than team psyche.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were putrid a year ago, but the returning starters should provide a good foundation, both on the field and in the locker room. Quarterback Scott Pfieffer will be looking to reclaim the starting spot after being injured in week two last year, but he’ll be pushed by transfer Chandler Galban, who arrives at SWOSU from Kent State. Isaac Foster will anchor the offensive line and good things have been said about running back Ethan Hyche’s performance in fall camp. Finding some pass-catchers is paramount in the early part of the season.
Defensively, the Bulldogs could have been a good unit last year, as they had talent across the board, but that group just got completely worn down by the end of the season. The offense just couldn’t do much of anything. While the defense has lost a few key players, there are still strong pieces up the middle with defensive linemen Cam Guyton and Johnny Scales and linebacker Logan Monroe. The secondary is a big question mark, however, as Mason Daugherty is the lone returning starter in that unit. Sophomore Cadynce Hall could be a guy that steps into a more prominent role.
Rebuilding is a tall task for any coach, but this rebuild will be particularly difficult given the roster issues Rice and his staff are inheriting. Rice has a lot of experience in Oklahoma as a high school coach, so if he’s able to draw on those connections, the return to stable might be quicker than expected.