Whitworth University begins an attempt to repeat or surpass the success of 2006 when the Pirates open the 2007 season on Saturday by host University of Redlands in the Pine Bowl. It marks the fourth season in a row that the Pirates and the Bulldogs have opened the season against one another. Whitworth is coming off of an 11-1 season (10-0 during the regular season) in which the Pirates set a school record for wins. Redlands, an early favorite to climb back atop the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings, finished 4-5 overall and 4-2 (second place in the SCIAC) last year.
The Pirates: Whitworth will rest its hopes, at least early in the season, on an experienced and potentially dominating defense. The Pirates led the Northwest Conference last season in scoring defense (13.4 ppg), takeaways (38), and total defense (269.2 ypg). Casey Clifton (Sr., LB, Spokane, Wash. - University) is the returning NWC Defensive Player of the Year. Greg Caster (Sr., LB, Sherwood, Ore. - Sherwood), Jay Tully (Sr., SS, Spokane, Wash. - Mead), Ryan Marshall (Sr., CB, Salem, Ore. - Sprague) and Justin Rundle (Sr., DE, Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane) all earned First Team All-NWC honors last fall. On offense, everyone who follows Whitworth football knows that the Pirates graduated their two biggest stars from last year's team. Tight end Michael Allan (now with the Kansas City Chiefs) and quarterback Joel Clark (Whitworth's all-time leader in total offense and touchdown passes) are gone. But there is much to build on for offensive success in 2007. Chris Ahsing (Sr., RB, Ewa Beach, Hawaii - Campbell) returns as the starting tailback, fully recovered from the ankle injury that limited his playing time to four games last season. Milton Nelson (So., RB, Spokane, Wash. - EWU) played extensively in Ahsing's place. Adam Anderson (So., RB, Elk, Wash. - Univ. of Idaho) is a highly regarded transfer. The receiving corps will be led by experienced veterans Steve Silva (Sr., WR, Goleta, Calif. - Coll. of the Canyons), who was First Team All-NWC last fall, and Nick Koller (Sr., WR, LaCrosse, Wash. - LaCrosse). The offensive line returns four starters, including Honorable Mention All-NWC guard Levi Wyman (Sr., OL, Aiea, Hawaii - Aiea).
The only real question is at quarterback where five players, three with experience in the Pirate program and two newcomers, have all been battling hard all camp for the starting spot. The coaches are looking at two finalists heading into the first game. Jon Luke (Jr., QB, Enumclaw, Wash. - Enumclaw) has the most on-field experience. Kory Kemp (Jr., QB, Redmond, Wash. - Eastlake) is an All-American javelin thrower for the Whitworth track and field team. Zack Clow (Fr., P, Blanchard, Idaho - Priest River) and Jordan Marshall (Jr., DB/P, Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane) are battling for the starting punter job, while the place kicking responsibilities will go to either Clow or Andy Largent (So., WR/K, Spokane, Wash. - WSU). Marshall will handle the kick offs. Jay Tully (kick off) and Ryan Marshall (punt) return as the primary kick returners.
Seniors Everywhere: Fifteen seniors are slated to start the opener for the Pirates on Saturday, the most veteran starting lineup in John Tully's tenure as head coach. Nine seniors will start on defense, where eight have at least one full season of starting experience behind them. Six seniors will start on offense, and four of those players started last year. Versus California: Counting home and away contests, Whitworth has won 14 straight games against teams from the Golden State after last season's wins over Redlands, La Verne, Azusa Pacific and Menlo. The Pirates will try to improve the streak on Saturday against Redlands.The Bucs are 9-0-1 at home against California schools and have played 16 total games in California, with a record of 8-8. Whitworth has won the last seven in a row on the road, including last season's wins at Redlands and Menlo. The Pirates are scheduled to host Redlands and Menlo this season, while playing at LaVerne and Azusa Pacific. Looking Back at 2006: Whitworth accomplished a great deal in its 100th season of varsity football. The Pirates went 10-0 during the regular season, setting a school record for total number of wins. Whitworth went on to win the first post-season playoff game in school history before finishing 11-1. The Pirates won the Northwest Conference title outright for the first time, after sharing titles in 1975 and 2001, and finished the year ranked 9th in the final D3football.com poll. Quarterback Joel Clark and linebacker Casey Clifton were the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in the NWC. John Tully was named Coach of the Year in the conference. National Ranking: Whitworth is rated among the top 25 in three preseason polls. The Pirates were ranked 10th by Street and Smith's, 16th by D3football.com and 24th by Lindy's Magazine. NWC Poll: Whitworth finished second in the NWC preseason coaches poll with 44 points and two first place votes. Linfield finished first with five first place votes and 52 points. Menlo is in its second season in the NWC as a football-only affiliate. Link to NWC Football Coaches Poll.
The Opponents: The University of Redlands has nine starters back on defense and six on offense and largely because of that experience the Bulldogs have been picked by D3football.com to win the SCIAC this fall. The Bulldogs aim to return to the top of the SCIAC standings, having won nine conference crowns between 1990 and 2003. All-SCIAC honorees Brad Smith (Sr., DB), Brock Arndt (Jr., DL) and Kris Richardson (Sr., LB) will lead a strong and experienced defense. The Bulldogs led the SCIAC in total defense and passing defense last fall. Kyle Godfrey (Sr., WR) and Zack Schafer (Jr., RB) figure to be the primary weapons for the player or players that emerge as the starting quarterback. Senior Bryan Beaver and junior Dan Selway will compete for playing opportunities with sophomores Steve Smith and Matt Wabby. The Series: Whitworth leads the series 3-1 after last year's game in California. All of the meetings, including this season's, have been season opening contests. Though this is the fifth meeting between the schools, it is only the second time they have played in Washington. The teams were slated to meet on September 16, 2001, but were unable to do so because of the events of September 11th. Redlands won the first meeting 20-7 at home in 2000. Whitworth is 2-1 at Redlands (wins in 2004 and 2006) and 1-0 vs. the Bulldogs in Spokane. Last Year: Whitworth methodically pulled away in the second half for a 28-3 season-opening win at Redlands. Chris Ahsing ran for 104 yards on 26 attempts. He concluded an 18-play, 80 yard drive that used most of the second quarter with a four yard touchdown run. Earlier in the drive, he converted a fourth and one by rushing for three yards. The defensive effort limited Redlands to the lowest point total by a Pirate opponent since a 35-0 win over L&C in 2003, and came away with five turnovers, not allowing Redlands to threaten the endzone in the second half. The turning point in the game came after Whitworth's only turnover gave the Bulldogs possession in Whitworth territory in the second quarter. Redlands moved the ball to first and goal at the four yard line. But a batted pass by the defensive line was followed by two run stops that netted a total of one yard. Choosing to kick a field goal, Redlands' attempt failed and the Pirate offense followed with the long scoring drive finished by Ahsing.
On fall camp: "I think we had an excellent camp. We accomplished all we set out to do and we are fairly healthy. We are really excited to play our first game." On opening against Redlands: "Redlands is a veteran team and should be considered one of the favorites in the SCIAC. They are very well coached and as an early season game will present a great challenge for our team." On this group of seniors: "Our seniors have worked vigorously throughout the summer and have shown great leadership in camp. Because of their efforts, and the efforts of the rest of those on the team who followed their exampe, we go into this first game very ready to play." The Coaches: John Tully is in his 13th season as head coach of the Pirates. He has a 61-53 record at Whitworth. However, he has led the Pirates to a 47-20 record over the past seven years and was named the NWC Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2006. Tully is the winningest coach in school history, as well as the longest serving Pirate coach. Prior to his arrival, Whitworth had suffered through 11 losing seasons in 12 years. Overall he is 92-75 in his 17th season as a head coach. Mike Maynard is 113-60-1 in his 20th year as head coach at Redlands. He has led the Bulldogs to nine SCIAC championships during his tenure as head coach. 2007 Statistics Other Division III Football Links: American Football Coaches Association |
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Coach Tully's Quotes: 