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When you talk about his lineup for Pittsburg State’s season-opening opponent today, Central Oklahoma, Bronchos head coach Tracy Holland just chuckles.
Maybe because the Bronchos, who were 4-7 last season and suffered a 42-13 season-opening loss to the Gorillas, have just 21 upperclassmen on their 86-man roster for 2010.
Youth may be an understatement.
“Yeah, we are,” Holland said. “We’ve been on a three-year transition here and when we faced Pitt State two years ago, we were mainly seniors and junior college transfers.”
In fact, for the 2010 campaign, the Bronchos have just seven seniors and 14 juniors. They will start a new quarterback, running back, offensive tackle, and only have three returners on defense.
“We knew that this third year was going to be that young year and we had to just bite the bullet,” Holland said. “The joke is talking to a young man is that the good news is that they are going to play early, the bad news is that they are going to play early.”
But, Holland said that he has taken it all in stride.
“Sometimes you just don’t know what you’re going to have,” Holland said. “But, I’ve had a ball with this group because of their excitement and their willingness to be coached.”
Sophomore quarterback Ethan Sharp will make his first collegiate start for the Bronchos after seeing limited action last season in three games.
“We think Pittsburg State is going to be one of the best defenses we’ll see this season,” Holland said. “I know he (Sharp) is looking forward to the challenge and that’s why we play it.”
The Bronchos will also start a new running back, redshirt freshman Josh Birmingham at running back. Birmingham made a name for himself at Luther (Okla.) High School where he racked up over 5,000 yards on the ground. Josh is the younger brother to former UCO running back Ben Birmingham, who graduated last season. Last season, Ben Birmingham rushed for 496 yards and three touchdowns for the Bronchos.
“You know to do that in high school he is a talented man,” Holland said. “Being around his brother and the program helped, but if there is anyone ready to take that next step, he is.”
On their offensive line, UCO will start a new tackle in sophomore Justin Pruitt along with sophomore tackle Cody Hughes, senior Cody Ellett, junior Jacob Tigges and senior tackle Jake Kessen who all saw part-time action last season.
When you talk about his lineup for Pittsburg State’s season-opening opponent today, Central Oklahoma, Bronchos head coach Tracy Holland just chuckles.
Maybe because the Bronchos, who were 4-7 last season and suffered a 42-13 season-opening loss to the Gorillas, have just 21 upperclassmen on their 86-man roster for 2010.
Youth may be an understatement.
“Yeah, we are,” Holland said. “We’ve been on a three-year transition here and when we faced Pitt State two years ago, we were mainly seniors and junior college transfers.”
In fact, for the 2010 campaign, the Bronchos have just seven seniors and 14 juniors. They will start a new quarterback, running back, offensive tackle, and only have three returners on defense.
“We knew that this third year was going to be that young year and we had to just bite the bullet,” Holland said. “The joke is talking to a young man is that the good news is that they are going to play early, the bad news is that they are going to play early.”
But, Holland said that he has taken it all in stride.
“Sometimes you just don’t know what you’re going to have,” Holland said. “But, I’ve had a ball with this group because of their excitement and their willingness to be coached.”
Sophomore quarterback Ethan Sharp will make his first collegiate start for the Bronchos after seeing limited action last season in three games.
“We think Pittsburg State is going to be one of the best defenses we’ll see this season,” Holland said. “I know he (Sharp) is looking forward to the challenge and that’s why we play it.”
The Bronchos will also start a new running back, redshirt freshman Josh Birmingham at running back. Birmingham made a name for himself at Luther (Okla.) High School where he racked up over 5,000 yards on the ground. Josh is the younger brother to former UCO running back Ben Birmingham, who graduated last season. Last season, Ben Birmingham rushed for 496 yards and three touchdowns for the Bronchos.
“You know to do that in high school he is a talented man,” Holland said. “Being around his brother and the program helped, but if there is anyone ready to take that next step, he is.”
On their offensive line, UCO will start a new tackle in sophomore Justin Pruitt along with sophomore tackle Cody Hughes, senior Cody Ellett, junior Jacob Tigges and senior tackle Jake Kessen who all saw part-time action last season.
Junior receiver Daniel Morrell is one starter that brings experience back to the Bronchos. Over the last two seasons, Morrell pulled down 69 catches for 1,017 yards, including 45 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Fellow junior Matt Jackson also returns after a 2009 season where he caught 33 catches for 262 yards. Sophomores Tucker Holland, Tracy’s son, and Dolphin Davis round out the starting receiving corps.
“Daniel has been pretty steady for us,” Holland said. “This will be his third year as a starter for us and Matt started for us as a true freshman and got hurt last year but brings back a lot of experience.”
On defense, junior linebacker Tucker Cason will lead a unit that returns just three from last season. Cason, an All-Lone Star Conference selection in 2009, had a team-high 90 tackles last season including seven for loss and one interception. He had 53 solo tackles, which put him fifth all-time for UCO. Junior tackle Herbert Byrd and sophomore end Isaiah Blackshear had part-time roles for the Bronchos in 2009.
“He (Cason) is a leader and the captain of the team,” Holland said. “He’s done a nice job in the spring and the fall working with a crew around him that is very young.”
Playing Pitt State is something that Holland and the Bronchos will have to get used to as UCO is set to join the MIAA starting with the 2012-13 season.
“We’re looking forward to playing Pitt State on a regular basis,” Holland said. “The MIAA has a lot of respect and we are really looking forward to being a part of that.”
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
