Murray State University Athletics
Racers host annual Media Day
8/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
The annual Racer football Media Day was held today, to an audience of around 20 media members. Racer head coach Joe Pannunzio began the festivities with an opening statement that let everyone in the room know he was ready for the season to begin.
"We are really glad to get the season started," Pannunzio said. "I've been coaching for 22 years now, and I've never been more enthused and excited about a season than I am about this one. We're taking a more business-like approach, thanks to our great group of seniors.
"Everywhere I go, I get people telling me about how excited they are about our offense, but everyone knows you have to play solid defense to win championships. We have some big holes and some big shoes to be filled, but I'm looking forward to the season."
Pannunzio then went on to discuss the players, position by position, who will make up the 2005 roster.
"We have four solid guys to make up our linebacking core in Tony Ryan, Rick Schultz, Nathan Williams and Dione Davis," Pannunzio said. "Tony holds us together. Having him out there is like having another coach on the field. Rick has started three years, and has really grown from a kid to a man in those years. Nathan is our inside linebacker and was injured last season, but he has worked hard and is ready to compete. Dione is our outside linebacker and he played exceptionally well last year.
"We moved Keith McClain to defensive end, and we are excited about his potential. He has great size, and he is one guy we have been needing in terms of putting pressure on the offense. We also return Adam Speeg, and he is like the old man of the crew. Barry Thomas was hurt last year, but we are excited about his quickness. He reminds us of Greg Archer. In the backfield, we have Derrick Parrott returning, and he competes hard and is a good athlete. For the first time in a while, we won't have Demetrick Westbrook manning the free safety position, but we feel confident Koji Farrington can step into that position. He has all the athletic ability and talent to grow to be a great free safety.
"Special teams is a question mark because we have so many new players," Pannunzio said, "but the ability is there. One constant is Nick Turner who, in my opinion, is one of the best kick return guys not only in Division I-AA football, but in all of football.
"Our offense is led by our running backs. Turner and Chad Cook are about as good 1-2 backs as we've seen around here in a long time. Cook has worked out all summer and is in great shape at around 235 pounds. Our quarterback Ken Topps can make plays out of the pocket, and he is exciting to watch because he can open up the offense so well. Ryne Salyer is your prototype pro passer. It's a wonder the difference one year makes. He knows the system so well now compared to one year ago.
"Our wide receivers have a chance to be special," Pannunzio said. "That's one position I knew we had to upgrade after last season. Dan Rumley has the chance to be the leader this year, and a chance to be a big playmaker. He can be one of those dominant wide receivers like Michael Slater and Deandre Green were for us. Jonathan Eiland is a speedy receiver who reminds me of Terrence Tillman and Marcus Christon, and I think he will make significant plays for us this season. Maurice Marchman gives us a physical receiver, like Jason French was for us a few years ago.
"At the tight end position, we have Bo Baxter, who moved from fullback to tight end this year and has been real impressive. Backing him up will be Ben Rush, who came in as a freshman at 210 pounds, and now is a sophomore is at 250 pounds. He can run, and has grown into that college body. We also have Linzy Patterson, who came from Mississippi State."
The Racers open the season on Sept. 3 at Mississippi State, and their home opener is on Sept. 17 against Indiana State.
