Welcome Matt, Former Martin Coach Ready To Roll Out Newlook Racers

The following article appeared in the August 17, 2006 edition of the Murray Ledger & Times

By Scott Nanney
Sports Editor
Photos By Michael Dann
www.murrayledger.com

How much success the Murray State Racers will have in Year 1 under new head coach Matt Griffin is still up for debate.

How they achieve that success, however, is not ? at least in the mind of the former Tennessee-Martin coach, whose rebuilding project at MSU will get its first test early next month when the Racers open at Division I-A Missouri.

“Success will be how we come together as a team,” said Griffin, who compiled just a 10-24 record in his three seasons at Martin but led the Skyhawks to their first winning season (6-5) in a dozen years last fall. “Our calling card will be what we're about as a team. That is playing hard for 60 minutes ? regardless of the score, the situation or the weather. Where we're at or how we get there, all of that doesn't matter.”

What does matter to Griffin is getting the Racers back on the winning track after a hard-to-swallow 2-9 finish in 2005 that cost former head coach Joe Pannunzio his job.

Since being introduced as the Racers' 16th head coach last December, Griffin has worked practically non-stop to restore the pride and tradition of the once-proud program, which owns eight Ohio Valley Conference championships in its 82-year history ? the third-most among current league members.

The rebuilding began last winter with a 40-man recruiting class that addressed some glaring needs. And with depth being the biggest concern in preseason camp, Griffin conceded that several of those newcomers will likely see the field this fall.

“Without question, (depth) is our biggest concern,” he explained. “Right now, we're only practicing about 78 kids. We want to be at around 85 or 90.

“I think from the spring to now we're certainly a little deeper. But our depth across the offensive and defensive lines needs to be better. We want to go three-deep across there. ... We have some freshmen that we're going to have to play there this year.”

Their lack of depth or youthfulness, however, hasn't prevented the Racers from getting off to a quick start in camp.

“We've installed about 75 percent of our offense, and I'd say it's about the same defensively,” noted Griffin. “All of our kicking game is in, which is really good. That means we're ahead of schedule there. ... We still have to do some more things as far as building on the team concept. It's not one of us, it's all of us.”

Offense
Eight starters return to the unit, including junior quarterback Ryne Salyer, who started five games last year while Ken Topps was on the shelf with injuries and is the Racers' only returning signal caller.

In Topps' stead, Salyer threw for 1,062 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. That experience would appear to give the 6-foot-2, 218-pound Ashland native a leg up on the starting nod. But a pair of true freshmen ? Chris Franklin and Jeff Ehrhardt ? and much-ballyhooed Marshall transfer Zac Barnard, a former Owensboro Catholic standout, are providing some stiff competition in camp.

“Right now, it's wide open,” Griffin said of the QB derby.

Whoever takes the snaps from center should have a plethora of weapons from which to choose from. Leading the supporting cast will be senior tailback Chad Cook (6-1, 230), who rushed for a team-best 635 yards while scoring three touchdowns for a ground game that ranked third in the OVC in yards per game (184.0) last season.

Joining Cook in the backfield will be fellow senior Donte Woods, who was moved to the position in the spring after sitting out the 2005 campaign.

“We have an outstanding talent in Chad,” Griffin said. “He's really come back in great shape, and he's definitely a leader by example. Donte Woods has also come back in fabulous shape and had a really great first week (of camp).”

Providing depth will be a pair of impressive-looking freshmen in Charlie Jordan and Josh Jones.

The backfield will be flanked by a stable of receivers that has Griffin excited about their potential. Leading the pack are senior Jonathan Eiland and sophomore Rod Harper, who combined for 583 yards and three touchdowns in 50 catches last fall. Joining the mix are true freshmen Gabe Barrett, Shane McCleskey, Mike Sweat and Derrick Townsel.

“This is certainly a talented group,” gushed Griffin. “Our top six has to be as good as any at this level. We've just got to get them playing together and on the same page as the quarterbacks. That's going to take repetitions, because they all have the physical ability.”

Sophomore Ben Rush, who battled injuries last season, is the top returning tight end. Sophomore Zach Knight could also see time at the position, as well as at fullback. Senior Nate Moore is also battling for time at fullback.

If the offensive unit is productive, it will mean that the Racers have found the right mix on a front line that is looking for some depth beyond senior returnees Matt Garrett, Johnathan Harper and Chris Mauga.

Sophomore Quinton Hankins and redshirt freshman Shawn Seldat appear in line for some playing time, as does promising redshirt freshman Rhett Brooks, the son of Tennessee defensive line coach Dan Brooks. Senior Damius Robinson and junior Perry Richardson, along with a host of true freshman, will provide depth.

“Right now we're thin up front,” Griffin admitted. “I think our first five are pretty good. We're going to be OK there, but you're going to get dinged up at some point in the year and you've got to get those other guys ready to go.”

Defense
Even more of a concern for Griffin is the depth along the defensive line, where seniors Gerald Goldberg and Barry Thomas will have to provide some veteran leadership for an otherwise young unit.

“We're fortunate that we've got a few freshmen there that I think we have to play this year,” he said. “They've really come on and been pleasant surprises so far. They're going to take their lumps, but we've just got to battle through it. ... It's a really good group, but they're young.”

A local product ? former Murray High standout Nathan Williams ? will anchor the linebacking corps. Assisting the 6-2, 230-pound junior will be sophomore Vincent Coley and a stable of freshmen candidates, led by Carl Finkes and Tamar Butler.

“Nathan certainly leads us there,” Griffin said. “He's our best player at that position. ... He's an extremely hard worker.”

The most depth and experience on the unit can be found in the secondary, where free safety and co-captain J.R Webber resides. Offering help at the safety spots will be junior Jay Burgett, a Mayfield product, sophomore Will Werner, junior Chris Fountain, senior Michael Sturgis and freshman Taylor Lanigan.

Junior Derrick Parrott leads the way at the cornerback position, followed by junior Koji Farrington and sophomore Dominic Spinks.

“We're pretty impressive back there,” claimed Griffin. “We've got four corners that can cover you one-on-one, which is what you've got to do if you want to pressure people. ... Certainly, J.R. Webber is as good a football player as I've been around in a long time.”

Special Teams
On this unit, the Racers appear solid with the return of punter Tim Wright and place-kicker Gary Crass, another in a long line of former Murray High kickers to have success at MSU.

Wright, a senior, averaged 35.5 yards per punt last season and dropped 15 kicks inside the opponents' 20-yard line, drawing rave reviews from Griffin.

“We're real fortunate there because we've got a guy like Timmy Wright, who has a real strong league,” he said. “We've changed some things with him this summer that I think will help make him better, and he's really responded well. ... I don't really think he knows how talented he is.”

Freshman Sean O'Brien is expected to inherit the kickoff duties.

Murray State University Athletics

Welcome Matt, Former Martin Coach Ready To Roll Out Newlook Racers

Related News

Related Videos