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Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
2020 Spring Football Preview - Offense
2/20/2021 4:25:00 PM | Football
GoRacers.com looks at offense in final preview of series
In the final in a series of previews for the upcoming spring season, GoRacers.com looks at the offense and visits with coordinator Ben Hodges.
Preston Rice returns at quarterback after starting all 12 games for the Racers in 2019, throwing for 2,932 yards with 20 touchdowns, and rushing for over 600 yards and two touchdowns.
The Racers will have multiple starters back at wide receiver this season. LaMartez Brooks returns after being named to the 2020 Preseason All-OVC team and the 2020 HERO Sports Preseason All-OVC team. Brooks averaged 17.4 yards per catch and 74.7 all-purpose yards per game, finishing the season with 47 catches for 819 yards and seven touchdowns. He recorded a career-best 12 catches for 154 yards against Eastern Kentucky in 2019.
Malik Honeycutt also returns after being named to the 2020 Preseason All-OVC team and missing the previous season with an injury. DeQuan Dallas played in 12 games with five starts in 2019, catching 13 passes for 133 yards. Dallas also made contributions on defense, recording five tackles and three pass breakups. Jacob Bell played in nine games and caught 20 passes for 305 yards with one touchdown, while than Thompson played in seven games with one start last season and had seven rushes for 24 yards.Â
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The Racers have a number of experienced running backs coming back this season as well. Rodney Castille played in 11 games with seven starts, rushing for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries. Castille also contributed through the air, catching 33 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown. Jared McCray played in 12 games with three starts, leading the Racers in rushing with 393 yards and four touchdowns and catching 30 passes for 217 yards.Â
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Offensive Coordinator Ben HodgesÂ
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GR: What are the areas of focus for the offense as we get closer to the first game of the season?
BH: We are focused on daily improvement, and consistency. We're excited to get to go compete, it's been a long process to get to this point.
Â
GR: Who are some players our fans should be looking out for and what should we expect from them?
BH: We have several guys who have a lot of experience, and productivity. That starts with Tez Brooks, as a returning all-conference player. Malik Honeycutt coming back into the fold has been a great asset, and there are several other guys like Dequan Dallas and Jacob Bell coming back at WR. Having a QB with experience in Preston Rice is a huge asset coupled with Rodney Castille at RB. Several guys up front with significant experience led by Levi Nesler. There are several newcomers who we're also excited to see in game action.
Â
GR: How do you hope to exploit opposing defenses this season?
BH: We're hoping to create matchups and exploit those matchups.Â
Â
GR: What is your plan for getting your most explosive play makers involved?
BH: Our plan is to be multiple to create those opportunities, and try to dictate the matchups to the defense.
Â
GR: What should our fans expect out of the pass and run games, respectively?Â
BH: Our hope is to be physical in the run game and explosive in the pass game.
Preston Rice returns at quarterback after starting all 12 games for the Racers in 2019, throwing for 2,932 yards with 20 touchdowns, and rushing for over 600 yards and two touchdowns.
The Racers will have multiple starters back at wide receiver this season. LaMartez Brooks returns after being named to the 2020 Preseason All-OVC team and the 2020 HERO Sports Preseason All-OVC team. Brooks averaged 17.4 yards per catch and 74.7 all-purpose yards per game, finishing the season with 47 catches for 819 yards and seven touchdowns. He recorded a career-best 12 catches for 154 yards against Eastern Kentucky in 2019.
Malik Honeycutt also returns after being named to the 2020 Preseason All-OVC team and missing the previous season with an injury. DeQuan Dallas played in 12 games with five starts in 2019, catching 13 passes for 133 yards. Dallas also made contributions on defense, recording five tackles and three pass breakups. Jacob Bell played in nine games and caught 20 passes for 305 yards with one touchdown, while than Thompson played in seven games with one start last season and had seven rushes for 24 yards.Â
Â
The Racers have a number of experienced running backs coming back this season as well. Rodney Castille played in 11 games with seven starts, rushing for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries. Castille also contributed through the air, catching 33 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown. Jared McCray played in 12 games with three starts, leading the Racers in rushing with 393 yards and four touchdowns and catching 30 passes for 217 yards.Â
Â
Offensive Coordinator Ben HodgesÂ
Â
GR: What are the areas of focus for the offense as we get closer to the first game of the season?
BH: We are focused on daily improvement, and consistency. We're excited to get to go compete, it's been a long process to get to this point.
Â
GR: Who are some players our fans should be looking out for and what should we expect from them?
BH: We have several guys who have a lot of experience, and productivity. That starts with Tez Brooks, as a returning all-conference player. Malik Honeycutt coming back into the fold has been a great asset, and there are several other guys like Dequan Dallas and Jacob Bell coming back at WR. Having a QB with experience in Preston Rice is a huge asset coupled with Rodney Castille at RB. Several guys up front with significant experience led by Levi Nesler. There are several newcomers who we're also excited to see in game action.
Â
GR: How do you hope to exploit opposing defenses this season?
BH: We're hoping to create matchups and exploit those matchups.Â
Â
GR: What is your plan for getting your most explosive play makers involved?
BH: Our plan is to be multiple to create those opportunities, and try to dictate the matchups to the defense.
Â
GR: What should our fans expect out of the pass and run games, respectively?Â
BH: Our hope is to be physical in the run game and explosive in the pass game.
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