Matt RubinEmblazoned across Washington University head football coach Larry Kindbom’s chest at a recent scrimmage was a T-shirt with the slogan, “The Payoff is the Playoffs.”
The 2006 edition of Bear football returns 26 seniors, including a wealth of experience on both sides of the ball. Three veteran captains anchor the offense and defense, respectively. The schedule is, by most accounts, considered to be slightly less difficult than it has been in recent years. The pieces are seemingly in place for the Bears to make a run at Division 3 football’s grandest stage, but with Saturday’s opener on the road at Lake Forest College just a day away, some questions still remain.
As of press time, Kindbom remained tight-lipped about who would lead the University offense. While Kindbom hesitated to use the word controversy, few would deny that Seniors Nick Henry and Pat McCarthy are locked in a battle for the starting quarterback position. Sophomore Buck Smith is also expected to see time under center and has taken snaps in preseason scrimmages.
“It’s not going to be that kind of team,” said Kindbom when asked who he foresaw as the likely opening day starter, intimating that the quarterbacks would all likely garner playing time.
McCarthy began the 2005 campaign as the starting signal caller, but due to a season-ending surgery early in the year, Henry took over the reigns. Henry, who hails from Santa Monica, Calif., threw for more than 1,700 yards after taking over full-time. He is generally considered to be the purer passer of the two.
McCarthy, who along with senior defensive players Joe Shaughnessy and Drew Wethington was selected by his teammates as a captain, is known as a strong scrambler and a terrific leader in the huddle. Smith has been called the most talented but rawest of the quarterback candidates by close observers of the program.
Whoever ends up taking the majority of the snaps at quarterback will be doing so within a considerably different looking offense than the Bears have put forward in recent years.
Lost to graduation was all-American wide receiver Brad Duesing. Duesing served as the squad’s number one offensive option for virtually the entirety of his collegiate career and accounted for more than half of the team’s total receiving yards during his senior season. His departure drastically alters the offensive dynamic of the 2006 Bears.
Kindbom no longer has the luxury of calling Duesing’s number in crucial situations and this change should, in turn, benefit a number of players at the skill positions. Wide receivers Joe Lubelski and Dan Cardone should figure prominently into the offensive mix. Both served as secondary options to Duesing as sophomores and have come into camp ready for strong junior seasons.
“[Losing Duesing] helps our offense because defenses can’t key on one guy. We’ll spread it out more to a lot of guys,” said Lubelski.
The Bears are also expected to utilize the services of three strong tight ends, often using two simultaneously in game situations. Juniors Dan Liebetreu and Jeff Howenstein as well as senior George Abell all bring different skills to the table and will be counted on as both blockers and receivers.
“It’s going to be a fun offense,” said Liebetreu, echoing Lubelski’s comment about the wide variety of offensive weapons. “We’re going to spread the ball out a ton.”
In the backfield, the Bears are loaded with solid candidates as well. Last season’s leading rusher, DaRonne Jenkins, returns for his senior season after running for more than 500 yards in 2005. Senior Robbie Sutkay will also see carries at running back, while Kindbom will look to junior Scottie Guthrie at halfback.
Perhaps the team’s most pleasant surprise throughout preseason training camp has been junior Nick Buckvar. A 5’8″ junior from the greater St. Louis area, Buckvar spent his first two seasons at the University of Kentucky, a Division 1A school.
As a sophomore, Buckvar was recognized as the Wildcats’ scout team defensive player of the year. The junior is expected to garner a portion of the offensive load right away.
“I want to be someone who can be counted on to make plays. I want to be a go-to person,” said Buckvar, who cited the academic reputation and quality of the football program at Wash. U. as reasons for his transfer.
As usual, the University defense is expected to be strong. Long known as a defensive-minded coach, Kindbom’s 18th season figures to be another exciting one on the defensive side of the ball. The team returns six starters, including some of its most significant contributors from last season.
University opponents should expect to have their hands full in attempting to deny senior captain and preseason all-American selection Drew Wethington. The 6’2″ 230 pound senior comes back after a monster junior year. He led the team in solo tackles and sacks, tallying 35 and 10, respectively. He also had 19 tackles for a loss, by far the most on the team.
In addition to Wethington, the Red and Green return sophomore defensive back Tommy Bawden. Bawden played in every game as a freshman, recording 51 total tackles. Junior linebacker Mike Eliot equaled that total and is expected to play an integral role in the Wash. U. defense.
Joe Shaughnessy, another captain, will lend vital experience at defensive back and provide invaluable leadership skills in leading the defense.
The 2006 version of Washington University football is one of, if not the most experienced squad in Kindbom’s tenure. Such experience has led Kindbom to make a first-in-his-career decision: turning the season goals over to the players. Those players unanimously agree that the top team goal is to reach the NCAA Playoffs, a feat which hasn’t been accomplished by the Wash. U. team since 1999. With Division 3 powerhouse Mount Union College no longer on the schedule, the likelihood of the team getting to the playoffs is increased. Still, the team faces perennial non-conference contenders Wheaton College (Ill.) on the road and North Central College at home in addition to an improved slate of league opponents. Experts believe that the Bears would likely have to complete their season at 9-1 to be assured of a spot in the round of 32.
“They need to beat one of those two teams to get in the conversation,” said Pat Coleman who runs the Web site D3football.com.
But for Kindbom and this year’s Washington University football team, there genuinely appears to be no looking ahead. A difficult stretch of losses last year, including an embarrassing 27-0 loss on Francis Field to UAA rival University of Chicago seems to have made this year’s squad more determined and less presumptuous about its chances.
“We’re doing everything one game at a time,” said Lubelski.
Kindbom reiterated this pledge, but he has given an unprecedented amount of control to his senior leadership with regard to setting the tone for the season.
And while there are still question marks surrounding the team’s potential, Kindbom appears at ease with his personnel and confident that this year’s squad will be ready on Saturday afternoons.
“Our players came back ready to play,” he said. “Maturity is stronger than it’s ever been and that is the difference.”