Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Appalachian State’s feasibility-study committee has made its recommendation that the Mountaineers should move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, but it’s still a wait-and-see as to what FBS conference might take the Mountaineers up on their aspiration.
And the goal is, according to athletics director Charlie Cobb and committee co-chairman G.A. Sywassink, not to just go to the FBS but to find a conference that makes sense in terms of geography, cost-containment, profile enhancement and the development or re-establishment of natural rivals.
How long that will take is anybody’s guess, but another round of membership shakeups among FBS conferences could get the ball rolling.
“I don’t think anybody has envisioned a specific timeline, but we certainly have some ideas going ahead,” Cobb said during a media teleconference today. “One of the things we’re going to look at is some future game contracts – where a payout if we play a road game will be based on if we’re an FCS or FBS member – but we are going to be at the mercy a little bit of what transitioning occurs above us, with some of the other BCS leagues.”
The committee concluded that a move to the right FBS conference would be viable for ASU fiscally and competitively. Cobb said that what the Mountaineers’ football program has to offer is very much in line with many FBS programs now.
“I think, frankly, you could take eight to 10 FCS schools right now, even minus 23 scholarships, and you could compete with a good majority of the FBS programs,” Cobb said.
And, he said, “The divide that exists in Division I athletics right now financially is not between FBS and FCS, the divide is truly between the BCS and the rest of Division I.”
The recommendation to move up to the FBS is as much about ASU’s future as it is its present.
He said that ASU’s growth in recent years, and its success in football, has put it well ahead of where it was not too many years ago. He cited Virginia Tech as a model, of where it was 25 years ago and he sees a lot of similarities to Virginia Tech then and ASU now.
But the key question remains where ASU could land in terms of conference affiliation at the FBS level. Perhaps Conference USA, or perhaps a restructured conference with members similar to ASU’s profile. Or perhaps another opportunity could arise if movement from one conference to another gets in high gear.
The goal, and perhaps mandate, is a smart fit.
“You get into geography, I think it would be pretty simple especially in this era of cost-containment,” Cobb said, “but you certainly have to put yourself in position.”
Which is what ASU is doing, but with hopes of finding a conference situation that makes geographical sense.
“You can take for example our first game with Virginia Tech,” Cobb said. “It’s less than three hours from Boone, it’s less than five hours from Charlotte, which is a big alumni base, and we’ve sold over 5,000 tickets for Appalachian to play at Virginia Tech. I think that means something to Virginia Tech when they look at filling out a home schedule.
“I think the geography of any conference alignment, especially those that don’t have the massive TV money that BCS schools have, (is something) you have to be very cognizant of.”
While the waiting game might take a while, Cobb hopes that the announcement of ASU’s intentions to go FBS will help get it ahead of the curve in terms of possible conference opportunities. The timing of the recommendation is a strategic move to position ASU in preparation for a changing landscape in college football.
“I think it was first and foremost to put those intentions out there from a future standpoint and give us the ability over the next period of time to figure out exactly where the college-football world is going,” Cobb said.
Cobb is aware that not all ASU fans are on board with the idea, but said that he is confident the majority are. The past success is part of the impetus for wanting to compete at the highest level.
“We recognize that we are very much in a very successful pattern,” Cobb said. “We have won more (football) games than any school in Division I the last six years. Our crowds have been fantastic. So has our fundraising on a relatively basis.”
Cobb said that he has talked with coaches of other sports at ASU and they have embraced the idea of a possible move from the Southern Conference to another conference that, at the FBS level, likely will offer the challenge of stiffer competition in other sports.
“When we first broached this idea with our coaches several months ago not one coach had reservations about it,” Cobb said. “I think that speaks volumes about the mentality of wanting to compete at a higher level.”
Among questions raised during today’s teleconference dealt with increase in ticket prices if the Mountaineers move to the FBS level, and the necessity of increasing stadium capacity at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
“We’ve looked at a number of different financial models,” Cobb said in regard to ticket costs. “I wouldn’t necessarily say we’re going to raise ticket prices. I think a lot of it depends on who you play.”
Stadium expansion could happen.
“That’s part of the conversation,” Cobb said. “We realize that we would need to do some facility improvements – not as much as what we’ve done in the last six years – but we would definitely need to look at some additional seating but that’s all part of the process going forward.”
Cobb said that he has talked with John Iamarino, the Southern Conference commissioner, throughout the study-committee process.
“I think it’s been pretty important to keep him in the loop,” Cobb said. “We had a fairly lengthy conversation (Monday) and, not to put words in his mouth, but it was a very positive conversation. He certainly understands what we’re thinking and appreciates the fact that we have been as open and up front.”
If ASU leaves, it would have to pay the SoCon $300,000 if it gives a two-year notice, or $600,000 if it’s a one-year notice.
Read more about ASU’s potential move to the FBS in Wednesday’s Winston-Salem Journal.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Several new names have emerged from Appalachian State’s preseason camp, and a few have made strides toward significant playing time. Among the new players most noted by coaches so far are:
Henry Barnes – He is in the mix at free safety. Barnes is a 6-2, 195-pound freshman from Newton Grove Hobbton. His great uncle, Emery Barnes, was a high-jumper in the 1952 Olympics and played football at Oregon and with the Green Bay Packers.
Bobo Beathard – He will get some time at “M” receiver, and is working on kick returns. Beathard is a 5-10, 175-pound freshman from Haymarket, Va. His father Jeff is a scout for the Carolina Panthers and his grandfather Bobby Beathard is the former general manager of the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers.
Ronald Blair – As of now, Blair, a 6-4, 260-pound freshman from Greensboro, Ga., is a starter at defensive end. He had 112 tackles, nine sacks and 12 quarterback hurries last season as a senior at Greene County High School. He also returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown last season.
Doug Middleton – He is perhaps the most talked-about newcomer in preseason camp, noted for aggressive and hard-nosed play. Middleton, a 6-1, 185-pound freshman who played at Parkland in Winston-Salem, is backing up experienced players at cornerback, is working on kickoff returns and could at least play a significant role on special teams and in nickel packages. His first cousin Greg Jones is a former fullback at Florida State and now plays with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Steven Miller – His speed created a buzz from the beginning of camp, and he will get carries in a mix of running backs that includes Cedric Baker Boney and Travaris Cadet. He is also a candidate to return punts. Miller, a 5-9, 180-pound junior, is from Piscataway, N.J., and a transfer from Nassau Community College. His cousin, Malcolm Jenkins, is a former defensive back at Ohio State who plays safety for the New Orleans Saints.
Read more on these players and others, and the Mountaineers’ new 3-4 defense, in the Friday and Saturday editions of the Winston-Salem Journal.
By Tommy Bowman at 12:19 PM
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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Two-a-day practices began today, and newcomer Steven Miller continues to gain notice in camp.
Miller, a New Jersey native and transfer running back from Nassau Community College, who is listed at 5-9, 180, had one touchdown run and one touchdown pass, both for 40 yards, in Tuesday’s first day in full pads.
John Rizor, the Mountaineers’ rush end, is among defensive players who have been impressive in camp so far, according to reports.
Running back Cedric Baker has legally changed his name to Cedric Baker Boney in memory of his father, who died last spring.
Center Sherman Holt is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the week with a hand injury. Freshman offensive lineman Ron Henderson is expected to be out two to three weeks, also with a hand injury.
The Mountaineers continue to work out of their new three-man front and 6-1, 305-pound nose guard Dan Wyile has been particularly impressive.
Speaking of the 3-4 defense, defensive coordinator Dale Jones said last Saturday that learning visits to Air Force, Alabama and West Virginia following spring practice all were helpful.
“We probably learned more from Air Force because you watch those guys play and they play with a lot less talent but play teams extremely well,” Jones said. “Every place we went they opened up and helped us quite a bit.”
Monday, August 08, 2011
If DeAndre Presley’s football career doesn’t pan out, maybe he’ll make it as a country music star.
You can check him out YouTube. Search for “TreyDre the only one.”
You’ll find quarterback Presley and former quarterback and current receivers coach Trey Elder exhibiting their musical ability.
Presley not only can pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season, he can belt out a tune.
He and Elder have collaborated on some songs, including their own “The Only One.” They’re in the process of putting together a CD.
“I’ve written about four or five songs, and I’m learning to play the guitar,” Presley said. “My album will be out soon.”
All he needs is a break, and maybe a cowboy hat.
Presley has been singing since he was a kid, mostly in church, and became enamored with country music his freshman season.
“It’s just another hobby that I’ve picked up, and I love it,” said Presley, whose favorite artists are Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts.
“The country music thing, I’m going for it. I’m actually getting serious about it. I love country music for the simple fact that there is a story behind every song.”
Elder said: “It’s for fun. He thinks he’s the next Charley Pride but he can sing a little bit and he’s a great writer. He’s got all kinds of stuff he has written, so I play guitar a little bit and we just got together and put some things together.”
Teammates have given decent reviews. Travaris Cadet said that country music isn’t exactly his thing – “I’m more on the rap side” – but he appreciates Presley’s effort.
“He can sing,” Cadet said. “He tries to throw a little Jagged Edge in there every once in a while. I think he’ll be in the talent show one day.”
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Odds and ends from Appalachian State’s media day and early stages of preseason camp:
ASU has won or shared six Southern Conference titles in a row. This season, the Mountaineers will try to become the first team to win seven straight.
SoCon coaches picked ASU to win again in an annual preseason poll, but the media went with Georgia Southern, which has 20 of 22 starters back, beat ASU in Statesboro last season and advanced a step further in the playoffs. It was the first time since 2005 that the Mountaineers weren’t picked first.
Preseason polls don’t mean much, but it was a topic during media day.
“I think the only reason we’re hearing about it this year is because we’re not No. 1,” defensive tackle Gordy Witte of ASU said. “If we were No. 1, nobody would be talking that much about it. But it gives us another motivation.”
Witte is a fifth-year senior, and he and receiver Brian Quick are the only two ASU players to have played in any games in 2007, the year ASU last won a national title, although several players on this year’s team were redshirt members that year.
“That’s a big deal because all the fifth-year guys are really the only ones that had even a taste of a national championship,” Witte said. “We’d really like to start a new legacy.”
Some players to watch in preseason camp:
Steven Miller, a junior transfer from Nassau Community College, has gotten some early attention at running back and returning kicks as result of his speed.
He’s small (5-9, 180) but fast.
“The only thing is he’s not had pads on yet,” running backs coach Chris Moore said. “We’ll see what he can do, but he can really run.”
Junior Michael Frazier moved from defensive back to running back in the spring and was impressive, and will fit in the running back rotation that is led by seniors Cedric Baker and Travaris Cadet.
Cadet will see some time as a slot receiver to get him even more involved in the offense, and Baker is expected to get a lot of carries. Miller could help, and Frazier will be used as a “fullback type.”
“He (Frazier) brings a little nastiness to the backfield,” Moore said.
Hopes are that Brandon McGowan, a freshman from Suwannee, Ga., and Jamal Ware, a freshman from Tyrone, Ga., will add needed depth at inside linebacker along with sophomore Karl Anderson.
Henry Barnes, a freshman from Newton Grove, could help at safety.
Trevor Sawyer, a 6-6, 225-pound redshirt freshman, could be a factor at tight end. “He’s a big talented guy, he’s just young,” Moore said
A lot of eyes will be on freshman Sean Price, a 6-5, 200-pound receiver from Reston, Va.
“The dude can gallop,” quarterback DeAndre Presley said. “He’s big, and he can run.”
Senior Brian Quick, who led ASU’s receivers with 47 catches for 844 yards and nine touchdowns, has added bulk to his 6-5 frame and is looking to be more of a physical receiver to add to his big-play capability. He now weighs 220 pounds, and wants to get to 225.
“I worked really hard this summer,” Quick said. “Coach (Mike) Kent and Kareem (Young) and a lot of guys in the weight room really pushed me. I’ve gained 10 pounds and I have gotten stronger.
“This is my senior year and I want to go out with a bang.”
Otherwise, the Mountaineers will depend largely on a group of relatively unknown receivers.
“We are excited about the young guys,” receivers coach Trey Elder said. “(Andrew) Peacock and (Jamill) Lott and (Tony) Washington are all very talented and smart football players. And we’ll have Cadet, too, because he’ll play some slot receiver this year.
“I think we’ll be good. Tony didn’t catch a lot of balls last year but he played a lot. Cadet and Quick have both been in big games.”
Brad Glenn, the Mountaineers’ quarterbacks coach, said of the younger receivers: “The potential is there, they’ve just got to get game reps. I think we could potentially have the most athletic group of wide outs and tight ends we’ve ever had here. I think they sky is the limit for those guys.”
Quick said: “We definitely have a lot of young buys but I feel like they’ll be ready. I’m the only senior so I feel like I need to be a leader for these guys, and we have time in camp for them to learn.”
Seniors Orry Frye and Matt Ruff return to the offensive line, but ASU lost three of its five starters from last season. Several players will battle to fill those spots.
Bob McClain, the Mountaineers’ offensive line coach, said that it’s too early to tell how that will shake out.
“We have a couple of guys who have played a lot of football with Orry Frye and Matt Ruff, but they’re coming back in and competing for jobs just the same as the young ones are,” McClain said. “They know they have an edge, obviously, because of they’re playing experience, but they know they’ll have to compete the same as everyone else. Besides those two, we have a bunch of young talent but it’s a matter of who steps up and takes hold.
“We do have a bunch of guys who are very coachable and really want to be out on the field. They have a lot of energy and are giving a lot of effort.”
Thursday, July 14, 2011
An update on former ASU players in the minor leagues:
Josh Dowdy (RP, DelMarVa Shorebirds, Class A Orioles) – Dowdy, who was sidelined early in the season with a shoulder injury, has appeared in five games with the Shorebirds since being sent down from Class A Advanced Frederick. Dowdy has allowed eight hits, one earned run in 5.2 innings pitched with the Shorebirds, and has struck out 10 and walked three.
Zach Quate (RP, Montgomery Biscuits, Class AA Rays) – Quate is tied for second in the Southern League with 13 saves. He is 3-3 with a 3.92 earned-run average and has 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in 41 1/3 innings pitched.
David Rubinstein (RF, Bradenton Marauders, Class A Advanced Pirates) – Rubinstein has played in 68 games. He is batting .267 with 4 home runs and 33 RBIs and has seven stolen bases.
Rand Smith (OF, Jamestown Jammers, Short-season Class A Marlins) – Smith, who missed much of the season with a broken hand, returned to Jamestown from Class A Greensboro and has played in 17 games with the Jammers. He is batting .190 and has two home runs, seven RBIs and two steals.
By Tommy Bowman at 01:42 PM
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Appalachian State will return five starters on offense and seven on defense in 2011, from an FCS quarterfinalist team that finished 10-3.
Here is a look at projected starters in each position group heading into the season, with career starts (at that position only):
OFFENSE
Quarterback – DeAndre Presley, Sr. (15 career starts).
Running back – Travaris Cadet, Sr. (8*).
Wide receiver – Brian Quick, Sr. (22); Tony Washington, So. (3); Jamill Lott, So. (0) and Andrew Peacock, So. (0).
Tight end – Ben Jorden, Sr. (22).
Line – Orry Frye, Sr. (27*) and Matt Ruff, Sr. (27). Three other starters will most likely come from a group that includes Xan Thomas, Sr. (1); Kendall Lamm, Fr. (0); Ian Bernard, So. (0); Sherman Holt, Sr. (0); Graham Fisher, Fr. (0); Dylan Bostick, So. (0); and Regan Dufort, So. (0).
DEFENSE
Line – Dan Wylie, Sr. (8); Gordy Witte, Sr. (5); William Corbin, Fr. (0).
Rush end – John Rizor, Jr. (10) or Lanston Tanyi, Jr. (18).
Linebacker – Justin Wray, Jr. (10) or Tanyi; Jeremy Kimbrough, Jr. (6); and Brandon Greir, Jr. (9).
Safety – Troy Sanders, Jr. (1*) and Patrick Blalock, So. (2).
Cornerback – Ed Gainey, Sr. (35*) and Demetrius McCray, Jr. (3).
*Not included in games-started totals: Cadet also has one start at wide receiver, Frye has four starts at tight end, Gainey one start at free safety and Sanders 12 starts at cornerback.
NOTES: Of players not listed as No. 1 on the depth chart, safety Dominique McDuffie has 17 career starts as a safety and three at cornerback; linebacker Justin Lloyd has been a starter in 11 games; running back Cedric Baker has three career starts; and linebacker Demery Brewer has two starts at defensive end.
Of the position groups, only quarterback has 100 percent of games started last season returning. Presley started in all 13 games.
The two lowest percentages among the groups, in terms of returning players with starts last season, are wide receiver (41 percent) and offensive line (42 percent).
By Tommy Bowman at 11:54 AM
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Saturday, May 28, 2011
Appalachian State got the pitching it needed but came up just short for the second straight year in its attempt to reach the Southern Conference baseball final for the first time since 1986.
The sixth-seeded Mountaineers, who finished the season 33-27, jumped to a lead in all four of its tournament games at Charleston, S.C., but had to battle back from an opening 5-3 loss to No. 3 Samford on Wednesday.
From there, the story was pitching but just not quite enough offense.
Will Helms, a junior left-hander, picked up the win in relief on Thursday in a 6-4 victory over No. 2 UNC Greensboro to stay alive, and senior Taylor Miller registered his 12th save by retiring six of seven hitters over the final two innings.
Helms improved to 11-0 at ASU, and is the only active Division I pitcher with double-digit victories and no losses in his career.
On Friday, junior Seth Grant turned in the pitching gem of the tournament with a complete-game shutout as the Mountaineers advanced to the semifinal round for the second straight season with a 5-0 victory over No. 7 Furman.
Grant, who entered the game 4-9, registered his first career shutout and just the second shutout for ASU in its 68 games in the tournament.
The Mountaineers, needing two victories over Samford to get to the final and a try for its first title since 1984, got solid pitching again but lost 2-1 this morning.
Ryne Frankoff, a sophomore left-hander and part-time starter, went five innings and was backed by shutout relief performances by junior David Port, Helms and Miller.
Samford will face today’s Georgia Southern-College of Charleston survivor in Sunday’s championship game.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Zach Quate and David Rubinstein, two of the four former Appalachian State players now in the minor leagues, are off to solid starts this season.
Quate, a closer for the Montgomery Biscuits, the Class AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, is tied for sixth in the Southern League with six saves. Quate is 2-1 with a 3.05 earned-run average and has 17 strikeouts and just two walks in 20 2/3 innings pitched.
Rubinstein, a right fielder for the Bradenton Marauders, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, ranks third on the team with a .326 batting average. Rubinstein has two home runs, 14 RBIs and six stolen bases in 27 games.
Two other former ASU players remain on the disabled list.
Josh Dowdy, a reliever for the Frederick Keys (Class A Advanced, Baltimore Orioles), has been on the disabled list since April 15 with a shoulder injury. Rand Smith, an outfielder for the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Class A, Florida Marlins), is recovering from a broken hand and has yet to play this season.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Appalachian State’s decision whether to move from the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision will most likely be delayed, but work toward a decision will continue.
ASU officials have said the timing for a decision of a possible move isn’t the best because of state budget concerns, even though state money isn’t involved in athletic funding or the possible football move.
They said that a target date of May for a recommendation was just that, a target, and that it is not essential for a decision to be made right away. The NCAA’s moratorium that has precluded teams from moving to the FBS will be lifted in August, but there is no deadline for programs to declare their intention to move.
An essential component to the question of whether ASU will move to the FBS has to do with where it would go, in regard to affiliation with an FBS conference. An invitation would have to be extended to ASU, and the possibility of that depends on an opening and subsequent invitation – whether it be as result of a conference’s vacancy, expansion or restructuring, which has yet to unfold.
“There doesn’t seem to be the mass movement within conferences that there was last year at this time,” Charlie Cobb, ASU’s athletics director, said. “That’s a part we can’t control. As much as anything, our work is about being prepared for what could occur.”
It is possible that ASU, if it decides to move, could declare its intention to do so even if a conference opportunity isn’t in place. But an invitation to join an FBS conference must be in place for the Mountaineers to actually make the move. There is not an option to do so as an Independent, even if there was interest in that, which there isn’t. The NCAA requires that programs moving to the FBS must do so as part of an FBS conference.
By Tommy Bowman at 02:02 PM
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