2009 Preview - East Central

2008 Recap
Once again, ECU Quarterback Marcus Johnson proved he was one of the most electrifying offensive talents in the Lone Star Conference. He was awarded the LSC North Offensive Back of the Year. If you’re looking for positives in ECU’s 2008 season, that’s about it. Another losing season (3-8) resulted in Head Coach Kurt Nicholls departure. Their 4th place finish in the LSC North was just about what was predicted at the beginning of the season.

Offensively, the Tigers held their own. Thanks mostly to Marcus Johnson’s stellar play at QB, they were able to average 23.8 points per game and 370 yards per game, good enough to finish 5th place in the LSC. While their running game was average, their passing game finished an impressive 3rd in the LSC at 300+ yds per game. Sophomore WR Keewan King wrapped up a solid season and was voted 2nd Team LSC North.

The defensive unit at ECU last season really struggled. They were dead last in scoring defense (39.5), and 2nd to last in average yards allowed per game (418.9). They were last in rushing defense, giving up 185.5 yards per game and only forced 5 interceptions all year, so they really struggled forcing turnovers. They finished the season in last place in turnover margin (-21). The next lowest turnover margin was NSU at -5.

2009 Outlook
Out with the old
WR Keewan King - 41-469 yds, 2 TD, 2nd Team LSC
RT Tim Bills
OT Jay Reaves - Honorable Mention LSC
TE Ryan McGuire - 14-177, 1 TD, Honorable Mention LSC
DE Brandon Hopstein - Honorable Mention LSC
LB Tait Langston - Led team with 61 tackles, Honorable Mention LSC
CB Lionel Young - #6 on team with 32 tackles, and 1 INT
CB Gerett Burl - #8 on team with 31 tackles, and 1 INT
FS Dionte Dean - #2 on team with 59 tackles, and 1 INT

Welcome Back
QB Marcus Johnson - 3,110 yds, 20 TD, 16 INT - LSC North Back of the Year
TB Joshua Maldonado - 383 yds, 10 TD’s
WR Jerold Loveless - 461 yds 2 TD’s
OG Justin Nail - 1st Team LSC
OG Adam Orendac
C Cody McDaniel
TE Thurman Sims
LB Kevin Avey
LB Curtis Niccum - 48 tackles
DE Maurice Lenclos - 21 tackles, 1 Int
DT Darnell Barnes - 32 tackles, Honorable Mention LSC
DT Floyd Wafer
SS Trevor Carpenter - 40 tackles, 1 Int
DB Tyrone Gibbs

In with the new
WR Terrance Crumpley
OL Tobyn Large
LB Curtis Fortenberry
S Norris Wrenn
Ath Airius Ervin
Ath Colby Ogletree
All Conference Candidates
QB Marcus Johnson
WR Jerald Loveless
OG Justin Nail
DT Darnell Barnes

Big Games
@ Northeastern State
@ Incarnate Word
@ Southwestern Oklahoma

Best Case Scenario
3-8 The 3 games listed in the “Big Games” section above represent the best chances that ECU has to pull off wins. With all of the losses to their roster and a struggling defense, it’s going to be a long year for the Tigers. Not to mention the 3 best chances listed above are all away games.

Worst Case Scenario
0-11 While we don’t see this happening, it is possible. When the Tigers only appear to have 3 obvious chances for wins and they are all away games, you could see a scenario where they don’t win any of the 3. Hopefully the Tigers will turn things around and this won’t even be an issue though.