2009 Preview - Texas A&M Kingsville

2008 Recap
Coming off back to back 3-8 seasons, Texas A&M Kingsville returned to their winning ways last year, finishing with a 7-4 record and in 7th place in the final regional poll, just one spot out of the NCAA playoffs. In their 7 wins, the Javelinas were very good, winning by an average score of 37-14. However in their 4 losses, they were outscored by an average of 44-21.

Offensively, University of Illinois transfer Billy Garza took over the quarterback spot, and set single season passing marks for attempts, completions and passing yards. This helped the passing game improve from 8th in the LSC to 4th. Five receivers had 20 or more receptions, led by Jareko Taylor with 66 (another TAMK record) for 1,090 yds and 11 TDs. Taylor was a senior last year, but 3 of the top 5 receivers return, including LSC South 2nd team selections Ryan Lincoln and Damian Couthren. The running game improved from 12th in the LSC to 4th, but leading rusher Billy Martin was a senior. The offensive line showed improvement, with Markeith Wesley (1st LSC South) and Jorge Guerra (HM LSC South) receiving post-season honors. The team returns all 6 who started 5 or more games, and added a few players who could challenge for playing time. Overall, the offense improved from 9th in yards gained (308) and 11th in points scored (19.5) to 3rd in both categories (430 yds and 31.3 pts per game).

Defensively, the team showed a great deal of improvement as well. In 2007, TAMK was 11th in points allowed (31.5) and 10th in yardage (414), especially poor in run defense (173.5 per game, 4.4 per carry). Last year, those numbers improved to 5th in points allowed (24.6) and 6th in yards allowed (340.3). The run defense was tops in the LSC, giving up just 79.7 yards per game, and 2.6 per carry. The team will have to overcome the loss of All-American Jabir Perkins, 2nd team all LSC South Mike Martinez, and HM DEs Tyrell Herndon and Jimmy Lugo (academics).

2009 Outlook
Out with the old
WR Jareko Taylor - 1st LSC South, 2nd LSC South (2006) - 66-1,090 11 TDs
WR/RS Clavens Charles - 2 time HM LSC South - 20-240, 22-508 Kickoff return, 22-187 punt return
RB Billy Martin - HM LSC South - 141-730-5 TD rush, 17-210 4 TD receiving
DE Tyrell Herndon - HM LSC South - 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 Int
DE Jimmy Lugo - HM LSC South - 13 TFL, 5 sacks
LB Mike Martinez - 2nd LSC South - 87 tackles, 7 TFL, 1.5 sacks
DB Jabir Perkins - 1st LSC South, All-American - 61 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 Ints, kickoff return 36.6 avg, 2 TDs

Welcome Back
QB Billy Garza - HM LSC South - 209-380-2,787-23 TD, 12 Ints
WR Damian Couthren - 2nd LSC South - 38-606 5 TD
WR Ryan Lincoln - 2nd LSC South - 48-740 4 TD
OL Markeith Wesley - 1st LSC South, Daktronics All Region (3)
OL Jorge Guerra - HM LSC South
OL Tim Byerly
OL Michael Mosmeyer
OL Daniel Sharpe
OL Colby Lowrie
DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen - 2nd LSC South, Co-Def Lineman of Year - 43 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 7 passes batted down
DT Jason Garcia - 22 tackles, 2 TFL
LB Arlen Childress - 45 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks
LB Marcus Sanders - 46 tackles, 3 TFL
LB John Reeves - 2nd LSC South - 51 tackles, 1 Int, 4 passes broken up
DB Derrick Thomas - HM LSC South - 52 tackles, 1 Int, 5 passes broken up
DB Eric John - HM LSC South - 45 tackles, 4 Ints, 4 passes broken up
DB DeIra Glover - 50 tackles, 3 TFL
DB Stuart Moffitt - 43 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 Int
DB Corey Robertson - 51 tackles, 1.5 TFL in 2007
P Cody Smith - 2 time 1st LSC South, Daktronics All-Region (2) - 43.0 punt average

In with the new
RB Connell Davis - Univ. of Missouri
RB Fred Winborn - College of the Canyons
WR E. J. LeBlanc - Blinn JC/Texas State
TE LaRod Roberson - Blinn JC
TE Tyler McAfee - Nicholls State
OL Trent Perkins - Oklahoma State
OL Ray Quintanilla - Army
DE Clint Nix - Santa Barbara CC
LB Aaron Buckley - Texas A&M
LB Nathan Goldie - Santa Barbara CC
DB Marc Kinney - Cisco JC

All Conference Candidates
QB Billy Garza
WR Ryan Lincoln
WR Damian Couthren
OL Markeith Wesley
OL Jorge Guerra
OL Trent Perkins
DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
LB John Reeves
DB Derrick Thomas
DB Eric John
P Cody Smith

All American Candidates
DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
P Cody Smith

Big Games
Aug 29 Delta State
Sep 12 Central Oklahoma
Sep 26 @ West Texas A&M
Oct 3 Tarleton State
Oct 17 @ Midwestern State
Oct 31 @ Abilene Christian

Best Case Scenario
9-2 With the schedule they face (3 top 10 teams in the final AFCA poll), the Javelinas will need more consistent play to take the next step forward. Having the entire offensive line return helps a lot, but QB Billy Garza will need to be even better than last year. The team also needs playmakers to emerge at RB, WR and on special teams. The defense will have to get better against the pass, while keeping their edge against the run.

Worst Case Scenario
6-5 No one emerges at running back, forcing the team to become too dependent on the pass. Defensively, losing 3 of their front 7 results in a regression of the run defense, and less pressure on opposing QBs, allowing teams to rack up big passing stats.