2014 SEASON PREVIEW
2014 Bloomsburg Season Preview By Scott Eddy, Assistant Sports Information Director
A year removed from a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship, Bloomsburg returns to the gridiron this fall needing to fill the vacated shoes occupied last season by members of one of the strongest senior classes in program history. Though much has changed, in reality little is different around the Huskies as the 2014 season begins. “I don’t think we need to have any different expectations than we do every year,” said head coach Paul Darragh, the 2013 PSAC East Coach of the Year after leading the Huskies to a 10-2 record in his first season at the helm. “Our goals are to win the PSAC East, to win the conference and to go as far as we can in the national playoffs.” With three All-Americans from a year ago gone to the professional ranks, along with four other graduated allconference selections and the National Player of the Year, the task of finding replacements may seem daunting. Darragh is quick to point out, however, that the Huskies’ ability to find the right fits for their system year in and year out has allowed Bloomsburg to record 15 consecutive winning seasons. “Last year’s group is going to be tough to replace,” he said. “But I’ve told our guys that the key is to be able to play as a team and buy into the fact that some of the best teams we’ve ever had here did not have one pro prospect.” Though the focus may be on the graduated players who are not back from last year’s championship team – Harlon Hill winner and the PSAC’s all-time leading rusher Franklyn Quiteh, all-time school sacks leader and NFL Draft selection Larry Webster along with three all-conference offensive linemen in Brian Clarke, Matt Feiler and Chris Steck, the Huskies return five starters on offense as well as eight on defense. Having numerous returners will come in handy as the Huskies face tests right off the bat as part of a challenging schedule. After opening at non-conference Stonehill on Sept. 6, which finished 8-3 last year and reached the Northeast-10 Championship Game, Bloomsburg begins its home schedule against perennial PSAC West power California (PA) before making the trip to Erie for a Week 3 date at Mercyhurst. Those crossover dates will count toward divisional standings this season as the PSAC will count all mandated conference games. The opening season gauntlet continues as PSAC East play opens when Bloomsburg welcomes rival Shippensburg to Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium on Sept. 27.
16
2014 Huskies Football
OFFENSE Quarterback Redshirt junior Tim Kelly has taken a stranglehold on the position after winning a tight pre-season battle in 2012. Since, Kelly has helped guide the Huskies to a 20-4 record during his tenure under center and he has already begun to climb the program record books. He ranks fifth in career touchdown passes (39) and eighth in passing yards (3,890). Kelly, who completed over 58 percent of his pass attempts last year, also brings the ability to scramble – he rushed for 280 yards and six touchdowns in 2013. “Any time you return a veteran like Tim Kelly under center that is invaluable,” Darragh emphasized. Behind Kelly will be senior Brady Knerr along with newcomers Chris Palubinsky, a redshirt last year, and Ryan Henning, a transfer from Bucknell.