2007 C-USA
Lookbacks/Recaps
2008 C-USA Early Lookaheads
East
UAB
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UCF
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East
Carolina
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Marshall
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Memphis
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Southern
Miss
West
Houston
|
Rice
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SMU
|
Tulane
|
Tulsa
|
UTEP
2007 Pages
2007 Conference USA Season
East
UAB
|
UCF
|
East
Carolina
|
Marshall
|
Memphis
|
Southern
Miss
West
Houston
|
Rice
|
SMU
|
Tulane
|
Tulsa
|
UTEP
East
East Carolina
Recap:
Even after surprising Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl, East Carolina
couldn’t help but wonder what might have been had it not gagged in
November. Winners of five of six games at the time, and seemingly
in cruise control in the East Division, the Pirates inexplicably
lost to 1-8 Marshall, the death knell in their quest to remain ahead
of UCF. Still, it was a building block season for third-year coach
Skip Holtz, who got a monster season from do-everything RB Chris
Johnson.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Chris Johnson
Defensive Player of the Year: S Van Eskridge
Biggest Surprise: Johnson. Hey, everyone knew Johnson was a
blazer, but in three years in Greenville, he’d never put together a
full season. The same kid that hadn’t rushed for more than 684
yards in a season exploded for 1,423 yards on the ground and a
nation’s-best 227 all-purpose yards per game.
Biggest Disappointment: The Nov. 10 loss to Marshall came out
of nowhere, and was East Carolina’s ugliest performance of the
season. At the time, the Herd was skidding and the Pirates were
soaring, but none of that mattered in a 26-7 defeat that would haunt
ECU for the rest of the month.
Looking Ahead: Although Johnson’s graduation leaves a gaping
void on offense, the Pirates return enough letterwinners on both
sides of the ball to be considered one of the early favorites to win
the East in 2008. More will be expected of QBs Rob Kass and Patrick
Pinkney, who had their moments in 2007, but lacked consistency.
Marshall
Recap:
With a third straight losing season, Marshall got even further away
from the glory days when bowl games and league titles were annual
events. The Herd finished respectably, winning three of its final
five games, but wasn’t able to dig out of an 0-6 hole to start the
season. Although Marshall showed a knack for moving the ball, the
defense never recovered from the season-ending injury to its top
performer, DE Albert McClellan.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Bernard Morris
Defensive Player of the Year: S C.J. Spillman
Biggest Surprise: Marshall was the reason UCF, and not East
Carolina, won the Conference USA East Division. The Herd shocked
the front-running Pirates, 26-7, on Nov. 10, getting a terrific
all-around game from Morris, and an unexpected effort from the
weather-beaten defense. The win propelled UCF into first place, a
position the Knights would never relinquish.
Biggest Disappointment: Playing New Hampshire in Week 3 was
supposed to be the Herd’s get-well game after opening the season
against West Virginia and Miami. Nope. Marshall got ambushed,
48-35, by QB Ricky Santos and a Wildcat offense that rung up more
than 500 yards, freely moving the ball on the ground and through the
air. The Herd was obviously shell-shocked from the loss, needing
more than a month before it finally broke into the win column.
Looking Ahead: It’s make-or-break time in 2008 for Marshall
head coach Mark Snyder, who’s been unsuccessful replacing Bob
Pruett. He needs to find a capable quarterback to replace Morris,
but does welcome back a slew of returning starters, including
McClellan, that’ll help push the program back toward the .500 mark.
Memphis
Recap:
After plummeting to 2-10 a year ago, the Tigers did rather well to finish with
seven wins, tie for second place in the Eastern Division, and qualify for a
fourth bowl game in the last five years. Memphis stayed above water behind the
nation’s 13th-ranked passing attack and a knack for pulling out close
games, winning five by a field goal or less. The defense, however, was a
glaring and incessant liability, collecting just 15 sacks in 13 games, and
finishing near the bottom of Conference USA in just about every statistical
category.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Martin Hankins
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Jake Kasser
Biggest Surprise: In a crucial game for both programs, Memphis stunned
Southern Miss in Hattiesburg on Nov. 10, 29-26, climbing one step closer to a
berth in the New Orleans Bowl. The Tigers trailed by 12 late in the game, but
got a couple of Hankins touchdown passes in the waning minutes to pull out the
victory.
Biggest Disappointment: Memphis was a no-show on Oct. 13 against Middle
Tennessee State, losing badly to a mid-level Sun Belt program. The Tigers
managed just a single touchdown, the first time in 14 games that they’d been
held below 10 points.
Looking Ahead: Although head coach Tommy West has his sights set on
another bowl invitation in 2008, to get there, he’ll need to completely recharge
the defense and find an adequate replacement for Hankins under center. A name
to monitor is Arkelon Hall, a JUCO transfer that was considered one of the
nation’s brightest quarterback prospects when he originally signed to play for
Washington State in 2005.
Southern Miss
Recap:
The past year marked an end of an era in Hattiesburg, as head coach
Jeff Bower was forced from the sidelines after 17 mostly successful
seasons. Southern Miss’ recent inability to extend beyond
mediocrity peaked in 2007, a disappointing 7-6 campaign that began
with lofty goals and expectations for a Conference USA title. The
Golden Eagles were never able to deliver as the league favorite,
playing poorly at home and lacking the punch on defense that used to
be the bedrock of the program’s identity.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Damion Fletcher
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Gerald McRath
Biggest Surprise: In a pivotal game for both schools,
Southern Miss erupted for 42 second-half points to blow past UTEP at
the Sun Bowl and remain alive for bowl eligibility. Led by the
running of Fletcher, it was a highly uncharacteristic performance by
the Eagle offense, which registered its biggest outburst in almost
six years.
Biggest Disappointment: Southern Miss gave an early
indication of what kind of a season it was going to be when it
inexplicably lost at home to winless Rice, a three-touchdown
underdog. The Eagles rallied for 22 fourth-quarter points in front
of a stunned crowd, but fell two points short in a sobering and
ominous outcome.
Looking Ahead: The job of bringing Southern Miss into the 21st
century belongs to Larry Fedora, an energetic offensive innovator
that’ll try to do in Hattiesburg what Brian Kelly is doing at
Cincinnati. Fedora’s one-back, no-huddle offense will be slow out
of the gate in 2008 unless a reliable passer can be developed in the
offseason.
UAB
Recap:
Neil Callaway knew he’d be rebuilding when he took this job a year
ago, so a two-win season in Birmingham came as no surprise. The
Blazers used their 12-game schedule in 2007 to get reps for a flock
of freshmen and sophomores that’ll form the foundation of the
program for the next few seasons. While UAB was a pest in the first
half of the season, it eventually ran out of gas from a lack of size
and depth, which Callaway will attempt to address in the offseason.
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Joseph Webb
Defensive Player of the Year: S Will Dunbar
Biggest Surprise: Completely outmanned and playing in
Tallahassee on Sept. 8, the Blazers put a genuine scare into Florida
State, carrying a lead into the second half before fading to the
‘Noles. Although it was one of UAB’s 10 losses on the season, it
was also an early sign that the inexperienced roster was not going
to be intimidated by any obstacles or opponents.
Biggest Disappointment: Playing its best game in over a
month, UAB had a chance to carry some momentum into the offseason,
but couldn’t stop Marshall in the regular season finale. Despite
producing season-highs in points and total offense, the Blazers
fell seven points shy on win No. 3 when Herd QB Bernard Morris
scored a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead: With so many returning regulars back, there’s
cause for optimism in Calloway’s second season on the job. For an
immediate jolt of depth and experience, the coach will look to the
JUCO ranks this February for help.
UCF
Recap:
After going 4-8 a year ago, the Knights enjoyed resurgence in 2007, winning 10
games and a league championship for the first time in program history. UCF hit
a fork in the road in October with back-to-back blowout losses to East Carolina
and South Florida, but recovered to win seven straight games before bowing to
Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl. RB Kevin Smith led the country in
rushing, nearly eclipsing Barry Sanders’ single-season record, while approaching
Daunte Culpepper as the most famous player to ever wear the black and gold in
Orlando.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Kevin Smith
Defensive Player of the Year: S Sha’reff Rashad
Biggest Surprise: The defense. In those two mid-season losses, UCF
allowed 116 points and was passed on with ease. From that point forward,
however, the defense did an about-face, pressuring the quarterback and picking
off 21 passes in the final eight games. Without any warning, the Knight defense
became a key component in the program’s run toward the Conference USA
championship.
Biggest Disappointment: The Knights played too well against Texas in Week
2 to be content with a moral victory. With the crowd rocking in new Bright
House Networks Stadium, UCF fell three points shy of authoring the type of upset
that can define a young program.
Looking Ahead: Smith’s reversal of an earlier decision to return for his
senior year leaves UCF with a gaping hole on offense. Until a few new
playmakers can be mined, the Knights might rely on a fast defense that’ll
welcome back a handful of familiar faces.
West
Houston
Recap:
After rebounding admirably from the graduation of franchise QB
Kevin Kolb, the Cougars must do it again after the departure to
Baylor of head coach Art Briles, the architect of the program’s
recent revival. While Houston failed to repeat as Conference
USA champs, and lost a bowl game for the eighth straight time,
it did win eight games and tie Tulsa atop the Western Division
in somewhat of a transition season. When the Cougars were
having problems last year, the defense was often the culprit,
giving up an average of 42 points a game in their four regular
season losses.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Anthony Alridge
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Phillip Hunt
Biggest Surprise: QB Case Keenum. Faced with the
unenviable task of succeeding Kolb, the freshman did an
admirable job, flashing a live arm and good mobility, while
providing hope for the future. While sharing time with tag-team
partner Blake Joseph, Keenum tossed 14 touchdowns passes and
scrambled for nine more.
Biggest Disappointment: With the West up for grabs on
Nov. 10, Houston played its worst game of the Briles era,
getting blitzed by Tulsa, 56-7. Despite boasting two of the
league’s most explosive players, RB Anthony Alridge and WR
Donnie Avery, the Cougars were never able to break through
against a very suspect Hurricane defense.
Looking Ahead: Former Oklahoma offensive coordinator
Kevin Sumlin takes the reigns of the program, promising to build
on the success of the past few seasons. Although the new head
coach will have weapons on offense, replacing the speed and
big-play ability of Alridge and Avery will be next to
impossible.
Rice
Recap:
Whatever magic the Owls had in 2006 never quite reached the
surface for the 2007 edition, which managed just three wins in
David Bailiff’s debut on the sidelines. While the offense was
setting a school record for points in a season, the defense was
allowing more than 42 points and 510 yards a game, impossible
numbers for any attack to overcome. To Rice’s credit, it was
competitive in every league game, putting up a fight long after
bowl eligibility was out of reach.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Chase Clement
Defensive Player of the Year: S Andrew Sendejo
Biggest Surprise: After starting the season 0-4,
absolutely no one expected the Owls to beat league favorite
Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, but that’s precisely what they did
on Oct. 3. Rice jumped all over the Golden Eagles, hanging on
for a 31-29 upset, and giving faint hope that like last season,
the program would rally for a postseason game.
Biggest Disappointment: It didn’t take the Owls very long
to realize that they weren’t in Kansas anymore. In the opener
with Nicholls State, Rice turned the ball over five times, and
could only muster 218 yards versus an FCS defense in a
tone-setting, 16-14 loss.
Looking Ahead: With Clement and his top four receivers,
including Jarett Dillard, back for another season, Rice should
have few problems putting points on the board next season. If,
however, the Owls have any hope of making it back to a bowl
game, Bailiff will need to coax a dramatic turn around out of
his defense and special teams units as well.
SMU
Recap:
What was billed as a bust out year for the Mustangs wound up being
just a colossal bust that ended with a single win, a 10-game losing
streak, and a vacancy at head coach. Easily the biggest
disappointment in Conference USA, SMU lost five times by a touchdown
or less, and was never able to overcome a rebuilt defense that
yielded almost 500 yards and 40 points a game. Although the program
severed ties with sixth-year coach Phil Bennett on Oct. 28, it took
until early January before athletic director Steve Orsini pried June
Jones away from Hawaii.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Justin Willis
Defensive Player of the Year: S Bryce Hudman
Biggest Surprise: With a lame duck coach and absolutely
nothing but pride to play for in the finale, the Mustangs went
toe-to-toe with 6-5 Memphis before falling, 55-52. The defense was
predictably feeble, but the offense cranked out a season-high 564
yards and seven touchdowns in the school’s third overtime loss of
the year.
Biggest Disappointment: In a season crammed with
heartbreaking losses, the Oct. 27 loss at Tulsa was especially
painful and poignant. In the last straw for Bennett, the Mustangs
failed to punch in the game-sealing score with two minutes left, and
allowed the Hurricane to drive the length of the field for the
winning touchdown.
Looking Ahead: What now? After coming so close to a bowl
game in 2006, SMU regressed badly in 2007, finishing 1-11. There’s
hope with the arrival of Jones and the return of the
multi-dimensional Willis, but if the Mustangs don’t get more help
from the defense, their bowl drought will continue in 2008.
Tulane
Recap:
There was progress in Bob Toledo’s first season at Tulane, even if
it wasn’t always evident on the scoreboard. The Green Wave won four
games, two in the final three games, escaping the West Division
cellar that appeared to be its destiny before the season began. The
season wound up being the year of Matt Forte, who rushed for 2,127
yards and 23 touchdowns in the best individual performance by a
Tulane player in school history.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Matt Forte
Defensive Player of the Year: S Joe Goosby
Biggest Surprise: Forte. Everyone around the program knew
Forte was good, but no one could have expected him to play so well
in his final year in New Orleans. Plagued by durability issues and
a lack of a supporting cast, he twice exploded for more than 300
yards in a game, and flourished in a new system that made more use
of a tight end and a fullback.
Biggest Disappointment: The Green Wave would have inched
closer to the .500 mark had it not blown a game to Army on Oct. 6.
Up by a touchdown with 29 seconds left, Tulane allowed the Knights
and backup QB Kevin Dunn to travel 80 yards, the last 36 on a
deflected pass with no time on the clock that sent the game to
overtime.
Looking Ahead: The Green Wave doesn’t lose much in terms of
pure numbers, but replacing Forte will be next to impossible.
Toledo’s West Coast offense might lean more heavily on the pass in
2008, provided Anthony Scelfo and Kevin Moore become more consistent
passers.
Tulsa
Recap:
Losing Steve Kragthorpe to Louisville doesn’t look like such a
bad deal for Tulsa after all. While Kragthorpe’s Cardinals were
becoming one of the most disappointing teams of 2007, the Todd
Graham-led Hurricane was flourishing in its new hurry-up,
no-huddle offense. Tulsa led the country in total offense,
offsetting the play of a suspect defense, to win 10 games, while
providing the backdrop for record-setting QB Paul Smith to
account for an amazing 60 touchdowns and 5,184 yards.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Paul Smith
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Chris Chamberlain
Biggest Surprise: The offensive line. For a unit that
was completely gutted by graduations, the Hurricane offensive
line did a surprisingly good job of protecting Smith and paving
the way for Tarrion Adams to run for 1,225 yards on just 219
carries. Led by Justin Morsey and Rodrick Thomas on the right
side, the line returns four starters, and should be even more
effective next fall.
Biggest Disappointment: Although it had two chances,
Tulsa just couldn’t solve UCF and RB Kevin Smith, allowing 44
points and chunks of rushing yards in each game. By getting
blown out in each meeting, including the league title game, the
Hurricane lost an opportunity to upgrade its bowl destination
from the GMAC Bowl to the Liberty Bowl.
Looking Ahead: Even though Smith is out of eligibility,
this is an exciting time for the Tulsa program. If his likely
successor, David Johnson, is up to the challenge, the offense
will roll again in 2008, especially with such an abundance of
skill position players back at Skelly Stadium.
UTEP
Recap:
For the fourth consecutive season, the Miners got off to a fast
start before crumbling down the stretch, a troubling trend that’s
begun to chip away at Mike Price’s legacy in El Paso. Although UTEP
found a terrific replacement at quarterback for Jordan Palmer,
freshman Trevor Vittatoe, and ran the ball surprisingly well, it
wasn’t enough to overcome one of the nation’s poorest defensive
units. The surprise of the first half in Conference USA at 4-2, the
Miners lost their final six games, allowing an average of 44 points
a game.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Marcus Thomas
Defensive Player of the Year: S Quintin Demps
Biggest Surprise: At its peak, UTEP had the look of a West
Division sleeper, especially after outlasting eventual division
champ Tulsa, 48-47, on Oct. 6. The Miners battled back in the final
quarter, winning on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Vittatoe to WR Joe
West with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Biggest Disappointment: The Miners’ second-half slide began
with a crushing defeat to East Carolina on Oct. 13. On its way to a
5-2 record and a third straight pulsating victory, UTEP allowed the
Pirates a game-knotting 34-yard touchdown pass on the final play of
regulation before falling, 45-42, in overtime. The program wouldn’t
win another game all year.
Looking Ahead: Vittatoe has three more years of eligibility
and Price refused a chance to return to Washington State, so the
Miner offense will be in good hands for the next few seasons.
However, if UTEP is going to be more than just half good in 2008, it
has to completely revamp a defense that stopped no one last fall.
