BOLIVAR, Mo. -- With the SBU football team back on campus and holding their first practices of the 2009 fall season, here's a position-by-position look at the Bearcats along with comments from third year head coach Keith Allen.

Attitude and belief is something Keith Allen and his staff have worked hard to change in the football program. Allen's first year as interim head coach in 2007, when the Bearcats went 0-11 in their final year in the MIAA, transitioned to last season's 5-6 mark in their first campaign playing an independent schedule.

Allen expects fans will see a difference in the attitude of this year's team, as compared to the 2008 Bearcats. "The teams that believe they can win would have won the games they had the lead in the fourth quarter. We've said we were three plays short of being 8-3 rather than 5-6. Not many teams can be honest, in saying that they were truly that close to a turnaround. We talk about 2007 and where we were, in 2008 where we were and now, where we're going. We're not where we want to be, but we're obviously not where we were."

"Basically our kids have become a lot closer over the summer," Allen continued. "We've had 45-50 kids working hard all summer -- one of the best percentages we've had here. The 2009 motto is 'Believe.' Everything we do is to make them believe that they're winners and champions. Since January, we've talked to our kids about being a winner in everything they do. That doesn't necessarily mean they have more points than their opponent at the end of the game, but just that they've performed at a level of excellence and better than they did in the past."

The offense for the Bearcats is filled with athleticism, especially at the skill positions. Despite finishing with the nation's fourth best total offense (490 yards per game) under coaches J.C. Dawkins, Robert Clardy and Ben Blake, Allen looks for his ball club to be even better in 2009. "Our defense is going to be a lot better, which will make our team better." Zach Wilkerson steps in as defensive coordinator, replacing E.J. Junior, who moved on as head coach at Central State (Ohio). Wilkerson, Tracy Hayworth, and (new defensive backs coach) Darnell Walker have a better continuity through the defense, especially in the secondary, according to Allen. The coaches have adapted their defense to better fit the skill set of their athletes. "If our defense steps like we believe they will, it's just going to make our offense that much better," said Allen.

Steve Gachette

Quarterbacks
When talking about the Bearcats, things usually begin with junior QB Steve Gachette. The Lehigh Acres, Fla., native has shredded the SBU record books in his first two seasons. Gachette was named as the 2008 Independents Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) Offensive Player of the Year after becoming the only player in SBU history to throw for more than 3000 yards. He completed 59.8% of his passes for 3371 yards (306.45 per game) and 27 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 658 yards (59.82 pg) and six touchdowns and led the ICAA in total offense with 4029 yards (366.27 pg). Steve also picked up a preseason honorable mention All-American nod from Consensus Draft Services. Allen believes Gachette is coming into his own and is taking charge of the offense. Gachette has made a concentrated effort to be more of a leader and be accountable to his teammates. Sophomore Justin French and freshmen Hayden Stokes and Steven Morris are backups at quarterback.

Running Backs
Fans can look for the running game to be much improved. Allen names three guys who are going to compete to replace Jeff Finnell -- who's now on staff with the Bearcats. "Justin DuHaney, a redshirt freshman from North Carolina, has really matured and worked hard over the summer," said Allen. "Thad Everson, a jitterbug-type back, can get us a ten-yard gain or a four-yard loss. A new guy that we'll put a lot of weight on is Tiras Harris. Tiras could've gone Division I, but knew a player on last year's team and liked our coaches, players and scheme."

Receivers
Another strength for the Bearcats is their receivers. Johnnie King led the nation in receptions per game (89 grabs in 10 games), and the coaches look for the same type of performance in 2009. King caught nine touchdown passes and had 1120 yards receiving. He was also named to the 2008 Football Gazette All-Super Region Four third team, the ICAA first team and was a second team Consensus Draft Services preseason All-American. Allen adds, "Randall Russell was a marquee player we signed last year, but was a medical redshirt. We got a late pickup in Elon Paige, who graduated from Sacramento State and will have one year of eligibility remaining and fills a need for us. John Austin is really starting to pick it up this spring. We get Derrick Foster back this year, plus we have a good core of players that have been here (Tyler Anderson, Tyler Rickard, Sean Kelley). C.J. Johnson really came into his own, late in his true freshman year."

Offensive Line
On the offensive line, the Bearcats are anchored by two veteran seniors who've been with Allen at SBU all four years. Scott Crain of Bolivar and Andrew Lindeman of West Plains lead the right side upfront. The 'Cats graduated three good offensive lineman but were able to sign two JUCO mid-year transfers in Eric Mateos and Zak Lally to fill the center and guard spots. A true freshman from last year Michael Wormley has stepped up and came into his own at tackle. Allen also expects returnee Clay Smith to see some time on the offensive line, as well as several newcomers including Derrick Okafor and John Norton.

Tight Ends
The Bearcats were able to bring in three tight ends that fit their scheme and also converted a player to the position. Newcomers for SBU at the position include transfers Jameson Manuma, Shawn Martin and Fair Grove's Justin Cleeton, along with converted lineman Shane Lanteigne. Allen expects them to be a big factor on offense and change the course of the game.

Jarred Schumpert (47) and Willie Johnson (2)

Special Teams
On special teams, sophomore Brock Jolly will handle the kicking and punting duties for the Bearcats. Allen says that Jolly has worked hard to improve his hang time and placement of kicks after training with some NFL guys earlier this year. At the long snapper spot, SBU added two players in J.T. Brown and Shawn Martin. For kick and punt returns, the Bearcats have a lot of depth to choose from including Derrick Foster, Sean Kelley, newcomer Clayton Davis. Several defensive backs also have experience in the return game at their previous schools.

Defensive Line
The Bearcats lost much of their expected defensive line starters to injury last season. Returning for the 'Cats are Chris Tejeda, Kyle Swallows, Will Ramirez, and Larry White. The Bearcats signed two JUCO transfers in Tyler Grapp and Kevin Hughes for the interior defensive line. Grapp and Hughes, along with defensive backs Clayton Davis and Jhrvonte Minnifield, were signed from Rochester Community and Technical College, the top JUCO defense in the country last season. Allen is also excited about the great signing class from the high school ranks including Kenneth Stoner, Adam Kuntz, Tevin McElwee, and Ivan Gallegos.

Linebackers
The linebacker corps are a solid group led by Jarred Schumpert and Shawn Kilduff. Schumpert has started all four years for the 'Cats and has led or tied for the team lead in tackles in all four seasons. Freshman Ryan Deatrick has worked all summer with the Bearcats. Tristan Walker, Nathan Brown and Casey Smith also return. The Bearcats will run a 4-3 or 4-2-5 scheme, with some safeties essentially linebackers in their setup, including Henry Ogunjimi and Jordan Jackson of Ozark.

Tyrin Holt

Secondary
The Bearcats return many of their top players from the spring and last season in the secondary including Tyrin Holt, Lavarus Rue, Anthony Wiggins, Scott McDowell and Jack Montinar. These players join the plethora of junior college and high school players signed, including Minnifield and Davis from RCTC. Willie Johnson also returns from an injury after limited action last season. Allen says the sign that a team is maturing is when a senior leader coaches his teammates in the offseason and teaches the defense, which is exactly what Holt has done with the secondary. Holt tied with Schumpert for the team lead in tackles in 2008 and was recognized as a preseason honorable mention All-American by Consensus Draft Services.

Things are changing for the SBU Bearcats. Whether it's the win-loss record, the caliber of their recruits, or the attitude about the program, coach Keith Allen and his team have things moving in the right direction. They know that they're laying the foundation for future SBU teams and building a program. Fans can expect that the program continues to grow in 2009.

SBU opens its 2009 season on Thursday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. in Warrensburg, Mo., against the Central Missouri Mules.

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