Todd Golden
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
Ever since quarterback Ronnie Fouch arrived at Indiana State from the University of Washington, he’s had to shoulder the load from a perception standpoint when it comes to the Sycamores’ hopes for an improved passing game.
It’s natural to paint the quarterback as the savior, but reviving a passing game is a two-way street.
Fouch has to deliver the ball … but the Sycamores have to have receivers that can catch it.
And like Fouch, ISU will depend on an almost entirely new core group of wideouts to breathe life into what has been a near-non-existent passing game the last three seasons.
“We’re the players that are going to make this team run. Ronnie’s the quarterback, but we’re the ones who have to make the plays after we catch the ball,” said ISU receiver Leonard Riston, one of the many new receivers ISU will depend on.
“We’re the key to scoring points. Ronnie’s the key too, but we have to catch it and get in the end zone,” Riston added.
ISU released its depth chart for Saturday’s season opener against St. Joseph’s. Among the four receivers listed on the two-deep, only one of them — senior Bryant Kent — has ever caught a pass for the Sycamores. And Kent is not listed as a starter.
The starters will be redshirt freshman Riston and junior college transfer Justin Hilton. Joining them in the two-deep will be junior college transfer Ednut Egberongbe.
Newcomers Demory Lawshe and John Goodlett should also see their share of action.
It’s an infusion of new blood with precious little Division I experience, but ISU coach Trent Miles feels the Sycamores have made a significant upgrade.
“Since we’ve been here, it’s the best group we’ve had from top to bottom. We’ve added more size, more speed, more depth,” Miles said.
For Kent, who accounted for nearly half the 41 receptions that returned in 2009, the addition of new talent around him is a welcome sight.
“With these guys coming in, it’s increased the level of competition and it’s made us better,” Kent said. “On game day, when there’s only one guy making plays out there, it’s easy to shadow him. But when you’ve got three or four guys who can do the same thing as that one guy, it’s hard for any team to cover them. That’s what our receivers bring to the table. I’m excited.”
ISU’s passing woes are well-documented. The Sycamores were ranked 116th among FCS schools last season, averaging a paltry 92 yards per game. ISU had the worst passing game in the nation in 2008 at 73 yards per game.
The inability to pass is the biggest reason ISU had the worst offense in the nation last season and the second-worst in 2008.
While ISU’s unstable quarterback situation has played the biggest role in the inability to generate a passing game, ISU hasn’t had much luck with its receivers when the ball has been delivered. Considering the paucity of balls delivered to them, drops were too frequent among the receiving corps.
Through preseason practice, ISU’s receivers have been far more consistent. With ISU utilizing a spread offense, many of throws are of the short variety, so no one’s morphed into a go-to deep threat or go-to possession receiver. But that’s the idea. ISU wants versatility from its pass catchers.
“We’ve got some speed now. We’ve got three or four guys who can stretch the field. It’ll depend on what play is called as far as who is going to stretch it,” Miles said.
If ISU’s receivers can be categorized, Egberongbe (6-foot-3) and Hilton (6-3) are the bigger receivers. Goodlett (6-0), Kent (6-0) and Riston (5-11) are the smaller ones, but their size doesn’t really reflect how they’ll be used.
“I feel like I’m a deep threat, but with the three of us, we can get anyone downfield on a defense that’s going to cause problems,” Hilton said. “It’s going to be an exciting offense. I’m excited to be in a true spread.”
One advantage of having a new quarterback working with a new set of receivers is that everyone is starting at the same point when it comes to timing and getting on the same page offensively.
“We keep stressing the timing and togetherness and working together. They all arrived at the same time and they’ll do it at the same time which really helps. The downfall is there’s no one here who’s been here a long time to learn from,” Miles said.
ISU is hoping the infusion of new talents at the end positions will also be augmented by the experience it has at tight end. Michael Mardis caught 12 passes in 2009 after he took over for the injured Alex Jones, who caught five balls. Jones and Mardis will both get plenty of action.
• ISU relatively injury-free so far — ISU has not suffered any new injuries as it has turned the page from preseason camp to game preparation this week. Running back Luke Harris underwent surgery on Wednesday for a knee injury suffered earlier in camp and will miss the season.
Miles laments the hamstring injury starting cornerback Larry Carter has not recovered from. Carter, one of ISU’s best cover corners, has not practiced at all during the preseason. He was listed as a backup in the depth chart and might not play Saturday against the Pumas.
“It’s disappointing that Larry hasn’t been able to practice. He’s a returning starter that we really need,” Miles said.
Cornerbacks Johnny Towalid and converted wide receiver Calvin Burnett are listed on ISU’s two-deep as starters for Saturday’s game.
• Depth chart doings — There were few surprises on the depth chart. Preseason All-MVC linebacker Aaron Archie was not listed as a starter, but with ISU running a multiple defensive scheme, Archie will see the field a lot when Jacolby Washington is in a pass-rushing down and when Roberts isn’t on the field.
Freshman Larry King will start at one of the safety spots. Linebacker Santino Davis is listed as the starting punter for the Sycamores, ahead of Matt Seliger, who punted during most of the preseason.
Cory Little is the starting placekicker and will handle kickoffs though all of ISU’s kickers have been inconsistent in all phases of its kicking game throughout practice.
