PREVIEW: Camp proves Clan have depth at quarterback, receivers

QUARTERBACK DEPTH

Burnaby, BC – A tightly contested battle at the quarterback position was closely watched by new head coach Jacques Chapdelaine this fall camp, as three players worked hard to prove they could master the offence in time for the season opener this Saturday against the Menlo Oaks at Swangard Stadium at 12:00 p.m.

Being hired in February of this year, Chapdelaine brought his new offence to the program from the CFL where he won three Grey Cups as a coach. He began the process of implementing it in the spring.

Learning the playbook back in March and studying it over the summer, the starting spot would be up for grabs in fall camp.

2013 starter Ryan Stanford (Phoenix, AZ), Tyler Nickel (Calgary, AB) and Mitchell Rushton (Delta, BC) all competed against each other, bringing out the best in one another as the offence began to mold into how Chapdelaine wanted.

“We’re fortunate that these guys are experienced,” Chapdelaine said of the trio, which features two redshirt juniors in Stanford and Nickel, and a senior in Rushton.

“Ryan’s got a lot of experience and is doing well,” Chapdelaine said about the second team All-GNAC member from a year ago where he finished third in passing yards, fourth in touchdowns and first in completion percentage. “Right now he’s functioning best, but I like what the other guys bring to the table as well.

“We’re going to create a situation where hopefully everybody will participate and we’ll see how that evolves.”

Stanford looks to bounce back after injuring his shoulder last season which forced him to miss one-and-a-half games, as a whole offseason sees him now 100 percent healthy.

“Tyler Nickel is an athletic young man and does some good things,” Chapdelaine explained. “I like how he throws on the run.”

Redshirting last season, Nickel showed off his legs during camp as he was able to keep plays alive with his mobility bringing a different element to the offence as a dual-threat.

Rushton eventually became the back up last season, where he appeared in two games, throwing for 232 yards and a touchdown in relief duty.

“Mitch is a cerebral guy,” Chapdelaine said. “He’s very calm back there and takes everything in.”

Coming in this fall, is freshman Derrick Becker (Olympia, WA) who will redshirt as he learns the offence, but made the most of his opportunities as he becomes groomed for the future.

“Derrick is coming up as a freshman and I think he’s doing exceptional,” Chapdelaine said.

Having three experienced signal callers that can take over at moment’s notice and have the offence not miss a beat has Chapdelaine pleased where the team can go on the offensive side of the ball this season.

“We’ve got three gifted young men,” he finished.

On special teams, the Clan welcome back pre-season All-American Earl Anderson (Courtice, ON) who led the GNAC in punt returning last year, with 24.5-yards per return, while adding a touchdown. Also featuring in the return game will be receiver Bobby Pospischil (Coquitlam, BC) and running back Chris Tolbert (Silver Springs, MD).

In the kicking game, Tiernan Docherty (Richmond, BC) had a strong fall camp where he was 100 percent healthy after an injury filled 2013 season. Now back fully healthy, he has been booming both field goals and kickoffs during practice.

Also returning at kicker is Chad Heerspink (Lynden, WA) who went 8-of-10 on field goals last season.

Punting the ball will be redshirt junior Nikolai Karpun (Delta, BC), who averaged 38.5-yards per punt, including a long of 60 and nine kicks downed inside the twenty yard line.

HOULIHAN TO BE RECOGNIZED ALONG WITH 1974 CLAN

Barry Houlihan will be recognized along with his former teammates on Saturday at the SFU football home opener.

Houlihan was a runningback both at the University of Washington and Simon Fraser.

After his collegiate career, he went on to play for the BC Lions in the CFL until 1977, even earning a tryout with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.

Following his playing career he went on to a successful career in the media where he has worked with CKVU-TV before a long run with BCTV Vancouver.

He is currently a realtor with Homelife Maple Ridge.

In addition to a successful collegiate and professional football career, Houlihan is a Shrine Bowl Champion. He scored two touchdowns on November 13, 1970 as his Brittania team defeated Carson Graham.

Photo credit:  Ron Hole

Written by Mackenzie Dalgleish

 

RECEIVERS

Burnaby, BC – No position group is as deep as receiver for the Simon Fraser University Clan football team, as the unit consists of three players who have been named All-GNAC at various times during their careers at SFU. With head coach Jacques Chapdelaine bringing his offence from the CFL and molding it to fit in the NCAA, no position expects to benefit more from it.

“Anytime you put this offence into any group, professionally or collegiately, it becomes quite taxing mentally,” receivers coach Matt Chapdelaine said. “These guys embraced the challenge and stepped up to the plate.”

The group is led by 2013 All-American Lemar Durant (Coquitlam, BC) who took the conference by storm two seasons ago finishing with 91 receptions, 1,318 yards and 17 touchdowns. Last season Durant picked right back up where he left off hauling in 11 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener, but broke a bone in his foot late in the game which forced him to miss the next six games.

In four games, Durant had 29 receptions for 389 yards and five touchdowns, which still put him fourth in the conference.

Also missing time last season was former GNAC Freshman of the Year Jamal Kett (Orangeville, ON) who suffered a knee injury forcing him to miss the final three games of the season. 

Now with Durant and Kett both back and healthy together, the Clan passing game should get back to the level they were in 2012 when they led the GNAC in passing.

Leading the team in receiving last year, senior Bobby Pospischil (Coquitlam, ON) will benefit by having Durant and Kett back as he works the slot showing off his elusiveness once the ball is in his hands.

Fellow senior starter Kyle Kawamoto (North Vancouver, BC) also returns after having four touchdown receptions last season and gives the Clan four receivers who can all make plays at any given time.

Providing depth will be former running back Earl Anderson (Courtice, ON) who made the switch to receiver in the spring, and redshirt freshmen Chad Manchulenko(Bramoton, ON) and Justin Buren (Coquitlam, BC). As well, tight end Andrew Pauls (Vancouver, BC) will be featured in the offence.

“This is a ready to go team now and to see that is very exciting for the receivers,” finished Matt Chapdelaine.

In the secondary, the Clan will be welcoming some new faces to the starting group.

Senior Chandler Gayton (Seattle, WA) will be the lone returning starter, as he finished the 2013 season with 25 tackles and six passes defended.

Joining him at safety will be Jordan Pugh (Nanaimo, BC), who enters the starting lineup after playing in one game last season, while Alex Iezzi (London, ON), Marcus Paiero (North Vancouver, BC) and Jake Oram (Richland, WA) will all provide depth.

After losing both starting cornerbacks to graduation, Cairo Messer-Barrow (Hamilton, ON) will move into a starting role after seeing time in eight of the Clan’s ten games last season where he recorded an interception.

“We think Cairo can be one of the best defensive backs in the conference,” defensive backs coach Willie Fields said. “He has good size, he’s smart and athletic. He plays within the defence and may be a quiet guy, but turns it on when he needs to.”

Returning to the field after sitting out all of last season due to a broken ankle, Matt Isherwood (Abbotsford, BC) brings a boost to the secondary as a senior having played 29 games already in his career.

In 2012, Isherwood was sixth on the team with 50 tackles, while having an interception and recovering two fumbles. He will play opposite of Messer-Barrow, giving SFU an athletic shutdown pair covering opposing teams receivers.

“I’m impressed,” Fields said of the return of Isherwood. “He’s fiery, he’s emotional, he’s a gamer and a playmaker. He is what you expect and probably one of our best defensive backs.”

Providing depth will be Bibake Uppal (Surrey, BC), who converted from receiver to cornerback this spring, Jason Buren (Coquitlam, BC) and Robin Weathersby(Chelan, WA).

CFL, CLAN LEGEND PASSAGLIA TO BE RECOGNIZED WITH 1974 SFU FOOTBALL TEAM

Among the former Clan players attending Saturday‘s game will be a Clan and Canadian Football League legend as former BC Lion Lui Passaglia will take part in the festivities.

During his time with the Clan from 1972 through 1975, Passaglia was an NAIA District I all-star twice, playing quarterback, wide receiver and kicker.

He holds Clan records for most points in a game, in a season and in a career.

Passaglia went on to a legendary career in the CFL after being drafted in the first round in 1976.

He spent 25 years in the Canadian Football League and scored more points in that time than any other player in professional football history. 

After his playing career, he was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame.

Passaglia was named a CFL All-Star four times, a Canada West All-Star nine times and was a three time Grey Cup Champion.

Written by: Ben Hodge

Photo credit:  Ron Hole