Depth should be a plus for Golden Eagles
By Tommy Atkinson, Charleston Gazette
August 4, 2007
Optimism was in abundance Friday morning at the University of Charleston’s football media day at UC Stadium.
And it was more than just the usual hyperbole that coaches tend to throw around this time of year when every team is still a contender and possibilities seem boundless.
The future is now for the Golden Eagles after playing 17 underclassmen on offense and defense last season. UC is coming off a 5-6 overall record in Division II and a second-place tie in the West Virginia Conference with a 4-3 mark. UC has 45 incoming freshmen who will immediately lend depth.
“We’re far ahead of where we were a year ago,’’ said Golden Eagles coach Tony DeMeo, who is beginning his third year at UC when fall practice opens today. “Our talent pool is much bigger. We have more players that are capable right now of winning a conference championship.
“We’ll only have five seniors on the team. We have a lot of young players, but they have experience. Last year [in] one game we started eight freshmen and three sophomores. We feel we’re getting to the point of a breakthrough year.’’ 
UC sophomore running back Josh Culbertson and junior defensive lineman T.L. Asbury have noticed the difference.
“Just looking at our offense when we were going through walk-throughs [Friday] it looks like a team,’’ said Culbertson, the former Nitro High School standout and Kennedy Award winner.
“Last year we had maybe half as many so we’ve got a lot of depth. If someone gets tired or fatigued you’ve got somebody, in a lot of cases, just as good coming in. We’ve all been working. A lot of kids stayed over the summer and that’s what it takes to win games.’’
“Finally we have some depth,’’ added Asbury, a Winfield native. “During the spring we didn’t’ have to take as many reps, but the reps we did take were quality reps. That helped us not worry about being tired. It’s going to make a big difference having that depth. If somebody goes down, somebody can pick it up.’’
There are some holes to fill, however, particularly on offense. Quarterback Corey Isner, a Ripley native who finished his career as the school’s all-time passing leader, fullback Blake Burr, the team’s top rusher and an All-West Virginia Conference second-team selection, and offensive lineman Hughdell Hamilton, an All-WVC first-team pick a year ago, have fulfilled their eligibility.
Of course, finding Isner’s replacement is paramount to a winning season and DeMeo has several viable candidates. The coach said DeRante Hunter, a redshirt freshman from Sarasota, Fla., finished spring drills as the starter on the depth chart.
But that could change as true freshmen Jay Julian of Springfield, Ohio, Matt Koman of Mason, Ohio, Danny Thomas of Bristol, Tenn., and Blaine Wilson of Richwood, Ohio, will also get a shot along with Shaad Coleman, a redshirt freshman from South Charleston, during fall practice.
“It’s still open competition until the start of the first game,’’ said DeMeo. “We have a lot of good quarterback candidates, it’s just a matter of getting them ready to go and getting them enough reps. But they’re surrounded by a lot of experienced offensive players and that’ll make us much better.’’
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Culbertson will take on more of a leading role in the offense this season after churning out 570 yards on 99 carries as a true freshman last year. His 5.8 yards per carry was tops in the conference.
“A lot more of the load will fall on his shoulders,’’ DeMeo said. “We think he’s going to have a real big year.’’
In addition to Culbertson, junior wideout Terrance Spencer is back on offense along with four linemen. Spencer, an All-WVC second-team performer, set school records last year for single-game (11) and season (60) receptions, finishing with 529 yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back/kick returner Rusty Taylor, a former Riverside High standout, tied for the team high with four touchdowns.
The defense is set with six regulars returning, including the top two tacklers.
Last year’s free ticket giveaway was so successful that the Golden Eagles will attempt to fill the 18,000-seat stadium twice this season. The first free ticket event will be the Aug. 25 home opener with Tusculum (Tenn.), sponsored by Wendy’s. The second ticket giveaway will be the Sept. 29 homecoming game against Concord, sponsored by Fas-Chek. Last year’s promotion, which was also sponsored by Fas-Chek, drew a school-record crowd of 7,599 and is believed to be a WVC record. Tickets for those two games may be picked up at Wendy’s locations in the Kanawha Valley and Fas-Chek supermarkets. ... UC is offering a season-ticket package of four tickets for $99. The package also includes a UC VIP card, which is good for discounts at area businesses. The ticket package may be purchased at the school or online at www.ucwv.edu. ... The Golden Eagles’ six home games this season will not conflict with any West Virginia University home games.