Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Slow-building Texans point toward A&M-Kingsville

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Tuesday, September 28, 1999

Slow-building Texans point toward A&M-Kingsville

By Javier Becerra
Caller-Times

After posting the most Lone Star Conference wins in school history last season, Tarleton State University is still trying to find ways to win a few games.
   The Texans are having a little more success this year.
   Under third-year head coach Craig Wederquist, Tarleton (2-0 conference, 2-2 overall) is one of two undefeated teams in the LSC South Division after crossover wins against East Central (Okla.) and Southwestern Oklahoma.
   Tarleton could match its three-win conference performance of a year ago with a home victory over A&M-Kingsville Saturday.
   But Wederquist knows his Texans are still in a construction phase as they attempt to dent the Javelinas' run at the LSC South Division crown in a 7 p.m. contest at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville.
   "We're still trying to compete in the LSC," said Wederquist, who went 7-15 in his first two seasons at Tarleton. "We're slowly building the program here, but making progress."
   Tarleton returned only two offensive starters, lineman Nick Bridgefarmer and Kevin Patterson, and was void of any experience at running back and quarterback.
   The Texans lost two-time second-team NCAA Division II All-America tight end James Dearth, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in April's NFL draft. Wederquist was also forced to find a replacement for the Texans top returning running back Justin McDaniel, who suffered a career-ending neck injury in the spring.
   "The No.1 thing we have done is completely retool the offense," Wederquist said. "We're still throwing the ball, but we're spending more time on the running game. If you look at the programs that have been the most consistent in the league, they have a strong running game."
   Tarleton has an abundance of junior college transfers to help bolster its ground attack.
   Freshman transfer Jerome Smith leads the Texans with 369 yards rushing, and will share duties with junior transfer Eric Shine, who has 208 yards and two touchdowns in two games. Transfers Brad Booth and Zeke Peak have combined for 60 yards in limited action.
   Staring quarterback Steve Kelly, a sophomore transfer from Miami, has thrown for 648 yards. The majority of his 54 completions have been spread between a crew of six wideouts and three tight ends.
   A HARD LUCK AGAINST JAVS: Tarleton hasn't had much luck against A&M-Kingsville since joining the LSC in 1994. Harms has led the Javelinas to five straight wins over Tarleton, and could earn his 170th career win against the Texans. The numbers are in Harms' favor, as the Javelinas have outscored the Texans 237-55, an average of 47-11 per meeting. Tarleton's best defensive effort came in a 40-10 loss in 1996, while its 24-point performance in 1994 has been the Texans' best offensive outing against A&M-Kingsville.
   A INJURY REPORT: Tarleton State backup QB Wes Fisher (clavicle) is out. . . . backup TE John Leven (back) is out. . . . G Marcus Cossey (neck) is probable. A&M-Kingsville QB Terrance Bennett is out with a medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee. . . . LB Marcus Scott is out with a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee. . . . TE Giles Cole and FS Cephus Scott, who both left Saturday's game with injuries, were cleared to play Sunday by A&M-Kingsville trainer Ruben Cantu.



Staff writer Javier Becerra can be reached at 886-3734 or by email at becerraj@caller.com

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