PICKING UP THE PIECES
Amid realigned Southland Conference and reworked schedule, sophomore Bentsen takes over QB reins from departed Zappe
Who is going to replace quarterback Bailey Zappe?
Zappe, who transferred to Western Kentucky along with his top three receivers, passed for more than 10,000 yards over his four-year career at HBU. This is a huge loss for the Huskies, who will stay in the Air Raid offense.
Sophomore Blaise Bentsen will get his shot in the quarterback-driven offense at replacing Zappe, who threw for 78 touchdowns. Bentsen is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound sophomore who attempted one pass in 2020. As a true freshman in 2019, Bentsen appeared in three games, completing six of 16 passes. Sophomore Desmond Young and true freshman Orion Olivas are also competing for the job.
Why does the conference schedule look odd?
Because of the defections of Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Lamar and Abilene Christian to the Western Athletic Conference, and Central Arkansas to the ASUN, the Southland Conference is left with only six footballplaying schools for the 2021 season.
In order to fulfill an eightgame conference schedule, each of the SLC teams are playing three teams twice and two teams once. For HBU, the Huskies have a home-and-home this season with Nicholls, Northwestern State and Incarnate Word. HBU plays Southeastern and McNeese once. The Huskies scheduled McNeese for homecoming on Nov. 13 at Husky Stadium.
Can the Huskies contend in the Southland?
In playing a shortened fourgame schedule last fall, HBU played only non-conference games. In out of conference, the Huskies gave Texas Tech all they could handle in a 35-33 loss in Lubbock. The Southland has a different look in 2021 with the Texas Four going to the WAC and Central Arkansas departing as well.
With Sam Houston out of the equation, the league race is open. Southeastern, Nicholls and Incarnate Word are all worthy. HBU’s talent level has gotten better each year but replacing Zappe will be a challenge. The Huskies are picked sixth among six teams in preseason by league coaches.
How does the defense stack up?
Of the Huskies’ six players who made preseason All-Southland, four are on defense. Senior safety Patrick Wolfe, senior lineman Segun Ijiyera, sophomore lineman Philip Ossai and junior linebacker Brennan Young received recognition. Wolfe was first team.
A new defensive scheme is being implemented with Shane Eachus taking over as coordinator. As a unit, the Huskies are trying to become more multiple to combat fast-tempo teams. Without changing personnel, the Huskies will be able to transition from a four-man front to three. Young was as good as any Husky last season, recording 42 tackles in four games.
Which one player needs to stay healthy?
Huskies football coach Vic Shealy said running back Dreshawn Minnieweather is the main reason the team wins games.
The 6-foot, 235-pound senior played in only one of the Huskies’ four fall games in 2020. After missing the first three with an injury — all losses — Minnieweather returned for the season finale at Eastern Kentucky, rushing for a touchdown in the 33-30 victory.
Staying on the field is going to be crucial for Minnieweather, a threat catching the ball as well as running. Over eight games in 2019, he rushed for 723 yards and seven touchdowns, adding three more scores on receptions.