Player Spotlight: Gerald Baptiste

The NFL Draft Bible takes great pride in bringing you the stars of tomorrow, today.

Meet Southern Miss wide receiver Gerald Baptiste. The New Orleans native was named Conference USA Honorable mention after playing a major role in the Golden Eagles' wide spread passing attack. Those who have followed his career have indicated to the NFL Draft Bible that Baptiste is a “coaches dream,” for his team-first attitude. Host Bo Marchionte goes one-on-one with the speedster.

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Photo Courtesy of University of Southern Mississippi Media Relations

BCS Busters: Week 6 Preview

Game of the Week

Houston @ Mississippi State

After getting tripped up by UTEP last week, the Cougars now have everyone wondering how good they really are. They get the Bulldogs this week, which should be a good indicator to see if they put last weeks’ tough loss behind them. Mississippi State has already hung tough in their games against LSU and Georgia Tech and could pose problems on both offense and defense for the Cougars. Everyone knows that quarterback Case Keenum is the motor that makes this offense go, but as we saw last week, he can’t win games all by himself. The Cougars’ run game has been overlooked, or at times forgotten, thus far as they are relying on Keenum’s arm to win every game for them. In the first three games for the Cougars this appeared to be a plan that was working. But as we saw last week, it can be a major issue. If the Cougars had gone to the ground game early and controlled the clock and momentum of the game, the outcome would have likely been different. Running back Bryce Beal is a talented back who had 1,247 yards rushing (6.3 yards-per-carry) and 13 touchdowns in 2008. To date, he has only 60 rushing attempts for 279 yards (4.7 yards-per-carry) and three touchdowns, which makes him on pace for only 180 carries and 837 yards rushing. He will need to get back into the offensive mix if Houston wants to maintain leads, which they were unable to do against UTEP. They average 127 yards-per-game rushing, but that number should increase after this game. The defense will have to regroup as well, giving up a whopping 58 points to a mediocre, at best, UTEP offense last week. The Bulldogs come in averaging 28 points-per-game, which happens to be a higher average than what the Miners boasted coming into their game against Houston. The Cougars will win this game if they have a better balance on offense and if their defense can play better than the 32 points-per-game they are allowing. If not, then the Cougars’ dream season turns into a nightmare.
Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Houston 30

Players to Watch: Houston: Case Keenum (QB); Bryce Beall (RB); James Cleveland (WR); Tyron Carrier (WR); Mississippi State: Tyson Lee (QB); Chad Bumphis (WR); K.J. Wright (LB); Pernell McPhee (DL); Leon Berry (KR)

Other Game to Watch

Utah @ Colorado State: The first conference test comes on the road for the Utes where Colorado State is 2-0 this season. Quarterback Terrance Cain and running back Matt Asiata will look to score early to give their defense a chance to go after Rams quarterback Grant Stucker who has 10 touchdown passes this season.
Prediction: Utah 27, Colorado State 21

TCU @ Air Force: Quarterback Andy Dalton will have to be on his game against a fast Falcons' defense. Two years ago his costly interception allowed the Falcons to take the game to overtime and eventually the win.
Prediction: TCU 20, Air Force 10

BYU @ UNLV: The Cougars look to go 2-0 in MWC conference play. Quarterback Max Hall will need to protect the football to give his team a chance to win on the road. The Cougs will likely focus on the Rebels passing attack which is averaging 270 yards-per-game through the air this season.
Prediction: BYU 33, UNLV 14

Florida A&M @ Miami: The undefeated Rattlers head into Landshark Stadium for their biggest test of the season. Dual-threat quarterback Curtis Pulley will need to have an outstanding showing against the swarming hurricanes defense if they want to pull off a major upset. Their defense, which is giving up only 11 points-per-game this season, will try and put pressure on quarterback Jacory Harris and make him get outside of the pocket to make plays.
Prediction: Miami 34, Florida A&M 14

Photos Courtesy of College Press Box, University of Houston

Q&A: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss

Inside linebacker Gerald McRath, formerly of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, recorded a whopping 137 tackles, including 9 1/2 tackles for a loss last season. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two others. Click to listen to interview with Daniel Mogollon.

Hey Gerald, how’s it going today?

McRath: I’m doing great, how're you doing?

I’m doing pretty good. It’s less than three weeks until D-day and I think everybody involved in this Draft process can’t wait for that day to come.

McRath: Oh, no doubt! It’s an exciting moment. I think it's more anxiousness than anything else, just waiting to see where you’re going to go, where you’re going to land, where your new journey is going to begin.

So now, as you’re finished with a lot of the things that are involved, including the NFL Scouting Combine and your Pro Day, and every day is another hour, another minute closer to when you’re going to hear your name called here in the Big Apple, in New York City, are those butterflies starting to churn a little bit?

McRath: Not really. You know, it’s something that you dream of. You’re living the dream. But this is something that I always imagined when I was little; to get to this point it’s kind of like, hey, you’re one day closer. It’s almost like Christmas in April in a sense, you know, waiting to see what going to unfold on the 25th and 26th. So you know, just happy, happy, just cherishing every moment of it. I’m just ready though.

I love that analogy, I couldn’t agree more. It’s like Christmas in April for football fans and I guess you guys you feel the same way. From the fans’ perspective they get to see what’s under the tree for their football team. Who did their team add? How did they get better? This is how you build a winning team—through the Draft. So Gerald, besides all the football stuff, and we’ll get to all that, when you do have some free time, what do you do? What do you do to keep your head straight during this sometimes-strenuous process?

McRath: Oh man, Guitar Hero World Tour! That is my savior! I think that’s keeping me sane right now. I’ve beaten the game once on medium, I have risen my skill level up to hard and I’m waiting on getting the drum and the mic. Right now, me and my sister, we both take turns playing the bass and the guitar, but we need to get a mic and the drum set so I can feel like a real rock star. But that’s what I spend most of my free time on right now.

[Laughs] Are you trying to angle for some kind of marketing deal here, Gerald?

McRath: You know what, I don’t know, but my little sister, I think I’m scaring her because I will jump up and down and I feel like I’m a real rock star. But it is fun, and that’s something that I spend a lot of my time with lately, playing that.

How old is your little sister?

McRath: She’s thirteen.

Thirteen. So that’s like a decent gap. I actually have a similar distance between myself and my kid brother. So what’s that relationship like? I mean, are you almost like half brother, half dad with that?

McRath: Oh man, it’s crazy because just for the fact that I’ve been going to Southern Miss for the past five years and never being able to come home as much as you would love to, trying to do the things down at school, but coming back it’s kind of like wow, my little sister...she’s not little anymore! But it’s good in a sense though, it’s good to be back home and spend some time. She’s on spring break this week, so we’re getting a lot of quality time in, like I said, playing video games, playing Wii, just hanging out together. Big brother, little sister deal.

So let me ask you, man, any guys knocking on that door?

McRath: Not that I know of, or maybe she’s just not telling me. [Laughs]

[Laughs] But they definitely don’t want to find you, right? I mean, they don’t want to find that big brother, 230-pound linebacker waiting there.

McRath: Nah, I think they’ll be more worried about my dad! [Laughs]

[Laughs] That’s for sure though. That’s a scary age though, when the girls hit those teenage years, for sure.

McRath: She’s growing up, though. I can definitely say that she’s going to be able to handle all that.

All right. Back to the Guitar Hero, what kind of jams do you like to play on there?

McRath: Oh man, I’m loving “What I’ve Done”, I think it’s by Lincoln Park and there’s another song called “Float On”. I’m not sure who sings it though, but I love that song. And let’s see, my little sister’s favorite song is “Misery’s Business” and I think she likes No Doubt...that song, “Spiderwebs”.

Now is this stuff that you would listen or is the game introducing you to some different kind of tunes?

McRath: It’s some things that I would listen to, things I’ve heard, especially the Lincoln Park. But it’s actually opened my eyes, you know? It’s funny because now that I listen to it, it’s like hey, me and my sister are like hey, we’re going to go get this and download it on iTunes and put it on our iPods and stuff. It’s a mini-introductory to some new songs as well.

So, how about the Wii? What’s your favorite game on the Wii? The Wii is pretty cool. My daughter, she’s not even three-years old and she can kind of grab it and play with it a little bit and play some of the sports games on that. Not play the whole game, but kind of hit the ball or throw the bowling ball.

McRath: We’re playing right now, the bowling. Nobody can really beat me at the tennis; I think I’m the pro at tennis right now. I’m liking the golf, I’m really liking the golf, the golf is very relaxing. It’s very fun. But I’ve been playing the Mario Brothers and Sonic Track and Field too. That’s kind of like a post workout. If I want to get an extra workout in, I grab that. That is really intense.

Keeping in shape even when you’re playing the video games. So when you play the golf game, the Tiger Woods game, do you put the golf glove on too?

McRath: No, no, I actually need to go get one. Right now I’m just using the controller. But I’m getting ready to take it to the next level though. I think I’m getting to the point where I can start golfing a negative one. Right now I’m stuck in the positives. [Laughs] I’m stuck in the positives when I finish now though.

And how about the other games? Are you one of those guys that plays the bowling game where you kind of just sit on the couch and just rocket it with that powerful arm of yours or do you get up and kind of go through the whole thing as if you were really in a bowling alley?

McRath: You see, that’s the thing with the Wii—like you actually have to get into it. Like you have to really mimic the movements. I’m the type of guy I like to get into it. I like being the best at whatever I do, so I’m going to stand up, I’m going to get the forward movement and everything. And just try to make sure I don’t hit the TV. [Laughs] Make sure my strap is on properly from my controller.

[Laughs] So when you play tennis, you have to clear out and make a little space.

McRath: Oh, no doubt! We have, in the den area, we have a big space where we compete. We go at it. We go at it real well. [Laughs]

Gerald, before we get to the football, I know you also like to watch cartoons. That’s been a little bit of a theme with the draft guys. We’re starting to learn that even the college guys are still into the cartoons. And I’m not just talking about “Family Guy” cartoons. Which cartoons are you into?

McRath: I’ve always been a big fan of Sponge Bob. Growing up, my college room, my dorm room was influenced by it. A lot of guys used to laugh—I used to have the alarm clock, the curtains, the bed sheets, the two pillowcases, the whole nine yards. Mouse pad, everything was Sponge Bob. I’m still with Sponge Bob, I’ve actually moved on a little bit more to older stuff too. I like watching, right now being back home I have a little bit more access to watch more cartoons, with the Boomerang I get to watch The Jetsons, you know, The Flintstones, The Pink Panther, Huckleberry Hound, all the old school cartoons.

Old school!

McRath: Old school cartoons, yeah.

Yeah, I like the old school toons as well. I try to introduce those to my daughter, the old school ones on Boomerang. Tom & Jerry, Jetsons like you said, bringing them back, they’re still on TV there. How about your sister? Does she watch the cartoons with you too or is she in that age where she’s too adult to watch cartoons?

McRath: She’s too adult. I think I’m a little bit too much of a kid for my little sister. [Laughs] The Hills and Taking The Stage, the reality shows, and the music videos and that deal. She’ll watch some cartoons, maybe The Powerpuff Girls, she might watch that. I think The Cartoon Network has a new show, a show about teenagers. She’ll watch that one with me but I think I’m a little young for her right now. [Laughs]

All right, Gerald, let’s talk a little football before we let you go here. So how has this process been? Tell me, you know, how you feel with less than three weeks to go. Are you happy with everything that’s worked out—the Combine, the Pro Day, talking to teams. Are you pleased with your progress so far?

McRath: I definitely am. That’s one of the biggest things when you’re in this process is knowing that you took advantage of every day. Knowing that you took advantage and you don’t have regrets. And I feel at this point in time, I have no regrets. I feel like I’ve done everything to help myself. I’m happy. I’m happy where I’m sitting now. I’m just, like I said earlier, I’m just sitting back. It’s in God’s hands now; I’m waiting on Christmas to come around and for Santa Claus to bring me something good and I’m praying it’ll work, just ready to make it to this next level. Make it, ready to just carry my weight and contribute to the team.

So where do you plan on spending this Christmas in spring?

McRath: With my family. With my mother, my dad, and my little sister. Staying at the house. I think on Sunday if they, I don’t know, I think my parents are thinking about having some family members over. I’m more into the spending time with my family, with my mom, my dad and my little sister. I’m fine with that, with just those guys. Just sitting back, waiting for some good news.

Have you worked out with any teams or had any team visits to this point?

McRath: I have. I worked out with Cincinnati after my Pro Day and I have a workout next week with the Atlanta Falcons.

And when is that?

McRath: That’s on the 16th I believe.

That would be the hometown team there, right? You’re a Georgia native, is that kind of making you excited a little bit, the idea of playing in your own backyard and having your family nearby, being able to watch you at the games?

McGrath: You know what? To be honest with you, I’m just excited to work out with anybody at this point. It’s different because I’m not in college, I’m not in school anymore and my team, they’re at spring ball, they’re actually playing. It’s kind of like I’m sitting here and I’m having to wait. [Laughs] It’s almost like torture to try to get on the field. Like anytime I can get back on the field, it’s great, you know, to do something that I really love and something I’ve been doing for a long time. At this point any workout, anytime I can put my cleats back on, you know what, I’m just...I appreciate it. I’m just happy.

Let me ask you about one of your former teammates before we let you go. That’s Shawn Nelson, tight end out of Southern Miss. Give us a reason why teams should think about him early in that second round.

McRath: He’s a great guy, and a tremendous player as well, a tremendous teammate. He has leadership qualities that you need; he’s able to make a difference in the game. You really can feel his presence when he’s around. He’s the type of player that is a wide receiver in a tight end’s body, which creates tremendous competition levels in practice and in games. It was an honor to be able to play against him and beside him. And you know what, at the end of the day I can say that whatever team that he gets picked to, he’s going to make the team and make the players around him better.

All right, Gerald, as you know, we close things out with a segment we call three-and-out. So First Down: if you had the first pick in the Draft, who would you pick?

McRath: Myself. [Laughs]

[Laughs.] Good answer there, good answer. Second Down:we talked a little cartoons, but what about superheroes? Growing up, who was your favorite superhero?

McRath: Oh man, wow. Batman.

Batman? I’m a big Batman fan myself. And Third Down: if you were in a competition, where would you go further, American Idol or Dancing with the Stars?

McRath: Dancing with the Stars.

Even playing the Guitar Hero, it would still be Dancing with the Stars, huh?

McRath: No doubt. I feel like I have what it takes to do the moves. I wouldn’t mind being on Dancing with the Stars.

Well, you know, if we get you to be the first overall pick, maybe you’ll get there.

McRath: I know that’s right! [Laughs]

All right, Gerald, thanks a lot for giving us some time and talking to us. We definitely want to wish you luck moving forward and you’ll definitely be hearing your name called next weekend.

McRath: Thank you.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Southern Mississippi)

GMAC Bowl: Ball St. vs. Tulsa

January 6, 2009 * 8:00 * ESPN

You can call this one the redemption bowl. After a perfect regular season – 12-0 – it appeared the Ball St. Cardinals going bowling undefeated was a mere formality. Winners of the MAC West – think the Big 12 South of the BCS Buster schools – they were expected to roll over the East representative, Buffalo…until headman Turner Gill’s Bulls played spoiler. Ball State’s junior signal caller Nate Davis completed 31-of-48 passes for 351 yards but couldn’t overcome five Cardinal turnovers. Davis, who says he will return for his senior campaign, saw his completion rate leap by 10 percent from his sophomore season (56.4 percent to 55.9). He’s always had the arm and he really put it all together in 2008. The junior has benefited from a more balanced offense with the emergence of tailback MiQuale Lewis, who rumbled for a school-record 1,701 yards and 22 touchdowns. Donte Love, whose football career was ended early this year, will be up in the coach’s box for the game. Also keep an eye on freshman free safety Sean Baker, who is the most talented defender on either side.

Tulsa saw their chance at perfection rubbed away much earlier in the season when they went into Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC. The Golden Hurricane lost the next one as well at Houston, but recovered to win their next two and advance to the Conference USA Championship, which they played host to. Like Ball St., Tulsa was a prohibitive favorite – after all, they were 6-0 on their home field, where they averaged 60 points per game. That explosive offense was shutdown by the East Carolina Pirates and, like the Cards, the ‘Canes fell short of their goal. They will look to bounce back behind the big right arm of senior quarterback Doug Johnson. Johnson had to wait his turn behind Paul Smith, but made the most of his lone season at the helm, throwing 43 touchdown passes this season. He may not have the fastball Davis has, but not many in college football throw a prettier deep ball. When they look to stretch the field, the go-to man has been Brennan Marion who averaged an eye-popping 25.9 yards per catch on his 43 receptions. Tulsa also has balance as Tarrion Adams turned in his second straight 1,000-yard season.

Conference USA is 3-2 thus far in the bowl season, while the MAC needs Ball St. to come though. If they don’t, the mid-major conference out of the Midwest will be winless this bowl season – not exactly the way to garner national respect. Not only will the Cardinals represent the MAC, they will bring home the first ever bowl victory in the program’s history behind the arm of Davis and an improved defense.

CFI Prediction: Ball St. 38, Tulsa 28

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Ball St.)

Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Air Force

By ANDREW GARDA

For a 7-5 team, Houston has some eye-popping stats. They are first in the nation in total yards per game (590.7), first in passing yards per game (429.7) and tenth in points scored (41.2 per game). Cougar quarterback Case Keenum has thrown for a phenomenal 4,768 yards and 43 touchdowns — that’s only five less than Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. That’s some rarified air and he’s only a sophomore. Needless to say, if a quarterback is putting those kind of numbers up, you know he has weapons. For Keenum, that would be Tyrone Carrier and Mark Hafner, each of which has more than 70 catches to their credit this season. Add to that a thousand-yard back in freshman Bryce Beall and you should have a formula for winning. Air Force goes about scoring a different way. It relies on its fifth ranked run game and a spread offense to get the job done. They have three different backs with over 100 carries this season and two of those – senior Todd Newell and freshman Asher Clark – have topped 500 yards rushing on the season. Overall, the Falcons are a very young team, and they have yet to round out their offensive attack. Their 81.2 passing yards per game makes them vulnerable – if they fall behind by more than a touchdown, it could be incredibly difficult for them to come back.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Houston Cougars (7-5, 6-2)
Pass: Case Keenum – 4,768 yards, 43 TDs
Run: Bryce Beall – 1,112 yards, 12 TDs
Catch: Tyron Carrier – 75-977-9 TDs

Air Force Falcons (8-4, 5-3)
Pass: Tim Jefferson – 557 yards, 5 TDs
Run: Todd Newell – 594 yards, 4 TDs
Catch: Kyle Halderman – 11-256-3 TDs

Photo Credit: University of Houston

Texas Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Rice

By J.J. Pesavento
December 30 * 8:00 PM * NFL Network

The Rice Owls have not won a bowl game since 1954 and will look to end that streak with their record-breaking offense led by quarterback Chase Clement. Clement accounted for a total of 52 touchdowns in 2008. His primary weapons will be Jarrett Dillard and James Casey, who combined for 183 receptions, over 2,400 yards receiving and 31 touchdowns. Casey is also a threat in the running game (six scores), as is Clement (11 scores), who had nearly as many carries as leading rusher C. J. Ugokwe. If there is a concern for Rice, it lies on the defensive side of the ball. The Owls rank near the bottom in every major category on defense. Western Michigan will also be looking to end a streak. The Broncos have only appeared in three bowl games and they’ve never won one. They also live by the pass with quarterback Tim Hiller leading the aerial attack. Hiller has a number of targets in Jamarko Simmons, Schneider Julien and Juan Nunez. The Broncos also have a solid back to tote the rock in Brandon West, who can be a threat coming out of the backfield as well as returning kickoffs. The Broncos’ defense is also weak against the pass, but they defend the run better and allow fewer points per game than Rice.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Western Michigan Broncos (9-3, 6-2)
Pass: Tim Hiller – 2,527 yards, 34 TDs
Run: Brandon West – 970 yards, 8 TDs
Catch: Jamarko Simmons – 98-1,184-7 TDs

Rice Owls (9-3, 7-1)
Pass: Chase Clement – 3,812 yards, 41 TDs
Run: C.J. Ugokwe – 755 yards, 2 TDs
Catch: Jarett Dillard – 79-1,224-19 TDs

Photo Credit: Rice University

This Date in College Football History

Dec. 30, 1991: No. 23 Tulsa beats San Diego State 28-17 at the Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, Calif. The Golden Hurricane turns to back up tailback Ron Jackson, who out shines Aztec's tailback Marshall Faulk, rushing 46 times for 211 yards and a Freedom bowl record four touchdowns. It was the first time in almost 30 years that Tulsa won a bowl game.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Troy

December 21 * 8:15 PM * ESPN

At 2-6 not many envisioned the Golden Eagles making a bowl in their first season under headman Larry Fedora, who brought his offensive philosophies from Oklahoma St. However, seniors like tight end Shawn Nelson made sure Southern Miss would not end their bowl streak, extending it to seven in-a-row – a Conference USA record. In addition to Nelson, junior tailback Damion Fletcher and true freshman wide out DeAndre Brown have flourished with red-shirt freshman quarterback Austin Davis learning on the job. Defensively, junior linebacker Gerald McGrath is a man among boys. The Golden Eagles have won both of their bowl games versus Sun Belt opponents and are 4-0 when they play close to home in the state of Louisiana. Troy doesn’t have nearly as much bowl experience, having joined the FBS in 2001. Under coach Larry Blakeney the Men of Troy captured their third straight Sun Belt Championship, making their second bowl appearance in that span and third all-time. Troy won the New Orleans Bowl two years ago by knocking off Rice and they are no strangers to stepping up in competition having squared up against Ohio St., Oklahoma St. and LSU this season. Defensively they are chuck-full-of playmakers, led by Terence Moore, Brandon Lang, Sherrod Martin and Boris Lee.


Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (6-6, 4-4)
Pass: Austin Davis – 2,852 yards, 21 TDs
Run: Damion Fletcher – 1,235 yards, 9 TDs
Catch: DeAndre Brown – 66-1,108-12 TDs

Troy Trojans (8-4, 6-1)
Pass: Levi Brown – 1,775 yards, 14 TDs
Run: DuJuan Harris – 1,025 yards, 11 TDs
Catch: Jerrel Jernigan – 68-803-5 TDs


Photo Credit: University of Southern Mississippi Media Relations

St. Petersburg Bowl: Memphis vs. USF

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON -
BIG EAST INSIDER

December 20 * 4:30 PM * ESPN2

It’s how you finish. Whenever South Florida steps onto the field, the play of their quarterback Matt Grothe is a key factor. Grothe has improved his completion percentage but has yet to overcome mistakes and lower his interception total. For the third consecutive year Grothe has thrown 14 interceptions, including three in late season losses to Rutgers and Cincinnati. The Bulls lost four of their last five games and Grothe threw eleven interceptions and only three touchdowns in those games. Keep an eye out for Tiger Clinton McDonald who is an effective pass rusher and will look to force Grothe into some errant passes. Memphis is led by running back Curtis Steele. The junior rushed for 1,175 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been strong down the stretch rushing for 100 plus yards in three of his last four games – all wins – including 178 yards versus Southern Miss. It’s fairly obvious the Tigers will need big plays and big points from their running back. When he tops 100 yards they win – 6-0 – and when he doesn’t they lose – 0-6. The Tigers needed to win three of four to end the season just to become bowl eligible. The Bulls will be geared up to stop the run led by linebacker Tyrone McKenzie. The senior leads the team with a 105 total tackles and was named all-conference. Defensive End George Selvie has improved against the run.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch:

Memphis Tigers (6-6, 4-4)
Pass: Arkelon Hall – 2,121 yards, 11 TDs
Run: Curtis Steele – 1,175 yards, 7 TDs
Catch: Carlos Singleton – 50-759-5 TDs

South Florida Bulls (7-5, 2-5)
Pass: Matt Grothe – 2,675 yards, 15 TDs
Run: Matt Grothe – 508 yards, 4 TDs
Catch: Jesse Hester – 53-557-3 TDs

Photo Credit: USF Athletics Communications