NEW YEAR, NEW NAMES, NEW HOPES.... (updated 9-2-2005) Offense    The 59-7 opening game final score was not really indicative of the Bison first teams abilities. It easily could have been 75-0. But of course, that wasn't the reason the Boll Weevils were put on the schedule, to run up the score. They were scheduled so that a lot of the new names could get playing time. They were entering the game starting in the second quarter and by the second half all the players were new names. And they looked like they were new to the situations, most of them were shaky at first, but you could see the confidence grow in many of them as the game wore on. I believe there were many names in the second half that are going to become an integral part of Bison lore. Nick Compton, Joe Lardinois, Shamen Washington, Zach Harrington, Mike Brower, Tyler Jangula, Casey Radtke, Ryan Parsons to name a few. Joe Lardinois flashed the ability to disrupt the flow of the opponents defense with strength and quickness. Nick Compton was all over the field. We already know about Washington.    The Bison starting squads demolished the Weevils, I would have been disappointed if they hadn't. At the half they had racked up nearly 300 yards of total offense while yielding around 60 yards. Steve Walker was fairly sharp, laying two deep bombs right on Marques Johnson's hands, with one resulting in a touchdown. Kyle Steffes went over the 100 yard mark rushing early in the second quarter. Hugh Medal, looking small amongst his giant compadres, had a good first half. Cole Heckendorf won't make us forget about Travis White, nobody can do that, but what a pair they could be next year if White is able to come back. Andy DelaBarre coming out of the backfield opens up a new dimension. On defense, once they hit their stride, they were impregnable. They made former Murray State quarterback, Matt Fischer, look very ordinary, intercepting him twice, once each by Babich and Zimmernman, with Zimmerman's pick resulting in a touchdown. Players of the Game     The BI Defensive Player of the Game was Nick Compton with all or part of 12 tackles, Kyle Steffes with 114 yards in just 15 carries was chosen as BI Offensive Player of the Game. Holiday Vibes    In the second half Ryan Olson made a hit that will be shown on Bison highlight reels for years to come. An Arkansas-Monticello receiver was going down the sidline and stretched out to try and make the catch when Olson caught him and sent him ass over teakettle. It was awesome. The best thing about it was that no one was injured. Mark Moore is a special young man, laboring in the background, while he could be starting for any DII program and many IAA programs in the country. This years JC transfer class doesn't compare favorably to the last 2 years, so far either they have departed or failed to make an impression. Richard Bowman and Ramon Humber are the real deal. Go Bison!! Bob H.