Will Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Fall With Browning Gone?

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A passing offense that ranked 61st last year could’ve been better had Browning not gotten injured for two games and there weren’t two other embarrassments to Oklahoma and Baylor. The rushing offense, however, was just awful. It ranked 107th in the country last year, which is why I say that the returning starters in the backfield and up front mean nothing. If this offense is to improve at all, then it’ll depend on the passing game. With Browning gone, that’ll be hard.

Browning threw for 21 touchdowns and 8 interceptions last year to go along with 2,179 yards in just 10 games, which was pretty efficient. The hopes of successfully replacing the four-year starter look bleak. During his time filling in for Browning last year, Brayle Brown threw for only 1 touchdown and 6 interceptions. He’s currently the frontrunner to take the reigns as he enters his junior season. That should leave many fans concerned. But if things don’t work out, Berry can turn to redshirt freshman Brian Williams or true freshman Anthony Monken. There can’t be a quarterback controversy throughout the season, though.

At running back, Centarius Donald is back for his senior season after splitting time with Jyruss Edwards last year. Donald had 433

Sep 14, 2013; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks wide receiver Kenzee Jackson (23) runs through the tackle of Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Hunter Williams (30) during the third quarter at BB&T Field. Louisiana Monroe Warhawks defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on 87 carries. The running game wasn’t utilized nearly as much as it could’ve been last year, but that’ll have to change this year with the transition at quarterback. If the Warhawks are to have any balanced attack, Donald will have to shoulder a heavier load. Look for help from DeVontae McNeal, who will be entering his junior year after rushing for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 29 carries last year. However, 77 of those yards came on one run.

The receiver position shouldn’t be a problem with Rashon Ceaser, the only consistent player at the position last year, back for his junior year. Ceaser had 964 yards and 5 touchdowns. Kenzee Jackson should have a much bigger role as he enters his senior season, and Tony Cook will probably be the other starter. Cook provides the size in the group at 6’4 185 pounds. Ajalen Holley will provide depth, and tight end Harley Scioneaux might also have a bigger role in the offense. How well this unit performs will depend on how quickly the loss of Browning can be offset.

At offensive line, the loss of All Sun Belt First Team Center Josh Allen is a huge deal. He was by far the most experienced, valuable guy on the unit, and the only thing worse than losing a quarterback you relied upon so heavily is losing an all-star center with that quarterback. That makes for two newcomers calling the signals on offense this year, and in this case, replacing the best players on the team. The other positions won’t be as bad, but the loss of left guard Jon Fisher also hurts. However, left tackle Joseph Treadwell will be a senior this year and has lots of experience with 37 career starts already, Demiere Burkett has 25 starts and will line up at right tackle as a senior, and Ben Risenhoover will also be a senior with 17 games of experience starting lining up at right guard. That makes the tackle positions set, with both guys over 300 pounds, and Risenhoover will be very effective inside. Jeremy Burton, Jimmy Chung, and Colby Mitchell should all see some experience as well.

Losing Browning is bad enough. Losing Allen makes it worse. If the Warhawks offense is to be competent at all this year, those two positions will have to be filled, and last year’s production will have to be matched. That likely won’t happen, so expect a fall-off on offense to some degree.

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