Coming off a season where his defense gave up 38.5 points and 269 passing yards per game, Hornet defensive coordinator Lou Patrone is set to send out a defensive backfield carrying the weight of a 2-9 season on their backs.

If that isn’t enough pressure for the secondary, their first game is being played in the Sun Bowl against the team’s first Div. I-A competition since 1993, with the Texas heat blazing down their backs and a home opening crowd screaming down their necks.

This is the task laid in front of the Hornet secondary. Whether senior cornerback Brandon Coleman and company are ready is the question.

“They’re developing real well right now,” said Coleman of a group consisting of two Div. I-A transfers and three sophomores. “I’m staying on top of them, trying to help them out. I’ve been here five years and I’ve seen a lot of things.”

Coleman, who earned second-team all-Big Sky honors after recording four interceptions in 2001, has the left cornerback position on lockdown. But there is a battle emerging on the other side of the field.

Julian Cummings, a junior transfer from Iowa State University, Brandon Lofton, a converted wide receiver and Jeremy Johnson, brother of Hornet wide receiver Michael Johnson Jr. are all in contention for the right cornerback spot.

Johnson pushed himself into the race with an impressive camp said Patrone.

Junior safety Camron Mbewa, who earned first-team all-Big Sky honors last season, leads an athletic group of returning safeties.

“(Mbewa) is everything you want in a safety,” said Patrone, who sees his starting strong safety as a “big-play specialist.”

Meanwhile, sophomore Ramon Payne and junior Robert Coleman are competing for the starting free safety job. Payne started in the Hornets dimeback (five defensive backs) formation last year for the Hornets.

Patrone also feels that his 2002 defensive backs have “tremendous depth in the secondary”, coming off a year where injuries plagued his defense.

Junior Jeremy Callaway and senior Brad Candido give the Hornet coaching staff a solid second-tier of defensive backs.

Junior Fresno State University transfer Kevin Tennerson, who was impressive in pre-season scrimmages, is likely to redshirt this season. The coaching staff is also working to get a year of eligibility back for Tennerson, who was plagued by injuries while at Fresno State.

Regardless of who earns starting positions, the Hornets feel that they have a rejuvenated defense.

“It’s a sense of urgency,” said Coleman of the off-season atmosphere. “No one wants to go through another 2-9 season.”

It was on Nov. 26, the day following the team’s return from a 52-33 loss at Portland State University, when the Hornets began their voluntary off-season workouts. About 60 players voluntarily hit the field every day, working to erase memories of a forgetful season.

“It’s not offense or defense anymore,” Payne said of the team’s new attitude. “It’s a real family thing now. The difference from last year is just the commitment. We committed on Nov. 26.”