Taylor said he would consider the ante upped if the bowl game were part of the Southern California playoff system, in which the Pirates have yet to compete.
A playoff berth appeared attainable last season, when the Pirates opened 5-0. But they lost four of their last six games, including three Mission Conference National Division contests, and a 29-20 setback to Mt. San Antonio in the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl at Santa Monica College.
The second-half woes were also apparent within games, as the Pirates outscored foes, 166-79, before halftime, but were outpointed, 115-97, after intermission.
A roster that exceeds 100 players may help supply more fresh legs this season, though nearly three-fourths of the Pirates’ players are freshmen.
Further, the sophomores include only four returning full-time starters on defense and three on offense.
Taylor believes the defense, the strength of the program during the last two bowl campaigns, will, once again, be able to keep his team in games.
Sophomore outside linebacker Shaun Mohler, a Corona del Mar High product who verbally committed to Nebraska during the summer, returns with third-team J.C. Grid-Wire All-American credentials. Mohler, whose team-leading 100 tackles last season included 15 1/2 for losses and five sacks, was also a first-team All-Mission Conference National Division honoree.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Mohler will line up alongside sophomore returning middle linebacker Matt Harris (6-2, 225), whose 56 tackles were fourth-best on last year’s unit.
