Baldwin ? Jeremiah Gress alone can’t solve Baker University’s defensive woes. Yet the senior linebacker out of Free State High could be a catalyst for improvement.

“I’m excited about him,” BU defensive coordinator Jason Thoren, a former standout Lawrence High and Kansas University linebacker, said of Gress. “He knows the defense inside and out, and he’s in the best shape I’ve seen him in.”

Baker’s defense will be under a microscope when the Wildcats open the season tonight against longtime Heart of America Athletic Conference rival Benedictine.

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. at Liston Stadium.

“Our guys on offense are going to have to carry the load until defensively we figure out our personnel and our identity,” Baker coach Mike Grossner said.

Already identified, however, is the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Gress, who recorded 22 tackles and had an interception last season as a part-time starter.

“This summer I worked real hard in the weight room,” Gress said. “We gave up 22 rushing touchdowns last season and we got beat over the top. But we have lots of new faces, and I think they’ll make a big difference for us.”

One of those new faces is another Free State product. Philip Weinmaster, a Kansas Shrine Bowler, joined the Wildcats a couple of weeks ago after a short stint as a walk-on at Kansas University and could start on the defensive line.

“He’s been hurt a little bit,” Thoren said of Weinmaster, “but he should be rotating in there.”

Senior Bruce Rogers, last year’s leading tackler, returns, but the 5-11, 205-pounder has been shifted from linebacker to safety.

On offense, the Wildcats have a returning quarterback in senior Brian Sheppard, who threw 17 touchdown passes in ’04. Micah Mason, a Baldwin High product, looms as the No. 1 tailback. Pete Diaz, a 250-pound juco transfer, is ticketed for fullback.

Ryan Pitts, who led BU with 41 catches – including eight for touchdowns, returns for his senior year while newcomer Brandon Crosby, a speedster from a California junior college (and a great grandson of legendary crooner Bing Crosby) may be the Wildcats’ best deep threat. Grossner is also high on James Hensley, a freshman wide receiver from Rose Hill.

Baker won four of its first six games under first-year coach Grossner in ’04, but then dropped its last four and finished with a 4-6 record. One of those late losses was a 40-28 decision to Benedictine.

A perennial league powerhouse, Benedictine finished 5-6 last season.

“I think they just had one of those years,” Grossner said. “Playing them early makes it a big game for both squads, but I like the match-up. Athletically, we match up pretty well.”