Those Stricker strikes won't be so covert this season.

Not after the kind of splash Dan Stricker made in 2000 as Vanderbilt's first consistently reliable pass catcher since Allama Matthews had the same number of catches (61) and helped Vanderbilt to its last winning season in 1982.

Some of Stricker's success was likely a result of the surprise element. Southeastern Conference teams had gotten used to the Commodores' passing problems and were caught off guard by Stricker's skills.

"Dan is not a secret anymore, but he really wasn't a secret about half the way through the season either," said Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Steve Crosby. "Other teams found out about it pretty quick last year and he still performed well."

Stricker is a driven player who hopes he has finally provided the missing element -- a true pass catching threat -- which has held the offense back for so long. The offensive coaches thought they had identified a similar threat heading into last season in Anthony Jones, who had grabbed some attention in 1999. Jones, however, was hampered by a preseason hip injury and Stricker took advantage of the opportunity, taking over as quarterback Greg Zolman's primary receiver.

"Dan Stricker is a perfectionist," Crosby said. "He wants to do everything right. He doesn't like mental mistakes and because of those things he is reliable."

Stricker is not only Zolman's go-to receiver, he is one of his best friends. That relationship is an asset on the field.

"We're together all the time," Stricker said. "We have classes together; we draw up plays. We're always talking about how we can do things better."

Zolman welcomes as much help as he can get, but there is no question about who he likes to throw the ball to the most.

"Dan is obviously the most reliable we have right now, but hopefully that will force some guys like M.J. Garrett and Chris Young to step up and make some plays for us," Zolman said.

"As good as Dan is, that's what we're going to have to have to be successful."

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