A Look at the Rockets' Seventh Opponent - Central Michigan
8/24/2003 12:00:00 PM | Football
Written by CMU Sports Information Office.
Aug. 24, 2003
Mt. Pleasant, MI - Central Michigan University is hoping an improved passing game and additional speed will pay big dividends in the 2003 football season.
The forward pass was a major emphasis in spring drills - both offensively and defensively - and Chippewa coaches were encouraged with the results.
"I'm excited with how much our passing game could improve," said fourth-year head coach Mike DeBord. "I think our receivers have improved, and I think we're better at quarterback."
The Chippewas were 4-8 overall in 2002 and 2-6 in Mid-American Conference play. CMU ranked 12th in pass offense in the MAC (166.2 yards per game) and 13th in pass defense (264.4) in 2002.
A "darkhorse" emerged from a four-man battle in the spring to become the Chippewas' starting quarterback - injury-plagued junior Jeff Perry who has yet to take a snap from scrimmage in a game.
"Jeff is our starter entering training camp, but he'll have competition once we start again," DeBord said. "All we want in a quarterback is someone who knows who to throw to and is accurate, and that's what Jeff gave us in the spring.
"He has good feet and great presence in the pocket."
Senior Derrick Vickers, who has started 23 games over the past three seasons, is deadlocked with junior Grant Arnoldink and sophomore Kent Smith for the No. 2 slot.
"Whoever wins the No. 2 spot will have a chance to compete for the starting job this fall," DeBord said. "Derrick has the experience and knows the offense well while Grant was slowed in the spring by a hernia operation. Kent continues to make progress in learning our system."
The improvement in speed may be a little less noticeable at first. "I don't think you can fix speed with one class, but we are bringing in our fastest class ever," DeBord said. "We have to continue to do that so we can compete for the conference championship.
"Our speed improved during the spring by the return of three wide receivers who sat out last season because of injuries."
Senior Willie Hill (leg), sophomore Scott Gibson (shoulder), and redshirt freshman Obed C?©toute Genaille (leg) participated in the spring and will play in the fall.
The Chippewas have shown steady improvement under DeBord, winning two, three, and then four games in his three seasons. But, that's not enough for DeBord.
"I'm not a patient person," he said. "I expected to win immediately. However, our program was not ready to win.
"I am proud of the fact that we have continued to make progress, even if it has been slow. We haven't slipped, and we expect to win this year. We want to build this program so that it is a contender in the MAC every year. I'm excited about what this team can do."
With 41 lettermen and 15 starters back, DeBord feels this could be a breakthrough season. "I really believe we will be competing for the MAC title this year," DeBord said. "Our depth is better, our speed is better, and I think our lines are excellent.
"There will be a lot of teams competing for the title, and I think we'll be one."
The Chippewas will face an enormous task, to say the least, when they open the 2003 season at perennial national powerhouse Michigan on Saturday, August 30. CMU then hosts New Hampshire (September 6) and Eastern Kentucky (September 13) before playing eight straight MAC games. The season finale will be at Navy on November 22.
Even with the loss of starting halfback Robbie Mixon and his 1,361 yards, CMU should be strong running the ball again after finishing fifth in the MAC a year ago with 206.1 yards an outing.
The Chippewas have a proven one-two punch in seniors Kenan Lawhorne (328 yards) and Terrence Jackson(399). Slowed by injuries last season, the 6-0, 235-pound Jackson rumbled for 1,194 yards in 2001. A trio of underclassmen in Spencer Lewis (71), Mike Pryce, and Lance Gailliard provide quality depth.
Senior Adam Supianoski, a rugged 6-2, 235-pounder, will handle the fullback chores where he's an excellent blocker and talented receiver.
DeBord feels the Chippewa offensive line, with three starters back, will be among the top three in the MAC.
"I think we've had one of the better lines in the MAC in the past couple of years, and I think this group will be outstanding," he said.
Leading the way is Derek McLaughlin, a 6-5, 315-pound senior left guard who has started 27 games in his career.
"He's a great leader with great toughness," DeBord said."'He's continued to get better every year and should have a great senior season."
Lining up next to him is 6-7, 320-pound junior left tackle Adam Kieft, a three-year regular with size, great feet, and experience. The third returning starter is 6-3, 295-pound junior center Eric Ghiaciuc who has continued to improve his technique and skill level.
Sophomore Jeff Jenerou, a 6-7, 297-pounder who started five games a year ago, came out of spring drills as the starter at right tackle while redshirt freshman Drew Mormino, a 6-4, 275-pounder, captured the starting slot at right guard.
Reserves along the front line include senior Tom Langton (6-7, 325), redshirt freshman Eric Karbowski (6-3, 286), redshirt freshman Jay Gillette (6-3, 290), sophomore Dean Zarafonetis (6-4, 310), and junior Brandon Pitzer (6-3, 285).
A weakness three years ago, tight end has become a strength on the CMU football team with juniors Tory Humphrey and Dave Kurzen returning. Humphrey was second team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News in 2001 while Kurzen has played in every game the past two seasons. Humphrey caught 22 passes for 276 yards and two TDs, and Kurzen snared four for 38 yards and two scores in 2002. Depth will come from junior Drew Donaldson and redshirt freshman Dave Condeni.
Despite losing two of its top receivers in seniors Rob Turner (43 grabs for 506 yards) and Mixon (26 for 253), DeBord is convinced CMU will be better at the receiving slots.
"We have continued to improve every year in technique and route running," DeBord said. "We have a number of receivers returning plus four new players who should make things interesting."
Junior Jacob Brown (six for 46) and sophomore Justin Harper (19 for 170) came out of spring ball as the starters although CMU plays as many as five wideouts in its no-huddle, hurry-up offense. Gibson and Hill are tabbed as backups along with last year's top receiver senior Steve Messam (26 for 300) and redshirt freshman Markus Naves.
DeBord indicated that JC transfer Jovan Witherspoon and one of the three freshmen could work their way into the playing group. "We expect Jovan to come in and add to this group," DeBord said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do."
The Chippewa defense will have a number of new looks, none the least of which is new coordinator Bob Bartolomeo who also will handle the cornerbacks. New to the defense, as well, is safeties coach Joe Danna (coached the receivers in 2002) and line coach John Jancek.
"We'll be a lot more multiple than in the past," DeBord said. "We'll have a lot more multiple zone coverages with a mixture of man. The key is to stop the run first and then not give up the big plays through the air.
"We were excellent against the run last year but allowed way too many big passing plays. I think we'll be more capable of doing both well this year."
DeBord believes defense starts up front, and he likes what he sees there even though starters Cullen Jenkins, Matt Reynolds, and Marvin Smith are gone. Senior Matt Wohlgemuth, a 6-5, 265-pounder, has moved from end to tackle.
"I love his leadership and what he's going to demand and expect up front," DeBord said. "He should have a great senior year."
Wohlgemuth was in on 35 tackles last year, 12 of them for losses of 60 yards. He led the team with six quarterback sacks for minus 54 yards.
Moving into starting slots at defensive end are junior William Brookshire (6-3, 250) and redshirt freshman Daniel Bazuin (6-3, 250) with sophomore Tony Thompson (6-1, 290) grabbing a starting tackle slot.
Returning starter Kalani Muragin, a 6-2, 280-pound junior who made 36 tackles last season, will battle Thompson for his position. Other key reserves up front include senior Ike Ajoku (6-1, 260), junior John Pittman (6-3, 250), sophomore Caleb Anthony (6-4, 270), and redshirt freshman Damon Petty (6-4, 270).
The Chippewas lost two quality starters at linebacker in Jovan Clarke (108 tackles, 20 for losses of 62 yards) and Darvin Lewis. But, senior Eddie Hillery (66 tackles) and junior Anthony Tyus Jr. (63) shared one starting inside post last season and have seen considerable action in their careers.
"They are experienced players who should have great seasons," DeBord said.
Junior Omari Colen (55) moved from strong safety to compete with Hillery for the starting job at Will. Backing up Tyus at Mike will be sophomore Jimmy Reese.
At the Sam backer, junior Jon Nelson (36) had a great spring to win the job. He'll be backed by sophomore Jason Smith (11).
Much of the focus early in the 2003 campaign will be on the secondary to see how CMU defends the pass.
The anchor of the backfield figures to be junior strong safety James King who had 100 tackles a year ago and four interceptions to go along with two more blocked kicks. He had eight blocks in 2001 when he was named fourth team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News.
King, a free safety last season, should excel at his new position.
"James is a playmaker who will be able to blitz and stop the run as well as play the pass," DeBord said.
Redshirt freshman Doug Kress will work behind King at strong safety.
Moving into the free safety slot will be junior Mike Thomas.
"He was a big surprise in spring ball," DeBord said. "He did a great job of communicating and being the leader in the secondary."
He'll be backed by redshirt frosh Orlando Walton.
The Chippewas have plenty of depth at the important cornerback spots with junior Derrick Holoman and sophomore Marlin Maxwell winning the starting roles in the spring.
"Holoman played a lot as a freshman and then battled injuries last season," DeBord said. "He had a good spring. Marlin is one of the fastest guys on the team, and he's learning to play with mental toughness."
Junior Richard Kiel, sophomores Fabrice Raymond and Jesse Dailey, and redshirt freshman Scooter Archie will battle for playing time.
The Chippewas should be excellent on special teams with everyone back.
Senior punter Brian Brandt returns for his fourth year as the starter. He's averaged 39.8 yards per boot over his career with 50 punts coming to rest inside the opponents' 20.
"Brian is a great competitor and punter," DeBord said. "We think he is one of the better punters in the MAC."
Brandt may end up handling the kickoff duties.
Arnoldink, a reserve quarterback, is the backup punter who continues to improve.
The place-kicking chores will be handled by sophomore Mike Gruzwalski who was named first team Freshman All-America in 2002 by The Sporting News. He converted 14 field goals in 19 attempts including a string of seven straight in the middle of the season. His long was 40 yards. Mike also drilled 27-of-31 extra points.
"Mike had a solid rookie season," DeBord said. "We're hoping he'll continue to improve through hard work."
Gruzwalski was the only place-kicker in spring drills but will be joined by walk-on freshman Matt Foster in the fall.
The Chippewas are set at long snapper with both starters returning. Junior Josh Reardon, who missed the end of the 2002 season with a knee injury, returns for his third season as the regular. Sophomore Craig Knudson did an outstanding job in relief of Reardon as a true freshman and will be the backup this fall.
It looks as though a pair of sophomores will serve as the kick return men in Harper and Maxwell although a couple of incoming freshmen could move into these spots as well. Harper is listed as the No. 1 punt returner after taking one back 10 yards a year ago. Maxwell has yet to see action as a Chippewa but may serve as the No. 1 kickoff returner as well as starting cornerback.
