Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Expect Results
7/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 26, 2002
It's year three of Central Michigan University's rebuilding program, and head football coach Mike DeBord expects results.
"We have high expectations for this football team," said the Chippewas' third-year mentor. "The foundation of discipline, work ethic and attitude have been established.
"We're bigger, stronger, quicker and better conditioned. We have the passion and commitment ... so, therefore, I expect to win."
The Chippewas showed significant improvement in their first two years although the final records may not be a true barometer.
CMU was 2-9 in DeBord's first season in 2000 and posted a 3-8 record last fall.
"We were competitive last year, something we couldn't say all of the time the previous season," DeBord said. "We got to the edge last season but couldn't finish it.
"We were ahead or tied with every team in our division but one going into the fourth period. This year, we have to win those games."
For the second straight season, Central Michigan had a 2-6 overall mark in the Mid-American Conference and a 1-4 slate in the MAC West.
CMU returns 42 lettermen and 20 starters from last year's club to help buoy the enthusiasm for the 2002 campaign that begins at home on Thursday, Aug. 29, against Sam Houston State at 7:30 p.m.
One area where Central showed big improvement in 2001 was offense.
After finishing 11th in total offense (271.5 yards per game) and 13th in rushing offense (92.4) in MAC stats in 2000, CMU finished fifth in total offense (379.5) and fourth in rushing offense (198.8).
Credit for this improvement goes to a number of things: one, the emergence of Terrence Jackson as one of the premier backs in the MAC; and two, CMU's no-huddle offense.
"Terrence had an outstanding season, and we have great expectations for him this season," DeBord said. "And, we're committed to our no-huddle offense.
"I believe that you have to have an advantage, and this helped give us one. We were able to wear some people down. It also created some uncertainty for opponents because of the limited time they had to get their defenses set."
Jackson broke the 100-yard barrier in seven straight games after becoming the starting halfback in the fourth game of the season and rushing for 1,194 yards to earn second team All-MAC laurels. The junior is a punishing back at 6-0 and 235 pounds, one who still has good speed and balance.
Central has excellent depth at halfback, too, with junior Kenan Lawhorne providing versatility as a backup. The 5-11, 215-pounder rushed 99 times for 506 yards and four touchdowns and finished second on the team in catches with 33 for 190 yards.
Also providing depth at halfback will be seniors Robbie Mixon (700 career yards rushing) and Alan Parks and redshirt frosh Mike Pryce.
"We have a good running attack, and we'll be more consistent in the passing game," DeBord said. "We return a lot of good football players on offense but we'll also need some younger and less experienced ones to step up as well."
Junior Adam Supianoski, who has moved between tight end and fullback in the past, has settled in as the starting fullback.
"Adam had a great spring," DeBord noted. "He caught the ball and blocked well."
Redshirt freshman Troy Peyerk, who saw limited action a year ago before being injured, and sophomore Bryan Lindstrom will provide capable backup at fullback.
The Chippewas did not emerge from spring drills with a clear-cut No. 1 at quarterback but that doesn't worry DeBord.
"We have good people at the position, and I really think it'll be decided when we start drills in training camp this August," he said. "Derrick Vickers may have a slight edge from this past spring although Derek Gorney, Grant Arnoldink and Kent Smtih will provide a great challenge."
Vickers started the first seven games last season and completed 116-of-211 passes for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns.
When the junior Vickers was injured in the Northern Illinois game, Gorney started the final four contests. Derek set a school record with 50 passes attempted (22 completed) in a 38-34 loss to Ball State in his first start. The senior hit on 74-of-150 passes for 831 yards and five TDs.
The Chippewas return every receiver who caught more than one pass a year ago, headed up by first team Verizon Academic All-American Rob Turner. The 6-3 senior caught 50 passes (tied for seventh best at CMU) for 668 yards and four six-pointers.
Senior Rod Means caught 23 passes for 278 yards while junior Willie Hill grabbed 19 for 238 yards and three TDs.
Junior Steve Messam, who had an outstanding freshman season in 2000 with 22 catches for 288 yards, returned to form this spring after catching just one pass last fall.
Others who will fight for playing time include sophomore return specialist Derrick Holoman and sophomore Jacob Brown (four for 46 yards), redshirt freshmen Scott Gibson and Justin Harper, and true frosh Obed C?toute Genaille.
"We have a solid corps of receivers for our quarterbacks to throw to," DeBord said. "It was nice to see Messam return to the way we felt he was capable of playing."
The Chippewas return both "starting" tight ends from 2001. Sophomore Tory Humphrey, a 6-3, 235-pounder, was second team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News after catching 24 passes for 237 yards and three TDs.
Sophomore Dave Kurzen, a 6-6, 250-pounder, played in every game last season and grabbed three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.
"We have two excellent football players at tight end," DeBord said. "Tory has more speed, and Dave gives us more size."
Two veterans have left the offensive line in four-year starting tackle Matt Brayton and three-year regular center Anders Hill.
However, DeBord still likes what he sees up front with four starters back.
"The offensive line could be a strength of the football team as it was last year," DeBord said. "I expect this group to play exceptionally well. It's a smart, athletic and tough group with great chemistry."
The anchor of the offensive line is Kyle Croskey, a four-year starter at guard. He's a powerful player at 6-3 and 330 pounds.
The other senior back is 6-4, 310-pound Paul Brieger at right tackle. He's started on and off in the last three seasons.
Junior Derek McLaughlin (6-5, 310) started 20 games the last two seasons while 6-7, 300-pound sophomore Adam Kieft has moved from right tackle to left.
The lone new starter up front will be 6-3, 295-pound sophomore Eric Ghiaciuc at center. Sophomore Brandon Pitzer (6-3, 285) will be a backup at center and guard while junior Tom Langton (6-7, 315) and redshirt freshman Jeff Jenerou (6-7, 297) will provide depth at tackle and junior Eric Schulenburg (6-4, 290) and redshirt frosh Dean Zarafonetis (6-4, 310) at the guards.
Central Michigan's defense did not make the same improvement shown by the offense but that doesn't alarm DeBord.
"When you look at all of the players we lost because of injuries throughout the 2001 season our defense was not able to play as well as we had expected," DeBord said. "With the return of those players along with the ones who gained experience last season, I feel we will be much improved on defense.
"Our front eight are solid veterans that will make us tough against the run."
The Chippewas had trouble against both the run and pass in 2001. CMU was 11th in the MAC in total defense (439.6), ninth against the pass (231.7) and 12th against the run (207.9).
DeBord feels his quartet of inside linebackers are as good as anybody's in the MAC.
Senior Darvin Lewis (6-3, 235) missed the final eight games of last season with a knee injury but should return to the form that made him one of the top linebackers in the conference.
The trio who gained valuable experience in 2001 include 6-3, 240-pound senior Jovan Clarke, 6-1, 235-pound junior Ed Hillery and 5-10, 220-pound sophomore Anthony Tyus. Clarke led the Chippewas in tackles (96) and tackles for loss (15-for-55 yards) while Hillery had 42 stops and Tyus 45.
There's plenty of experience on the front four, as well, with three starters back. Senior Marvin Smith (6-1, 270) returns for his fourth year as a regular at tackle. He had 68 tackles last fall, nine for losses of 27 yards.
Seniors Cullen Jenkins (6-2, 250) and Matt Reynolds (6-3, 260) are three-year starters at end. Jenkins had 48 tackles and 10 stops for losses of 52 yards while Reynolds had 42 tackles.
Junior Jay Davidson (6-4, 275) will start at middle guard next to Smith.
Providing quality depth inside will be sophomore Kalani Muragin (6-2, 270) and redshirt freshman Morgan Sheppard (6-5, 260). "Sheppard was one of the big surprises in the spring," DeBord said of the convereted defensive end.
Quite possibly the deepest position on the defense is at end where three solid veterans will back up Jenkins and Reynolds. Junior Matt Wohlgemuth (6-5, 265), junior Ike Ajoku (6-1, 250) and sophomore William Brookshire (6-3, 245) will see a lot of action there. Ajoku missed last season with an injury but left spring practice in 2001 as a starter.
Central's defense will feature three safeties and two cornerbacks.
"We're young but experienced at the safety position," DeBord said. "We have two new faces at cornerback. However, they've proven themselves in practice. They're good hitters and cover guys."
Replacing four-year starting cornerback Tedaro France may be the toughest for the Chippewas. Converted receiver Dante McKnight, a junior who caught 13 passes for 135 yards, and sophomore Richard Kiel are the starters at the corners while redshirt freshmen Jesse Dailey and Fabrice Raymond will be the backups.
Three sophomores who finished the season as starters in 2001 will man the safety slots. Kick-blocking specialist James King (seven blocked punts and one blocked kick last season) starts at free safety while Ron Bartell is at Buck and Omari Colen at Sam.
King was named fourth team Freshman All-American by The Sportings News after finishing second in tackles with 86 and tackles for loss with 11 for 37 yards. Bartell tied for fourth in tackles with 68 while Colen had 17 stops.
The backups will be junior Bryan Keim at FS, sophomore Jon Nelson at Buck and sophomore Mike Thomas at Sam. Keim was third on the team in tackles with 82 after coming to CMU as a walk-on.
Special teams should be solid although finding a place-kicker remains a big question mark with the departure of four-year regular Paul Savich.
Junior punter Brian Brandt became the first Chippewa punter to average more than 40 yards a boot since CMU moved into windy Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 1972. The left-footed kicker posted a 40.1-yard average.
"Brian has shown over the past two seasons that he's one of the top punters in the MAC," DeBord said. "We expect him to have a great junior season."
Sophomore long snapper Josh Reardon returns after a steady first season while the holder on place kicks will again be Gorney.
Trying to establish a place-kicker will be one of the first priorities when fall drills begin in August.
"Whoever is the most consistent when training camp opens will get the job," said DeBord. "We'll have a number in camp, and we're hoping one steps forward."
The only one with any game experience is senior Adam Clyne who converted eight-of-10 extra points in 2000. He did not kick last fall, however.
Also hoping to win the job will be junior Joshua Ignace, sophomore Andrew Christofferson, redshirt freshman Mike Gruzwalski and incoming frosh walk-on Christopher Stoffel.
Holoman, who moved from cornerback to wide receiver in the spring, had the inside track on both kick-returning jobs. He returned 11 kickoffs last season for 202 yards and an average of 18.4.
He'll work at both kickoff and punt return posts this fall. Senior Robbie Mixon also will be on kickoff returns while incoming freshman walk-on Mike Longo will be a backup at punt return.
THE SCHEDULE
Central Michigan University football coach Mike DeBord isn't necessarily a Yogi Berra fan but he'd love for it to be "Deja vu all over again" in 2002.
The last time the Chippewas had six home games was in 1990, and Herb Deromedi's charges captured the Mid-American Conference championship and played in the California Raisin Bowl.
Central has six home encounters on its expanded 12-game regular-seasonschedule for 2002, and DeBord is delighted with it.
"I love the 12 games because you work all year long to play games and the more the better," he said. "The six home games kind of level the playing field instead of always playing five.
"It's nice, too, that our first two games are at home. It will be exciting for our players and fans."
The Chippewas launch the season with a home game on Thursday, Aug. 29, against Sam Houston State at 7:30 p.m. CMU then hosts Wyoming on September 7 before hitting the road for a trio of difficult contests at Akron (Sept. 14), Indiana (Sept. 21) and Boston College (Sept. 28).
"That will be one tough stretch," DeBord said. "Opening the MAC at Akron will be a big challenge and then playing at Indiana with a new coach (Gerry DiNardo) and at a top-25 program like Boston College will be severe tests."
Central gets a week off following the Boston College contest before closing with eight straight conference tilts including five with MAC West foes. In addition to Akron from the MAC East, CMU will host perennial power Marshall (Oct. 26).
With the addition of Bowling Green to the MAC West, the Chippewas play three MAC West games at home - Bowling Green (Oct. 12), Ball State (Nov. 16) and Western Michigan (Nov. 23).
THE MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
There's a new look in Mid-American Conference football in 2002 with the addition of the University of Central Florida.
However, the preseason favorites may be the same as they've been in the past ... Marshall in the East and Toledo in the West.
With Central Florida moving into the MAC East, Bowling Green will now join the MAC West giving both sides seven teams in the 14-team conference.
"You have to look at Marshall and Byron Leftwich and all of those skilled players as the team to beat in the East," said DeBord. "Central Florida will definitely challenge as will Miami. Kent State had a winning season last year and has its program moving in the right direction.
"Toledo lost some key players but it has to be the favorite based on past performance. However, I feel that everyone in the West can win. Bowling Green will make our division much stronger."
The MAC will have two teams moving on to bowl games in 2002 for the second straight year. (The championship game will be on Dec. 7 and will be played at the East Division winner.)
The MAC West winner will play in the Motor City Bowl against a team from the Big Ten on Thursday, Dec. 26, while the MAC East champ will play in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Dec. 18.
"There's great excitement around the MAC right now with the two bowls," DeBord said. "It shows that the conference is getting the respect it has deserved for many years with the quality of football played here.
"Basically, it comes down to winning your division now, and you'll end up in a bowl game. It's a tremendous incentive for everyone in the MAC."
CHIPPEWAS BY POSITION
QUARTERBACKS
Although junior Derrick Vickers came out of spring practice as the starting quarterback this position won't be decided until drills begin in August. Senior Derek Gorney, who started the final four games of 2001 when Vickers was injured, and sophomore Grant Arnoldink figure to put up the stiffest challenges. Vickers passed for 1,156 yards and seven TDs on 116-for-211 passing while Gorney completed 74-of-150 for 831 yards and five scores. Redshirt freshman Kent Smith is learning the position and has all of the tools.
HALFBACKS
Junior Terrence Jackson burst on the scene in style last season, breaking the 100-yard barrier in seven straight games and finishing with 1,194 yards - more than the entire CMU team rushed for in 2000 (1,016). He earned second team All-MAC laurels and should be one of the league's best again this fall. Junior Kenan Lawhorne has proven a worthy and versatile backup, rushing for 506 yards and catching 33 passes for 190 more yards. Senior Robbie Mixon is the veteran of the group with 702 career yards rushing while redshirt freshman Mike Pryce and senior Alan Parks provide good depth.
FULLBACKS
Junior Adam Supianoski has settled in at fullback after moving between tight end and fullback the past couple of seasons. He had an outstanding spring to win the job. Redshirt freshman Troy Peyerk started early in 2001 but missed the remainder of the season and spring drills with a shoulder injury.
TIGHT ENDS
Two sophomores shared all of the playing time at tight end a year ago, and this slot seems solid for years to come. Tory Humphrey was converted from defensive end to tight end in the fall and ended the season making second team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News. Dave Kurzen also saw considerable action and is now up to 6-6 and 250. Sophomore Drew Donaldson has added 20 pounds and is one of the most improved players on the team.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Chippewa quarterbacks completed 190 passes in 2001, and CMU returns players who caught 189 of them. Senior Verizon Academic All-American Rob Turner leads the way with 50 catches for 668 yards followed by senior Rod Means (23 for 278) and junior Willie Hill (19 for 238). After catching 22 passes for 288 yards as a freshman, Steve Messam caught just one for 15 yards last fall. However, he had an excellent spring and could be a prime target again in 2002.
OFFENSIVE LINE
One of the most experienced units for the Chippewas is the offensive line where four players return who were considerd starters - senior four-year regular Kyle Croskey at guard, senior three-year starter Paul Brieger at tackle, junior Derek McLaughlin at guard and sophomore Adam Kieft at tackle. The new starter is sophomore Eric Ghiaciuc at center.
DEFENSIVE LINE
One of the deepest and most experienced groups for the CMU football team is the defensive line where three starters are back and five more proven hands will play. Senior Marvin Smith will start for the fourth straight season at tackle while seniors Cullen Jenkins and Matt Reynolds are three-year regulars at end. Junior Jay Davidson will handle the middle guard slot. Backups inside will be sophomore Kalani Muragin and redshirt freshman Morgan Sheppard. Key reserves at end are juniors Ike Ajoku and Matt Wohlgemuth along with sophomore William Brookshire.
LINEBACKERS
CMU head coach Mike DeBord will pit his four inside linebackers against any group in the MAC. Senior Darvin Lewis missed the majority of last season with a knee injury but had established himself as an outstanding player his first two years. Senior Jovan Clarke had an outstanding finish to the 2001 season while junior Eddie Hillery and sophomore Anthony Tyus had solid seasons.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
While there's not a lot of experience in the secondary, the Chippewas are convinced this year's group has what it takes to support the run and defend the pass. The starting corners coming out of spring ball are new in converted wide receiver junior Dante McKnight and sophomore Richard Kiel. The trio of sophomore safeties - James King, Omari Colen and Ron Bartell all played last season and show plenty of promise.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There's no question of who's handling the punting chores for Central Michigan this season - junior Brian Brandt is among the best in the MAC after averaging 40.1 yards a boot in 2001. In addition, he had 25 punts downed inside the opponents' 20. However, the place-kicking job is wide open with the departure of four-year starter Paul Savich. Senior Adam Clyne, junior Joshua Ignace, sophomore Andrew Christofferson, redshirt freshman Mike Gruzwalski and incoming freshman Christopher Stoffel will get a chance to win the job. The returning long-snapper is sophomore Josh Reardon.
