Central Michigan University Athletics
Battle for Place-Kicking Job Still Close
8/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT -- With one week remaining before the start of the 2002 football season for Central Michigan University, it appears that redshirt freshman Mike Gruzwalski (Shelby Township/Eisenhower) has won the starting place-kicker job.
"Based on consistency, the job is Gruzwalski's right now," said Chippewa head coach Mike DeBord. "All three of our kickers are fighting consistency although the last time out all of them kicked well."
Gruzwalski has moved ahead of sophomore Andy Christofferson (Novi) and freshman Chris Stoffel (Essexville/Garber).
Any of the three could end up handling the kickoff duties.
The other two-thirds of the Chippewa kicking crew appears in solid hands with junior Brian Brandt (Wausau, Wis./West) handling the punting and sophomore Josh Reardon (Sturgis) the long-snapping drills.
Brandt averaged 40.1 yards a boot last season to become the first CMU punter in more than 30 years to averaged over 40 yards. He also had 25 punts downed inside the 20.
"Brian is a tremendous competitor," DeBord said. "I never have to get on him because he's so hard on himself. Usually, I have to try and pick him up.
"He's a guy who has great standards of excellence for himself. He really understands the mechanics of punting."
One of the biggest surprises of fall drills has been the improved punting of sophomore quarterback Grant Arnoldink (Holland/West Ottawa). "He's become an outstanding punter," DeBord said. "It's hard to believe how far he's come."
Reardon had a solid rookie season in 2001 as CMU's long snapper, and DeBord is counting on more of the same this fall.
"He's focused on being consistent," DeBord said.
***The Chippewas have eliminated or reduced greatly a couple of afternoon practices in order to get their "legs" back for the first game on Thursday, August 29, against Sam Houston State University at home at 7:30 p.m.
Two-a-days drills are slated to end on Friday as CMU begins its preparation for the Bearkats. SHSU was 10-3 in 2001, and made it to the second round of the Division 1AA playoffs.
***CMU opens the season with two home games for the first time since 1993 when it lost to Akron (23-13) and defeated Ohio (38-0). The Chippewas host Wyoming on Sept. 7 at 1 p.m., before hitting the road for games at Akron (Sept. 14), Indiana (Sept. 21) and Boston College (Sept. 28). CMU then begins a string of seven straight Mid-Amertican Conference clashes at home against Bowling Green on Oct. 12.
