Central Michigan University Athletics
Meet the BUBs
11/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2003
By Fred Stabley Jr.
Sports Information Director
They're big, they're tough and they've spent much of their athletic careers in anonymity.
Who are we talking about?
The BUBs, that's who.
That's as in Big Ugly Bellies!
Better known as the offensive line, this unit for the Central Michigan University football team has long been one of the most productive for the Chippewas. The same goes in 2003.
"I felt for a couple of years now that we have one of the top two or three lines in the Mid-American Conference," said CMU head coach Mike DeBord. "The stats back that up. We're among the MAC leaders in rushing and we're among the tops in fewest quarterback sacks allowed.
"The offensive line is well coached, works hard at technique, and is a group of tough, dedicated young men."
Harold Goodwin is the Chippewa line coach, a stern taskmaster in his fourth year with the Maroon and Gold.
A big man himself, Goodwin has to look up to this year's starting offensive line that averages 6-5 a man and weighs in at a solid 304 pounds.
CMU is third in the MAC in rushing with 183.2 yards per game and is tied for second in QB sacks allowed with just 12. In 2002, the Chippewas were fifth in rushing (206.1) and second in sacks allowed (14).
The anchor, and a large one at that, is 6-5, 315-pound Derek McLaughlin, the lone senior. The Berrien Springs product, a 3.65 student majoring in education, has made 35 straight starts.
"Derek is the leader of the group," said DeBord. "He sets the expectations for the offensive line, and he's demanding. He takes great pride in that group and is playing at a championship level. He's an All-MAC player."
The Chippewas feature a pair of bookend tackles in 6-7, 320-pound Adam Kieft and 6-7, 297-pound Jeff Jenerou.
Kieft has started 28 games in his career since coming to Mount Pleasant from Rockford High. "Adam has improved every year," DeBord said. "He continues to learn to play at a high level of intensity. He has great size and athletic ability."
Jenerou hails from Manistique and has been a Chippewa starter 11 times in his career.
"Jeff has been battling injuries this season which has led to some inconsistent play," DeBord said. "But, he's a tough football player because he's playing when many others wouldn't even try. He's getting better and will continue to do so."
The "quarterback" on the line is junior center Eric Ghiaciuc, a 6-3, 295-pounder from Oxford. He was the starter last season, as well.
"Eric is a smart football player who has to coordinate the blocking schemes on the line," DeBord said. "He's been playing well and has a lot of ability."
The "baby" of the group, if a guy who stands 6-4 and weights 290 can be called that, is redshirt freshman right guard Drew Mormino. Drew is product of Buffalo Grove, Ill., where he attended Stevenson High.
"We would prefer not playing someone as a redshirt freshman," DeBord explained. "But, Drew is so athletic, tough, and intelligent that it allows him to play and play well for us. He has a very bright future."
CMU loses only McLaughlin from this unit for the 2004 season which means the Chippewas should be solid up front again. Waiting in the wings hoping to win that post are current BUBs Desmond Harris (6-4, 330, freshman), Eric Karbowski (6-3, 286, redshirt freshman), Brandon Pitzer (6-3, 285, junior), and Dean Zarafonetis (6-4, 310, sophomore).
