Central Michigan University Athletics
McCord Emerges as Big-Time Threat
9/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - You never know what's inside until you're tested, until your turn comes, until there is nobody else to defer to.
Ben McCord always had the talent, and the body. Now he's got the attitude. And the numbers.
McCord, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior tight end, made 10 catches for 147 yards - both career-bests - Saturday in Central Michigan's 30-27 overtime loss at Syracuse.
The Chippewas (1-2) head to East Lansing on Saturday to take on No. 2-ranked Michigan State (3-0). Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Chances are, the Spartans will be paying a good bit of attention to McCord, whose 306 yards (on 16 catches) through three games are the most for a Football Bowl Subdivision tight end.
"His preparation and his mentality have changed the past couple weeks and through the whole season and offseason he has had a very focused mindset," CMU tight ends coach Sherrone Moore said of McCord. "He's always had the talent and ability, it was just executing it on game day and he finally did that."
McCord entered the season with 26 receptions for 267 yards and four touchdowns in his career. He capped his breakout performance at Syracuse with a 27-yard touchdown reception with just 7 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
His 10 catches were the most by a tight end in CMU history, and he was named the John Mackey Tight End of the Week, an honor that goes to the nation's top tight end.
"I go out there, I don't think," McCord said. "God gave me the ability to play this game and I just want to play it for Him. So when I go on that field that's all I'm focused on, just playing well and playing for my lord and savior, and winning.
"With God on my side anything is possible and that's what I tell everybody."
McCord possesses an NFL-sized body and the ingredients to at least draw some looks from professional scouts. His combination of size and speed, plus his good hands, make him very difficult to defend. He's quicker and faster than most linebackers, bigger and stronger than most safeties.
Part of McCord's success has come simply from maturity. He is in his fifth year as a student-athlete, and is the only senior tight end on the roster.
"I'm the only senior in our group so I can't be joking around, I can't be like a freshman," he said. "Somebody really has to lead so I think it's a big role on me.
"Absolutely, I like to have fun, I'm always walking around with a smile on my face, but when it's time to cut that out and actually get down to work then it's time to get to work and that's just how I am every day."
