The kickoff time for next Friday’s regular season finale was just announced yesterday. Game time is 2:00 pm ET. What hasn’t been determined is which Central Michigan team (3-8) will show up. Will it be the team that took pre-season MAC favorite Temple into overtime before losing by three or the CMU squad that missed a two-point conversion that would have given them an upset over Navy last Saturday? Or will it be the Chippewas who lost to Ball State, Miami and Bowling Green, all at Kelly/Shorts stadium?
One thing’s for sure, first year CMU head coach Dan Enos’s squad is having a rough season highlighted by a six-game losing streak running from late September through the month of October. This performance has been anything but expected for last year’s MAC Champions.
The Chippewas on Offense:
Injuries along the offensive line have resulted in a shuffling of players and positions. Losing two starting left tackles and a right guard for the season will have that effect. The impact of these loses on the Chippewas running and passing games have been significant. The Chips have rushed for just 1,206 while allowing 32 sacks.
A bright spot for CMU is the play of first year starter QB Quarterback Ryan Radcliff. He has surpassed the 3,000 yard mark in passing yardage completing 59.5% of his throws. He is coming off a superb game against Navy, completing 36 of 58 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Radcliff’s favorite target is WR Cody Wilson, who has 73 receptions for 1,028 yards and 5 TDs. The Radcliff-to-Wilson connection lit up Navy’s secondary to the tune of 13 catches for 126 yards. Five other receivers have between 20 and 38 catches each. Tight end David Blackburn has 20 catches including three for TDs.
Jr. RB Paris Cotton (5’9”, 179#) is the top rusher with a 4.7 ypr and a team-leading six TDs. RBs Carl Volny (5.1 ypr) and Zurlon Tipton (3.8 ypr) back up Cotton. As a team, the Chips are ranked 105th in rushing.
The Chippewas on Defense:
The leaders of the Chip’s D are LBs Matt Berning and Nick Bellore, the top two tacklers. Berning has 13.5 TFL and a team high four sacks.
The Chips defensive unit has tallied 20 sacks, only two less than the Rockets. They have been, however, susceptible to giving up big plays. Their red zone defense has been suspect as well giving up points 81% of the time. Losing a starting CB also hurt the secondary.
Chippewas on Special Teams:
Cody Wilson is a sure handed punt return player. Zurlon Tipton and Kito Poblah handled kickoff returns averaging 20+ yards per return. Brett Hartmann has a solid 40.1 ypp average. He also handles kickoffs putting 27% of them into the end zone for touchbacks.
David Hartman is the third field goal kicker used this season. He’s 8 for 11 making all of his field goals inside of forty yards out.
CMU kickoff coverage is better that their punt return coverage.
What to look for:
• Cody Wilson to be used on the jet sweep or WR reverse
• A fake punt by CMU . . . and possibly by the Rockets
• Multiple sacks by the Rockets
• Rockets needing 27+ points for the win
• The game to be decided in the fourth quarter, one that has favored CMU this year
• Eric Page to have a at least one punt return of more than 10 yards
• At least one INT for the Rockets
• Rockets defense will limit the Chips running game making them primarily a passing team similar to BG
• Rockets to have a good ground game
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live coverage on ESPN3 on your PC or MAC.
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com Audio also available on the Rocket Sports Network (WJMO-AM 1300 Cleveland and WDTW-AM 1310 Detroit).
Kickoff at 2:07 pm (ET)
Weather Forecast:
Chilly and sunny with high of 33° (feels like 16°); N winds of 16 mph with gusts to 32 mph. Bundle up with spirit and a few close friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment