2008 IS A “UNIQUE YEAR” FOR MULES
FOOTBALL!
Not since the days of Todd Devoe and Dennis Gile has there been so
much excitement about the potential of the Mules offense. The
excitement is the result of new offensive coordinator, Charlie
Stubbs, the unique system he has brought in, and the personnel he
has to use in that system.
While the offense is going to stretch the field this fall, the
defense is also unique in that there may be a potential All-American
on the line, at LB, and in the secondary. John Wood, Adrian
Singletary, and Randy Shepherd look to give opposing offenses fits
on the field.
The Mules coaching staff itself is unique in that there is a head
coach, an assistant head coach, two offensive coordinators, two
defensive coordinators, and a myriad of position coaches, graduate
assistants, and volunteers. Never before has there been so much
firepower on the sidelines.
What is especially unique is that the Mules host seven home games in
2008. It’s a safe bet to say that Central will likely be a leader
in attendance again. While attendance is great for revenue, I have
a feeling the coaches and players would rather have a loud crowd
than a large one. With that being said, the university is taking
steps to make attendance at home games even more exciting.
A new and unique student booster group
has been formed, called “Roaring Red” whose benefits for membership
are so worthwhile that any student on campus that does not
participate would be thought well...let’s just say there’s FREE
FOOD! Students should
check it out!
In a year when many fans are saying there is no Delanie Walker-type
player, no Todd Devoe, no Roderick Green, no Colston Weatherington;
in other words, no future NFL type talent; Head Coach Willie Fritz
is saying that there are several players who are, pardon the
expression, “unique”, in that they are among the best in Division II
Football.
In his pre-season assessment, Coach Fritz has highlighted defensive
standouts Shepherd, Singletary, Wood, and offensive threat Glenn
Milner. Milner is unique in that he is a former fullback, who still
possesses fullback size, playing tailback.
I tend to agree with Coach Fritz’s assessment. I also believe the
Mules have about as much depth as I’ve ever seen. Does that mean
this is “The Year”? Will the Mules win the MIAA Title outright?
Will they head to the post-season and win a game or two? Is this a
potential National Championship team?
There are a handful of teams in this, the toughest conference in
Division II Football, that will have something to say about that;
but I wouldn’t bet against Central in 2008. It’ll be nice to fly
under the radar for a change and surprise some folks. Go Mules! |
I feel there are plenty of reasons for University of
Central Missouri (UCM) football fans to be optimistic when the team
takes the field at Walton Stadium on Thursday night against
Minnesota State. First of all, it is the beginning of the football
season and if you're not fired up about that, there's a problem.
Adding to opening night, the Mules will be trying to avenge their
season-opening loss in Mankato from last season.
The second reason Mules fans have to be excited is
that the Mules return 23 players who started at least one game on
offense or defense last year. Head coach Willie Fritz and his staff
have been busy recruiting players that should make an impact on this
year's team.
A third reason that fans should be excited is the way
the schedule sets up for this season. The Mules will play seven of
their 11 games inside the friendly confines of Walton Stadium. I
believe this will be the toughest schedule the Mules have faced in
recent memory. There are no easy wins on the schedule. Minnesota
State and Arkansas Tech will provide the toughest competition in the
non-conference that I can remember. These games should go a long
way toward preparing UCM for the always rugged MIAA. The conference
schedule will even be tougher this year with the addition of
Nebraska-Omaha, a perennial playoff team.
The fourth reason UCM fans have to be optimistic is
the 1-2 punch at running back of senior Glenn Milner and junior
Anthony Stewart. This duo should provide some balance within the
offense. They have a combination of speed and power that should
help keep defenses off-balance.
Besides the running backs, there were two position
groups that jumped out at me during one of the Mules scrimmages; the
defensive line and the receivers. The defensive line has the talent
to be the best group at UCM in quite a while. Senior John Wood will
anchor the defensive line from the "Hammer" position. Wood will
have an opportunity to play on Sundays next year. Junior Layne
Kreter will man the other defensive end position. Senior Tyler Nay
will play nose guard. Senior Derek Lampkin will handle the
defensive tackle position. This group’s experience and aggressive
style helped them make play after play.
They may also compare favorably to the 2002 starting
defensive line made up of Roderick Green, Tom Flick, Dan Spencer and
Tim Urich. The rest of the defense will also be solid, but I think
the success of the defense will be dependent on the front four's
ability to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and put pressure
on the quarterback.
Whoever wins the UCM quarterback battle will have a
plethora of receiving targets to choose from. I expect seniors
Damond Berry and Edgar Givens, junior Tim Richmond along with
sophomore Adam Parks to do the majority of the pass catching. This
group could be the best since Todd Devoe, Don Robinson and Nate
Thomas in 2002. The current group of Mule receivers could be better
based on the fact that this year's group has more depth.
One more interesting thing to watch this season will
be the debut of the Mules new offense. This offense has a lot of
motion and misdirection involved along with a variety of
formations. I saw a lot of screens, draws, and quarterback
rollouts. This offense is similar to the one that the Mules new
Offensive Coordinator Charlie Stubbs ran at Louisville. I believe
that this offense will take advantage of the many different skill
position players that the Mules have this year.
Scouting
Minnesota State
MSU is led by first-year head coach Todd Hoffner.
The Mavericks will run a multiple pro offense and a 4-3 defense.
They return seven starters on each side of the ball and a holder and
punter on special teams. The Mavericks finished 5-6 last year in the
North Central Conference. Minnesota State will be a part of the
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference this year.
The Mavericks will feature a new starting quarterback
this year in junior Ryan Fick. Fick only attempted 11 passes last
year, completed four, one for a touchdown. Senior Donte Shackelford
is the leading returning rusher for MSU with 192 yards and three
touchdowns. The Mavericks leading returning receiver senior Damian
Turner snared 60 catches for 790 yards and two touchdowns and junior
Chris Nowlin added 52 catches for 822 yards and six touchdowns.
The MSU defense is led by senior linebacker Blake
Freese who registered 82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and one
interception. Junior defensive end Randy Earl sacked the
quarterback 10 times last year.
Keys to the Game
I think the first and most important key to winning
this game, is winning the turnover take away margin. The second key
is controlling the line of scrimmage on both the sides of the ball.
Third, is how quickly the Mules can get over the first game jitters
and just settle down and play good football.
I think the Mules could be a factor in the conference
race. The schedule sets up with seven home games. UCM returns a
lot of players who saw significant playing time last year. This
could be a special year in the history of Mules Football.
Now, the students, alumni and other Mules fans need
to step-up and pack Walton
Stadium for every home game to really use home-field
advantage. We need to make some noise and make it difficult for
opposing teams to play in the stadium. I challenge the fans to go
to games, bring a friend and make a ton of noise in support of the
Mules!! Will YOU be a part of what could be the most special season
in the history of Mules Football? |
by Bill Steinke
by David Rohrbach
