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The double threat

Quarterback Dan LeFevour would be in the running for Mid-American
Conference Player of the Year if it weren’t for Northern Illinois’
Garrett Wolfe. LeFevour has done it with his legs and his arm. He leads
the MAC in touchdown passes with 17, and also has rushed for 297 yards
and five touchdowns. The Broncos must keep their eyes on him at all
times, and if they hope to stop tailback Ontario Sneed and let LeFevour
beat them, he just might.

Finding his groove

Sophomore tailback Ontario Sneed was a non-factor in CMU’s first
seven games this season. In the last two he has rushed for 269 yards
and two touchdowns, and also has caught 10 passes for 127 yards and
three touchdowns. Western’s rush defense is only giving up 73.4 yards
per game, so if CMU can get Sneed going it will open up the entire
offense. If he struggles, more pressure will be placed on the shoulders
of the freshman LeFevour.

Get your motor running

He is not on pace to record 16 sacks again, but when healthy, Dan
Bazuin is the best defensive player in the conference. A knee injury
Sept. 23 has slowed him, but he is back at 100 percent. His ability to
rush the passer and draw double teams opens up more for junior
defensive tackle Steven Friend and opposite end Mike Ogle. WMU’s Mark
Bonds is averaging more than 100 yards per game rushing, but hasn’t
gone against a rush defense as good as CMU’s. Letting Bazuin wreak
havoc early could make for a long day for the Broncos’ offense.

Best foot forward

The last time these teams met at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, a field goal
by walk-on kicker Ronnie Budd was the difference. And it could come
down to that again. This time the

pressure falls on sophomore Rick Albreski. He is

8-of-13 on field goal attempts this season, but went through a slump
where he missed four

consecutive kicks. Also key is kickoff placement. WMU’s Brandon West
is a big-play return man and must not get the ball where he can bust it
for a big return.

Back for redemption

Quarterback Ryan Cubit’s career has been plagued by injuries and
inconsistency, but he can erase all that by beating the Chippewas. He
was the quarterback in the 2004 loss and watched last year’s win from
the sideline. If Mark Bonds can’t get the running game on track, Cubit
will be forced to make plays. He has 11 touchdowns this season and
seven interceptions. He is not mobile and the offensive line has to
play its best to keep him upright.

Breaking the ‘Bonds’

Mark Bonds must have a big game if the Broncos are going to have a
chance. In their only MAC loss to Ohio, Bonds was held to 64 yards and
no touchdowns. He is averaging more than 100 yards per game this season
and has seven rushing touchdowns. He is a power back who also can break
the big run. If Bonds gets on track, Western’s offense is more
versatile and opens up more for Cubit in the passing game.

Know where he is

Junior cornerback Londen Fryar leads the MAC in interceptions with
five, including one returned for a touchdown. But he can’t cover
everyone, and CMU has shown it likes to spread the ball around.
Whomever Fryar matches up on will be in for a fight and LeFevour can’t
make a mistake on his side of the field. Turnovers always prove costly
in rivalry games, and Fryar is a player that can help shift momentum in
a heartbeat.

Menace to the quarterback

Senior linebacker Ameer Ismail is one player that cannot go
unblocked. And even when he is blocked, he still finds a way to make a
play. Ismail leads the nation in sacks with 15 including a six-sack
game against Ball State. He had two sacks in last season’s win against
CMU and he will be attached to Dan LeFevour all game. CMU’s offensive
line must account for him on every down and LeFevour can’t get careless
with the football.

Compiled by senior reporter Nathan Mueller