Like NDSU, EIU possesses talent – but CMU’s ready

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Editor’s note: Senior Reporter Brian Manzullo breaks down Thursday’s football opener against Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

QUARTERBACKS

Junior Dan LeFevour enters his third year as CMU’s starter after already setting career records in yards of total offense, passing yards, completed passes and touchdown passes. Junior Bodie Reeder, a transfer from Wyoming, threw 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first year as a starter.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Reeder’s got talent, but LeFevour is on a different level.

RUNNING BACKS

Seniors Ontario Sneed and Justin Hoskins both are coming off injury-plagued offseasons, which may pave way for sophomore Carl Volny. Junior Ron Jordan starts his first game as tailback for the Panthers after rushing for 257 yards on 44 carries last season.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. The Chippewas have health issues at the position, but so does EIU, with Florida transfer Chevon Walker doubtful.

CMU OFFENSIVE LINE VS. EIU DEFENSIVE LINE

Senior Andrew Hartline returns to lead a CMU offensive line that generally gave LeFevour his space last season. The line faces a challenge in EIU senior Pierre Walters, a returning All-American right end who recorded a team-leading four sacks last season.

ADVANTAGE: Even. The Panthers have speed on their line that could put up a challenge against CMU.

EIU OFFENSIVE LINE VS. CMU DEFENSIVE LINE

Four juniors lead an EIU line that will include at least two new starters from last season. The unit gave up 10 sacks in 12 games last year. CMU loses a leader in tackle Steven Friend, but returns senior Casey Droscha inside and ends Frank Zombo and Larry Knight.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Even without Friend, the line should get stronger this season, especially at the ends.

CMU WIDE RECEIVERS VS. EIU SECONDARY

Junior Bryan Anderson and sophomore Antonio Brown lead the Chippewas’ wideouts after breakout seasons last year. Sophomore cornerback Rashad Haynes (five interceptions) and senior safety Ke’Andre Sams (67 tackles) lead EIU’s secondary.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Expect Anderson and Brown to start the season strong.

EIU WIDE RECEIVERS VS. CMU SECONDARY

Senior Alicus Nozinor (37 receptions, 367 yards) returns as EIU’s most experienced wideout. Two-year starter Josh Gordy and junior Eric Fraser lead CMU’s secondary that despite its struggles lose only Curtis Cutts from last year. Junior safety Chaz West is out because of a foot injury.

ADVANTAGE: Even. The Panthers are not imposing enough in the passing game to really take advantage of CMU’s biggest weak spot.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Expect the Panthers to avoid kicking to Brown, who dazzled as a kick returner for CMU last year. Sophomore Brett Hartmann will replace decorated punter Tony Mikulec this season. EIU senior Quinten Ponius returned one kickoff for a touchdown last season. Andrew Aguila made nine of his 14 field goal attempts, hitting his career long of 51 yards at Ball State.

ADVANTAGE: CMU. Andrew Aguila should get better as kicker, and Brown will no doubt be a force in the return game.

COACHING

Second-year coach Butch Jones returns after winning a Mid-American Conference championship in his first season at CMU. Bob Spoo, a 21-year veteran of EIU, has the Panthers competing at a Top-20 level virtually every year. He has a career record of 127-102-1 at EIU.

ADVANTAGE: Even. Jones may have the better-looking team and a championship, but Spoo holds his own as a veteran head coach.

PREDICTION

We have seen what Football Championship Subdivision opponents can do to Central (see North Dakota State last season), but in a season-opener at home, the Chippewas will not overlook this game. They learned their lesson and will not be embarrassed to open the season.

CMU 41, EIU 24