A new man

The Chippewas will not face last year’s Hiller on Saturday. The junior quarterback leads the Mid-American Conference with 2,046 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 68.2 percent of his passes. Despite little running ability – 35 total rushing yards thus far – Hiller averages more yards of total offense (297.3) than any other player in the conference. Expect Hiller to showcase his ability to take over games when he tries to snap CMU’s two-game winning streak in the rivalry.

Will he play?

LeFevour still is an offensive machine, leading the team in rushing yards and passing yards with 304 and 1,377 yards respectively. Plus, he ranks fourth in the conference with a pass efficiency of 135.7. But his right ankle injury last could affect his play Saturday. His ability to win games is no question, however; he is 16-2 in MAC play, including 2-0 against Western Michigan. He accounted for three of CMU’s four touchdowns in last year’s 34-31 victory in Kalamazoo.

All-purpose runner

West was second team All-MAC last season after setting the school record with 2,119 all-purpose yards, and leading the Broncos with 848 yards rushing and 906 kick return yards in 2007. The junior running back leads the Broncos with 666 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. West also is a threat in the receiving game with three receiving touchdowns, and is the conference leader in all-purpose yards with 1175. West had 72 yards rushing, including a 15-yard touchdown, against the Chippewas last season.

Lightning in a bottle

Brown leads the Chippewas with 854 all-purpose yards and 33 receptions. He is tied for the team lead with two receiving touchdowns and is averaging 22.5 yards per punt return. Last season Brown was named MAC Freshman of the Year, earned Freshman All-America honors from six different media outlets, and was All-MAC first team as a kick returner and was All-MAC second team as a receiver. In 2007 Brown was also the first player to catch 100 passes in school history. Brown had five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown last season versus the Broncos.

Looking for redemption

Simmons had to watch most of CMU’s 34-31 victory at Waldo Stadium last season on the sideline. He was ejected early for kicking former CMU linebacker Red Keith. But the senior wide receiver is back with vengeance this season, catching 53 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns – all MAC highs. Simmons strives on moderate gains rather than deep balls, his longest catch going for 28 yards, but will give defenders headaches with his ability to grab easy first downs.

Catching on quickly

It took a few games for Anderson to get going this season. He has amassed just 382 yards and two touchdowns on 28 catches. A shoulder injury also bothered him, keeping him out of CMU’s 27-25 win against Buffalo on Sept. 27. But after last weekend’s breakout performance against Temple (149 yards on eight catches), there is no reason to doubt the junior isn’t one of the MAC’s top receivers. His height and speed make him CMU’s biggest deep threat, something he showcased last season at WMU when he caught a 40-yard pass at the 1-yard line to set up the game-winning touchdown.

Secondary senior captain

Delmas has a team-leading 56 tackles and four interceptions and six passes defended. He has also recovered one fumble this season. The senior free safety’s four interceptions are tied for the conference lead as well. Delmas was a Second Team All-MAC selection last season as well as in 2005, and was named a team captain this season. He was also a second team Freshman All-American in 2005 as well. His 12 career interceptions is best among all active WMU players. Last season Delmas had eight tackles against the Chippewas.

Durable tackling machine

Bellore is first on the team with 57 tackles and tied for the conference lead with two forced fumbles. The youngest season captain for the Chippewas, Bellore has started every game he has played since his arrival at CMU. Last season Bellore was third on the team in tackles with 102. This season, he leads the Chippewas with 57 tackles in six games, and has also forced two fumbles this year, and has had two pass break-ups. His 9.5 tackles-per-game is fourth in the MAC, while his 30 tackles in conference games is tied for third in the conference.

E-mail the author: Brian Manzullo and Justin Berndt