It did not take long for Mark Dietz to accomplish something no CMU defender had done in three years.

Injured senior nose guard Casey Droscha worked with the junior defensive lineman prior to the team’s Nov. 1 game at Indiana, hoping Dietz, a junior college transfer, could fill his role as a playmaker on the front line.

The result was a three-sack performance that earned Dietz Mid-American Conference West Defensive Player of the Week honors.

“Casey coached me all week, this and that, and that helped me out a lot,” Dietz said. “I felt like my quickness was the main reason why I was able to disrupt their (offensive linemen).”

Two of his sacks came on third down, forcing the Hoosiers to punt both times in CMU’s 37-34 win.

His increased role on the defensive line especially impressed coach Butch Jones.

“He played with real good technique, low pad level, came off the ball – he had a mentality to get to the quarterback,” Jones said. “And he was able to win his one-on-one matchup.

“The game of football comes down to individuals winning their one-on-one matchups and he was able to do that.”

A winding road

Dietz played against junior quarterback Dan LeFevour in high school and got his start as a player at two colleges before coming to CMU last season.

He earned all-state first team honors as a senior defensive lineman and running back at St. Patrick High School in Chicago. He played against conference foe Benet Academy, where LeFevour played, several times.

Dietz began his collegiate career at Joliet Junior College, also where junior offensive lineman Joe McMahon got his start, in 2006. There, Dietz led the team with 58 tackles and collected all-conference and all-first team awards.

He transferred to the University of Minnesota the following season as a walk-on. But he had problems with the Golden Gophers from the get-go when they wanted him to play middle linebacker.

“I didn’t get along with my coaches too well,” Dietz said. “Mostly the state, I just didn’t care for it too much, so I came back around here.”

Dietz then called LeFevour, who influenced him to transfer to the CMU football team. He did so just weeks after leaving Minnesota.

Dietz sat out the 2007 season because of transfer requirements before earning playing time this season. He used the time to study under leaders on the defensive line, including Droscha.

“He’s learning how to study film and turn that around on gameday,” Droscha said. “To be successful, that’s what you have to do to be big time – spend time in the film room, and he’s definitely been in there with us. He’s coming along well.”

Dietz played in all nine games this season, recording 12 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss and two pass break-ups.

Droscha said Dietz stands out with his footwork and spin moves, some of the best on the line.

“He’s definitely a pass rusher type of guy, and he’s slowly becoming better and better at the run,” he said. “Personality-wise he doesn’t complain, he puts his nose down, works hard. And it’s starting to show on game day.”

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E-mail the author: Brian Manzullo