Wide receivers battle through injury; offense adjusts to new coaching


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Sean Proctor/Staff Photographer

Kito Poblah will be the first one to tell you: Ryan Radcliff throws the football hard.

But Poblah and almost all of the other members of CMU’s receiving corps just wish they could get back on the field to get accustomed to it.

The wide receiver position was largely decimated by injury during spring practice, hindering the ability of Radcliff and the rest of the quarterbacks’ ability to find their favorite targets.

“There’s not been a lot of continuity at wideout for the quarterbacks,” said CMU coach Dan Enos. “It’s been frustrating for them and our coaching staff — It’s tough for them to get comfortable. But they have done a pretty good job learning the system.”

In addition to Poblah, CMU’s likely No. 1 receiver who will sit out Saturday’s spring game with a left ankle injury, receivers Taylor Bradley (unspecified), Matt Torres (hamstring) and Cornelius Gallon (hamstring) have battled injuries in the past few weeks.

“I’m mad by just watching in practice,” Poblah said. “It’s just a good time for the younger guys to step up. I’ve been coaching and helping out the younger guys and, hopefully, they can showcase themselves and their potential to the fans.”

Wide receivers coach Terry Samuel said there is only one way receivers are able to develop.

“There’s nothing that really beats experience — they have to get out there and play,” he said.

Along with becoming accustomed to the new coaching staff’s demands, the receivers also must replace two of the most accomplished players at the position in school history — Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson. However, CMU returns 12 players at the position from last season’s roster.

“One thing that I did learn is that wide receivers have to make plays,” said sophomore Jerry Harris. “It’s not supposed to be a drop-off between the ones and the twos. It’s important to take reps and know what you’re doing at all times.”

Poblah, whose 53 catches, 681 yards and four touchdowns ranked third on the team last season, said he is ready to step in at the No. 1 spot.

“I’ve been waiting for the chance,” Poblah said. “I was here with Bryan Anderson and Antonio, two great receivers. I was always waiting for my time and it’s come.”

Samuel said he has refrained from praising the group too much because it still is fighting through fatigue — which he said a receiver must overcome during games.

“What they’re learning is, if you’re going to catch the ball five or six times a game, you’re going to be tired,” Samuel said. “You have to run that route the same as you did in the first quarter in the fourth quarter.”

RUNNING BACKS/0-LINE

With an offense geared more toward the running game, backfield members have embraced the new philosophy.

Tim Phillips has moved back to the position after a short stint on defense last season, helping to fill the void left by second-leading rusher Bryan Schroeder, who left the team in January.

“I think I’m a natural running back at heart, so it’s just like coming home,” Phillips said. “... But in this game of football, the next guy has to step in. Competition is everywhere.” Enos said Phillips, Paris Cotton, Zurlon Tipton and Carl Volny, out with a shoulder injury, are the main players to watch.

“We’re running the ball more — it’s keeping the offensive line happy and us happy,” Cotton said. “It’s a different pace from last year — we’re grinding it out.”

Said running backs coach Kort Shankweiler: “The running backs have done a good job. They’ve had to learn an entirely different system. Not a lot of it carries over from what they’ve done in the past. A lot of the emphasis has been on learning.”

Injuries to offensive linemen Jeff Maddux and Jake Olson have kept them out all spring, leaving some gaps for younger players to make their mark.

“(Sophomore Matt) Kanitz, (sophomore Mike) Repovz and (redshirt freshman Aaron) Kaczmarksi have been kind of like the new kids on the block,” Enos said. “I wouldn’t say they surprised us, but we were hoping they’d have some ability and toughness and they’ve proved it.”

Said Radcliff: “We’ve got some periods when we work on blitzes, and they’re doing a heck of a job picking them up.”

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