Three things Blake Serpa's latest injury means for the Central Michigan football team


serpa

Senior defensive end Blake Serpa (Courtesy photo)

During a session with reporters following practice Monday, Central Michigan University Football Head Coach John Bonamego said senior defensive end Blake Serpa will miss the Chippewas 2015 opener against Oklahoma State on Thursday. 

"The only guy that won't be available this first game will be (Serpa)," Bonamego said. "He's coming back from a knee injury and then he just injured a hamstring, so it'll be another week for Blake." 

Here are three things the loss of Serpa on the defensive line means for CMU: 

1. A weakened pass rush 

Serpa has made a name for himself at Kelly/Shorts Stadium by busting through the line of scrimmage and bringing down opposing quarterbacks last season. Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph could have extra time to let his team's vertical game plan develop and burn a thin CMU secondary down the field. 

2. Less leadership on the line 

Junior Joe Ostman suddenly becomes the leader of CMU's up-front defensive unit on game day. In Serpa's absence, position coach George Ricumstrict will likely rely on Ostman to be a solid communicator with CMU's linebackers and the rest of the D-Line while OSU audibles at the line of scrimmage. Luckily for CMU, Ostman emulates many of the same leadership qualities Serpa presents both on and off the field. 

3. Deja Vu all over again 

Serpa led CMU in sacks last season despite battling a lingering knee injury. Hamstring issues typically don't sideline players for extended periods of time, but Bonamego and the CMU coaching staff is clearly not taking any chances when it comes to their top defensive lineman's health. Assuming nothing is torn or severely pulled, Serpa could be back in the lineup for CMU's week two matchup with Monmouth. 

CMU opens the season against Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. 

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About Dominick Mastrangelo

Dominick Mastrangelo is the Editor in Chief of Central Michigan Life. Contact him at: editor@cm-life.com 

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