Football Notebook: Nursing injuries, improved rushing and understanding the rivalry
Football Head Coach John Bonamego talks to reporters after football practice on Oct. 25 at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
As the rivalry game approaches between Western and Central Michigan, head coach John Bonamego described the teams preparation as a submarine coming to the surface of the water.
“They open the hatch and the guys walk around for 15 minutes and then they go back in and go underwater for a month,” Bonamego said. “It’s kind of what it is for us. It’s not even a full bye week.”
Coming off a 56-9 victory over Ball State last Saturday, here is a look into the top storylines out of CMU football (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) practice this week.
Nursing injuries
According to Bonamego, there aren't any new injuries this week, but there are multiple players battling "nagging" injuries.
Seniors Mark Chapman, Amari Coleman and Tyler Conklin, plus juniors Malik Fountain and Alex Briones were amongst the players that Bonamego listed as not practicing fully.
“It’s not like these guys are really injured to the point of missing time, its more like a spring practice,” Bonamego said. “It gives us a chance to work with some of the younger guys.”
Bonamego said most teams deal with multiple injuries throughout the season.
“I think everyone is in the same boat at this time of the year,” Bonamego said. “It is just a part of football at this level, you just have to be able to endure through it.”
WMU will be without its starting quarterback, redshirt sophomore Jon Wassink, who broke his collarbone last Saturday against Eastern Michigan.
Bonamego believes the Broncos' replacement, true freshman Reece Goddard, has a different style of play, but doesn't believe their game plan will change very much.
“The good thing for (Goddard) is he has a lot of talent around him and I’m sure he will utilize it,” Bonamego said. “They have an excellent offensive line and two of the better backs in our conference. Running the ball and playing good defense has been their formula to winning.”
Improved running game
The Chippewas are coming off their best rushing performance of the season, totaling 256 yards and three touchdowns on the ground against the Cardinals.
While sophomore Jonathan Ward led the team in rushing 13 carries for 97 yards and two scores, fellow sophomore tailback Romello Ross had his best game of the season, tallying 83 yards in 15 carries.
“I think we have a nice rotation at (running back) and they do a nice job,” Bonamego said. “What (Ross) did was when Jonathan (Ward) needed a breather, he came in and shinned. That is what players do, you never know when your opportunity will be called and you will either shine or wilt and he shinned.”
Redshirt freshman Kumehnnu Gwilly was the third running back in the “rotation” Bonamego mentioned, as he added 48 yards on just six carries with a touchdown.
Understanding the rivalry
Senior defensive end Joe Ostman, who currently leads the nation with 10 sacks, said the WMU game is the most important one on CMU's schedule.
“They have gotten us the past couple of years and were excited to go back to Waldo Stadium,” Ostman said. “We have business left that needs to be taken care of.”
The Broncos have won the past three games in the series, including the 49-10 blowout a season ago at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Broncos went on to win the MAC Championship and play in the Cotton Bowl.
Transfer quarterback Shane Morris may have arrived on CMU’s campus for the first time this summer, but Bonamego believes he understands the importance of this game.
“I think he compares it a little bit to the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, which is a good analogy,” Bonamego said. “This is a little different with the intrastate due to recruiting and such.
“However, everyone who plays here is aware of the rivalry because we talk about it in the locker room and I touch on it in training camp. These guys in the program are acutely aware of it.”
