CMU originally was expecting to sign six scholarship players – the result of four departing seniors, freshman Tyler Brown’s departure early last season and a leftover spot from Jacolby Hardiman’s dismissal after the 2008-09 season.

“Quite obviously, it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that the numbers don’t add up,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. “I think in kindness (to) the guys on the current roster, I will refrain from saying who or what will be happening until we finish this semester.”

Adding size

Andre Coimbra, a 6-foot-9-inch, 222-pound Brazilian forward who spent two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, signed to play with the Chippewas over Missouri-Kansas City.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Coimbra averaged 6.5 points, a team-high 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for NEO last season.

“He brings an athleticism and skill to our frontcourt depth,” Zeigler said. “He has the ability to score and he’s a very good passer as well.

“I think for us, he could a bigger version of (former center) Marcus Van and (center) Will McClure, but with a better ability to shoot the ball from the outside.”

NEO coach Dustin Grover said Coimbra was a defensive force who still can develop his offensive game.

“Although he’s got a bunch of offensive skill, I don’t think he ever really got too comfortable offensively with us,” Grover said. “But defensively, he dominated some games by just being able to block shots and rebound.”

Grover said he heard about Coimbra from a friend in Brazil. Within weeks, Coimbra had signed with NEO.

“The only real contact he and I ever had before he got here was through e-mail,” Grover said. “His English skills were limited when he first got to the United States. He’s gotten a lot better since he got here. It’s been kind of an interesting ride.”

Coimbra and point guard Paris Paramore, who signed Monday out of Triton College (Ill.), will be the only two scholarship juniors for CMU next season.

Big class

Zeigler and assistant coach Darren Kohne, who is CMU’s recruiting coordinator, said this class is the largest they can remember.

ESPN and Scout.com also have ranked it No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference.

“This is the largest recruiting class I think I’ve been associated with,” Kohne said. “If this produces a couple of all-conference players and conference player of the years, then I think the hype is justified. But right now it’s just prediction and hype and potential.”

Said Zeigler: “When I look at this group in totality, they all come from winning situations and definitely fit our system and our philosophy of ‘Think Tough, Be Tough.’ “

Back-to-back MAC West Division titles and a new Events Center, where CMU hosts its first game Dec. 1 against Temple, has sparked new interest in a program that has only four winning seasons in the past 31 years.

“In a program that’s at an all-time low, somebody’s got to step in and change things,” said former CMU guard Jordan Bitzer. “That’s exactly what Coach Zeigler did the first day he came here.”

Andre Coimbra, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, has signed with Central Michigan. He is the second junior college player to sign with the Chippewas in as many days, joining Paris Paramore from Triton College (Ill.)

CMU assistant coach Kohne said he recruited Coimbra since November, when head coach Ernie Zeigler decided to find a post player to replace departing senior Chris Kellermann.

“Andre’s going to be a great addition for us,” Kohne said. “He’s an older, more mature kid who has two years at one of the most respected junior colleges in the country. He brings something we need to the table — he’s a long, strong, defensive rebounder.”

Coimbra, a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native, is the seventh and final piece of what many consider the Chippewas’ largest and top-ranked recruiting class in program history.

“This is the largest recruiting class I think I’ve been associated with,” Kohne said. “If this produces a couple of all-conference players and conference player of the years, then I think the hype is justified. But right now it’s just prediction and hype and potential.”

Coimbra averaged seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game last season for NEO and coach Dustin Grover. He chose CMU over Missouri-Kansas City.

CMU has not announced the departure of any players, but Coimbra’s scholarship was originally unavailable based on the team’s six available scholarships. The openings came from four departing seniors, freshman Tyler Brown’s departure early last season and one left over from last season’s abrupt underclassmen departures.

Kohne said that information will be released after exam week. Zeigler did not immediately return phone calls.

“We’re not commenting on that as a staff right now,” Kohne said. “We signed seven players, and that’s it.”

CMU’s incoming class

• F Andre Coimbra, 6-foot-9, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Jr.
• F Jevon Harden, 6-foot-8, Loyola High School, Detroit, Fr.
• G Derek Jackson, 6-foot, Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Fr.
• G Paris Paramore, 6-foot, Triton College (Ill.), Jr.
• C Nate VanArendonk, Grand Haven High School, Fr.
• F Colin Voss, East Grand Rapids High School, Fr.
• SG Trey Zeigler, Mount Pleasant High School, Fr.

Possible returning scholarship players/averages per game

• G Finis Craddock, 12.8 minutes, 2.2 points
• C Will McClure, 20.1 minutes, 3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 39 blocks
• G Amir Rashid, 21.6 minutes, 5.1 points
• F Zach Saylor. 4.3 minutes, 0.6 points
• C Marko Spica, 16.6 minutes, 7.3 points, 3 rebounds
• F Jalin Thomas, 26 minutes, 7.4 points, 5 rebounds
• G Antonio Weary, 23.4 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.6 rebounds

Paris Paramore, a 6-foot point guard who led Triton College (Ill.) to a 55-7 record during his two seasons, signed a National Letter of Intent to play at CMU on Monday.

“He’s a winner,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. “He’s a guy who had really good leadership skills throughout high school and college. He’s played in situations where he’s helped his teams win.”

Paramore’s 14.8 points and 4.7 assists per game led Triton, which finished 26-3 last season. He also added 5.1 rebounds per game. In 2008-09, Triton went 29-4 and did not lose a game in the North Central Community College Conference.

“I try to pick players up when they’re down and make sure they’re working hard,” Paramore said. “For the big men, if they’re running the floor, I like to reward them. It’s not all about scoring — I rebound a lot as well.”

Triton coach Steven Christiansen said Paramore is an unselfish contributor.

“Paris is just a really smart, solid player,” said Triton coach Steve Christiansen. “He does a lot of things on the floor that increases his team’s chances of winning. He’s just kind of always in the right spot making the play that needs to be made.”

Said CMU assistant coach Darren Kohne: “I think he’s very versatile — he’s a good shooter who shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from (3-point range) last season.

“He’s not a great athlete — very average athleticism. But he just has a desire and passion to win, which I think, in Coach Zeigler’s program, is ultimately the most important characteristic you can have.”

HIGH SCHOOL

As a prep player at Chicago’s George Washington High School, Paramore helped lead his team to back-to-back city championship games. His team lost both times against Simeon Career Academy, which was led by Derrick Rose, who now is a member of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls.

“The Chicago Public Schools are real tough,” Paramore said. “I think that played a good role in getting me to this point.”

Paramore’s George Washington teams also featured DeAndre Liggins, a guard at Kentucky and Kansas guard Mario Little.

Christiansen said Paramore chose the Chippewas over Eastern Michigan and Loyola.

“It’s going to be a real honor to represent the ‘C’ and be part of one of the top recruiting classes in Central history,” Paramore said.

‘GREAT DEPTH’

Paramore likely will compete with senior Amir Rashid next season for the starting position at point guard.

The Chippewas lose their starting backcourt and two leading scorers — Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman.
Incoming freshman Trey Zeigler is expected to start at shooting guard or small forward, but Ernie Zeigler said he expects practices to increase in intensity.

“(Paramore) allows us to have great depth in our backcourt, and he brings a competitiveness to the position as well,” Zeigler said. “We’re going to have the opportunity to have some very spirited and competitive practices that are going to help this team develop.”

“I told him that I’m going to have the opportunity to sack him twice a year now,” said Zombo, who played defensive end at CMU.

Zombo is one of three CMU football players who agreed to free-agent contracts with NFL teams after not being selected in last weekend’s NFL Draft. Wide receiver Bryan
Anderson ended up with the New England Patriots, while cornerback Josh Gordy signed Saturday night with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Each will have a chance to make their respective team’s 53-man roster.

“We did a lot of things as a senior class, we turned the program around and now there’s five guys representing that in the NFL right now — an even bigger task,” Gordy said of the five seniors, including LeFevour and receiver Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) who will have NFL opportunities. “That says a lot about the program — we’re
on the national stage now.”

PERFECT FIT

Gordy, who led CMU with three interceptions last season, said he turned down a more lucrative signing bonus from the Philadelphia Eagles to sign with Jacksonville.
He felt comfortable with the coaches, facilities and proximity — about a 4-hour drive — to his hometown of Warthen, Ga. But above all else, his chance to make the team took first billing.

“They only drafted six players in the entire draft, so that helps my chances a little bit,” Gordy said. “On the roster, there’s only six corners right now. A typical NFL roster usually has to carry at least seven or eight DBs. It’s a real positive right now.”

The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Gordy said the Jaguars were impressed with his performance at CMU’s Pro Day on March 24 and contacted him the next day. Gordy ran the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds, the fastest of any CMU player. He said not being invited to the NFL Combine in late February motivated him and made his Pro Day even
more important.

With all the pieces in place, Gordy said he feels confident he can find a spot on the final 53-man roster. Jacksonville ranked 27th in the NFL in pass defense last season, allowing 235.9 yards per game.

“I’m trying to get on every special team I can too, so wherever I can get in and help the team,” he said.

Gordy, a four-year starter who also led the Chippewas last season with 11 pass breakups, said the larger signing bonus was not worth the kind of opportunity the Jaguars offer.

“There was more potential — it’s something that money really can’t replace right now,” Gordy said.

NEW POSITION

Zombo said he won’t have much trouble adjusting from defensive end to outside linebacker at the professional level.

“I’ve had experience in drop-back coverage before and I’ve lost some weight since playing defensive end,” said the 6-foot-4, 252-pound Zombo. “I feel like I’m more athletic now and obviously with rushing the passer, it won’t be that much of a transition.

Zombo, a Sterling Heights native whose 6.5 sacks last season led CMU, said the Detroit Lions offered a spot in their camp as a tight end, but Green Bay presented a better opportunity.

He will sign a three-year contract Tuesday with a $3,500 signing bonus and reports to minicamp Thursday. He said he hopes to make a defensive squad that includes former CMU defensive end Cullen Jenkins.

“My family’s always kind of liked Brett Favre, especially in Green Bay,” Zombo said. “Growing up watching the Lions play Green Bay, it’s a winning tradition and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

JOINING THE PATRIOTS

Anderson will attempt to make a New England team that currently has 10 wide receivers on its roster.

CMU’s all-time leading receiver in yards (3,648) and touchdowns (28) joins a receiving corps that was bolstered by the selection of Ohio’s Taylor Price in the third round.

Anderson, who attended Rockford High School, also holds an NCAA record for consecutive games with a reception — catching a pass in 54 consecutive games

Anderson said via text message he was unavailable for comment before he reports to Foxboro, Mass., this week.

Bryan Anderson said Saturday via text message he has signed a deal with the New England Patriots and will report next week.

In New England, the 6-foot-5, 219-pound Rockford native joins a team that added fellow Mid-American Conference receiver Taylor Price (Ohio) with its third-round pick.

With Price’s pending signing, Anderson must make an impression amidst 10 other receivers.

Anderson’s 54 consecutive games with a reception is an NCAA record and his 3,648 receiving yards and 28 touchdown receptions rank first in CMU history.

Patriots depth chart at wide receiver

• Randy Moss (16 games, 83 catches, 1,264 yards, 13 TDs)
• Wes Welker (Injury status questionable, 14 games, 123 catches, 1,348 yards, four TDs)
• Julian Edelman (11 games, 29 catches, 404 yards, 5 TDs)
• David Patten (new acquisition/13th year in NFL)
• Torry Holt (new acquisition/11th year in NFL)
• Sam Aiken (14 games, 20 catches, 326 yards, 2 TDs)
• Brandon Tate (Played in one game last season after being drafted in 2009)
• Matthew Slater (Special teams player in third NFL season)
• Isaiah Stanback (6 games, 3 catches, 22 yards)
• Robert Ortiz (Signed before last season, no accumulated statistics)

Patriots’ 2010 NFL Draft selections
Round-pick Player
1-27                                    CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers)
2-42                                    TE Rob Gronkowski (Arizona)
2-53                                    DL Jermaine Cunningham (Florida)
2-62                                    LB Brandon Spikes (Florida)
3-90                                   WR Taylor Price (Ohio)
4-113                                  TE Aaron Hernandez (Florida)
5-150                                  P Zoltan Mesko (Michigan)
6-205                                 OL Ted Larsen (NC State)
7-208                                 OL Thomas Welch (Vanderbilt)
7-247                                 DE Brandon Deadrick (Alabama)
7-248                                 DL Kade Weston (Georgia)
7-250                                 QB Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State)

The 6-foot-4, 269-pound Zombo will attempt to make the team as an outside linebacker. He also received interest from the Detroit Lions as a tight end, but decided on the Packers after the draft concluded Saturday afternoon.

“The Lions invited me to their camp,” Zombo said. “But then when the draft was over we went with Green Bay.”

Zombo, who attended Sterling Heights Stevenson High School, reports to Green Bay’s minicamp on Thursday to begin workouts. He said he will sign the contract Tuesday, which includes a $3,500 signing bonus. It’s a three-year deal contingent on whether he is able to make the 53-man roster.

“The Green Bay deal was just more promising and I had a better chance of making the team,” he said. “Green Bay has a winning tradition.”

Zombo’s 25.5 career sacks ranks second in CMU history. His 6.5 sacks in 2009 ranked first on the team and his 45 tackles ranked seventh. He also returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown against Northern Illinois on Nov. 27.

Packers depth chart at outside linebacker:

• ROLB Clay Matthews (16 games, 50 tackles, 10 sacks)
• ROLB Brady Poppinga (15 games, 23 tackles, one sack)
• ROLB Rob Francois (no experience after one season)
• LOLB Brad Jones (14 games, 33 tackles, four sacks)
• LOLB Jeremy Thompson (six games, one tackle)
• LOLB Cyril Obiozor (five games, two tackles)

The Packers’ selections in the 2010 NFL Draft:
Round-pick      Position-Player-School
1-23                       OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowa)
2-56                      DE Mike Neal (Purdue)
3-71                       S Morgan Burnett (Georgia Tech)
5-154                    TE Andrew Quarless (Penn State)
5-169                    T/G Marshall Newhouse (TCU)
6-193                    RB James Starks (Buffalo)
7-230                   DE C.J. Wilson (East Carolina)

Unless, of course, your coach also is your father.

Ernie Zeigler never needed to say anything to let his son, Trey, know he was upset with the way he was playing during his high school basketball games.

Ernie just walked out.

“You know you’ve really done something wrong when he does that,” Trey said.

Ernie won’t have that option this fall, when Trey takes the court at the new Events Center as the highest-ranked recruit ever to suit up for the CMU men’s basketball team. But Trey still will feel the heat from his old man, especially early on, when those freshman growing pains are likely to occur.

“That won’t be a problem for him,” Ernie said. “It might be more of a problem for some of our other incoming guys than him. But I think the one thing I won’t be able to do is walk out of a game on him.”

And bumping heads might even cause friction if Trey was not so accustomed to Ernie’s occasional constructive criticism sessions.

“He’s been doing that since sixth or seventh grade,” Trey said. “Usually, it’s very quiet. If he walks out of the gym, that’s about as mad as he can get. He tries to not talk for like a day and, then, he’ll come the next day and we’ll talk about it. It brings us closer because he comes at me as a father, not just screaming and yelling at me. I think that’s the best part about it.”

It is what will make this commitment flourish. It’s a symbiotic relationship that is rare in today’s ‘me-first’ society.

Trey could have gone anywhere, but did not want to tell dad his program was not good enough. Instead, he wants to prove people wrong by taking CMU to the level of other mid-majors who reached national prominence in the NCAA Tournament, while also boosting his dad’s career and allowing his high school community to stay involved in his life as well.

“We were certainly in support of him wherever he went,” said MPHS Athletic Director Jim Conway. “But now, instead of trying to search on ESPN, we can drive across the street and watch him play. That’s wonderful for our basketball program and even our entire town.”

Ernie wants to take a hands-on approach to Trey’s continual personal and basketball development, as he always has no matter where his coaching career took the family.

“It’s been really special,” Ernie said. “We’ve lived to Saudi Arabia — he and I were over there alone and I was a single dad for about six months … We’ve done so many things together, and Trey’s always been with me even as I started as a high school coach. He was 2 or 3 years old and he was running around practice and we had to try to keep him off the floor.”

At the same time, it helps Ernie’s program take a giant leap forward and continue what players such as Giordan Watson, Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman started.

“You’re talking about one of the top recruits in the nation,” said Sam Taylor, Trey’s coach at Mount Pleasant High School. “If you’re not familiar with him, I think he’s the type of kid who can come in and make an impact right away.”

Under pressure

Before we anoint Trey as the “Dan LeFevour of basketball,” it is worth pointing out the different expectations each possessed when they committed to CMU.

LeFevour largely was unheralded. Although sparsely recruited by several Big Ten teams, most of his offers came from MAC schools.

Zeigler has been recruited by major programs such as Michigan State since his freshman year of high school, when he was the sixth man on the MPHS varsity team.

Whether Trey lives up to these expectations depends on a lot of factors — injury, his supporting cast and confidence. LeFevour, a late bloomer, built his high expectations on the collegiate level. Trey already built them in high school.

Still, Ernie insists, “All the pressure is going to be on me as the head coach, not our players.”

The timing was impeccable for this real-life drama, as Ernie likes to point out.

“Now, we’re about to see all of this come to fruition,” he said. “It’s great that all those lines could intersect and come together right here at Broomfield and Mission.”

With a few flicks of a pen Thursday morning at Mount Pleasant High School, Zeigler officially became the highest-rated high school player ever to sign with the Central Michigan basketball program.

His mother, Seantelle, sat by his side, but his father, Ernie, chose to stand on the side to watch his son sign the National Letter of Intent inside the school cafeteria. Ernie also was there as a basketball coach who just saw his CMU program reach heights that were nearly unthinkable when he was hired four years ago.

But this was about Trey — a prospect ranked as high as No. 26 overall, including No. 7 among shooting guards, in the country.

“This is his moment,” said Ernie as he backed away after delivering the paperwork.

CMU men's head basketball coach Ernie Zeigler wipes sweat from his forehead while waiting for his son Trey to finish signing paperwork to make his commitment to Central Michigan official. "He, like most guys, has to get better at a lot of things. His shooting is a thing he's going to have to improve, his free-throw shooting," Ernie said. "He's such a versatile player he brings a lot of things to the plate as well. How quickly he adapts to Division I basketball is going to depend on how much work he puts in between spring and the fall." (Jake May/Staff Photographer)

“It was a blessing having those schools recruiting me,” Trey said. “When you’re growing up and see all the big-time schools playing, you think it would be great to play in those situations. They were all great schools, but I narrowed it down by where I felt more comfortable.

“At the end of the day, I couldn’t leave dad.”

Switching roles

Ernie began approaching Trey more as a coach than as a father over the last month.

“It really picked up, telling me he really wanted me here,” Trey said.

After a week of not talking to coaches, Trey returned from an all-star game in Louisville, Ky., on Monday night and told his father of his decision.

“He was about to break it down to me again, convince me again and, before he even got started, I told him I was coming,” Trey said. “You could just see the relief on his face.”

Meanwhile, Seantelle is glad the announcement is over.

“I had to get in the middle and be the mediator between the two,” she said. “I had to let Trey know it was totally his decision.”

A different path

Ernie Zeigler has yet to have a winning season.

CMU came close in 2009-10, finishing 15-15 and winning its second consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division title.

But Trey is driven by that fact — and said he wants to lead the Chippewas to the same heights mid-major schools such as Butler, Davidson and George Mason were able to achieve the past few seasons.

“That’s the main goal – that’s what I’m trying to prove,” Trey said. “I think (Ray McCallum Jr. is) doing the same thing at Detroit. We can do it anywhere. We feel like we can do it here and hopefully make a tournament run here.”

The success stories from those schools drove Ernie to leave articles about players such as Butler’s Gordon Hayward, Davidson’s Stephen Curry (now with the Golden State Warriors) and others to show what could be possible.

“I told him not to be afraid about being that guy,” Ernie said. “If you have the opportunity to emerge in that type of setting, the responsibility that’s going to come with it, you have to earn it.”

Mount Pleasant High School senior Trey Zeigler looks over to his father Ernie, CMU's men's basketball head coach, while sitting at a table in the corner of the cafeteria on Thursday morning waiting to sign his contract committing to Central Michigan University. Trey Zeigler is the No. 33 recruit in the nation, making him the highest-ranked recruit CMU has ever signed. Trey turned down offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State and UCLA to join a program that has had four winning seasons in the past 31 years. "It was a blessing having those schools recruiting me, Trey said. "When you're growing up and see all the big-time schools playing, you think it would be great to play in those situations. They were all great schools, but I narrowed it down by where I felt more comfortable." (Jake May/Staff Photographer)

Trey said McCallum Jr., a good friend of his and a similarly regarded basketball recruit (Detroit Country Day), had a major role in making his decision easier. McCallum Jr. revealed he would play for his father, Ray McCallum Sr., at the University of Detroit Mercy a few minutes before Trey’s announcement Wednesday.

“I don’t think I would’ve been able to do it without Ray,” Trey said. “It was a blessing because we were able to talk about it a lot and I had somebody who was going through the same situation.”

Where does he fit?

Trey will have an opportunity to immediately compete for a starting spot, as last season’s backcourt duo of Jordan Bitzer (15.3 points per game) and Robbie Harman (15.0) will graduate.

But Ernie, as his mantra ‘Think Tough, Be Tough,’ mantra suggests, will not give Trey any breaks on the way to earning that spot.

“I’m not going to try to be the savior,” Trey said. “I think we’ve got a lot of great pieces — a lot of great guys coming back and a lot of great recruits coming in. I’m just going to step in and try to do my part.”

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.”

CMU coach Ernie Zeigler confirmed the Chippewas will host the Owls in the facility’s first game. Temple was ranked much of last season and entered the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 12 in the Associated Press Top 25. The No. 5-seeded Owls lost 78-65 against No. 12 seed Cornell and were eliminated in the first round.

“That will be the first home game,” Zeigler said. “We won’t be able to play a home game in November. There’s going to be some growing there.”

Temple finished the season 29-6 overall and 14-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Owls have made 27 NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching two final fours.

“They’re going to be ranked, so that’s going to be a huge game,” said incoming CMU freshman Trey Zeigler, who signed a National Letter of Intent to play at CMU on Thursday morning.

Other games

Ernie Zeigler also confirmed CMU will play at UNLV after Christmas in December. CMU also will travel to LSU, which counts as the team’s second non-conference ‘guaranteed revenue’ game. Zeigler said a third guarantee game has yet to be finalized. Under Zeigler’s new contract, the revenue generated by this game would go directly back to the men’s basketball program.

The Chippewas will host Detroit and South Dakota State in other non-conference action.