Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Special Section Dan LeFevour

Dan LeFevour signs an autograph after the football team's win Sept. 29 against NIU. [Click to enlarge]

Dan LeFevour slowly is molding himself into the face of Central Michigan University.

He is recognized everywhere on campus by classmates and students. His face can be seen on billboards, CMU's Web site and sometimes even on ESPN.

And by the time the sophomore quarterback is done at Central, his name could be found all over the school's record books.

But LeFevour prefers to stay humble about his already-profound list of accomplishments as the leader of the defending Mid-American Conference champions.

"You just don't forget how you got here," he said. "I realize how great (the records) are because of all the great players that have played here. But at the same time, there is still a lot to accomplish."

For what LeFevour has accomplished already, that may be saying a lot.

He holds school records in total career offense with 6,717 yards and touchdown passes with 45, both of which were held by former quarterback Jeff Bender. He also is tied with Bender in career pass completions with 502 and is third in career passing yards with 5,578.

Most importantly, LeFevour has a chance to lead Central to its first back-to-back championship since 1979-80 when the team plays Dec. 1 at Ford Field.

Even with all of the accolades, coach Butch Jones, who recruited LeFevour in 2004 as an assistant under Brian Kelly, said LeFevour has plenty of room to get even better.

"I still expect a lot more from Dan," he said. "He's still in the initial stages of development. If he continues to take the coaching and continues to demand more from himself, he will continue to prosper - and get better and better."

This year has been nothing but an improvement for the Downers Grove, Ill., native.

Last season, LeFevour set school records with 3,031 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 3,552 yards of total offense. He is 484 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 387 yards of total offense from surpassing those marks this year.

Perhaps his strongest game was CMU's 58-38 win Oct. 6 against Ball State. He set a game record for yards of total offense (506), including 146 rushing yards, while tying a school record with five touchdown passes.

"He has great expectations for himself," Jones said. "He has great confidence. He believes in his teammates around him. I think he's improved on a weekly basis."

LeFevour's success also has translated to heightening national media coverage.

LeFevour entered the season on the Manning Award and Davey O'Brien Award watch lists. He also was selected as USA Today National Player of the Week after Central's 47-23 win against Army on Oct. 13 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

He said the added exposure does not put extra pressure on him.

"It's more pressure that I put on myself," LeFevour said. "You have to keep a level head and realize how you got there."


bmanzullo@cm-life.com

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