2008 Woodie Awards
Teammates not surprised by sophomore's talent
By: Brian Manzullo
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Special Section Dan LeFevour
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The football team entered the 2006 season with uncertainty about the quarterback position after Kent Smith graduated.
Then-sophomore Brian Brunner got the nod over freshmen Dan LeFevour and Duane Brooks after training camp. But Brunner suffered a concussion on the team's third play from scrimmage in its season opener against Boston College.
That is when LeFevour took over - and eventually led the team to its first Mid-American Conference Championship since 1994.
"I wasn't too surprised with how good he was - we saw what he could do in spring ball," said sophomore receiver Bryan Anderson, who has since been LeFevour's favorite target. "We didn't know how he'd react to a game situation until he got thrown in there. Obviously, he did great."
LeFevour's performance since then has resembled anybody but a freshman or sophomore quarterback. He is 13-1 against MAC teams as the starter, including 2-0 against rival Western Michigan.
Senior offensive lineman Eric Tunney said he was surprised to see LeFevour handle the starting job well as he has.
"He can throw and run better than anyone I ever played with," he said. "I can't say enough about him. He does everything the coaches ask him to do."
LeFevour especially shined in CMU's game Nov. 6 at Western Michigan.
With a 27-24 lead and just under two minutes remaining in the game, he lost a fumble on CMU's 25-yard line and allowed WMU to take a surprising 31-27 lead with little time remaining.
But that did not faze LeFevour - he led CMU to the 1-yard line on a 39-yard pass to Anderson before sneaking in for the winning touchdown with 12 seconds remaining.
Despite the success LeFevour has had, part of what makes him special, Tunney said, is his attitude and demeanor.
"He's never cocky," Tunney said. "I never heard him say one word to the opposing team on the field. He's always got a cool head; he never gets rattled. He showed that last week against Western Michigan."
When an individual gets special attention, it is a natural instinct to look at the person and see how he handles it, said coach Butch Jones.
"They see an individual who works extremely hard," he said. "He's right there with them. His work ethic has provided trust, his leadership, his accountability of himself, his competitiveness, all that goes into earning the trust of your teammates."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
Then-sophomore Brian Brunner got the nod over freshmen Dan LeFevour and Duane Brooks after training camp. But Brunner suffered a concussion on the team's third play from scrimmage in its season opener against Boston College.
That is when LeFevour took over - and eventually led the team to its first Mid-American Conference Championship since 1994.
"I wasn't too surprised with how good he was - we saw what he could do in spring ball," said sophomore receiver Bryan Anderson, who has since been LeFevour's favorite target. "We didn't know how he'd react to a game situation until he got thrown in there. Obviously, he did great."
LeFevour's performance since then has resembled anybody but a freshman or sophomore quarterback. He is 13-1 against MAC teams as the starter, including 2-0 against rival Western Michigan.
Senior offensive lineman Eric Tunney said he was surprised to see LeFevour handle the starting job well as he has.
"He can throw and run better than anyone I ever played with," he said. "I can't say enough about him. He does everything the coaches ask him to do."
LeFevour especially shined in CMU's game Nov. 6 at Western Michigan.
With a 27-24 lead and just under two minutes remaining in the game, he lost a fumble on CMU's 25-yard line and allowed WMU to take a surprising 31-27 lead with little time remaining.
But that did not faze LeFevour - he led CMU to the 1-yard line on a 39-yard pass to Anderson before sneaking in for the winning touchdown with 12 seconds remaining.
Despite the success LeFevour has had, part of what makes him special, Tunney said, is his attitude and demeanor.
"He's never cocky," Tunney said. "I never heard him say one word to the opposing team on the field. He's always got a cool head; he never gets rattled. He showed that last week against Western Michigan."
When an individual gets special attention, it is a natural instinct to look at the person and see how he handles it, said coach Butch Jones.
"They see an individual who works extremely hard," he said. "He's right there with them. His work ethic has provided trust, his leadership, his accountability of himself, his competitiveness, all that goes into earning the trust of your teammates."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
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