2008 Woodie Awards
Red Alert
Senior Keith could surpass former linebacker Ray Bentley tonight for career tackles
By: Brian Manzullo
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Sports
The two met again last week at Western, prior to CMU's thrilling 34-31 win. Keith, who finished with a game-high 14 tackles, said that conversation was more meaningful.
"I was past the first meeting," he said. "We talked a little bit after he already knew me. I just wanted to play a great game that night."
More than Tackles
Keith has meant more to the CMU defense this season than just tackling.
He has been the defense's emotional leader despite the unit's 478.3 yards allowed per game, a Mid-American Conference high.
Keith especially was critical at Kent State when he fought a slew of injuries to the game in the fourth quarter and helped hold the Golden Flashes scoreless to preserve the win.
"I like to use the analogy, 'Bring the juice,'" said coach Butch Jones. "And Red brings the juice. He has a great passion for what he does."
Keith mainly excels with his intelligence, helping other defensive players study film and read defenses, said freshman linebacker Nick Bellore.
"He's been my mentor from day one," said Bellore, who is tied for second on the team with 72 tackles. "He does it vocally and on the field. I don't know where we would be without him."
Bellore said Keith reads CMU's "defensive code," its mission statement on defense, before each game to get CMU fired up.
For Keith, whether it is high school or college, being the leader on defense is natural.
"I never played on a team that I wasn't the leading tackler," he said. "It's engraved in me. When that ball's snapped, I want to be there to make the tackle. I want to be the playmaker."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
"I was past the first meeting," he said. "We talked a little bit after he already knew me. I just wanted to play a great game that night."
More than Tackles
Keith has meant more to the CMU defense this season than just tackling.
He has been the defense's emotional leader despite the unit's 478.3 yards allowed per game, a Mid-American Conference high.
Keith especially was critical at Kent State when he fought a slew of injuries to the game in the fourth quarter and helped hold the Golden Flashes scoreless to preserve the win.
"I like to use the analogy, 'Bring the juice,'" said coach Butch Jones. "And Red brings the juice. He has a great passion for what he does."
Keith mainly excels with his intelligence, helping other defensive players study film and read defenses, said freshman linebacker Nick Bellore.
"He's been my mentor from day one," said Bellore, who is tied for second on the team with 72 tackles. "He does it vocally and on the field. I don't know where we would be without him."
Bellore said Keith reads CMU's "defensive code," its mission statement on defense, before each game to get CMU fired up.
For Keith, whether it is high school or college, being the leader on defense is natural.
"I never played on a team that I wasn't the leading tackler," he said. "It's engraved in me. When that ball's snapped, I want to be there to make the tackle. I want to be the playmaker."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
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posted 11/27/07 @ 5:08 AM EST
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