2008 Woodie Awards
Sports Articles
OPEN SEASON
CMU overcomes early jitters to win first opener since 2002
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Fan group Sneed's Creed may have something to cheer about during senior tailback Ontario Sneed's last season. So will the rest of CMU's fans if Thursday's season-opener at Kelly/Shorts Stadium is any indication. Sneed sparked CMU's offense with 88 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries as the Chippewas beat Eastern Illinois 31-12 to win their first season-opener since 2002.
Bellore starts right where he left off
Sophomore ties career high with 16 tackles
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It took two plays for Nick Bellore to assert himself as a defensive leader. The junior led by example, making the first two tackles of the game for the Chippewas. He finished with a game-high 16 tackles, tying his career high. "I think it always helps. It also gets me in my groove.
The first take
Central has work ahead
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Never mind that it wasn't the same explosive, well-tuned machine that we're used to seeing on a weekly basis from last season. Or that Dan LeFevour's first touchdown of the season didn't come until the third quarter. Just win, baby. Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Thursday was an environment that made even the most passive football fan ready for the beginning of the journey toward a three-peat.
Central opens with tough Maryland
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Whitney Evers put in extra work with the volleyball team's setters to perfect the timing between the two positions. "At our alumnae match last Saturday we were a little bit sloppy," said the senior outside hitter. "We have been working on our setter-hitter connection, because we haven't been hitting the ball as hard as we usually do.
Western opens at Nebraska
Bowling Green at No. 25 Pittsburgh Noon Saturday Bowling Green should have a tough time with Pitt's tough defense, but could use its passing game. BGSU held the MAC's second-best passing attack last season. Bowling Green junior quarterback Tyler Sheenan will lead the Falcons and they will try to rebound from two previous losses to Pittsburgh in 1999 and 2000.
Oklahoma, Oakland on tap
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The women's soccer team will try to keep its perfect record against the Big 12 when it travels to Norman, Okla. for tonight's game against Oklahoma. The team's only other match-up against the conference came in 2006 - and ended with a come-from-behind 2-1 CMU win against the University of Nebraska.
Clemson-Alabama highlights weekend games
No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 24 Alabama 8 p.m., ABC in Atlanta Tommy Bowden's Clemson Tigers have gained a reputation as perennial underachievers, and that notion looms large this season, as they enter the 2008 campaign as Atlantic Coast Conference favorites. Sitting just inside the Top 25, Alabama lost six games last season - none by more than a touchdown - and sports a highly-touted freshman class, proving to be a tough early season test for Clemson.
Women ready for Memorial run
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Coach Karen Lutzke may use the performances at today's opening competition to determine which runners take part in future meets. The cross country team competes today in the Jeff Drenth Memorial at 4 p.m. on the 5K course at University Park. "They want a spot on our varsity team," Lutzke said.
Michigan State next for men, too
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With lofty goals of making NCAA Championships in Indiana, the men's cross country team gets to start its season at home in Mount Pleasant. CMU will compete against Michigan State in the Jeff Drenth Memorial at 4 p.m. today at University Park. The meet will be nonscored, but that does not mean it is unimportant to CMU.
