2008 Woodie Awards
Fast start stressed against Owls
By: Justin Berndt
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Sports
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It becomes even more imperative as the Chippewas face Temple at 4 p.m. Saturday for 2008's Homecoming game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The Owls (2-4 overall, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) have outscored opponents 34-0 in the first quarter and have scored first in five of their six games. The only exception was Sept. 20 at then-No. 15 ranked Penn State, when the Nittany Lions scored the first 31 points in the second quarter en route to a 45-3 win.
"We've got to start fast - you look at their defensive line; they're extremely talented, big, athletic and deep," said CMU coach Butch Jones. "They'll rotate a lot of players, same thing at the linebacker spot and then the secondary with big physical guys who'll re-route you and try to disrupt the timing."
CMU (3-2, 2-0 MAC) is attempting to win its fourth consecutive Homecoming game for the first time since it won 17 straight from 1966-82.
Doing so will require discipline from the offense - the Owls allow just 18.5 points per game, which ranks third in the MAC. In conference games, Temple holds opposing rushers to 76 yards per game, which ranks first in the MAC.
Wojt, who admits to checking the CMU rushing totals throughout the game, said he hopes to change Temple's dominance against MAC rushers this season.
"That's always a great feeling looking up at the scoreboard and seeing all those yards rushing. That really means the line was functioning, the running backs were moving the ball," he said. "It's a great feeling when you see those numbers and you know the game was won in the trenches."
CMU's top rusher this season is junior quarterback Dan LeFevour. LeFevour has 318 yards rushing this season, 110 more than the team's top running back, senior Ontario Sneed, who has 208.
With LeFevour crucial not only to the team's passing success but to its running success as well, senior captain Andrew Hartline said the offensive line must keep its quarterback on his feet throughout the game.
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