CMU outlook leading into bout against EMU
Rawls positive through injury
Senior running back Thomas Rawls has not practiced since his leg injury as of Wednesday, but has stayed positive.
“(Rawls) is always positive all the time,” said sophomore running back Martez Walker. “He always tells us, ‘you young guys, y’all are going to have to step up.’ He always tells us ‘you are going to have to do better, do more than you did last week.’ No matter what, he’s always smiling. He’s never down.”
Junior running back Saylor Lavallii said the other running backs have been ready, even though Rawls had been getting the majority of the carries prior to the injury.
“Rawls went down, unfortunately,” Lavallii said. “As much as it sucks to have an injury to a teammate, the next guy’s got to step up, or the next two guys in this case. I think we were able to do that.”
Offensive Coordinator Morris Watts said he doesn’t think Rawls will be ready for Saturday’s game against Eastern Michigan University, but thinks he will “be back pretty soon.”
The Chippewas have a bye week following Saturday’s game. Miami (Ohio) and Western Michigan University finish off the regular season schedule for CMU.
Bowl Eligibility on the line Saturday
A win Saturday at Eastern Michigan University would give the Chippewas six wins, the number necessary to be bowl eligible.
CMU finished the regular season in 2012 and 2013 at 6-6. The Chippewas were invited to the Little Caesars Pizza bowl in 2012, winning 24-21, but were not invited to a bowl game last season.
“For us, we have a three game season left,” Lavallii said. “Bowl eligibility would be nice, but we’re not interested in just getting a six-win season.”
Northern Illinois University is currently the only bowl eligible Mid-American Conference team.
Working at 'The Factory'
Eastern Michigan unveiled its gray turf for the 2014 season, resulting in the nickname of “The Factory” for Rynearson Stadium.
Walker said he’s never played on a non-green field but said it won’t have any bearing on the game.
“I think that’s all delusional when people think that (it affects visibility), I don’t think it’ll change anything at all," Walker said.
Eagles players and coaching staff said the team changed the turf color to emphasize their blue-collar attitude. EMU first-year Head Coach Chris Creighton said the team would play anyone, anywhere, including in the parking lot.
While the feel of the turf will be no different than normal, Lavallii said the color might make it feel like the teams are playing in a parking lot.
“It’s kind of like playing on concrete at recess,” Lavallii said.
Kroll puts in extra work catching passes
Junior wide receiver Jesse Kroll is second behind Titus Davis with 26 catches and 415 in 2014.
While Kroll has been able to make key catches, especially when Davis was out for three games with a knee injury, he has had issues dropping passes.
While most other players were already back in the locker room after practice, Kroll stayed after on Wednesday catching passes out of a passing machine.
In the past four games, Kroll has one multi-catch game after catching more than one pass in four of the first five games to start the season.
