NFTM: Mid Majors
September 26th, 2008 by Jason Roberts
Week Five rolls around and already the #1 team in the nation, USC, has been knocked off by a feisty Oregon State Beavers program (can we just tell you how happy we are that Jacquizz Rodgers is on our fantasy roster?). Could it be that the 2008 version of Upset Saturday is just around the corner? And could it be that some of those could come at the hands of smaller conference programs like Colorado State (playing California), TCU (in Norman to play the Sooners), or Fresno State (would it really be an upset if they beat UCLA, though?)?
Some of the aforementioned squads have some major things going for them, a few of which are discussed in this week’s column. Check out Mark Hafner of Houston and a statistical comparison to wideouts like Jarrett Dillard and Michael Crabtree, the nation’s leading receiver in Marshall’s Darius Passmore, Navy reserve safety getting swung on by Rutgers’ quarterback, Mike Teel, Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore‘ s hometown becoming the subject of a documentary on small-town football, and the (re)returnof Tyler Graunke to the Hawaii Warriors’ offensive huddle.
Conference USA
Houston Cougars
The Houston Chronicle writes late last week about senior tight end, Mark Hafner, who recently earned the John Mackey Award Tight End of the Week for his three touchdown performance against the Air Force Fighting Falcons and, subsequently, became the Cougars’ leading receiver. A 6’3″, 235 pound young man out of Waller, Texas, Hafner has become the favorite target of quarterback Case Keenum, particularly when Keenum is forced out of the pocket, accumulating 30 receptions for 319 yards and seven touchdowns thus far for the year. That puts him in some pretty elite company, with wide receivers Jarret Dillard of Rice one higher than Hafner with 31 total receptions for 2008 and Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech fame one lower, at 29. And as it relates to his own position? Only James Casey of Rice, Dennis Pitta of BYU, and Shawn Nelson of Southern Miss have produced better numbers to this point in time. Says receivers coach for Houston, Tony Levine, what makes his tight end so special is the fact that “(Keenum) knows where Marks is, he knows that Mark is going to get open and he knows that he is going to catch the football, whether he’s alone or covered.” He continues, stating, “Mark has taken some enormous hits this season, but he’s held onto the football.” That being considered, Hafner has proven an invaluable asset on a Houston Cougars offensive units that currently ranks eight in the nation for average total offensive production per contest played.
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Charleston Gazette highlights that following a huge day against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles – nine receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown -, senior wide receiver for the Marshall Thundering Herd, Darius Passmore, now leads the nation in terms of receiving yardage. In four games, native of Florida City, Florida has accumulated 473 yards, has four receiving touchdowns, and is an integral part of the Marshall rushing attack as well. Averaging 118.25 yards per game, Passmore actually has outdone players such as Ball State’s Dante Love and Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech.
Memphis Tigers
The Commercial Appeal carries a story about 5’7″, 185 pound tailback for the Memphis Tigers, Brandon Washington, and explains how the former JUCO ball carrier for Los Medanos Community College in California, a walk-on for the Tigers in the recent offseason, has quietly moved up the depth charts for Memphis, especially after his role last week versus Nichols State, where he rushed for 53 yards on 10 carries. Washington has subsequently earned the #3 tailback spot, where he replaces injured running back, T.J. Pitts, and, according to head coach Tommy West, “brings something to the tablef or our offense” given that he has “a really nice burst in the hole” and “a little more quickness than Curtis [Steele] or Charlie [Jones].”
Also included in the Appeal is the news that Tigers’ receiver Maurice Jones, who missed last week’s contest with Nichols State due to an injured shoulder, was expected to return to practice this past Wednesday and according to West, is currently anticipated to play this coming Saturday against Arkansas State. Despite missing playing time over the past weekend, Jones still, notes the Appeal, ranks second on the team with 317 yards receiving and first in yards per reception at 19.8.
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
The Hattiesburg American reveals that this past Saturday, as Southern Mississippi took on Conference USA foe, the Marshall Thundering Herd, freshman quarterback Austin Davis became the first quarterback in the Golden Eagles’ history to throw for 200+ yards in four consecutive games. The milestone was achieved as Davis passed for 308 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 34-27 loss to Marshall.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
The website NewsOn6.com writes recently that though David Johnson won the starting quarterback job for Tulsa as a result of his performance in preseason drills, back up Jacob Bower will nevertheless “see significant playing time” this season. Says co-offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, the Golden Hurricane coaching staff has packages specifically designed for Bower and have definite plans to use them, possibly even against Tulsa’s next opponent, Central Arkansas, whom they play this coming Saturday.
UCF Knights
The Orlando Sentinel highlights that UCF starting quarterback Michael Greco isn’t “fazed” by head coach George O’Leary’s decision to play both Greco and true freshman Jacob Calabrese during the Knights’ 34-7 loss to Boston College this past weekend. Such non-chalantness is probably a good thing, too, particularly given that O’Leary has recently voiced his intentions in playing as many as three different quarterbacks throughout the remainder of the 2008 season. Such a move isn’t, states the article, a declaration of a lack of faith in Greco — O’Leary states, “It’s Greco’s job” — but acknowledges the head coaches belief that “I think you need the availability of a second or even third guy to go in the game and get things done.”
UTEP Miners
Given that starting quarterback for the UTEP Miners, Trevor Vittatoe, was sidelined with a sprained ankle this past weekend as Texas El-Paso took on New Mexico State, the UTEP coaching staff has every intention of keeping under tight-wraps their intentions in choosing a starter under center this upcoming Saturday versus the UCF Knights. An article in the Orlando Sentinel this week notes that head coach for the Knights, George O’Leary expects that backup James Thomas II — who runs a modified option offense as opposed to a the pass-heavy one used by UTEP with Vittatoe under center — will be the man who takes the field against UCF, but acknowledged that he was aware Vittatoe had been seen this week in full pads and participating in throwing drills with the rest of the team.
Independents
Army Black Knights
The website RecordOnline.com hosts a piece noting that Army sophomore quarterback Chip Bowden was in practice on Tuesday, three days after spraining his right ankle against Akron. Bowden, who ran with Army’s second-team behind junior Carson Williams, rushed for a team and career-high of 65 yards, notes the article, and picked up six of Army’s total 15 first downs for the game, a 22-3 loss to the Zips this past Saturday. Head coach Stan Brock noted that if well enough, Bowden would start against Texas A&M this weekend, but added “that’s a big if”; that could definitely change the manner in which Brock approaches the contest with the Aggies, particularly given that Bowden “gives Army a better running option” than does Williams, who has thus far started all three of the Black Knights’ previous games.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
After getting beaten soundly on the road in East Lansing by Michigan State, the last thing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish needed was yet another distraction resulting in the delivery of bad news for the team. Unfortunately, as The Journal Gazette reports Tuesday, that’s exactly what the university’s football program got, this after tight end Will Yeatman and starting center Mike Golic, Jr. (yes, the son of that Mike Golic of ESPN fame) were among 40 arrested on “preliminary alcohol charges” this past weekend at a campus party. Yeatman, age 20, faces preliminary charges of consumption of alcohol by a minor, false informing and resisting arrest, while Golic, only 18, was assessed with a preliminary charge of consumption of alcohol by a minor. Per head coach Charlie Weis, both players will be allowed to practice with the team, but as of now, only Yeatman will not be allowed to play until any pending charges are resolved.
MAC
Eastern Michigan Eagles
The Northern Star highlights that in this past weekend’s matchup between Eastern Michigan and Maryland, it was sophomore Kyle McMahon that was featured under center at quarterback, this as junior Andy Schmitt continues to recover from an injured sustained in practice before the Eagles’ game with Toledo two weeks prior. McMahon looked good, throwing for 278 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-25 loss to the Terrapins, but still continues to struggle with interceptions, with two of the three total thrown this season, coming against Maryland this past weekend.
Miami (OH) Redhawks
The Middletown Journal informs readers this week that quarterback for the Miami (OH) Redhawks, Clay Belton, was absent from practice Tuesday afternoon, this amidst rumors that the redshirt freshman is looking to transfer away from the university due to a lack of playing time. A former standout at Clayton Northmont High School, Belton in his last two seasons of prep football threw for more than 4400 yards and 44 touchdowns, but thus far in his time on campus at Miami University, has attempted just nine passes, completing three of them for 14 yards. No word yet as to the accuracy of such speculation surrounding the young 6’5″, 236 pound thrower, though head coach Shane Montgomery has said, “As of right now, he’s still on the team.”
Northern Illinois Huskies
The Daily Chronicle of Dekalb, Illinois explains that head coach of the Northern Illinois Huskies, Jerry Kill, is determined to continue what is being best described as a game of “roulette” at his quarterback and running back positions, especially as was seen this past Saturday against Indiana State. In the 48-3 win, Kill played some five running backs, the third straight contest that Northern Illinois has utilized at least three different ball carriers out of their backfield; as of now, Montell Clayton and Me’co Brown are seeing the majority of carries, but should either Justin Anderson or Ricky Crider get a hot hand, according to Kill, “we are not going to take [a leading back] out in situations.” The same can be said at quarterback, where three separate players saw time this past Saturday, including Dan Nicolson, Demarcus Grady, and Ryan Morris – none of which, readers may recall, played in the first game of the year at Minnesota, where instead freshman Chandler Harnish got the call.
Temple University
Bad news for fans of the Temple Owls and fantasy owners of starting senior quarterback, Adam DiMichele; writes the Philadelphia Daily News, head coach for Temple, Al Golden, told reporters Tuesday that DiMichele had sustained an injury to his right throwing shoulder this past weekend against Penn State and would be out anywhere from three-to-six weeks. In the meantime, the Owls see redshirt freshman Chester Stewart now taking over duties under center; during last weekend contest, the youngster went 16-of-30 for 116 yards and three interceptions, while also rushing the ball 18 times for 15 yards on the day.
Toledo Rockets
The Toledo Blade notes that this past Saturday’s game for senior tight end John Allen of the Toledo Rockets finally offered the chance for the Chicago, Illinois to do something he hadn’t since he was a freshman back in 2005 – reach the endzone. For the night, Allen grabbed eight receptions for 93 yards and two scores, a performance which suggests, as does the Blade, that Toledo head coach Tom Amstutz is committed to “more balance for the Rockets’ offense” than was seen in earlier games this season, such as that against the Arizona Wildcats.
Western Michigan Broncos
No, according to the website MLive.com, the numbers for backup tailback Aaron Winchester and second-string quarterback Drew Bundi weren’t as outstanding as those put up by members of the first string-offensive unit for Western Michigan this past Saturday in a 41-7 win over Tennessee Tech, but the experience gained by both in the midst of the playing the Golden Eagles was, according to head coach , invaluable. Winchester, a 5’9″, 190 pound freshman tailback which starting quarterback for the Broncos Ryan Culbit refers to as “shifty” and “a naturally tight runner,” had seven carries for 32 yards and grabbed one reception which went for 56 yards. In the meantime, Burdi, a redshirt sophomore, got the chance to pass the ball in weekend’s contest, this after rushing for 54 yards last week against the Idaho Vandals; for the game, he finished 4-of-7 for 26 yards, while also adding an additional 32 yards on the ground.
Mountain West
Air Force Fighting Falcons
The Gazette of Colorado Springs makes note that junior wide receiver for the Air Force Fighting Falcons, Josh Cousins, has been moved from the offense’s fourth X receiver, as listed at the start of the 2008 season, to its second behind Kevin Fogler, this due to injuries which have taken their toll on the Fighting Falcons’ wide receiving corps. Yet, Cousins has also earned the right to split time with Fogler, notes the Air Force coaching staff, because of his ability to make big plays in clutch situations, such as a 29 yard catch made this past weekend against the Utah Utes late in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Fighting Falcons to tie the game up at 23-23 with 5:06 remaining.
Colorado State Rams
The Coloradoan recently shed light on junior wide receiver for the Colorado State Rams, Dion Morton, who, after a grabbing only 20 catches for 182 yards last season, finally exploded onto the scene in last weekend’s game with the Houston Cougars. In the game, Morton caught five passes for 126 yards, including a 79 yarder in the first quarter than Morton took in for his second touchdown of the season. At 5’10″ and 159 pounds, the junior wideout hardly makes for an imposing figure lined up out on the edge, but has since the start of the year developed a strong sense of chemistry with quarterback Billy Farris now starting to yield major benefits for the Ram’s offensively. Interesting to note as well is the fact that Morton is the younger brother of last year’s leading pass catcher at Colorado State, Damon Morton.
Meanwhile, The Rocky Mountain News notes this week that Jason Smith was seen this past Saturday taking snaps on extra point tries, a reassuring sight for Coach Fairchild and team, since the junior has been out thus far in the season due to a broken arm sustained a week before the Rams’ kicked off their 2008 schedule. Fairchild hopes that a reevaluation of the injured arm this week yields positive results; if so, Smith could be back in action full-time once more, this as Colorado State prepares for an important showdown with the Pac-10′s California Bears.
New Mexico Lobos
The website for station KRQE in Albuquerque, New Mexico tells readers this week that a loss by the University of New Mexico Lobos this past weekend to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane cost the team more than just a large helping of pride; instead, UNM saw starting quarterback Donovan Porterie and safety Junior Clark injured in the course of the game, Porterie hurting his knee badly enough to be knocked out for the season, while Clark dislocated his shoulder and is unlikely to start this weekend versus WAC opponent and in-state rival, the New Mexico State Aggies.
Texas Christian Horned Frogs
For fantasy owners, it was a frustrating realization; for fans of the Texas Horned Frogs, it was a blessing in disguise. As the Star-Telegram highlights earlier this week, the return of junior tailback for the Texas Christian Horned Frogs, Aaron Brown, added “another dimension” this past Saturday to a TCU offense that had, to this point in the season, struggled to find success in the running game behind the likes of Joseph Turner and Ryan Christian. Prior to this weekend’s game against SMU, it appeared the latter, a junior, was beginning to put together a fairly solid string of performances rushing the ball, this after carrying the ball 41 times for 189 yards and two touchdowns. But Brown showed in his first game back since sustaining an ankle injury last year (he was forced to sit out three games at the start of this season due to violation of university policy) what an immediate impact he could have, totaling 157 yards of all-purpose offense versus the SMU Mustangs – 51 yards rushing, 60 yards receiving, and 46 yards in the Horned Frogs’ return game. Such contribution in multiple facets of the TCU gameplan will play an important factor this coming weekend, particularly since TCU prepares to take on the #2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners; a team with eight players already averaging 4.4 yards a carry or better in the Horned Frogs, with the return of Brown, now gets only stronger, something the team will have to be in order to have a shot at downing OU in Norman.
Sun Belt
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
It was a huge weekend for senior running back for Louisiana-Lafayette Tyrell Fenroy, reports The Advertiser, with the native of LaPlace, Louisiana setting career highs in all-purpose yards (262) and rushing yards (194), tying a personal best three touchdowns in a single contest, and moving to the top of the university’s record books in relation to combined rushing and receiving yards in a 44-27 win over Kent State. Not a bad way to head into the third game of the season, particularly given that prior to the matchup with the Golden Flashes, Fenroy has amassed just 76 yards rushing over three games.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
According to the Murfreesboro Post, head coach for the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, Rick Stockstill, is determined to improve upon a rushing attack that currently ranks seventh out of eight Sun Belt Conference teams and has yet this year to produce a 100 yard performance by any single player. “It is no secret,” Standstill tells the Post, noting, “We have struggled in all four games in the running game, and it has to get better.” That MTSU’s next schedule opponent is Florida Atlantic may very well help that cause, given that the Owls have thus far surrendered an average of 212 yards of rushing to opposing tailbacks in each game played. That should help both Blue Raiders’ running backs Phillip Tanner and Desmond Gee in improving their rushing stats, which to this point, has seen the two combine for 246 yards and three touchdowns over their first four games.
Meanwhile, the website BlueRaiders.com notes that though Joe Craddock will continue to play as the starting quarterback for the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders for the foreseeable future, Dwight Dasher will continue to be utilized in “a situational role” in order to aide MTSU in garnering improved rushing numbers, this after seeing his first action since the first game of the season against the Troy Trojans. And for good reason; readers may recall that Dasher was MTSU’s leading rusher last season with 530 yards acquired on 121 attempts. In the game against Arkansas State last weekend, the sophomore quarterback finished with five rushes for fifteen yards, but accounted for over 1/3 of the Blue Raiders’ total 44 yards on the ground for the evening. “Dwight has practiced well,” notes head coach Rick Standstill, “and he deserves to play. The main purpose of [having him out on the field last week against Arkansas State] was to spruce up the running game because we’re struggling to run the ball right now . . . . [He] did a good job running the ball, and that was the game plan.”
WAC
Boise State Broncos
The Idaho Press-Tribune also notes that though senior wide receiver for the Broncos, Vinny Perretta, sustained a frightening injury this past Saturday in BSU’s matchup with the Oregon Ducks, head coach Chris Petersen feels that should Perretta not suffer from any headaches resulting from the concussion he sustained, the Broncos wideout ought to be able to return to the playing field in time for a home game against Louisiana Tech scheduled for October 1st. Perretta was just one of several scary injuries which players succumbed to over this past weekend, a list which includes a broken spine for Ball State wideout Dante Love, a fractured vertebra for Washington State quarterback Gary Rogers, and a neck injury for Brouce Mompremier of the South Florida Bulls.
More an interesting side note than anything of particular import regarding the Boise State Broncos, the Idaho Press-Tribune notes recently that the hometown of starting quarterback for BSU, Kellen Moore, is the subject of a documentary on small-town football due to be released on November 1st. Titled Hometown Legacy, the movie is actually a five-part mini-series from Pixelsoft Films and KVEW/KAPP that includes an episode labeled “Mustang Pride,” a segment which focuses on Prosser, Washington and the team for which Moore’s father, Tom, currently serves as head coach and younger brother plays as a potential national record-setting wide receiver. More information can be gleaned on the project at the following website: http://hometownlegacy.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1.
Hawaii Warriors
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports that Hawaii senior quarterback Tyler Graunke was earlier this week cleared by team trainers to resume practice with the remainder of his teammates and could be prepared to start against the San Jose State Spartans this coming Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Graunke, readers may recall, suffered a sprained wrist and thumb on his throwing hand in the Warriors’ last game against Oregon State and did not take the practice field for the entirety of the team’s bye-week; instead, both Inoke Funaki and Greg Alexander worked with first-team offense, getting additional reps under center in case head coach Greg McMackin decided on either to start versus SJSU.
Idaho Vandals
Reveals the Times-News, despite a horrible opening outing against the Arizona Wildcats and what has now become back-to-back losses to teams that Idaho Vandals’ head coach Robb Akey feels his squad could have beat, starting quarterback for the Vandals, redshirt sophomore Nathan Enderle is still getting a “strong endorsement” from Idaho’s coaching staff. States Akey of the youngster under center, “He’s doing a fine job. He’s making great decisions, putting us in the right place. He’s making good throws.” Nice praise for the WAC’s third-highest pass efficiency quarterback heading into last week’s contest with Utah State, but something that hasn’t yet resulted in victories for the team since September 6th, when the Vandals grabbed a 42-27 victory – their only of the year so far – over FCS opponent, Idaho State.
New Mexico State Aggies
When the New Mexico State Aggies take the field on Saturday night against in-state rivals, the New Mexico Lobos, one of the biggest concerns they’ll have is how to counter an aggressive Rocky Long-coached defensive unit, particularly in terms of protecting the ball and avoiding turnovers on offense. After all, NMSU has in just two games coughed up the ball six times, three of which occurred last week against UTEP and subsequently turned into 17 points in favor of the Miners, this according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.
Related posts:
