The 2009 “Expected MAC Quarterbacks”
May 24th, 2009 by Nick Gerogosian
In looking at the 2009 crop of MAC QBs, nine league schools return their starter and some schools (Miami and Ohio) include competition among returning players.
Nick is the MAC-daddy from VandelaySports.com. To follow is a school-by-school post-spring breakdown:
Chris Jacquemain leads Akron to a new season in a new stadium (Icon SMI).
MAC EAST
- Akron – Chris Jacquemain (senior) returns (231-399 for 2,748 yards, 20 TDs, 14 interceptions), 10 of his 14 interceptions come in three games (4 versus Ball State, 3 versus Kent State and 3 versus Temple). In the other nine games he totaled 17 TD passes and four interceptions.
- Bowling Green – Tyler Sheehan (senior) returns for his third season as a starter (267-400 for 2,610 yards, 20 TDs, 9 interceptions). His 66.8 pass completion percentage rate led the conference.
- Buffalo – Zach Maynard (sophomore) is the leading candidate to replace four-year starter Drew Willy. Maynard completed 1-3 attempts for 7 yards last season. Willy had numbers of 304-486 for 3,304 yards, 25 TDs and just six interceptions.
- Kent State – Anthony Magazu (senior) and Giorgio Morgan (sophomore) will battle for the starting spot. Magazu played in five games with passing numbers of 11-23 for 81 yards, 1 TD and no interceptions. Last year’s starter, Julian Edelman, passed for 1,820 yards and 13 TDs and rushed for 1,370 yards and 13 TDs.
- Miami – Under first-year head coach Mike Haywood, it should be a wide open battle. Returnees include Dan Raudabaugh (senior) and Clay Belton (sophomore). Raudabaugh was 201-343 for 1,960 yards, 8 TDs and 8 interceptions. Belton made a couple of starts late in the season and on the year was 63-115 for 639 yards, 2 TDs and 3 interceptions.
- Ohio – Veterans Boo Jackson (senior) and Theo Scott (senior) are expected to compete for playing time. Scott (29-44, 247 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions) was the early season starter until injured. Jackson (185-306 for 2,355 yards, 19 TDs and 12 interceptions) closed the season strong, passing for 8 TDs and just one pick in the last two games. The Bobcats’ offense produced 90 points in wins over Akron and Miami in the last two games of the season.
- Temple - Vaughn Charlton (junior) was redshirted in 2008 and is slated to take over for the departed Adam DiMichele, a three-year starter (134-231 for 1,911 yards, 18 TDs, 6 int.). Charlton has played in 15 career games with seven starts and has cumulative numbers of 125-222 for 1,225 yards, 5 TDs and 3 interceptions.
Tim Hiller returns for his senior Bronco season in 2009.(Icon SMI)
WEST DIVISION
- Ball State – Texas native Kelly Page (redshirt freshman) has the lead to step in for the departed Nate Davis, a three-time MAC leader in passing efficiency. Davis lit up BSU foes last year for 3,591 yards, completing 258-401 with 26 TDs and 8 interceptions.
- Central Michigan – Dan LeFevour (senior) will make his final go around, picking apart MAC defenses after his first three campaigns in a starting role. In 2008 he completed 251-376 attempts for 2,784 yards, 21 TDs and six interceptions, his career numbers have him poised to challenge several league career passing marks.
- Eastern Michigan – The record-setting Andy Schmitt (senior) returns for his fourth campaign as a starter. Schmitt set MAC single game marks in completions (58) and attempts (80) versus CMU in the final game last year. His year-end numbers totaled 2,644 passing yards, 15 TDs and 8 interceptions, completing 261-417 attempts.
- Northern Illinois – Chandler Harnish (sophomore) helped the Huskies go from a two-win season in 2007 into the Independence Bowl in 2008 – his freshman season. Harnish returns to improve his numbers of 1,528 passing yards and a team-leading 539 rushing yards.
- Toledo – Aaron Opelt (senior) is back for his fourth season in the starting rotation. His 2008 productivity included 2,176 yards, 12 TDs and 7 interceptions, completing 225-376 attempts. He has been at the helm in wins over Iowa State (2007) and Michigan (2008).
- Western Michigan – Tim Hiller (senior) the 2005 MAC Freshman of the Year, who then missed 2006 with an injury, is back for his fourth campaign as a starter. Hiller piled up 3,725 yards and a league-leading 36 TDs passing (10 more than the next QB on the list).
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