Reaction from CMU's big win over Ohio yesterday:
WOW!I know some are calling this the biggest win of Enos's tenure, I think it fits in right behind the Iowa game but what a hige win. On the road against a team projected to win the MAC East. 18.5 point underdog. And you could make a case they were missing as many as FIVE starters on offense. What can you say about Saylor Lavallii? He took another beating, but he basically strapped the entire offense on his back in the first half and carried them. Made great cuts, got tough yardage, and bounced it to the outside when Ohio started to cheat up in the middle. And he made an impact in the passing game.Along those same lines, what a job run blocking by the O-Line. Some massive holes.Cooper Rush played his best game of the season and totally redeemed himself. Even more impressive? He did it with pass rushers in his face almost every time he dropped back. We said before that teams sensed blood in the water and that they were going to throw the kitchen sink at him every time he passed. Well...they did. And he responded. He didn't have any bad turnovers, made some huge third down throws and also showed the ability to scramble when things broke down.Brandon Greer had a heck of an INTCould Leterrius Walton finally be hitting his potential? Last few weeks he has been a man in the middle. He and Louis Palmer have some serious potential on that side.Ben McCord showed some nice hands and moves. If he can continue to develop as a blocker, he has tons of potential as a matchup problem in this offense.Ron Coluzzi did not have his best day. Fortunately his mistakes were null, but those were two pretty easy FG's he missed and they really could have changed the game if he had made them. How deep is this team at WR? Your best player goes down, and you are already missing Jesse Kroll. I don't think it's a stretch the say that Anthony Rice, Andrew Flory, Courtey Williams, Titus Davis, DeFarrel Davis and Jesse Kroll all have the ability to be starters. Pass blocking was and will continue to be a worry for me. Rush made some big throws and limited mistakes, but you can't ask him to do that every game facing a rush like that. In obvious passing downs, Ohio was able to get the edge and really apply pressure. Rush took some big hits too. But I think part of that was missing Titus Davis. Teams are going to condense the field and put an extra safety in the box when a field stretcher like him is out.No. 23 NIU comes to Mt. Pleasant next week and the teams confidence has to be as high as it's been this season. Interesting note: Last time NIU lost a regular season game? 2011 vs. CMU.
WOW!I know some are calling this the biggest win of Enos's tenure, I think it fits in right behind the Iowa game but what a hige win. On the road against a team projected to win the MAC East. 18.5 point underdog. And you could make a case they were missing as many as FIVE starters on offense. What can you say about Saylor Lavallii? He took another beating, but he basically strapped the entire offense on his back in the first half and carried them. Made great cuts, got tough yardage, and bounced it to the outside when Ohio started to cheat up in the middle. And he made an impact in the passing game.Along those same lines, what a job run blocking by the O-Line. Some massive holes.Cooper Rush played his best game of the season and totally redeemed himself. Even more impressive? He did it with pass rushers in his face almost every time he dropped back. We said before that teams sensed blood in the water and that they were going to throw the kitchen sink at him every time he passed. Well...they did. And he responded. He didn't have any bad turnovers, made some huge third down throws and also showed the ability to scramble when things broke down.Brandon Greer had a heck of an INTCould Leterrius Walton finally be hitting his potential? Last few weeks he has been a man in the middle. He and Louis Palmer have some serious potential on that side.Ben McCord showed some nice hands and moves. If he can continue to develop as a blocker, he has tons of potential as a matchup problem in this offense.Ron Coluzzi did not have his best day. Fortunately his mistakes were null, but those were two pretty easy FG's he missed and they really could have changed the game if he had made them. How deep is this team at WR? Your best player goes down, and you are already missing Jesse Kroll. I don't think it's a stretch the say that Anthony Rice, Andrew Flory, Courtey Williams, Titus Davis, DeFarrel Davis and Jesse Kroll all have the ability to be starters. Pass blocking was and will continue to be a worry for me. Rush made some big throws and limited mistakes, but you can't ask him to do that every game facing a rush like that. In obvious passing downs, Ohio was able to get the edge and really apply pressure. Rush took some big hits too. But I think part of that was missing Titus Davis. Teams are going to condense the field and put an extra safety in the box when a field stretcher like him is out.No. 23 NIU comes to Mt. Pleasant next week and the teams confidence has to be as high as it's been this season. Interesting note: Last time NIU lost a regular season game? 2011 vs. CMU.
