Bonamego, Ostman stress CMU defense at spring game
After being among the top defensively in the Mid-American Conference for the past few seasons, the Central Michigan football team is not changing its mantra any time soon.
Defensive end Blake Serpa and safety Kavon Frazier have graduated, and could possibly be entering the National Football League. Linebacker Tim Hamilton has also graduated. Sophomore linebacker Malik Fountain was suspended after being arrested for assault.
To sum it up, four of the Chippewas' top eight tacklers from last season are either no longer with the team or cannot play.
Head Coach John Bonamego said he does not expect CMU to change its defensive identity in the Mid-American Conference. In 2015, the Chippewas ranked second in the MAC in total defense and first in pass defense.
"That’s something that we take a lot of pride in," Bonamego said.
The defense was on display during Saturday's spring game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, which the Gold team won 21-7. Several defensive players from last year suited up for the Gold team, including linebackers senior Nathan Ricketts and juniors Mitch Stanitzek and Tyree Waller. The trio combined for 108 tackles last season.
The Maroon team featured defensive lineman Joe Ostman, who compiled 11 tackles and four sacks in 2015. Ostman had a sack on redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Johnson early in the spring game before he and players like Stanitzek and senior defensive linemen Kelby Latta and Jabari Dean were pulled after a few series.
“It felt good to be back out there," Ostman said. "It was a good spring game. I think there were a lot of positives to come out of it and we’re looking forward going into next season.”
Ostman will be without Serpa, who forced two fumbles in 2015 to go along with 37 tackles and 18 tackles.
“It’s different without Blake out there," Ostman said. "You get a connection with guys on the field but at the same time last year guys like (junior defensive lineman) Chris Kantzavelos and Mitch Stanitzek got a lot of time on the field and they had the experience to step in. I know that I can trust every one of those (defensive linemen) that are out there with me on the field.”
For the Gold, Stanitzek had a couple of tackles during the opening drive of the spring game. Sophomore linebacker Trevor Apsey had a couple of tackles in the first quarter and Ricketts sacked sophomore quarterback Tommy Lazzaro to end the first quarter.
On the Maroon side, junior defensive back Josh Cox blew up a screen pass to force a 2nd-and-20 in the second quarter. Redshirt freshman Michael Oliver, a Detroit Cass Technical High School product, had a huge hit with a minute left in the first half and sacked redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Johnson to start the second half.
Stanitzek led all defensive players with four tackles (one sack) while Ostman had three tackles (one sack). Ricketts, junior linebacker Jeff Perry and senior defensive back Colton Odykirk recorded three tackles each.
“I liked the play of our defense on both sides," Bonamego said. "I thought we really ran to the ball well and tackled well in space, tackled well in the back end. That’s encouraging. You’re upset at the offense for not being able to move the ball but on the flip side of that, that means you must be doing good things on defense."
Defensive Coordinator Greg Colby is in his second season and Ostman said the system is second nature to the team after a full season.
Ostman said before the spring game, Colby told the defense he wanted the score to be 0-0.
“We want to be the number one defense in the country this year," Ostman said.
Bonamego said there is a safety spot up for grabs alongside senior safety Tony Annese, who sat out Saturday's spring game. Cox and sophomore cornerback Amari Coleman received much playing time at cornerback last season.
Sophomore Zach Oakley, senior Winslow Chapman, Odykirk, sophomore Otis Kearney and junior Gary Jones will receive consideration for the secondary, Bonamego said.
No matter who plays where, Bonamego said CMU's play on defense will remain the same.
"It’s part of our tradition," Bonamego said. "One of the things that has always defined CMU football is great, tough, hard-nosed, hustling, opportunistic defense and I don’t see that changing this year with this group.”
