Shepherd finished second in CMU’s career passing yards after his four year reign as quarterback with 4,848 yards and a mere 68 yards less then his career total offense.

Bender is first in both passing and total offense. The only problem is Bender’s passing numbers are 6,528 yards and his total offense numbers add up to 6,518.

Derrick Vickers, the 5-foot 11-inch quarterback out of Miami Fla., rushed for 54 yards in 10 games (five starts) last year.

To go with his rushing Vickers also displayed the current buzzword surrounding the new breed of quarterback, “versatility.”

His 1,059 yards passing led the Chippewas and his 102.8 passer rating was second to Pete Shepherd’s 115.5.

Despite his numbers, Vickers is still a work in progress. No matter his previous achievements, it is unfair to ask anyone not named Michael Vick to lead a team to championships in his sophomore season.

“He’s developing on schedule. He’s a better player now then he was last year. So he’s a better player but he’s still in the developing process,” Head Coach Mike DeBord said.

“Not too many people come out of high school into Division I football. Quarterbacks need to be developed and that’s what he’s going through right now.”

To Vickers' accolades are a 16-of-28, 228 yard performance against rival and favorite Western Michigan last year.

The game against WMU also included the type of drive that makes coaches drool.

Vickers led the Chippewas 71 yards on 14 plays to seal the victory over the hated and much ballyhooed Broncos.

Aside from this drive Vickers also showed more signs of his readiness as a team leader when he said, “Western doesn’t come into Mt. Pleasant and win. It just doesn’t happen.”

His true coming out party was not against the Broncos though, it was Central’s homecoming loss to Kent State.

Against KSU Vickers completed 19 of 32 for 261 yards and three scores. Unfortunately the game ended in overtime with Vickers throwing an interception to seal the loss.

Coach Mike DeBord put it best after the game, “People won’t remember Vickers’ performance because of that last interception. They’ll remember him for the way he got to that point.”

Even more stunning is the way Vickers got to overtime against Kent State is his trek to CMU.

Vickers was brought to Central by former Head Coach Dick Flynn. Flynn brought Vickers to Mt. Pleasant from Miami as one of the first Central players to claim residence in Florida.

“He was the first for us. It really wasn’t a place we looked for talent until we went down there and saw Derrick play,” Flynn said.

Vickers started for Monsignor Edward Pace High in the grossly competitive Dade County as a freshman. As a senior he led Dade county in passing and finished first team All-County.

“He’s an outstanding athlete with a great arm. We were really impressed with his ability to lead a team on the field,” Flynn said. “He’s a quality individual and we thought he had a lot of potential.”

The switch from the near tropical setting of Miami Fla. to the at best temperate Mt. Pleasant could force most sunshine natives to the brink.

Vickers regards the change in scenery with the same optimism he regards most things.

“It’s a bit slower, but that can be better. You have more chances to concentrate on things that are important,” Vickers said. “You can concentrate on school, that’s number one, and you can give a lot more time to football.”

Aside from the pace of life Vickers adds the people as points of prominence at Central.

“The people here are great. They love you when you win and love just as much when you lose,” Vickers said.

Another change from the sun and fun to Mid-Michigan is the culture.

Diversity and CMU has always been a hot topic and with only seven-percent of the student population being of minority descent it probably is no surprise to anyone, Vickers is the first black quarterback to start a football season as the number one guy at CMU.

“I’ve never looked at it from a racial aspect. I just came to the spring practice and tried to do my best and help put my team in the best position to win games this season,” Vickers said.

Aside from a lack of diversity and stale playing style Derrick Vickers and the Chippewas are looking to break another trend that has been haunting the football program.

Losing.