Central set to suprise opponents
Eastern Kentucky running back C.J. Hudson was handed the ball and almost sent 18,000 plus fans home from Kelly/Shorts Stadium, which was the Colonels second play from the line of scrimmage.
For Central, it seemed nothing had changed during the off-season. The Chippewas gave up a big play and were behind. Also, CMU still was struggling to stop the run.
To make matters worse Hudson scored on 80-yard run before the end of the first quarter when it seemed CMU was pulling away.
Yet, when CMU Head Coach Mike DeBord glanced at the 7-0 score, he shrugged his shoulders, brought his offense together and told them, if they finished strong that the Chippewas were going to win.
DeBord was right, not only did CMU finish strong, by the end of the game Eastern Kentucky Head Coach Roy Kidd said “his team was completely worn out.”
A lot of the credit goes to DeBord and his staff for creating and making the players believe in the no huddle offense. Kidd said the Colonels were surprised.
He said he never had ever seen the no-huddle by CMU, which DeBord and the rest of the offense used to their advantage, which was use effectively put together.
A new scheme and out of the new plays are three rising stars in quarterback Derrick Vickers, running back Robbie Mixon and wideout Rob Turner.
DeBord said the offense plays to Vickers strength as a mobile quarterback. All Vickers did was respond by making big plays, especially in a few key third down situations.
Now, before this year Turner, who had eight catches for 68 yards from all of last year. He finished with 6 catches for 90 yards and his first touchdown reception and even better, he could be the Chippewas go-to receiver down the field.
Mixon also did a tremendous job receiving and running the ball for the Chippewas. DeBord said he was pleased.
Also, credit goes to the adjustments the defense made in the second half. They held Hudson to 17 yards rushing in the second half and no touchdowns, compared to the first half when he ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns.
And the Colonels only had 63 yards of rushing in the second half compared to the 161 yards in the first half. Yep, the defense finished strong and even better the Chippewas are 1-0 and year two of the DeBord era is on the right track.
