CMU shows signs of improvement.
Amherst, NY — Four games into the season is enough to sense improvement. CMU has an improved football team; a lot of the improvement was on display Saturday night in Buffalo.
CMU,2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference;have tied the amount of wins they had last season in only four games.
Offensive threats
The Chippewas still are using their no-huddle offense. Though teams know it is coming, they can’t stop it.
Parents of a Buffalo defensive player were talking about how their son, a starter on the team, was worn out come the third quarter.
Buffalo Head Coach Jim Hofner said that the Chippewas no-huddle, offense made it difficult for the Bulls' defense to get organized and substitute players in between plays.
With the breakout performance of Terrence Jackson, the Chippewas, when healthy, should have three solid running backs to keep defenses off guard.
They have the small, speedy type of Robbie Mixon, along with the power running game of Jackson.
CMU also has Kenan Lawhorne running the ball. Lawhorne in four games has 150 yards rushing on 46 attempts with three scores.
A lot of the credit goes to the offensive line who really worked hard in the off-season to get bigger.
Rob Turner, who had been quiet since the Eastern Kentucky game, made some noise Saturday catching six passes for 63 yards.
Defense
Without their main linebacker, Darvin Lewis, the Chippewas’ defense played exceptionally well.
The defensive line, which has also grown stronger for the season, was able to stop any push the Bulls offensive line tried to create.
While the linebackers put pressure on Buffalo quarterback, Joe Freedy, sacking him six times for a loss of 40 yards.
When Freedy wasn’t pressured he had to throw into tight coverage by the Chippewa defensive backs.
The mix of the two allowed CMU to pick-off two Freedy passes in the game.
One by Tedaro France, his first on the year. The other one by Ed Hillery, it was Hillery’s first pick as a college player.
Special teams
James King, the Mid-American Conference knows about you.
King, who has blocked six punts this season, including four against MSU was double and triple-teamed Saturday.
During one punt it appeared as if there were four guys on him. Buffalo was able to shut King down by lining three men up behind the line, making King have to beat at least two players.
"I am really proud of the way we handled an exceptional punt blocker. I don’t think he really came in and was a factor. I thought they did a great job," Hofner said.
King even tried to switch sides but the Bulls special team was able to find him and keep him from getting to the punter.
"You have to be aware of King. Part of our plan was too communicate where he was. But it was basically on the shoulders of our slots to pick him up," Hofner said.
King may have got one, as he appeared to beat his man who then decided to tackle King.
The Chippewas did block two kicks in the game. They blocked two Bulls’ field goal attempts. Rico Epps played a big part as he recovered one of the kicks and got a hand on the other.
Give props to senior kicker Paul Savich. After missing his last three field goal attempts, he was 3-for-4 making his first three on the evening.
Adam Trumble can be reached at sports@cm-life.com.
