Football looks to get back on right track
Junior quarterback Derrick Vickers is fighting for the starting job again.
And, Head Coach Mike DeBord has no problem pulling the struggling junior quarterback if he fails to produce against Ball State Saturday.
“I am going to really look at that position with more focus this week because Vickers, the coaches and myself are disappointed with the way he played last week,” DeBord said. “What he’s got to do is compete for the job. We’re going to make a decision based on what’s best for our team this week.
“This game, like every other game, is important for our team. If someone is struggling, and I feel it’s best for someone else to go in and play, then I will do that.”
After defeating Eastern Michigan, the football team struggled on offense and was defeated 44-17 last week at Toledo.
Senior runningback Robbie Mixon was held to 35 rushing yards on 10 carries, but didn’t play in the second half.
DeBord said his main concern is getting the passing game back on track, even if it means using another quarterback.
“We were so inconsistent on the passing game. I thought our running game held up okay but our passing game didn’t,” DeBord said. “I think the part of our team that needs to get going is the throwing game. It’s so important in a close game.
“Everybody knew that Toledo was going to be a tough game for us. But that game is behind us now.”
Now, with a new losing streak started, DeBord finds himself in a familiar situation: He must regroup his team and finish the season on a strong note.
He’ll have a better shot of accomplishing that goal though, as the two remaining games are at home.
“We said we wanted to finish strong. This game against Ball State can be very important to how we feel about our finish,” DeBord said. “I think going out there and jumping on them early is going to be important.
“I think they are a team very similar to us. They’re a team in the middle of the pack like us, and I think it’s going to be a great football game.”
With rival Western Michigan coming to Mount Pleasant next weekend, it could be easy to get caught up in premature rivalry hype. But don’t expect DeBord to overlook Ball State.
“We’ve talked about six wins, but we can’t talk about it until we get No. 5. Our focus is on number five and that’s all we’re thinking about,” DeBord said. “I don’t even want them (the team) to be thinking about next week.
“Again, it’s hard to talk about what win six can mean. This win (Saturday) is crucial so we can even talk about win six. I think we’re going to have another close game with Ball State.”
NOTES: Seniors Kyle Croskey, Rob Turner and junior Matt Wohlgemuth were named Verizon Academic All-District IV first team as voted upon by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Croskey, a offensive guard, majoring in industrial education carries a 3.62 grade- point average.
Turner, a wide receiver, was named a 2001 Academic All-American. He carries a 3.96 GPA in business/management information.
Wohlgemuth is a defensive end with a 3.65 GPA in outdoor and environmental education.
