September 11th, 2012 12:00am
It is not often that an injury to a starting quarterback turns a teams fortunes around in a good way. In the season opener two weeks ago, Central Missouri sophomore Colter Smith entered the game against Missouri Western to replace the injured Mike Petersen, who was hurt making a tackle on an interception return. At the time, the Mules trailed 28-0 midway through the second quarter. But Smith threw for 250 yards the rest of the way and rallied his team to within 38-26 before losing.
Fast forward to last Saturday. Smith was making his first career start against third ranked Northwest Missouri State, a team that had beaten the Mules nine straight times. But Smith calmly picked apart the Northwest defense all afternoon, completing 28 passes for 301 yards and four scores in leading his team to a huge 31-21 win. UCM has some fine quarterbacks the last few years, including Harlon Hill winner Eric Czerniewski in 2010. Smith looks like he will just add to that lineage.
In the bigger picture, what this UCM win does is help to create a very interesting conference situation in the MIAA. Defending national champ Pittsburg State is 2-0, but the Gorilla defense is allowing five yards per carry and it remains to be seen if this PSU team can approach the level of last years national championship version. The other traditional power in the league-- Northwest Missouri State-- is struggling offensively. Missouri Western and Washburn are both 2-0 along with surprising Emporia State. That makes six teams that look as if they can be a factor in the conference and playoff races. It will be a fun year to follow D2 football in the middle of the country.
Other Thoughts from Last Week
-According to multiple news reports, Concord senior quarterback Zach Grossi suffered severe injuries in a car accident on Monday. Grossi is a four year starter at Concord who has passed for over 7,000 yards in his career in addition to leading his team to the playoffs last season. My thoughts are with Grossi as he tries to recover from his injuries.
-Grand Valley State whipped Notre Dame College 83-46 before over 15,000 fans as the Lakers played their first game in newly renovated Lubbers Stadium. There is no question that GVSU is among the most talented teams in the country on offense, but the defense has to be a concern. Through two games the Lakers are 513 yards per game, including 228 on the ground. The Lakers will score enough points to hang with anyone, but will have to vastly improve their defense to be a national championship contender.
-Californias 48-45 win over Kutztown was a classic. Cal jumped out to a 27-0 lead, but KU scored the next 38 points to take a 38-27 lead in the fourth quarter. There were three touchdowns in the final 4:10 of the game, with Kowan Scotts 39-yard touchdown reception from Peter Lalich providing the winning points for the Vulcans. Both of these teams will once again be a major factor in the PSAC this season.
-Tusculum has apparently decided to ride the arm of Bo Cordell this season. The junior quarterback has thrown for 893 yards through two games and has attempted 124 passes. The strategy is not working, in part due to a porous defense. Cordells five interceptions in his teams 38-29 loss to West Georgia last week didnt help either.
-The old saying is that it is easier to reach the top than stay there and that may just be the case with Midwestern State. After going unbeaten in the regular season last year, the Mustangs were upset 20-17 by Tarleton State in the season opener for both teams. It is hard to write off a team after one week, but the MSU offense was very average against TSU and they could not stop the Texan running game. With the LSC having so many quality teams, it is difficult for me to imagine MSU finishing in the top three.
-I think most people (myself included) believe that Bobby Wallace will succeed in his second go around at North Alabama. That said, year one looks like it will be a long one. The Lions managed just 192 yards of offense and had four turnovers in their 31-10 loss to Harding last week.
Top Games this Week
Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1) at Carson-Newman (1-0)
It was not that long ago that LRC being a favorite in a game against C-N would have been laughed at. But that is not the case this year as the Bears were the preseason favorite in the SAC. Both teams will run the ball with their option offenses but I like the Bears in this one because they have the stronger defense. Lenoir-Rhyne 24 Carson-Newman 20.
Kutztown (1-1) at Bloomsburg (2-0)
The Golden Bears must rebound fast from the California loss with this being such a huge game in the PSAC East. I do not feel that Kutztown can handle the Bloomsburg running game and I do not think the Huskies can handle the KU passing attack. In other words, expect a high scoring game that will probably be decided late. Kutztown 38 Bloomsburg 31.
Tarleton State (1-0) at Abilene Christian (1-1)
With TSU knocking off Midwestern State and ACU with a loss already, this suddenly becomes a huge game. For the Texans to win, they must run the ball effectively and keep Mitchell Gale and the ACU offense on the sidelines. I think the Wildcats will find a way to win, but this will be a good game. Abilene Christian 24 Tarleton State 16.
Texas A&M-Kinsgville (2-0) at West Texas A&M (1-1)
As I mentioned last week, the Javelinas appear to once again be very good defensively which was proven last week when they held Abilene Christian to just 13 points. But WTAMU is so good throwing the football and the fact that TAMUK is struggling to get its running game going leads me to believe that the Buffaloes have the advantage in this game. West Texas A&M 28 Texas A&M-Kingsville 21.
Ashland (2-0) at Ferris State (2-0)
This is a huge early season game in the GLIAC as both teams have looked strong so far. FSU relies on an offense that averages 565 yards per game while Ashland has been extremely impressive defensively, posting a 7-0 shutout of Wayne State last week. I like the Eagles to continue their winning ways. Ashland 27 Ferris State 20.
Central Missouri (1-1) at Lindenwood (2-0)
This is the ultimate trap game for UCM as they are coming off the big win over Northwest Missouri State. Lindenwood is eager for a signature win as this is their first year in the MIAA. The Lions have some talent, but not enough to hang with UCMs passing attack for four quarters. Central Missouri 35 Lindenwood 24.
Mailbag
[Q] Who is your favorite in Super Region Three at this point?
Bill
[A] This is a very difficult to answer because it is so early in the season and because there are not many teams in all of D2 that have really jumped out and impressed early this year.
I think if I had to pick one team today in this region it would be Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs have a four-year starter at quarterback in Chase Vogler and he led UMD to the national title two years ago. The Bulldogs run the ball so well and if they could get home field advantage in the playoffs, Duluth can be a tough place to play late in the year. I am still not sold on the UMD defense though, so this team will have to improve to make my prognostication come through.
I also think Pittsburg State, Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western all have potential from the MIAA. All three teams have a great deal of talent, but significant flaws as well. MWSU just may be the best of three on paper, but the Griffons have never had much playoff success making it difficult to pick them to go far.
As I mentioned last week, I think the University of Sioux Falls is a real team to watch this year. While I do not think the Cougars can win the region, I do think they may be good enough to at least reach the playoffs. That would be quite an accomplishment for USF to reach the postseason in its first year of playoff eligibility since moving to D2.
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