Yes, the Tartans had trouble with Kenyons running game.  Kenyon constantly ran a down trap but instead of the tackles continuing to block down they would take one step and block out on the ends in CMU's 3-4 which opened huge, HUGE holes in the middle.  Beilieve me, if CMU had not made a couple of adjustments the Lords would have easily eclipsed 300-350 yards rushing.

TartanPlayer, good observation on Kresge.  I believe you were at todays game and if you were then you know he was an integral part in securing the W against Kenyon.  I've seen every game and its my opinion that CMU just has to execute and cut back on the the mistakes and turnovers.  The turnovers have killed them in their losses and close games.  Today I saw about five fumbles.  Once they start executing and limiting mistakes then they will have no problem giving the UAA a run for their money.  They've got talent and anyone who has seen them knows it.

Yes, I noticed him last week at OWU.  If I remember correctly my brother told me there was an upperclassmen who had run track or cross country previously and joined the football team.  It could be him.  Carney is his name I believe.  To be honest, alot of people touched the ball for CMU last week.  At the end of the game there was a fr. RB named Garcia, number 26, and he looked like he had some game.  Nearly scored on a long run at the end of regulation.  Ruzga saw some time at FB along with Phillips.  There is definitely potential in the future.  I believe the O-line is almost all seniors though.  That could be a question mark in the coming years.

I'm looking forward to the GCC game tomorrow.  Could be some wet weather, but that makes it interesting sometimes.  If CMU plays anywhere close to the way they did last weekend I think they win at GCC by two TDs.  I can't wait to see that CMU D again.

GO TARTANS!

I'll concede that the Bishops used Freshman QBs, but neither one was horrible and made capable plays at other points in the game.  As Plaidman said, the D seemed to be in mid-season form.

OWU wasn't a bad football team,  other than a drive where stupid mistakes setup OWU's only score, CMU's D lived up to what I expected.  They were all over the place and the secondary looked like they were ready to roll in June.  The secondary caused all of OWU's turnover's....3 picks, two of which returned for TDs, and a FF by a DB.  And as I thought, the O was solid.  Phillips ran well and broke a lot of tackles that I don't remember seeing Sivek break.  A very strong 35-7 victory.  If they keep playing this way it could be a cause for concern for you Spartan fans.  A healthy, on-point D may have something to say in Cleveland this year.  Remember, last year's game wasn't a high scoring affair, and I think CMU's D is a few steps ahead of the 07 version.  Time will tell though.  

I could see where some people, such as the Plain Dealer writer, could make a case for CMU being weak on O.  Losing two RBs that amassed 1000 yards on the ground the past two years definitely leaves you with question marks.  I personally think they will be all right.  I think the system has proven it can produce.  CMU has been running it for decades.  They have a capable FB replacing Sivek in Sr. Ryan Phillips.  He's a very strong downhill runner who breaks tackles well and gains maximum yardage.  I think Sr. Greg Pitts will play at RB as well as Jr. David Babcock.  Jr. Phil Pantalone will start at QB.  He started the last 5 or 6 games last year, winning the last five games including the ECAC Southwest bowl.   

Again, the D is their strongest unit this year.  Lots of experienced players returning all over.  Not a whole lot of depth at D-line, but they have plenty of that in the LB corp.  Could see a steady rotation of LBs.  They also return all 4 starters in the defensive backfield.  Led by big hitting Sr. Steve McGovern and Jon Scholl, a 5th yr. senior and the teams leading tackler last year, they should be able to give the D-line and LBs plenty of time to make a play in the backfield.  They'll miss Matt Adams at the P position......but things would have to be pretty bad to start worrying about your punting game.

Go Tartans!!  And good luck to the rest of the UAA.

Wow, all of that offseason chatter about CWRU and everything else......where did everyone go?  This board has been dead and the season is 3 days away.

Well, then, I guess I'll be the one.........

CMU over OWU by 6.

CWRU over Kenyon by 18

WUStL over Greenville(did not know they were Christian Liberal Arts school) by 14

U. of Chi only plays 9 games this year and starts the season with one of their byes

It will be nice to have a read on Witt. since WUStL plays them in week 3.  Doesn't mean much, but at least we will see how one of the UAA's more consistant teams matches up against one of the NCAC's best.

GO TARTANS!

I don't know much about the scrimmage to be honest.....I didn't go to it.  I spoke with my brother and what I came away with was that the number 1's played well and it sounds like they just have to ruff some things out for the opener.  Nothing major to work on by the sound of it.

I went to last year's scrimmage and to tell the truth I don't know much about Waynesburg but it sounds like CMU has a better overall team this year.  Sure they had a two-headed rushing monster last year, but it took a 4 game losing streak to bring that team together.  I think they are better prepared for a strong year this go around.  No doubt that a few players will have to step up on O, but it should be a solid season.  I've circled three games in my mind and those are @WUStL, @CWRU, and vs. Witt.  I think those are the toughest games on the schedule this year.  Ohio Wesleyan could be a nice test in the opener, but again, I don't know enough about them.  Almost forgot Hobart is coming to Gesling.  That should be a good game as well.

CMU scrimmaged Waynesburg today....don't know much yet, but I do know the Tartan defense sounds good, giving up its first score 14 plays into the scrimmage.

Okay, thanks....but will it be shown everywhere the following day on ESPNU or is it just a regional thing.  I only ask because we have family and friends who can't necessarily travel and see my brother play so this would be a perfect opportunity for them. 

Also, CMU scrimmages Waynesburg this weekend......any other scrimmages on tap??

What does tape delay technically mean??

Just saw on the CMU webpage that the CMU@Allegheny game this year will be televised on FSN Pittsburgh.

Haha, for every one kid we talk about that has potential and didn't get an opportunity there are thousands more out there in the same position.  The fact of the matter is....there are only so many roster spots at every level and there are bound to be plenty of odd men out.  It is sad to see somebody with potential be overlooked, but for those of us who know these young people in that situation we all know they'll make it in life in another way.  I'm not saying its fair......life isn't fair.  Why do pro athletes make millions while our nurses, cops, firefighters etc.. are struggling to make a living and feed their families?? Yet these pro athletes keep getting bigger and better contracts?!?!  Which is why I absolutely love watching these guys play ball because as I've said before, these kids aren't playing for a scholarship or a chance at big money.....it's the love of the game.

For what its worth I don't think alot of d3 coaches get to see their recruits play before they decide to bring them in.  Sure maybe a few, but I will add to TartanPlayer's point.....and he can probably vouch for this one.....my brother probably wasn't even high on their radar.  Some other kid Lackner was visiting in our area told him about my brother.  My brother was recruited as a LB, came into camp as a FB, and finished camp playing RB.  No significant time during his freshman year whatsoever, but then he switched to D-Line and its history from there.  As TartanPlayer mentioned in his capsule of CMU, my brother will be one of the leaders of this years defense.

I'm not worried about ammunition Major.....I could care less how bad you make yourself look or whether your statement comes true.  I just disagree with even making a remark of that nature.  It's all well and good to be optimistic, but a prediction of that caliber insinuates that you are cocky and brash and if this were a more frequented board then you would have been open to plenty of more shots than mine.  As I said, do and say what you want, but I won't agree with outlandish predictions based on one year of productivity in a highly productive offense.  Kurt Warner bagged groceries until he hooked up with Mike Martz and his high flying wide open offense, and might as well been bagging groceries after he left St. Louis.  Don't take that the wrong way, I'm not comparing Whalen to him.  I'm just saying that the spread O is conducive to any team with speed and an adequate QB.  Does adequate=All-American??  Who knows......Let me finish by saying this....I can see where Whalen has the "potential" to be All-American, but "undoubtedly" I just don't see it.  And let's not forget that I've seen him play twice, so I'm not going off of numbers.  I think he's a good QB actually, but I'm sorry, I don't see an All-American.  In fact, the only two players in the UAA I thought were truly deserving of that honor in my 4 years of following them were CWRU's Tom Brew and CMU's Aaron Lewis.  And my own brother played during that time period.  My brother is good and has the potential to be All-American(he was 1st team Academic All-American), but his position limits his skill set.  I personally think he would make a bigger impact at MLB, but he's happy at DE and so are his coaches.  I just enjoy watching these guys play the game.  They don't do it to go to the NFL and they certainly don't do it for scholarships.  They do it because they love the game.  I just hate to hear somebody say things that may set expectations for these guys.  I don't expect anything from any of the players I've seen at the D3 level.  They've already given everything they've got.