Gm. 1: URI @ Central Michigan, 8/31 7PM, ESPN3

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

This is a good test for URI. Central Michigan is a solid non-P5 FBS school. In a down year last year, they still went to a bowl game and beat Oklahoma State on the road.

Their QB last season was Cooper Rush, the UDFA preseason sensation for the Cowboys this summer. Rush was a four year starter for Central Michigan. Their new QB is Shane Morris, a 5th year senior transfer who went to Michigan as a top-10 QB recruit in the country out of HS. Unfortunately, his career at Michigan is probably most notable for almost getting killed during a game against Minnesota when Michigan coach Fred Flintstone Brady Hoke left him in the game to suffer injuries to his leg and brain. (The game is notable because Ed Cunningham, the ESPN announcer that called it, has cited it in explaining his decision to leave broadcasting over concerns about player safety. The video is available on youtube, but it is pretty tough to watch if you care at all about the well being of the kids playing these sports.)

While Michigan's fortunes have surged after Jim Harbaugh replaced Hoke in Ann Arbor, the opposite was true for Morris. He only threw 5 passes over the last two seasons under Harbaugh. During his first two seasons under Hoke, Morris threw 87 passes - which included 5 INTs and zero TDs. While Morris has serious pedigree, he has not accomplished much at the collegiate level. We may not know how good of a test this is for our defense for another month or two, but suffice it to say he at least has more talent than many of the QBs we will face during the rest of the season.

CMU's leading rusher from last year, Devon Spalding, is back. Spalding ran for nearly 800 yards at a 5.5 YPC clip and scored 6 TDs. Goal line work was dominated last year by the since-departed (graduated, not dead) Jahray Hayes, who ran it in 9 times but only managed to get 3.4 YPC on his team-leading 144 carries. Spalding and Hayes split the carries in 2016. If another back emerges to share the load with Spalding this year, it would likely be Soph Jonathon Ward who got 5.6 YPC on 36 totes as a freshman last year.

Three of CMU's four leading receivers from 2016 return, including leading receiver Corey Willis, who caught 71 balls for almost 1100 yards and 9 scores last season. Mark Chapman and Brandon Childress also played a role in the passing game as receivers in 2016 and should feature prominently again this season. Also expect to see Spalding active in the pass game out of the backfield, as he caught 31 balls last year.

The CMU O-line features four redshirt seniors: LT Joe Austin, C Austin Doan, RG JP Quinn and RT Derek Edwards. The unit is rounded out by LG Steve Eipper, a redshirt Soph. Perhaps this line will be improved because of the experience it features, and certainly it will be a test for URI's interior defense, but last year Central Michigan was one of the worst rushing teams in FBS on a YPG basis, finishing 121st out of 128 teams, although they relied very heavily on Rush through the air: they also finished 122nd in rushing attempts on a per game basis.

On defense, CMU plays in a base 4-3 defense that should start 8 upper classmen and 3 sophs. In 2016, CMU gave up 32.6 points per game, 89th in FBS. They had as much trouble against the run as the pass, finishing 86th in FBS against both methods of attack. There will be opportunities for URI to make some plays against CMU if we can get anything approaching quality QB play, but as we know that is far from a given for this program.

Overall, CMU will feature better athletes than URI at just about every position. That comes with the territory when you are a struggling FCS program and you are going up against a respectable FBS opponent. However, CMU is not Alabama or Ohio State. They have weaknesses and if URI is improved at all you could see flashes of that against a team like this. Over 60 minutes, I expect CMU to wear URI down and win pretty easily, but I'll be watching for any signs of encouragement - would particularly like to see some fight from our linemen on both sides of the ball and something resembling competent QB play.

I am hopeful for a cover of the 31 point spread, although I wouldn't bet my house. If we are going to be any good at all, I would think we would see at least a couple scoring drives on offense and some ability not to make Shane Morris look like the second coming of Andrew Luck. Therefore my prediction for this game is CMU 48 - URI 20.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Giving this a shot one time. We'll see if it is worth it to do them going forward for each game.

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

Nice Work-True Point

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 7 years ago

Well done TP

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 7 years ago

CMU Scout message board predictions on the game. Several think the game is "juicy"

http://scout.com/college/central-michig ... -106478569

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 7 years ago

And this on the game

http://scout.com/college/central-michig ... -106400275

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

Love to see this for Football! Nice TP.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

These screens on offense are taking way too long to develop. The defense has a lot of time to react. I'd like to see them get out quicker.

Rhodysk · Unread post by **Rhodysk** » 7 years ago

First 2 series
Defense looks good. All 11 getting to ball.

Offense
Running game! Cooper is the real deal!
Bubble screens suck
Let him throw down field.
Still 0-0 late in 1st qtr.

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

how about that ref?

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Go D!!

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

Nice turnover!

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

NYGFan_Section208 wrote:how about that ref?

Love her

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Nice throw on 3rd down!

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

I'm surprised Lawson didn't get a snap in the 1Q. I figured he would have gotten one series by now.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

Another nice hold by the defense! Holding them to 3.

Rhodysk · Unread post by **Rhodysk** » 7 years ago

Cooper!!!

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

real crappy throw by Harris on that pick.
He's been pretty bad.

Rhodysk · Unread post by **Rhodysk** » 7 years ago

Rhodys turnover leads to CM drive for a TD.
Rhody had them stopped on 3rd and 13 but a QB scramble for a 1st down killed any momentum rhody had.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Surprised we kept them out of the end zone for as long as we did. Nothing for defense to be ashamed of so far, but would really like to see a little more from the offense.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Stop! Rammer Time · Unread post by **Stop! Rammer Time** » 7 years ago

We've had two nice plays on offense: the long run by Cooper at the start, and that last throw and catch down the sideline.

We also had that long kickoff return.

Unfortunately they've all been wasted. Very frustrating.

The defense has looked pretty good though.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 7 years ago

Rhody looks good.

Poor execution at times. Cant beat yourself.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 7 years ago

This team might be competitive in a lot of games this season if they can cut down on mistakes.....that's a big if though.

Bos8 · Unread post by **Bos8** » 7 years ago

A few mistakes have hurt, but competitive for sure. I thought there was a horrific pass interference call that hurt URI big time. Cost 3 points plus an opportunity at great field position.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Nothing to show for it, but we at least looked somewhat competitive in that half.

I still believe our beleaguered football team has the best uniforms, and definitely the best helmets, in sports.

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

I would give the other QB a chance.
They need a spark.

eli#10 · Unread post by **eli#10** » 7 years ago

D looking real good. Phantom pass interference call gave them 3 points and cost us real good field position.

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

qb is a drag.....

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

Harris is playing terrible.Give someone else a shot.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 7 years ago

Fleming proved last year he was stubborn to change QB's until the starter got hurt.

Need a passing game. If the kid can throw it, why not?

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

Rambone-which kid?
You mean Lawson or Priore?

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

Clearly there isn't much trust in Lawson. Going into the game he was expected to receive a good amount of playing time.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 7 years ago

HK, either one. If Harris sucks, can the others be worse?

They need to find out who can play before they play a winnable game.

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

If the quarterback didn't totally suck...they might have some points...
But, they definitely beat the 'over' in terms of watchable channel flip

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

you're welcome

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

TD RHODY!! WOW! An explosive play on offense! Who would think it?!?

Bos8 · Unread post by **Bos8** » 7 years ago

Down 13-7 with the ball going into the 4th quarter.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 7 years ago

13-7 end of third quarter
Lets win this!

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

This is pretty cool

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

That wasn't a good 3rd down play, though

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

True Point-you surprised? Coop up middle on 3rd down for no gain is Flems favorite play!!

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 7 years ago

Uh that was a crappy series of events

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

Disorganized as always.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 7 years ago

Some really bad decisions by Harris tonight. Really bad.

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 7 years ago

Gonna wait one more series,see if he pulls Harris.
If not,really disappointed in Fleming.

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

maybe he's doing a gut check...to see if it's possible for him to suck any worse...?

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 7 years ago

Yeah baby!!!

Give me another sodie!

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

you're welcome, again

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 7 years ago

twice I've dropped a qb suck bomb and twice he's thrown td passes right after