Football Continues Post-Season Success
Eagles Advance to NCAA National Semifinals
D.J. Ferguson, O&B Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/4/09 Section: Sports
|
The Eagles are running into one of the most successful programs in Division II in recent years. Grand Valley State has won four national championships since 2000 with their most recent being in 2006. Current Cincinnati Head Coach and top candidate for head coach at Notre Dame Brian Kelly was at the helm in 2002 and 2003 when Grand Valley State won national titles.
The Eagles aren't letting any of that hype get to them. They are on an 11 game winning streak and have one of the most prolific offenses in the country. The Eagles lead the nation in rushing offense by averaging 349 per game, and are fourth in the nation in total offense averaging almost 500 yards per game.
The Lakers of Grand Valley State are not slouchers on offense either. The Lakers are ranked 11th nationally in total offense with about 460 yards per game.
While it's no secret that the Eagles are going to put up points on offense week in and week out, the defense will be the question on Saturday. They were able to pick off North Alabama's Quarterback Harrison Beck three times last week giving the offense great opportunities to put up points. If Carson-Newman shows up on defense as they did against North Alabama, there should be no problem coming out victorious.
Junior Defensive Back and All Conference selection Mario Russell will be counted upon to try and hold off Grand Valley State Quarterback Brad Iciek who has been a finalist for national player of the year for three straight years. Iciek leads the nation in pass efficiency with an eye-popping Quarterback rating of 174.11.
"We have to look through their recent success and just play our game. Nothing in the past can effect the outcome on Saturday. We also need to forget about our big win last week and get ready to play in the cold," Russell said.
The forecast for Saturday's showdown is low 30's with snow showers.
When asked about how to defend Grand Valley State's no huddle offense, Russell said, "We have played against it before; North Alabama actually used it last week. Our defense doesn't use a huddle as well, we receive our plays from the sideline, so receiving the signals quickly will be a big factor on Saturday."
Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. It's not everyday that Carson-Newman produces national attention from ESPN, so this game will have fans watching from all across the country.
"We have to stay focused and be humble. Of course we will take the praise that we are playing on ESPN, but the TV doesn't decide who wins the game," Russell said
Be the first to comment on this story