TERRE HAUTE — A new Indiana State football era begins tonight at Eastern Michigan as Trent Miles strolls the sideline for the first time as ISU’s head coach.
One notable name will not be joining Miles and the rest of his Sycamore teammates at Rynearson Stadium.
ISU will be without the services of starting quarterback Chuck Dowdell, who is suspended for one game after violating an unspecified team rule. Dowdell is listed as the starter on ISU’s depth chart, and has taken snaps in practice right up to Tuesday.
Miles did not wish to comment on the quarterback situation, other than to say, “Chuck Dowdell is his starting quarterback”, and Miles noted that Dowdell will be back in the starting role when ISU plays at Eastern Illinois on Sept. 13.
In Dowdell’s absence, Matt Seliger is tentatively slated to start the game, an encouraging rise for the redshirt freshman and Terre Haute native, who has flown under the radar to a certain extent as Dowdell and freshman Calvin Schmidtke have garnered much of the preseason attention. Seliger was a steady performer during training camp and has mobility out of the pocket.
Seliger will start, but Schmidtke will also see action as Miles mixes and matches his two young quarterbacks.
The rise of Seliger is a microcosm of a potential problem ISU’s foes face in the nonconference portion of the Sycamores’ schedule. ISU has so many new players — six freshmen are listed as starters and many more will contribute off the bench — with virtually no film on what ISU plans to do, it could be difficult for Eastern Michigan to know what to expect tonight. Many ISU players have said as much during pre-game practices this week.
It’s a potential double-edged sword for the Sycamores, an advantage that could lead to overconfidence on the part of the Sycamores. It’s not a point being emphasized by the coaching staff going into the game.
“I don’t get caught up in, ‘they don’t know what we’re doing.’ They’re experienced coaches, after a series or two, they’ll figure out what’s going on in a hurry. It comes down to a battle of execution and who’s playing harder than the other team. If we can control the line of scrimmage, we’ll win the football game,” Miles said.
And no one needs to reminded that ISU has little reason to be over-confident in any case. The Sycamores are a well-publicized 1-32 since 2004 and haven’t beaten a FBS opponent since 2001.
“I feel different this year. We have new coaches, a new scheme, I feel like we’re on a Division I level now,” ISU linebacker Quinton Scott said. “I played safety last year, and our linebacker coach [Troy Johnson] transformed me to linebacker just like that. I feel good about this year and I feel good about going to Eastern Michigan.”
That last FBS opponent ISU defeated? Eastern Michigan. The Sycamores beat the Eagles 21-14 in Ypsilanti, one of ISU’s three victories that season.
The Eagles (4-8 in 2007) have seven starters back on each side of the ball. Eastern Michigan is solid at quarterback with junior Andy Schmitt (1,613 yards, 14 TD, 6 INT). Receivers Jacory Stone (47 receptions, 462 yards, 3 TD) and Tyler Jones (29, 341, 3) are experienced targets for Schmitt.
Defensively, senior middle linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw is the heart of the defense and led the Eagles in tackles with 125 in 2007. The Eagles also return most of their secondary.
One weakness for Eastern Michigan could be on the defensive line. The Eagles allowed 5.2 rushing yards per carry last season and its defensive line averages just 257 pounds. ISU’s offensive line averages 299 pounds. Eastern Michigan’s running game is also a question mark. The Eagles averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2007, but the Eagles lost its top rusher, and have Terrence Blevins listed as the starter tonight. Blevins is big (6-foot-1, 238 pounds), but rushed for only 84 yards in 2007.
“I think they’re a team that showed marked improvement last year. They’re a team that’s ready to take that next step and get into the upper echelon of the MAC. They’re hungry and they want to defend their home-field. We’ll get their best shot,” Miles said.
Injury-wise for ISU, wide receiver Jeramie Gray, who separated his shoulder last Thursday, took part in light workouts on Tuesday, but is not likely to play tonight. Offensive linemen Casey Paswater and Odeh Farha are out, along with linebacker Aaron Archie.
TONIGHT’S GAME
Teams: Indiana State (0-0) at Eastern Michigan (0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
TV: None Radio: WSDM-FM 92.7
Series: Eastern Michigan leads 9-3. ISU won the last meeting in Ypsilanti 21-14 in 2001
ISU vs. EMU at a glance
The matchup — The Indiana State Sycamores travel to play the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a nonconference football game.
Last season — ISU was 0-11, EMU was 4-8.
Kickoff — 7 p.m. today.
Site — Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Broadcasts — Radio: WSDM-FM 92.7.
Coaches — Trent Miles is in his first season at ISU. Jeff Genyk (13-33) is in his fifth season at EMU.
Series — EMU leads 9-3. ISU won the last meeting in Ypsilanti 21-14 in 2001.
Injuries — For ISU, OL Casey Paswater (knee); OL Odeh Farha (leg); LB Aaron Archie (knee) are out; WR Jeramie Gray (shoulder) is doubtful.
— Todd Golden
Today’s ISU vs. EMU lineups
Indiana State offense EMU offense
Pos Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Pos. Player Ht. Wt. Yr.
WR Ryan Patrick 5-10 170 Sr. WR Jacory Stone 6-0 190 Jr.
WR Koby Kraemer 5-9 165 Fr. WR Dontayo Gage 5-10 184 Jr.
LT Janssen Hayes 6-3 325 Sr. LT T.J. Lang 6-4 307 Sr.
LG Evan Borchers 6-2 275 Fr. LG Andy Fretz 6-2 290 Jr.
C Jack Byrne 6-3 300 Sr. C Eric Davis 6-2 280 So.
RG Pat Burke 6-3 320 Jr. RG Stephen Johnson 6-4 280 Jr.
RT Josh Jellison 6-5 275 RFr. RT Bridger Buche 6-3 294 So.
TE Josh Jones 6-2 220 Jr. TE Ben Thayer 6-4 230 So.
QB Matt Seliger 6-0 205 RFr. QB Andy Schmitt 6-4 238 Jr.
RB Darrius Gates 5-9 180 So. RB Terrence Blevins 6-1 238 Sr.
FB Brock Lough 6-0 210 Fr. WR Tyler Jones 6-2 218 Sr.
PK Braulio Martinez 5-11 155 Fr. PK Joe Carithers 6-0 200 So.
Indiana State defense (4-2-5) EMU defense (4-3)
Pos Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Pos. Player Ht. Wt. Yr.
DE Dan Millington 6-2 260 Jr. DE Spenser Smith 6-1 240 Sr.
DT Jon Goodrich 6-5 275 Sr. DT Josh Hunt 6-4 278 Sr.
DT Ben Geffert 6-3 285 Fr. DT Tyler Palsrok 6-4 265 So.
DE Kevin Wilson 6-5 250 Jr. DE Brad Ohrman 6-4 244 Fr.
LB Jayden Everett 6-0 225 Sr. LB Andre Hatchett 5-11 221 Jr.
LB Quinton Scott 5-10 195 Jr. ILB Daniel Holtzclaw 6-1 246 Sr.
DB Russell Dedeaux 5-10 195 So. LB Jermaine Jenkins 6-2 207 Sr.
CB Mike Woods 5-10 185 Sr. CB Arrington Hicks 5-10 170 So.
CB Kyle Monroe 6-0 190 Sr. CB Kevin Long 6-1 196 So.
SS Darrius Middlebrooks 5-11 190 So. SS Jacob Wyatt 5-11 197 Sr.
FS Donye McCleskey 6-0 215 Jr. FS Ryan Downward 6-1 201 So.
P Gabe Mullane 6-2 190 So. P Zach Johnson 6-0 195 Jr.
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