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ISU Receivers and Tight Ends

Projected starters — Donald Spencer, WR; Demory Lawshe, WR; Michael Mardis, TE.
Reserves — Tanner Riley, WR (could also start); Chris O’Leary, WR; DeSean Prentice, WR; Taje High, WR; Barry McCarter, WR; Cory Fisher, WR; Garrick Dikos, TE; Logan Buske, TE.
True freshmen (may or may not be redshirted) — Jeff Burley, WR; Dyris Haywood, WR; Sean Clancy, TE; Joel Magrum, TE; Jerry Stephen, TE.
Player to watch — Donald Spencer, 6-2, 205, Jr..: The Michigan State transfer had 31 receptions for 459 yards and a team-high six touchdown catches in 2011, but the coverage Spencer is likely to get will be a lot different than what he saw in 2011 when Justin Hilton, Alex Jones and others had to be accounted for. If Spencer can find seams, he can use his size to outleap corners and his speed to get away from them.
Analysis — The receiving corps is one of the biggest question marks for the Sycamores. Spencer is established,  but the other receiving candidates are inexperienced. Moreover, Spencer is the only downfield threat. If ISU can establish another receiver along with Spencer and tight end Mardis, it’ll be in good shape. If not? ISU’s offense could get stuck. ISU’s receivers also have to work on drops, something that plagued them at times in the preseason.
— Todd Golden

Related Photos

  • Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Complete pass: Indiana State University tight end Michael Mardis makes a catch during practice Monday at Memorial Stadium.

    SPT 082712 MARDIS CATCH.jpg

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August 28, 2012

Mardis eyes feature role at tight end

He’s among several TH players who contribute for ISU

Todd Golden The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Michael Mardis came to Indiana State’s football team as a ready-made receiver.

He had 54 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns as a Terre Haute South senior in 2008.

Mardis found out quickly, however, that his tight end role at ISU required that he block as well as he could catch, especially because ISU already had experience at the tight end spot with Alex Jones.

So Mardis bided his time. He learned to become a well rounded tight end, while still maintaining his edge as a receiving threat.

Now a senior, Mardis is going to get the chance to show how he’s completed his skills.

“I get the best of both worlds, both blocking and receiving. When I came here, I wasn’t a very productive blocker, but I worked on that. Receiving has always been a strong part,” Mardis said.

Mardis takes over as the starter for the graduated Jones. Given that ISU occasionally employed dual tight ends, Mardis got plenty of playing time in 2011. He had 10 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

Mardis figures to be a frequent target for new ISU quarterback Mike Perish. Aside from Donald Spencer, ISU’s wide receivers are green and untested, and Perish has shown a propensity for throwing underneath frequently.

But coach Trent Miles’ offense has always been tight-end friendly anyway. And despite the turnover in experience among the pass catchers, he doesn’t expect much to change from when former ISU quarterback Ronnie Fouch, receiver Justin Hilton (now with the Cincinnati Bengals) and Jones plied their trade.

“Honestly, it shouldn’t be any different at all. We lost a lot of good players — Fouch, Alex Jones — but the new people are stepping up,” Mardis said. “We haven’t lost any talent. There’s nothing we can’t do that we didn’t do last year. If we get it all right, we should be a well-oiled machine.”

Establishing the passing game has always been paramount for Miles, but with star runner Shakir Bell in the backfield, making the passing game work goes hand in hand with giving Bell space to break free.

Miles is confident Mardis and the new receivers can do it.

“We’ve got good enough skill on the outside, so we can get the ball to those guys too. Hopefully, we can keep guys from trying to load the box by some of our formations and putting it out on the perimeter,” Miles said.

As for Mardis, he continues a recent tradition of Terre Haute contributors on ISU’s roster, many being tight ends. Fellow South alum Logan Buske is among the current tight end group. The last Sycamore to play in the NFL — tight end Jamie Petrowski — is a Terre Haute North alum.

Chris O’Leary, who could see action at wide receiver, also hails from Terre Haute North.

The Terre Haute connection continues with Tyler Evans (RB, South), Tyler King (K, South), Tsali Lough (DB, South, brother of former four-year starting fullback Brock Lough), Nathaniel Schuster (OL, South) and Dakota Vermillion (OL, North).

“I feel like it really helped me playing in the [Metroplitan Interscholastic Conference]; I played against the best players. I have kids who beat me in high school playing with me. It prepared me very well for this. The caliber [of talent] is definitely there for [Terre Haute’s] players,” Mardis said.

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Ethan Page is the race director for the Terre Haute Triathlon.

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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)

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