'Chip Shots' Postgame notes

Whew.

That's all I've got to say after CMU's 31-12 win over EIU. It was quite a ride since our coverage was on deadline for print (the only time it will be all year), so it involved a lot of running around and asking questions.

Without further ado, though, here are some of my notes after watching today's game (well, technically last night since I'm writing this in the early morning):

• It was by no means a blowout win, but I'm sure CMU will take it. Eastern Illinois is a tough FCS opponent, just like North Dakota State was. They're not ranked No. 18 for no reason. Bodie Reeder, at a lot of points, was comfortable in the pocket and made very good throws. Defensive end Pierre Walters lived up to his billing, too, with 8 tackles and a sack.
• The Chippewas' run defense was the key. It held the Panthers to 83 yards on 31 carries - less than three yards per touch. Stopping the run is arguably the biggest key to keeping an offense in check and it showed. Eastern Illinois was fairly efficient in the passing game, but it had no running game to compliment it, therefore 12 points.
• Senior tailback Justin Hoskins ran well, too. A lot was said about Ontario Sneed's running performance, but Hoskins came in late in the second half and looked 100 percent, too. He finished with 41 yards on eight carries, showing a lot of speed and running past tacklers. Granted, that had something to do with EIU's defense, which wasn't quite as fresh that late in the game, but you have to give Hoskins credit.
• Jean Pitts and Joe Bockheim, despite limited touches, looked good. Bockheim's only catch was an excellent 20-yard sliding pull-in late in the first quarter to convert a third and 17. Pitts had three catches for 26 yards, but none bigger than the diving grab he made to give CMU a 17-3 lead late in the first half. Those two are going to be critical in opening up Central's passing game, especially next week at Georgia.
• Punter Brett Hartmann had a nice debut Thursday, placing two punts inside EIU's 20-yard line in the first half - one at the 12-yard line and one at the 8.
• Other good outings: Sophomore linebacker Nick Bellore, who tied a career-high of 16 tackles. Must be nice not having Ike Brown and Red Keith take all of them, I guess! Also junior end Frank Zombo and his 2.5 sacks, including a forced fumble inside EIU's red zone. Sophomore Sean Skergan caught his first touchdown of his college career, an 11-yard reception in the fourth quarter. That was his only reception.
• A couple rough outings: Starting tailback Carl Volny, who finished with 22 yards on 10 carries. Could be the jitters, but it seemed like he didn't have the burst that Sneed did. Also the offensive line, who gave LeFevour a little too much pressure at times (and two sacks). The only real reverse play, in which receiver Antonio Brown was supposed to carry the ball, was botched because of an EIU defender that got through, causing a 20-yard loss. (Didn't matter because of a Panthers personal foul that gave CMU an automatic first down the following play)

I'll update the blog as much as possible over the weekend, probably with a quick Mid-American Conference recap, but it's Labor Day weekend, so I'm not sure how much I'll have on here. Keep checking, and vote in the poll if you haven't already!

Cheers,