30 Games in 30 Days: #26 Army at Eastern Michigan

ARMY	@ EMU

The beginning of the Ron English era in Ypsilanti is marked by one of the more winnable games on their schedule. Army is, perhaps, the weakest team the Eagles face this year and they have to travel to Michigan. A home win against the Black Knights could be a great storyline for English to start his career.

Where: Ypsilanti, Michigan
When: September 5


All Time: Army 2-0

Date	EMU	Army
October 11, 2008	13	17
October 31, 1992	17	57

Last year Army did not complete a pass in two games. The first was when FCS New Hampshire soundly defeated the Black Knights in week two and the second was when they rolled off 341 rushing yards in a comeback victory over Eastern Michigan at west point.

As much as keeping Army under three hundred yards may have helped offensive miscues late in the game kept Eastern Michigan from recapturing the lead. Four drives averaging 7 yards per drive in the fourth quarter doomed any chances the Eagles had.

Ron English has been very upfront with his belief that the his squad, if more consistent, could be tough enough to win out games like the one last year against Army

"consistency-the truest measure of toughness!" -- Ron English

This game lands in the top 30 because its the official kickoff of the biggest rebuilding job college football has seen in years. Should Ron English, eventually, establish EMU as a power in the MAC it would eclipse both what Turner Gill did at Buffalo and what Brady Hoke did for Ball State.

On the other sideline another new coach Rich Ellerson has his own rebuilding project. Fortunately he is well versed with the option meaning Army is going away, for good, from their failed experiment at the west coast set. The service academies always have their own set of challenges when it comes to recruiting so righting the Army ship may take a few seasons.

This game which may not mean a whole lot on either the national land scape nor in the MAC but it should be close and a good kickoff to two new coaches.

#30: Temple at Navy
#29: Morgan State at Akron
#28: Miami at Kent
#27: Toledo at Ball State

Another Bronco nominated on an award watch list

Western Michigan football is having a great week. Beside camps finally getting under way a day does not go by when a Bronco is not put on a national award watch list. Tim Hiller for the Davey O'Brien, Brandon West for the Doak Walker, and now Ben Armer is one of nine, and the only MAC player, nominated for the Ray Guy award given every year to the nations best punter.

to be one of only two sophomores on this list speaks to the outstanding year the red shirt freshman put in. With an average of 40.6 yards per (including 11 punts of 50 or more yards) ranked him among the top 50 players in the nation. Equally impressive was his whistle to whistle participation while on the field the All-MAC Freshman (Rivals.com) recorded the second-most tackles by a kicker/punter in a season(5).

The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national selection committee of FWAA sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner are total yardage punted, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, net average, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

2009 Ray Guy Award Watch List

Bryan Anger, California, Sophomore
Ben Armer, Western Michigan, Sophomore
Travis Baltz, Maryland, Junior
Matt Dodge, East Carolina, Senior
Ryan Donahue, Iowa, Junior
Derek Epperson, Baylor, Junior
Chas Henry, Florida, Junior
Zoltan Mesko, Michigan, Senior
Ross Thevenot, Tulane, Senior

30 Games in 30 Days: #27 Toledo at Ball State

Toledo	@ Ball State

Last year Ball State ran away with the MAC before being tripped up by turnovers in the championship game. The Cards finished nationally ranked, solid on both sides of the ball, and kept one of the top three running backs in the nation. Last year Toledo limped to a 3-9 season, failed on several occasions to close out winnable games and only looked good against Miami (OH) and EMU. The total record of the teams they beat was 8-28 and when these two teams hooked up in Toledo the Rockets did not manage to score one point. Both teams lost their coaches as Brady Hoke was tempted away by San Diego, and Toledo Tom was replaced to help breath life into a Toledo team that used to compete year in and year out.

Where: Muncie, Indiana
When: October 3rd

All Time: Ball State 17-16-1


Last 20 meetings:

Date	Ball State	Toledo
October 4, 2008	31	0
November 13, 2007	41	20
November 14, 2006	20	17
October 15, 2005	14	34
October 2, 2004	14	52
October 25, 2003	38	14
October 12, 2002	17	37
October 20, 2001	24	20
November 11, 2000	3	31
September 18, 1999	10	23
October 10, 1998	6	27
November 8, 1997	35	3
November 16, 1996	24	14
October 7, 1995	14	17
October 8, 1994	24	24
October 9, 1993	31	30
November 7, 1992	9	10
November 9, 1991	9	3
September 22, 1990	16	28
September 23, 1989	22	29

So let me get this straight, you go 12-2 finish nationally ranked, bring back arguably the #1 running back in the nation and you're picked by your conferences own media outlet to finish 5th? The Ball State bulletin board has to be absolutely pasted with media articles about how poorly they are going to do this year, how easy their schedule is, how without Davis and Hoke they are a lost cause, and so on.

The Cardinals have great players, a coach who has years of experience with the team, and a divisional home opener on the heels of a game against a very vulnerable Auburn team. Ball State entering this game with a 3-1 record is probable, 4-0 is realistic. Kelly Page and his OL will have had four weeks of game experience including against an SEC defense to warm up for divisional play.

Tim Beckman is coming back to the MAC five year's spent coaching at BCS level schools (Ohio State, Oklahoma). Like Ball state this game marks the opening of Division play for Tim Beckman so we will all know, and quickly, if the lofty expectations being floated aroud by some publications (e.g. 3rd by Scout, 4th by MAC Media) are realistic.

Toledo is not bereft of talent, on the contrary they have as much individual talent as most MAC teams but those individuals have never put it together in any way that seems to translate into winning seasons. Beckman can change that but not knowing the players in any substantial way is going to impede on his ability to take massive steps forward this year.

Why this game means more to Ball State:

Even though its early in the season there should be a fair share of pressure on Ball State. As the new head coach of a program Parrish does not get the breathing room most new coaches are given. He knows the personnel, recruiting connections, scheme's, and community. Coach Parrish also follows on the heels of a ranked 12-2 campaign on a team that's improved every year for some time. I don't think anyone expects Ball State to improve or repeat over last years edition but most fans think anything short of seven wins is unacceptable.

Their last three games are likely to be their most difficult of the season so if they want a shot at getting to a Bowl Game they need to have at least six wins by week nine.

Away games at Temple and Auburn mean they really only have one more game to spare (yes they may beat Temple and/or Auburn but losing either of them will not be earth shattering). If they lose to Toledo in the MAC opener they could go into mid October at 3-3 with a conference mark of 0-2. As good as they may be they are not good enough to out of that large a hole.

Why Toledo could shock:

While media outlets have the rockets doing some damage this year I think the expectations of fans are far lower. Toledo does not bare the burden of needing this game while fans would be ecstatic with a bowl appearance were Toledo to win five games, perhaps even four paired with one big upset like Temple or Colorado at home or Ball State on the road many would consider 2009 a success.

While Beckman does not know his players, his players all know each other. Toledo returns pretty much everybody so just about every starter will remember the 31 to nothing drubbing Ball state put on them last season. A chance to take it to the Cardinals while they are breaking in a new line and quarterback may be enough to bring out the best in a Toledo team that showed last year it *can* play with teams like Fresno State and CMU.



Its a bit over a three hour drive so with a noon kickoff fans who want to make the trip should get up before the sun, if have to drive more than an hour to get there its a sin not to tailgate for a while once there.


#30: Temple at Navy
#29: Morgan State at Akron
#28: Miami at Kent

Martina Gavier Places 18th in the U.S. Women's Amateur Publinx

Kent State Golfer U.S. Martina Gavier finished one under in the second round bringing her to Par and placing her in the top 20 at the 33rd annual event.

To be eligible for the tournament Golfers must follow the USGA's guidelines for amateur status. The Public Links, like the U.S. Women's Amateur, has no age restrictions. The golfers with a USGA handicap index of 18.4 or lower, not be a member of any golf clubs not open to the general public (outside of memberships gained via their educational instution, status as a veteren, or emplyment by the club).

This is the same event in which 13 year old Michelle Wie jumped onto the scene which her unexpected victory in 2003. Won the 2007 South American Amateur Championship and placed strongly in the South American Junior Championship (3rd), Copa Friocol (5th), The Argentina Golf Association Ranking Tournament (6th), and the Chilean Amateur Championship (9th).

During her sophomore year she posted a perfect 3-0 record to help KSU to the consolation bracket title at the NGCA Match Play Championship and tied for sixth at the Mary Fossum Invitational, helping the Flashes to the tournament title

For her part Gavier Represented Argentina at the 2008 World Amateur Team Championships finishing 19th

Ron English dismisses DB Derrick Hunter

Derrick hunter's run in with the police forced Ron English, who is trying to turn around a long suffering Eastern Michigan football program, to dismiss him from the Eagles..

Hunter had been recruited as a wide receiver out of South Filed H.S. in Michigan before being moved to the defensive backfield. Hunter had missed the entire 2008 season with Injury after seeing light work in his sophomore year (49 Tackles, 1 int, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown).

With two years and a new coach Hunter had opportunity to play a more prominent role. All of that ended when on August Second the police were called to his home on a report that a firearm discharged. Police are seeking charges against junior defensive back Derrick Hunter, 21, his 23 year old roommate.

Five MAC Halfbacks on the Doak Walker watch list

MiQuale Lewis	James Starks	Brandon West	Eugene Jarvis	DaJuane Collins

Five Mid American Conference running backs are on the list of 33, in the 19 years this award has been given no MAC player has ever won. While it will be a tall order for MiQuale Lewis and James Starks to match their level of play play from 2008 now that they missing their Davis and Willy not to mention significant portions of their offensive lines. Both finished in the top 20 for the nation last year and could be in the running when the season is over. Jarvis and West lost much of to injury and it will be interesting to see what he can do with 12 games....

Which MAC Running back has the best chance of winning the Doak Walker Award

because I missed DaJuane Collins I will have a runoff when this expires

The Doak Walker Award, named after the SMU legend, is presented ever year to the best college running back in the nation. The Doak Walker award is the only in college football that requires its recipient be in good academic standing and on target to graduate within a year of his current class.

Four Mid American Conference running backs are on the list of 33, in the 19 years this award has been given no MAC player has ever won. While it will be a tall order for MiQuale Lewis and James Starks to match their level of play play from 2008 now that they missing their Davis and Willy not to mention significant portions of their offensive lines. Both finished in the top 20 for the nation last year and could be in the running when the season is over. Jarvis and West lost much of to injury and it will be interesting to see what he can do with 12 games.

Last year MiQuale Lewis rushed for 1,701 yards (3rd in the nation) and scored 22 touchdowns (Tied for first). He also caught more than 30 passes for three hundred yards making him one of the most potent threats in all of College football.

James Starks put up monster numbers despite missing nearly three games last year (11 quarters). Before the loss to UConn he was among the best in the league in yards per game. His 1333 yards per game was 17th in the nation and his 16 touchdowns ranks him tied for 13th.

In his Junior year Brandon West cracked a thousand yards (1026) ranking him in 48th nationally. Like Starks West missed significant playing time last year sitting against CMU and playing seeing only limited carries against Ball State. This year with WMU losing some key wideout he may have quite a few more touches.

Eugene Jarvis missed three games last year and never really got back on track after leaving the Delaware game with a 'minor' injury that ended up putting him on the sideline for three games. Even with that he managed more than a thousand total years (801 on the ground, and 273 receiving) and ten total touchdown. If he can stay healthy this year he will almost certainly improve those numbers.

DaJuane Collins (sorry for missing him the first time around) also pent time on the sidelines and never seemed quite the same after the game against Fresno, still with two missed games and some injuries putting up 700 years rushing paired with five touchdowns was good enough to get him on the list. With an experienced and offensive line returning and new leadership over one thousand yards seems very realistic.

The recipient of the 2009 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Thursday, December 10. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, February 19, 2010.

2009 Doak Walker Award Watch List

Armando Allen (Jr.), Notre Dame
André Anderson (Sr.), Tulane
Reggie Arnold (Sr.), Arkansas State
Baron Batch (Jr.), Texas Tech
Jahvid Best (Jr.), California, Berkeley
LeGarrette Blount (Sr.), Oregon
Chris Brown (Sr.), Oklahoma
Donald Buckram (Jr.), UTEP
John Clay (So.), Wisconsin
DaJuane Collins (Sr.), Toledo
Jeff Demps (So.), Florida
Noel Devine (Jr.), West Virginia
Andre Dixon (Sr.), Connecticut
Shaun Draughn (Jr.), North Carolina
Jonathan Dwyer (Jr.), Georgia Tech
Jamelle Eugene (Sr.), North Carolina State
Darren Evans (So.), Virginia Tech
Damion Fletcher (Sr.), Southern Mississippi
Toby Gerhart (Sr.), Stanford
Cyrus Gray (So.), Texas A&M
Nicolas (Nic) Grigsby (Jr.), Arizona
DuJuan Harris (Jr.), Troy
Roy Helu, Jr. (Jr.), Nebraska
Dan Herron (So.), Ohio State
Kendall Hunter (Jr.), Oklahoma State
Mark Ingram (So.), Alabama
Eugene Jarvis (Sr.), Kent State
MiQuale Lewis (Sr.), Ball State
Darius Marshall (Jr.), Marshall
Brandon Minor (Sr.), Michigan
DeMarco Murray (Jr.), Oklahoma
Daniel Porter (Sr.), Louisiana Tech
Jacquizz Rodgers (So.), Oregon State
Charles Scott (Sr.), LSU
Da’Rel Scott (Jr.), Maryland
Jake Sharp (Sr.), Kansas
Michael Smith (Sr.), Arkansas
C.J. Spiller (Sr.), Clemson
James Starks (Sr.), Buffalo
Curtis Steele (Sr.), Memphis
Phillip Tanner (Sr.), Middle Tennessee State
Vai Taua (Jr.), Nevada
Jordan Todman (So.), Connecticut
Joseph Turner (Sr.), TCU
Brandon West (Sr.), Western Michigan

30 Games in 30 Days: #28 Miami at Kent State

Miami	@ Kent

For two teams being picked to finish towards the Bottom of the east division this could be *THE* game that defines their season. Kent had a nice pair of close upsets last year against Temple and Buffalo but their victory over Miami Was the high point of 2008. Miami upset Bowling Green last season before dropping every other conference game when one week later Kent dropped more than fifty points on them.

When: September 26, 2009
Where: Kent, Ohio

All Time: Miami 37-10

Last 20 games

Date	Miami	Kent
10/25/2008	21	54
10/6/2007	20	13
9/16/2006	14	16
9/17/2005	27	10
10/9/2004	47	27
10/25/2003	38	30
9/21/2002	27	20
11/24/2001	20	24
9/23/2000	45	14
10/16/1999	17	10
11/14/1998	56	0
10/11/1997	62	26
8/31/1996	64	6
9/9/1995	39	0
11/12/1994	24	14
11/13/1993	23	14
11/14/1992	31	14
11/16/1991	20	9
11/10/1990	31	10

For a first year coach in a program that's not used to losing this is a must have game. For a 5th year head coach who's team is going the wrong way this game is a potential Job saver. Kent - Miami might not seem like an important game but in so far as it may hint at the the direction these programs are going it deserved to be in the top 30 for the year.

Miami, as per usual, has one of the MAC's most respectable out of conference schedules with North Western, Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Boise State (Three of the four made Bowl Games last year). Add to their OOC drawing Western Michigan and Northern Illinois the Red Hawks will face six of 2008's Bowl Teams (Buffalo makes six). There is not a harder schedule to be found in the MAC East if not the entire MAC. Wins are going to be very hard for Mike Haywood to come by in 2009. Short of another MAC program under performing Kent and Toledo look like the only games Miami might be expected to compete in.

On paper this game may look less important to Kent, they have a much more forgiving schedule than the RedHawks including FCS Coastal Carolina and an EMU team that has not been to a bowl game in the lifetime of many College students but in reality its probably even more critical for the program. Even if they pull off an upset or two versus a MAC East rivals like they did last year against Buffalo and Temple if they fail to beat Miami the Flashes are looking at back to back 4-12 seasons (at best). If You're Doug Martin does another 3-5, 4-12 season keep you on the sideline?

Kent does have Eugene Jarvis coming back after a full off seasons worth of rest, for a defense that gave up 147 on the ground last year to a Kent team without their Doak Walker candidate this does not bode well.



If Jarvis stays healthy Kent may be a whole new team this year, all they lacked last year was consistency and a EJ on the field every down may provide that. Doug Martin has to keep his team, and himself, focused and relaxed for this game if things well for Kent (1-2 with a respectable showing for BC) it may be easy to overlook a Miami team that could be coming in on the back of three muggings.

The Talent level of the Red Hawks has not seriously declined so the fall off in performance is going is related to the discipline (on and off the filed), Maturity, and Focus of the players. If Haywood can turn all of that around this game *might* have implications beyond a feel good victory for Haywood or Martin keeping his job.

It's a five hour drive from corner to corner of Ohio but its a Saturday evening game so that should present no problems for RedHawk fans to make the trek. This game gets no coverage on ESPN, CBS, or other networks so chances are if you want to follow it you will either have to listen onthe Radio or drop the eight dollars to mac-sports.com to watch the stream.

#30: Temple at Navy
#29: Morgan State at Akron