Muhlenberg Week Previews
Today we will start to look ahead to Saturdays road game at Muhlenberg. The following was taken from the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:
Muhlenberg Mules
Last playoff appearance: 2007
Last year: 11-1, 8-0 CC
Last conference title: 2007
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 78
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 3
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-6
Preseason ranking: 8 of 239
Players who started camp: 101
Head coach: Mike Donnelly, 11th year, 72-45
Starters returning: 17 (ten offense, six defense, one specialists)
Position battle to watch: Defensive end. The Mules must replace departed seniors Chris Musselman and Chris Swensen, both of whom were first-team All-Conference. Among those in the running are juniors Ewan Wright and Frank Emmett, but two more juniors may fight for playing time. Jake Floyd has spent time at fullback and the defensive line, but could find a permanent home on the latter. Jeremiah Lachaud impressed Donnelly with his work in the Mules' nickel package, and the coach hopes Lachaud can develop into an every-down player.
Pressure is on: Well, no individual. Expectations were high and the Mules were the preseason pick to finish at the top of the conference, so there is inherent pressure on the team already.
Where did he come from? Though John DeLuca had an excellent season in 2007 -- second in the Centennial with 1,645 rushing yards and first with 17 all-purpose touchdowns -- Donnelly said that many people don't know much about DeLuca and his potential.
Their season will be defined by: The season opener against Wilkes. The two teams had scrimmaged for 11 years, but will now face each other in a meaningful game. The Colonels are just two years removed from an 11-1 season (they dropped to 4-6 in '07, though four losses came by less a touchdown) and are picked fourth in this year's MAC preseason poll.
Predicted record: 10-0, 8-0
Capsule: Muhlenberg's dominating run to the 2007 Centennial title has not hindered expectations for this season. Donnelly plans to combat that by reminding his players that, at the moment, there's only one thing they can control: how they practice. Focusing on the small things -- down to the next rep -- will take care of the bigger things, Donnelly believes. But with 17 starters back, including four All-Conference performers, it's easy to appreciate the Mules' talent. After the graduation of Gettysburg's Tom Sturges, senior John DeLuca now appears to be the top running back in the conference. If there is a hole, it may be at linebacker, where two All-Conference players graduated.
Muhlenberg Mules
Last playoff appearance: 2007
Last year: 11-1, 8-0 CC
Last conference title: 2007
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 78
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 3
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-6
Preseason ranking: 8 of 239
Players who started camp: 101
Head coach: Mike Donnelly, 11th year, 72-45
Starters returning: 17 (ten offense, six defense, one specialists)
Position battle to watch: Defensive end. The Mules must replace departed seniors Chris Musselman and Chris Swensen, both of whom were first-team All-Conference. Among those in the running are juniors Ewan Wright and Frank Emmett, but two more juniors may fight for playing time. Jake Floyd has spent time at fullback and the defensive line, but could find a permanent home on the latter. Jeremiah Lachaud impressed Donnelly with his work in the Mules' nickel package, and the coach hopes Lachaud can develop into an every-down player.
Pressure is on: Well, no individual. Expectations were high and the Mules were the preseason pick to finish at the top of the conference, so there is inherent pressure on the team already.
Where did he come from? Though John DeLuca had an excellent season in 2007 -- second in the Centennial with 1,645 rushing yards and first with 17 all-purpose touchdowns -- Donnelly said that many people don't know much about DeLuca and his potential.
Their season will be defined by: The season opener against Wilkes. The two teams had scrimmaged for 11 years, but will now face each other in a meaningful game. The Colonels are just two years removed from an 11-1 season (they dropped to 4-6 in '07, though four losses came by less a touchdown) and are picked fourth in this year's MAC preseason poll.
Predicted record: 10-0, 8-0
Capsule: Muhlenberg's dominating run to the 2007 Centennial title has not hindered expectations for this season. Donnelly plans to combat that by reminding his players that, at the moment, there's only one thing they can control: how they practice. Focusing on the small things -- down to the next rep -- will take care of the bigger things, Donnelly believes. But with 17 starters back, including four All-Conference performers, it's easy to appreciate the Mules' talent. After the graduation of Gettysburg's Tom Sturges, senior John DeLuca now appears to be the top running back in the conference. If there is a hole, it may be at linebacker, where two All-Conference players graduated.
posted by Pat McConnell | 9:49 AM
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