Football ‘ready to go’ for 2009

(Western Herald file photo) Western Michigan senior running back Brandon West sprints for a 26-yard touchdown during last season’s match up against Ohio.

By Mike Feld
Western Herald

After a nine‑win season ended with two consecutive losses, a lot can be said about the Western Michigan University football team. However, never at a loss for words, senior quarterback Tim Hiller had a simple thought about the upcoming season.

“Short and sweet, we’re ready to go,” he said.

Hiller and the Broncos return to the gridiron after boasting one of the greatest seasons in WMU football history. Western Michigan tied for the most wins in school history.

Hiller tallied 322 completions for 3,725 passing yards and 36 touchdowns — all‑time single season highs at WMU. Now‑graduated receiver Jamarko Simmons wrapped up his Bronco career with 260 catches, 22 more than previous record‑holder and current Green Bay Packer Greg Jennings.

But the 2009 season will include a different look. Entering last season, the Broncos returned all 11 starters from the 2007 campaign. While the defensive unit does have experience, the secondary will be completely different, and the linebacking corp will have a bit of a new feel as well.

Gone are the likes of defensive backs Londen Fryar, E.J. Biggers and safety Louis Delmas. All three have moved to the big stage of the NFL. Delmas was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions, Biggers was picked up in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Fryar signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

It will not be easy stepping into a secondary once protected by now‑professional athletes. But for names like Andy Dorcely, Doug Wiggins, Mario Armstrong and David Lewis, they will step in to keep opposing wideouts honest.

Despite the new faces, the depth of the secondary — particularly the safeties — is quite strong.

“The safeties are as deep as we’ve ever had it,” Cubit said.

While the players trying to stop the through‑the‑air options will be different, Western Michigan’s downfield threats will be new‑look as well. Junior Juan Nunez is the only veteran returning from the 2008 season. Nunez was third on the Bronco roster in yards last season, catching 57 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008.

Quarterback turned receiver Robert Arnheim, along with freshman Ansel Ponder will be called on to step in immediately and help move the ball through the air. Junior Jordan White, who missed all of 2008 with an injury, and senior tight end Matt Stevens, who spent last year behind tight end Branden Ledbetter on the depth chart, are also among the athletes expected to contribute downfield this season.

With veterans taking over the reins atop the two‑deep, as well as newly minted freshmen expected to make an instant impact, the pressure can be excruciating. However, the players have stayed on top of their game in preparation of the season, giving teammates the confidence needed to move the ball.

“They’re a lot farther along at this point in time because they know they need to be ready to play,” Hiller said of the wideouts.

Although Hiller and company will need to adjust to the different options downfield, the Broncos closest to the ball are experienced. The offensive line has six letter winners returning in sophomore Anthony Parker, senior Paul Wasikowski and juniors Nick Mitchell, Nick Clemens, Phill Swanson and behind Hiller, running backs Brandon West, Aaron Winchester and Glenis Thompson all saw their share of playing time last year.

West and Winchester give WMU a 1‑2 punch on the ground, and Thompson has shown that, while a solid runner, can contribute as a blocker — almost as a hybrid fullback.
The new faces won’t be the only major difference in 2009 from last year’s team. There is one other important aspect to the team that will have a new form. The travel itinerary will change from in drastic fashion.

In 2008, Western Michigan racked up the frequent flyer miles, using the air for destinations at the University of Nebraska, the University of Idaho, Temple University, the University at Buffalo and the Texas Bowl in Houston.

This season, the Broncos will get quite friendly with the bus and the freeway. WMU will not fly to any of its regular season contests, as all are within driving distance of Kalamazoo. Western Michigan will play eight total games in the state of Michigan, with the remaining four contested in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.

WMU will play four games outside of the Mid‑American Conference, with three opponents on the schedule coming out of the Big Ten Conference. WMU will look to knock off a Big Ten team for the third straight season, after taking down the University of Iowa in 2007 and the University of Illinois in 2008.

The season will kick off on Sept. 5, as Western Michigan will travel east on I‑94 to Ann Arbor to face the University of Michigan. Coming off one of the worst seasons in school history, the Wolverines are young and still adjusting to life under second year head coach Rich Rodriguez. With no quarterback making a strong showing in preseason camp, “Rich Rod” has vowed to throw three quarterbacks into the mix against the Broncos. Junior signal caller Nick Sheridan will share time under center with freshmen Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier, as WMU attempts to steal its first‑ever victory from Michigan.

Before opening up the home portion of the campaign, WMU will stay in the Big Ten and hit I‑69 towards Bloomington, Ind., home of Indiana University. The Sept. 12 meeting will mark the third time in the Cubit era that the Hoosiers and Broncos will face off, with IU taking the first two contests.

After spending the first two weeks away from Kalamazoo, WMU will host its first contest at Waldo Stadium on Sept. 19. The game will also mark the first conference meeting of the season, as the Broncos will clash with MAC East rival Miami University of Ohio.

With three consecutive losses still lingering, Western Michigan weill welcome rival Central Michigan University to Kalamazoo on Oct. 17. The game will boast two of the top quarterbacks in the country, as Hiller will square off with CMU senior Dan Lefevour.

Defending MAC champion the University at Buffalo will be WMU’s homecoming opponent on Oct. 24. The Bulls will be without running senior running back James Starks, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

The Broncos will wrap up the non‑conference portion of the schedule late in the season, traveling to East Lansing on Nov. 7. Similar to Michigan, MSU still has an unsettled quarterback battle between sophomores Keith Nichol and Kirk Cousins. However, it is almost certain that the Spartans will have this gray area solved by the early November meeting with the Broncos.

WMU will end its regular season on ESPN2 at home against Ball State University on Nov. 24. It is the only contest not on a Saturday this season, as the game will be played on a Tuesday night.

As the countdown to kickoff draws closer, the challenges of a tough schedule and a long season are noted. However, the optimism and excitement is once again prevalent in the Bronco locker room. It’s been a long offseason, but Western Michigan is ready for the tasks ahead.

“It’s an exciting challenge, but we’re used to it and we’re ready for it,” Hiller said.

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Posted by heraldstaff on Aug 30 2009. Filed under News, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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