Scouting Report: Western Michigan
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By CURT McKEEVER / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 - 12:56:48 am CDT
SCOUTING REPORT Iowa could have secured a bowl bid by defeating the Broncos in its 2007 regular-season finale, but Western got a huge game from Hiller (26-of-45 for 367 yards and three TDs) and beat the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, 28-19, to leave coach Kirk Ferentz feeling sour.
Western raced to a 19-0 lead, and after Iowa pulled to 19-13 in the third quarter, regained the momentum with an 11-play, 81-yard TD march. The result left the Hawkeyes with just their seventh loss in the last 39 home games.
“Bottom line is they were more ready to go than we were — in all phases,” Ferentz said. “Probably 20, 25 plays that we’ll see that made a difference, but to me the bottom line is just how both teams started. One was ready and one wasn’t.
“I think everybody in our organization had great respect for Western Michigan. I was very sincere in my (pre-game) comments. The team we saw on film, that was a misleading (3-7) record that they had. They had lost a couple close games and that kind of tweaks it a little bit. I think they showed (against us) that they’re a good team.
“It speaks well of their resiliency. Both teams, I thought, kept competing. But they had a great plan and they executed very well — screens, some good throws from their quarterback. I thought he played an excellent game, and their receivers made big plays and their running back did a good job both running and on the screen.”
KEEP AN EYE ON ‘EM
Branden Ledbetter
TE/Sr./6-5/230 pounds
Extremely soft hands and a sure-handed safety valve should the Huskers decide to bring the heat against an inexperienced offensive line. His 14 career TD receptions are the most by a Western Michigan tight end.
Londen Fryar
CB/Sr./5-11/192 pounds
Son of former Husker All-American and five-time Pro Bowler has been first team All-MAC in both seasons since switching from receiver. His 16 pass deflections last year were the second most by a Bronco in one season.
Jamarko Simmons
WR/Sr./6-2/234 pounds
Switched from running back after his freshman season; has become known for performing well against ‘name’ opponents. Has had six 100-yard games, including biggies against Florida State, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Indiana.
Quarterbacks (3 balls)
Junior Tim Hiller has pro size (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) and an arm that might get him to that level. After recovering from a knee injury (he missed the 2006 season), Hiller became only the second Bronco to pass for 3,000 yards in a season. He produced four 300-yard performances, including big games against Indiana and Iowa. The 4.0 GPA he carried throughout the 2007-08 academic year would also indicate he’s not easily confused. The Broncos have nobody behind him who’s seasoned. Sophomore Drew Burdi appeared briefly in two games last year.
Running backs (2 balls)
Brandon West is a tireless and versatile back. In last year’s win against Iowa, he had 30 rushes for 116 yards and also had nine receptions for 93 yards. The Broncos love to use him on the screen pass. West also set a MAC record for all-purpose yards (346) against Indiana. Fellow junior Glenis Thompson backs him up, though he’s had just 59 carries in two seasons.
Receivers (3 balls)
Former Nebraska quarterback Mike Grant walked into a great situation when he landed the Broncos’ wide receivers coaching job in the off-season. It seems like a strange pairing, since the Huskers were hardly known for being much of a passing team during Grant’s time (1988-92), but you won’t snicker when you see the talents of Simmons, a first-team All-MAC performer. If he duplicates last year’s production (84 catches, 980 yards), he’ll be the Broncos’ career receptions leader and rank No. 3 in receiving yards. Broncos’ other starting wideouts — Juan Nunez and Schneider Julien — are unproven. No such deal regarding the tight end Ledbetter, who had a 124-yard game at Missouri in 2007.
Offensive line (2 balls)
Sophomore left guard Phillip Swanson is the anchor of an extremely young, but bulky, unit. Swanson started every game of his rookie season in 2007. Sophomore 290-pound center Nick Mitchell (a first-time starter with just three games of experience) is the only player under 300 pounds. Senior right tackle Rob Johnson (a 338-pounder who walked on) has 14 career starts, but the left tackle spot is being manned by redshirt freshman Anthony Parker. Sophomore right guard Nick Clemens got in 11 games as a freshman.
Defensive line (3 balls)
Huskers will pay plenty of attention to left end Greg Marshall (6½ sacks, 4 forced fumbles in 2007), one of four senior returning starters on the line that Rivals.com ranks as the best in the MAC. Working inside of Marshall and Zach Davidson (who’s started 29 of 34 games) are Cory Flom (25 starts in 33 games) and Nick Varcadipane (32 starts in 36 contests).
Linebackers (2 balls)
Dustin Duclo, in the middle, and Boston McCornell, on the weak side, started every game last season. McCornell burst on the scene following his transfer from Georgia Military College. He led the Broncos with 99 tackles and also returned an interception for a TD. Duclo, who’s started all 36 games he’s played in, was No. 3 in tackles last year with 74. Harrison Porter earned a starting spot during fall camp after being a backup and having his 2007 season end because of injury.
Defensive backs (4 balls)
In the last three seasons, Western has produced 49 interceptions. The four returning senior starters in this group have 25 between them. Free safety Louis Delmas leads the cast with eight career thefts, while strong safety C.J. Wilson holds the school record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns (three), including one against Missouri’s Chase Daniel last season. The cornerbacks, Fryar and E.J. Biggers, combined for 23 breakups and had two fumble recoveries apiece in 2007.
Special teams (1 ball)
With the exception of the offensive line, this is the biggest area of question for the Broncos, since two freshmen will be taking over the kicking duties (redshirt frosh Ben Armer for punts and true freshman John Potter for everything else). West is a serious threat as a return man. He took one 98 yards for a TD last year and averaged 25.9 yards. Julien will handle punts again after averaging 8.8 yards a return last year.
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