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Quarterbacks have excelled in MAC
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
DETROIT — Two of the top quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference were in attendance at the MAC Preview on Tuesday, July 29, at Ford Field.
Central Michigan senior Dan LeFevour and Ball State junior Nate Davis, who passed for 7,319 yards and 57 touchdowns between them in 2007, are two of the latest in a long line of talented quarterbacks to play in the conference.
That list also includes for Miami signal callers Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Betts, along with Akron's Charlie Frye, Eastern Michigan's Charlie Batch and Marshall's Chad Pennington, all of whom are on NFL rosters.
"That's one thing the MAC has produced," Davis said, "a lot of good quarterbacks."
LeFevour said one reason the MAC is so popular with quarterbacks coming out of high school is the knowledge that they have a good chance to play early and often.
"Quarterbacks who've had success in the NFL have played three or four years in college," he said. "When I was being recruited, I knew I would have a chance to compete for a starting job as a red-shirt freshman."
Looking to finish fast
Although Miami claimed a share of last year's MAC East Division title and played in the MAC championship Game, the RedHawks need a better finish to their 2008 season.
Last fall Miami lost its regular-season finale at Ohio 38-29 and then lost the MAC Championship Game to Central Michigan 35-10.
"It was a disappointing ending to an otherwise successful season," Montgomery said. "Our guys want to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Depending on depth
Montgomery said he is satisfied with the quality of his starters along the offensive line, but added that depth is a question mark.
"We feel really good about our starting five," he said, referring to center Josh Satterthwait, guards Dave DiFranco and Bob Gulley and tackles Steve Sutter and Ken Staudinger. "The key for us will be, who are our sixth, seventh and eighth (linemen)?"
The possibilities include red-shirt freshman Brandon Brooks, who is listed second on the depth chart at both center and right guard, and Nate Williams, who is listed as the back-up at right and left tackle.
Miami lost a pair of four-year letterwinners in center Steve Meister and tackle Charlie Norden. Zachary Marshall was expected to fill one of the slots, but he faces legal issues and is not listed on the current roster.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
