2008 Woodie Awards
Rock ready for showdown with hated IUP
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports
"It was long. I never thought it was going to end," Manfull said with a smile. "You have to give credit to the line on that one. They made a lane for me to run."
The defense was not to be outdone, as freshman outside linebacker Richie Barnes returned an interception 87 yards for the Rock's second big-play touchdown of the second quarter.
"That was the turning point in the game," Mihalik said. "I think that really broke their backs."
Kutztown had the ball for more than 14 minutes in the second quarter, running off 29 straight snaps before Barnes' interception.
"The defense was tired all the way until the third quarter," Barnes said. "We just had to suck it up being out there that long. That is why we condition in camp, so we are ready for those situations."
The only setback for the Rock was the loss of starting middle linebacker Jared Palmer, who is out six weeks after dislocating his ankle.
"That is a big loss for us. He was a leader on defense," Mihalik said. "We are going to move Barnes to the middle and are bringing Tyler Henderson from strong safety to fill the role at outside (linebacker)."
Despite the loss of Palmer, Mihalik still expects the same from his squad defensively against IUP.
"We have to control their run game," he said. "IUP likes to establish the run, so we have to limit their opportunities and get them to throw the ball. They have two good backs that are physical and tough to tackle. If we know they have to pass more, that will help us out."
Offensively, the Rock will again lean on the experience of senior quarterback Nate Crookshank to lead a veteran squad.
"Nothing replaces experience," Mihalik said. "Nate has been making good decisions all year. He has managed the games well. Having him behind center is a good position to be in."
Mihalik expects IUP to employ a heavy blitz scheme, with many different looks defensively.
"They are going to come after us," he said. "They want to throw us off rhythm, so I expect to see lots of blitzing."
The defense was not to be outdone, as freshman outside linebacker Richie Barnes returned an interception 87 yards for the Rock's second big-play touchdown of the second quarter.
"That was the turning point in the game," Mihalik said. "I think that really broke their backs."
Kutztown had the ball for more than 14 minutes in the second quarter, running off 29 straight snaps before Barnes' interception.
"The defense was tired all the way until the third quarter," Barnes said. "We just had to suck it up being out there that long. That is why we condition in camp, so we are ready for those situations."
The only setback for the Rock was the loss of starting middle linebacker Jared Palmer, who is out six weeks after dislocating his ankle.
"That is a big loss for us. He was a leader on defense," Mihalik said. "We are going to move Barnes to the middle and are bringing Tyler Henderson from strong safety to fill the role at outside (linebacker)."
Despite the loss of Palmer, Mihalik still expects the same from his squad defensively against IUP.
"We have to control their run game," he said. "IUP likes to establish the run, so we have to limit their opportunities and get them to throw the ball. They have two good backs that are physical and tough to tackle. If we know they have to pass more, that will help us out."
Offensively, the Rock will again lean on the experience of senior quarterback Nate Crookshank to lead a veteran squad.
"Nothing replaces experience," Mihalik said. "Nate has been making good decisions all year. He has managed the games well. Having him behind center is a good position to be in."
Mihalik expects IUP to employ a heavy blitz scheme, with many different looks defensively.
"They are going to come after us," he said. "They want to throw us off rhythm, so I expect to see lots of blitzing."
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