College Football: Oilers prepare for long trek to the UP
By BRIAN LESTER
STAFF WRITER
DaJerrian Smith is familiar with the feeling of having nothing on the line in a football game.
A year ago, the Oilers were 2-4 and going no where. But on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, the University of Findlay junior wide receiver was running routes in practice with a bounce in his step.
And for good reason.
The Oilers are in contention for a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, sitting in a three-way tie for second place with Northern Michigan and Wayne State, and in the hunt for a possible NCAA Division II playoff berth.
UF (5-1, 4-1 GLIAC) is ranked eighth in the Super Region 3 ratings. The top six will earn a postseason berth. UF No. 26 nationally.
"We remember where we came from and that has kept us hungry," Smith said. "We feel good about what we've done so far and we know we have a great opportunity to keep it going."
Third-year UF head coach Jon Wauford can sense that his team is confident and has an understanding of what is at stake.
The Oilers dismantled 24th-ranked Hillsdale 42-17 last week at Donnell Stadium.
"Regardless of where we are ranked in the region or nation, we know there is a lot on the line for us at this point in the season," Wauford said. "These guys believe they can contend for a title and go to the playoffs, and so far no one has proved them wrong."
The Oilers will be on upset alert Saturday when they trek to the Upper Peninsula for a 1 p.m. GLIAC matchup against Michigan Tech (1-4, 1-4).
The Huskies, picked to finish third in the league, lost senior quarterback Steve Short and junior running back Phil Milbrath to injuries in a 48-16 loss to Northern Michigan on Sept. 19.
Short, fifth in GLAIC passing last season (199.3 ypg) suffered a knee injury. Milbrath, who averaged a league-best 134.7 yards in 2008, went down with a high ankle sprain.
The Huskies average 370.8 yards per game and have been led by senior running back Marvin Atkins (70 carries, 360 yards, 3 TDs) and senior wide receiver Bobby Slowik (27 catches, 457 yards, 2 TDs).
Junior Brent Heim (467 yards passing, 3 TDs) has filled in at quarterback.
MTU won its first game of the year last Saturday, drilling Ferris State 38-6 on the road.
"We've had our share of injuries but we've done our best to hold everything together," said fourth-year MTU head coach Tom Kearly. "The quality of the players we lost is what makes the injury situation extreme, but it's not an excuse."
Kearly knows his team will have its hands full against a UF offense that ranks fourth in the league (427.8 ypg) and a defense that is No. 3 (297.2 ypg). UF is third in the nation in turnover margin (plus 13).
The Oilers will have to be at their best against the Huskies on Homecoming and MTU is riding the high of its first win and eager to pull off an upset.
"I told our team at the beginning of the week that the psychological edge is with Tech this week," Wauford said. "This is a classic trap game. Ignoring that is a mistake."
UF will look to continue the success it had throwing the ball last week. The Oilers racked up 360 yards through the air and four different receivers had 50 or more yards.
Smith caught four passes for 55 yards and he has 14 catches for 170 yards on the season.
"Whatever my team needs, I'll do it," Smith said. "I'll make catches, block, it doesn't matter. I just want to help the team win."
Michigan Tech
Record: 1-4 overall, 1-4 GLIAC.
Head Coach: Tom Kearly (21-16, 4th season)
Series: UF trails 5-2.
Key Players: QB Brent Heim (42-of-64, 467 yards, 3 TDs, 2 interceptions); RB Marvin Atkins (70 carries, 360 yards, 3 TD); WR Bobby Slowik (27 catches, 457 yards, 2 TDs); TE Bryan LaChappelle (14 catches, 156 yards, 3 TDs); DB David Carmody (33 tackles); DB Jesse Vandenberg (32 tackles); LB Mike Rittenour (28 tackles).
Noteworthy: Huskies won eight games for the third time in school history in 2008. ... MTU hasn't had a losing season since 2002 when it finished 3-7. ... Huskies were 5-1 at home last season but 0-2 this year. ... The combined record of MTU's first five opponents was 18-11. ... Huskies rank second in the league in third-down conversions (56 percent).
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