Bowl Preview Series: Motor City Bowl
by Matt Miller
In September, Purdue manhandled Central Michigan 45-22. But that’s not to say the Music City Bowl won’t have a different result. Motor City Bowl
Central Michigan vs. Purdue Dec. 26, 2007
Detroit, MI (Ford Field) 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Summary - Since that game in September, Purdue went just 4-5, losing the final three games of the season. The Chippewas, meanwhile, finished 8-2, scoring 35 points in eight of those games. For the Boilermakers to win, they’ll try to replicate the game in September which featured quarterback Curtis Painter throwing for 360 yards and three touchdowns and running back Kory Sheets running for 160 yards and two scores. Central Michigan’s defense will have to play much better than it did most of the season when it has given up 450 yards a game. To do that, the Chippewas will rely on sophomore defensive lineman Frank Zombo to get penetration to take pressure off the team’s poor defensive backfield. The key for Purdue will be containing Chippewas sophomore quarterback Dan LeFevour. In four of Central Michigan’s five losses, LeFevour threw at least one interception. Regardless, look for this one to be high scoring as Central Michigan averages 34 points per game and Purdue puts up 33 a contest.
Draft-worthy Senior Prospects
Central Michigan
ILB Red Keith, 5-11, 242 pounds - Undersized but productive inside linebacker. Very instinctual player, especially against the run. Lacks speed going straight ahead and laterally. Struggles in coverage. Will probably only make it as a two-down or special teams player. Good tackler. Great character and team leader.
Purdue
TE Dustin Keller, 6-3, 242 pounds - Good receiving tight end who will have to become a better blocker. Undersized for the position. Gritty player who will play through injuries. Typically lines up in the slot because of his plus athleticism and agility. Built powerfully, but doesn’t always utilize his strength properly. G
Jordan Grimes, 6-3, 332 pounds - Big, nasty in-line blocker who lacks quick feet and lateral speed. Short with a powerful frame. Quick off the snap. Has good hand technique and a great hand punch. Not much of a blocker on the move or at the second level. Will have to be put in the right blocking scheme to do well.
OLB Cliff Avril, 6-3, 250 pounds - Excellent sized outside linebacker who looks the part. Extremely competitive player who plays to the whistle every down. Needs to play with more power. Because of his speed, he’s a candidate to play in the 3-4 as a rush linebacker. Doesn’t have many pass rush moves, but he’s quick around the edge. Good tackler. Needs to improve coverage skill.
WR Dorien Bryant, 5-10, 176 pounds - Productive but undersized slot target who has some speed. Does good in press coverage and is able to find soft spots in zone coverage. Needs to improve his hands because he catches passes with his body too much. Is a character risk and his draft stock may depend on how well he interviews.
OLB Stanford Keglar, 6-2, 246 pounds - Could be a quality backup weak-side linebacker. Shows good lateral speed, but it takes him some time to react. Average in coverage. Needs to do better tackling and shedding blockers.
Draft Eligible Underclassmen to Watch
Central Michigan
QB Dan LeFevour, 6-3, 215 pounds, So. - The latest in the ever-growing list of excellent MAC quarterbacks, LeFevour has nice size and puts a good touch on his passes. While he may not have great arm strength, he puts the ball where receivers can catch it. He’s also athletic enough to be elusive in the pocket.
FS Calvin Hissong, 6-4, 198 pounds, So. - Although a shoulder injury slowed Hissong considerably this season, he has great potential. Watch for him to rise up draft boards as he frame fills out.
RB Ontario Sneed, 5-11, 215 pounds, Jr. - Sneed’s production has decreased as LeFevour has taken more carries, but the junior is a tough runner who is still a factor in the red zone.
Purdue
QB Curtis Painter, 6-4, 228 pounds, Jr. - Following an erratic 2006 season, Painter has been spectacular as a junior. Playing in coach Joe Tiller’s spread offense, Painter excels at passes in the short-to-medium range. Painter has good size and a decent throwing motion. He’ll have to learn how to take snaps under center and continue to improve his decision making.
OLB Anthony Heygood, 6-2, 230 pounds, Jr. - A great size/weight prospect, Heygood is still developing as a linebacker after switching from running back in 2006. His speed and strength allow him to get into the backfield quickly. He could be a player to watch in 2008 if he continues to develop. OT Sean Sester, 6-7, 322 pounds, Jr. - Sester is a powerful run blocker on the right side. However, he lacks agility and lateral movement and may have to move inside at the next level.