GAME OF THE WEEK
Publication:
Published: 09/13/2002
Page: 5B
Headline: GAME OF THE WEEK
Byline: NOT AVAILABLE
KEY PLAYERS
Nitro has shifted its defense into what Coach Scott Tinsley refers to as an
NFL-style 3-4 look.
"We can't match up toe-to-toe with bigger teams, so we're trying to go
with more quickness," he said.
Position changes have been the result, with some great results for the Wildcats,
who have forced 14 turnovers through their first two victories.
Senior nose guard Mark Burch, a starting linebacker the past two seasons, has
brought mobility and hustle to the defensive line.
"He's one of the main reasons we've improved so much," Tinsley said. "He's
just running from sideline to sideline and making plays. It's been very
difficult for anyone to block him with one guy, and if he gets double-teamed,
that frees up our linebackers to make plays."
Nitro also moved up Holden Eads and Ryan Meadows from the secondary to inside
linebacker, where they are splitting time with Ross Martin in the new scheme.
George Washington has done its own reshuffling defensively, more by necessity
than design. The Patriots still expect to be without senior free safety Patrick
McMullen for tonight's game after he suffered a knee injury in the season
opener Aug. 29 against
Marty Barnes and Shannon Edwards have slid over to replace McMullen, opening up
playing time at a cornerback spot for junior Josh Dodd.
"Dodd's emerged on the scene," said Coach Steve Edwards Jr.
"He's a guy we thought could do it, and he's got his chance back there and
made us have to play him. He's playing as well as anybody we've had."
Senior nose guard Steve Broadwater continues to lead the charge up front after
emerging for the Patriots last year. He replaced injured starter Brian Obenza during the 2001 season and ended up as a first-team
all-Mountain State Athletic Conference pick.
"He's doing a bang-up job," Coach Edwards said.
Offensively, the Patriots continue to rely on a brutish offensive line that
holds a pre-snap advantage on most all of its opponents.
Edwards said guards Robbie Boyle and Steve Ittner
have been among those leading the charge up front.
GAME NOTES
This game showcases two defenses that are not eager to face the opposing
offenses.
Nitro is averaging 38.5 points and 377.5 yards per game. QB Derek Midkiff has 453 passing yards out of the shotgun,
4-receiver set, while running back Chris McGhee has 280 rushing yards through
gaping holes.
"He has those kids playing hard and McGhee is making people miss,"
Edwards said. "They were doing that last year, but I think they're playing
harder this year. We have to tackle better on defense and wrap them up."
The Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start, which is crucial with a schedule
that still includes the seventh-ranked Patriots, third-ranked University,
sixth-ranked Parkersburg South and second-ranked
When it gets its turn, GW wants to use time-consuming ball-control drives ...
and finally get them to pay off in points. Despite 408.5 yards per game, the
Patriots are averaging just 13.5 points.
"We got into a mental lockdown it seems," Edwards said. "I don't
know what else to attribute it to, except lacking a finisher's mentality.
"We don't have the knockout punch. It's jab, jab,
jab, jab, but we can't come with the right hook to put it away when we get down
there. That's all toughness to me."
The foundation for chewing huge yardage chunks is still there, with Cortez Lacy's 301 rushing yards and Doug Foster's 270 passing
yards behind that big offensive line.
"We have to have 11 people getting to the ball all the time to have a
chance to stop them," Tinsley said. "They definitely have the
advantage up front."
GW holds a 24-13 all-time lead in the series, including three consecutive wins.
The teams have met every year since 1966, and Nitro is the opponent that the
Patriots have faced most in their 394-game history.
Last year, GW won 65-22 at Laidley Field behind
Foster's 181 passing yards and two TDs and Lacy's 172 rushing yards and four scores.