Opening Week Was Brutal For The Marauders

            Saturday, September 7, 2013 was a very emotional day for me. For the first time in two years, I was finally set to make my return to a Central State University (CSU) Marauders’ Home Football Game. In the days, weeks, and months leading up to this very date, the anticipation was heavily building up inside of me. I was so anxious and nervous to get to this game. I did not know what to expect. However, all that I knew was I would be returning to my personal sanctuary known as CSU’s McPherson Memorial Stadium. As far as the past goes, I have so many fond memories of the action which has taken in McPherson Stadium over the years. This first game of The 2013 CSU Football Season was unlike any other initial home contest. For the first time since its inception, The Dayton Football Classic (DFC) was being held on the campus of CSU. For all of its previous editions, the DFC was always played at Welcome Stadium on The University of Dayton campus. As soon as I arrived on campus, I parked at the CSU Health Center. As I got out of my car, I instantly became very emotional. Tears were coming out of my eyes at a rapid pace. The CSU Health Center is all the way across the campus from McPherson Stadium. Therefore, I had enough time to walk around, sightsee, and reminisce about past experiences. It felt so good to be back on campus in this fashion. CSU Athletics have always been a huge part of my life. For the past two years, I have been sorely missing that part of my life. Now, I finally have received it back.

            When I got near McPherson Stadium, I had to walk past Walker Gymnasium. Walker Gymnasium is used as the “Official Locker Room Facilities” for all visiting football teams. As I walked by Walker Gymnasium, I noticed the Benedict College (the visiting team) Football Team coming out of the building. For the purpose of pre-game preparations, they were heading to McPherson Stadium and the football field. The entire Benedict team was fired up, as they were loudly speaking various phrases. Anyone in the immediate & surrounding vicinities could clearly tell that Benedict came to Wilberforce to play, and they were going to give forth one tough effort. After their on-field, pre-game preparations were complete, Benedict (its players, staff, coaches, etc.) all headed back to Walker Gymnasium. As they were exiting the field, once again, they were loudly speaking various phrases. However, this time, the situation was completely different. The CSU Football Team was on the field conducting their own pre-game preparations. They did not take too kindly to their opponent’s behavior and actions. They let them know! Both teams traded words back-and-forth with one another. Intense heat & tension was quickly building up between the teams. Would that same intense heat & tension translate well to the on-field product? Only time would tell! Spectators were just hoping that something special was about to take place on the field.

            The Marauders’ Home Side (of the stadium) was filled to capacity. The Marauders started the game first on offense. However, their first drive consisted of two runs by running backs and one quarterback rush. On fourth down, CSU had to punt. Benedict’s Offense started the game in a Spread Formation with Quarterback Marcus Graham in the Shotgun. Benedict started out the game rushing the ball. On 3^RD Down, Graham threw a long deep ball downfield for a completion to his receiver. The result was a 1^ST Down for Benedict. The Marauders’ Defense could not tackle the stumbling receiver. On the very next play, Graham threw a pass into the end zone for a touchdown. One instant observation is simply this. The Marauders’ Pass Coverage is not very good. Defensive Backs could not cover opposing receivers. For the entire duration of the game, this initial observation would prove to be an on-going problem. CSU was unable to fix the issue. As a result, Marcus Graham and his Benedict teammates made the Marauders sorely pay.

            Benedict College did an excellent job at controlling the pace of the game. They started the game out with a fast-paced, up-tempo offense. Their play selection consisted of a quick passing nature. However, what truly impressed me was this. Benedict was able to slow the pace down as well. By utilizing a positive running game, they were good at being able to do just that. They switched back-and-forth so much that it totally confused the Marauders’ Defense. One minute, Graham was throwing quick darts to his receivers for completion. Then, when the time was just right, they would bring the game to a slower halt by running the ball. In plain and simple terms, Benedict’s Offense was able to move the ball freely down the field however it chose to. As a result, Benedict was able to obtain full control of the game clock & time of possession. Both sides of the ball for CSU never were able to disrupt that from taking place. Had they been successful at stopping those occurrences, the game may have been quite different. The Marauders may have been in control of the game, and the score would have been much different. Of course, I can look back, and say all of this now. During the game, when it would matter the most, it did not happen. Graham was in full command of the game. He is a very mobile quarterback. His mobility allowed him to buy a whole lot of free time, run and/or pass at will, and allowed both his offense and himself to be quite successful at whatever they chose to do. The CSU Defense could not stop Graham whatsoever!!! One of his best plays (of the entire game) was a 56-Yard Touchdown Pass early in the 3^RD Quarter. On the play, CSU displayed no defensive pass coverage whatsoever!!!!!

            I was so interested to see how CSU would respond to Benedict’s opening, scoring drive. Would they be able to respond with a score of their own? On CSU’s second drive, the first play was a pass completion. On the very next play, another huge mistake took place. A CSU Running Back fumbled the ball. Benedict recovered the fumble. As a whole, the Marauders are not a well-disciplined team whatsoever. Throughout the entire game, penalties were a problem for both teams. CSU’s penalties took points off of the board. Benedict’s penalties mainly took away field position in terms of yardage. Early in the 2^ND Quarter, a CSU Punt Return for a touchdown was negated by a penalty. At 10:36 of the 2^ND Quarter on 3^RD and Goal, CSU Quarterback Michael Wilson fumbled the ball, and he recovered his own fumble. He ended up scoring a touchdown. However, yet again, another CSU Penalty negated a touchdown.

            Other than some success by Wilson, Benedict’s defense completely shut down CSU’s running game. For the most part, the Marauders’ receivers were unable to catch the ball well. Passes to running backs were successful. However, in terms of yardage gained, they did not go far. At the end of the 1^ST Quarter, Wilson began to heat up in terms of passing. He had a spectacular-looking pass bounce off of one receiver’s hands into those of another wide receiver for a long gain. Wilson is just way too inconsistent. One minute, he looks like he is going to really do something good. The very next minute, he makes a mistake, and his momentum is all lost. In the 4^TH Quarter, after starting a drive which was moving the ball, Wilson threw an interception. When Wilson threw good passes, receivers and backs could not catch them. Other times, he just threw some bad passes. Benedict’s Defense had great pass coverage. At times, Wilson was able to use his legs and make up for lack of passing success. To his credit, with 6:41 left in the game, Wilson ran into the end zone for a 34-Yard Touchdown. Of course, it was too little, too late. By the point in the game, Benedict was in firm control. After that touchdown and an incomplete 2-Point Pass Attempt Conversion, They were winning by a score of 42-9. That would end up being the game’s final score.

            CSU’s Special Teams Unit definitely needs improvement. At 9:58 of the 2^ND Quarter, a 34-Yard Field Goal Attempt was blocked by Benedict. Before a field goal attempt in the 3^RD Quarter, the Marauders committed an Illegal Substitution Penalty. On the very next play, CSU’s field goal attempt was blocked. I have said it once before, and I will say it again. In any football game, special teams play is very crucial. On many occasions, it can make all of the difference in a close game. In an overtime game especially, special teams is often very vital. A special teams unit may end up being the only winning weapon which a football team possesses. Therefore, the Marauders cannot afford the continuing mistakes of its special teams unit. Missing field goal attempts and/or having them blocked prevent points from being placed onto the scoreboard. During the course of any football season, that’s definitely not a positive experience to have to constantly deal with.

            The CSU Football Team has a whole lot to work on. The 2013 season’s opening game definitely proved that. It is just my wish that the Marauders fix things before it is too late. Refusing to properly address & correct the issues which hamper the team’s positive success will make for a very long season. Not one single member of “Marauder Land” wants to witness that.