Article

Earl Producing Big as Redshirt Freshman

Defensive end leads Mavericks with two sacks and a pair of interceptions.

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: Mens Sports

Its not uncommon for a defensive end to lead your team in sacks. In fact, in a typical defensive scheme, the primary goal of most ends is to put pressure on the quarterback.

But for a defensive end to lead your team in sacks and interceptions?

"That's the first I've seen," said defensive coordinator Ken Gordon. "And I keep telling him, 'Keep making me look good, I came all the way to Milwaukee to get you to do this, so you better keep making me look good.'"

Through his first three games as a Maverick, Earl has made Gordon look like Vince Lombardi. In his MSU debut three weeks ago against Truman State, Earl had 1 1/2 sacks and added his first interception, which he promptly returned 15 yards for his first career touchdown. He picked off his second pass last week against Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and as he was being tackled, pitched the ball to senior linebacker Dan Ficcadenti, who took the ball the final ten yards for the score.

"You gotta give all the credit to him," Ficcadenti said. "I didn't think he was gonna pitch it, but he did."

The score was the third this season for the Maverick defense. Ficcadenti was named the NCC's Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts, giving him something else in common with Earl, who was given the honor after the Truman State game.

But the touchdowns, accolades and newfound expectations have not effected Earl, who according to coaches is as quiet off the field as he is disruptive on it.

"I'll do whatever I gotta do to fit in," Earl said. "I'll do whatever the coaches say, wherever they tell me to go or whatever they assign me. I just want to win."

And win the Mavericks have - already as many times as they did all of last season. MSU travels to Sioux Falls, S.D., this weekend with a chance to surpass their 2005 win total. Last season, the Vikings returned a fumble 67-yards for the game-winning touchdown with under six minutes to play. The 25-24 loss was especially stinging to the Mavericks because they held a fourth-quarter lead on the road in an NCC match-up - not an easy task for any team.

But as MSU returns to the scene of the crime, Saturday, there is renewed optimism because of guys like Earl, who did not play in last year's game.

"He works hard every day," Gordon said. "He's young, so he's going to make mistakes. But the main thing is, he wants to get better. He's one of those rare guys that has a chance to play at the next level."

The jump from walk-on to next level is a big one, but Earl is determined.

"Everything you do, you have to earn it," Earl said. "And that's what I am here for; I'm here to earn it."