Article

Turnovers Define Up and Down Season for Football

Coaches await decision on starting quarterback Ben King.

by Kaleb Roedel
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Mens Sports

Leading the North Central Conference in pass offense highlighted the Mavericks glimpses of success this season.

Ben King threw his way to a league-leading 327 yards per game and 13 touchdowns. Tyrell Smith and Bryan Dalton tied for second in the league in catches with 54, while Dalton finished second in receiving yards with 635.

But hovering over the Mavericks like a black cloud and rendering the aerial assault somewhat moot were the continuous and costly turnovers. When the season concluded, MSU held a league-worst -6 turnover margin, turning the ball over 20 times.

"If there is one word, it would be 'turnover'," said head coach Jeff Jamrog when describing the 2006 season.

So it's to no surprise that the crux of the Mavericks failures this year came on the heels of turnover-laced performances; ones that began once MSU entered league play. Prior, MSU had won two of its first three non-conference games, including a 33-22 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh Sept. 9 where the Mavericks committed just one turnover to Oshkosh's four.

Like a new car fresh off the lot, the Mavericks had appeared to be well-tuned, shining with potential and ready to coast into NCC action. But the turnovers served as roadblocks preventing MSU from reaching victory lane.

MSU's turnover issues were most glaring in its homecoming game versus Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks coughed the ball up five times to UNO's one, quite literally handing the ballgame to their opponents in a 21-14 loss. Two weeks later, like a reoccurring nightmare, the Mavericks once again turned the ball over five times in a 16-13 overtime loss to Minnesota-Duluth; a loss Jamrog called the most disheartening loss he'd ever been involved in. One week and four turnovers later, they were once again on the losing end, this time to St. Cloud State.

Fortunes, however, quickly changed in the Mavericks ensuing match-up with undefeated South Dakota. Minnesota State took care of the ball, allowing only one turnover to upset the visiting Coyotes 44-39 in a fashion worthy of a timeslot on ESPN Classic.

"That was huge for the program," Jamrog said. "They (South Dakota) may have had the best talent in the league. It shows what can happen when you keep competing and believe in one another."

Momentum propelled MSU to a comeback win over Central Washington, a game in which they trailed 17-0 before prevailing 33-17. Looking to ride the season out on a three-game winning streak, the Mavericks floundered to Western Washington, 35-21, in the season finale.

"I was hoping that we would play our best game, the last game of the year," Jamrog said. "It kind of leaves a sour taste in the mouth. But there are some positive things going on. We are a young team and we're starting to see signs in the recruits we brought in. We are finally getting to the point where we have a lot invested in the program."

The investment starts on defense, where the entire front seven will return next season - including middle-linebacker Tony Hunter, who was the Mavericks leading tackler until he suffered a season-ending ACL tear against North Dakota Oct. 7.

Also highlighting MSU's defensive returnees are Randy Earl, who forced three fumbles and recorded 3.5 sacks, Chad Breeden, who racked up 50 tackles, and Blake Freese, who had 45 tackles.

On offense, a slew of key contributors will be back, including running back Julian Phipps, wide outs Bryan Dalton and Chris Nowlin, tight end Jeff Fielder and offensive linemen Adrian Battles, Andy Schoonover and Jake Droessler.

Players hanging up their cleats on the Maverick offense are Melvin Matlock, who left his mark in the MSU record books with his 1,014 kick return yards and near 32 yards per return average, Tyrell Smith, who led the team in touchdown receptions (5), the versatile Josh Bryant, who caught three touchdowns, threw for two and rushed in one, and Bryan Alberty, who led the team in rushing with 357 yards.

Other notable departures include free safety Allen King, linebacker Dan Ficcadenti and corner back Nick Wilson.

Meanwhile, Ben King has yet to make a decision on whether he will return next season. He has a year of playing-eligibility left, but if he opts to play baseball this spring, he will be forced to give up his final season of football.

Kaleb Roedel is a Reporter staff writer