Muleskinner

Issue date: 9/7/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Dave Kopp/digitalBURG.com Well-Defended - CMSU's Seth Mason blocks a punt by Gerardo Cornejo of Lincoln in the second quarter. Mason recovered the ball for a touchdown.

Media Credit: Dave Kopp/digitalBURG.com In For Six - CMSU's Matt Jacobsen stretches the ball across the goal line to complete a 28-yard touchdown pass late in the first half of Saturday's 78-0 over Lincoln University.

When the Mules welcome Dakota State to Audrey J. Walton Stadium Saturday night, they will attempt to answer many questions that spun from their season opening win.

The squad traveled to Jefferson City, Mo. last Saturday to resume the annual meeting with Lincoln University. The Mules have not lost to Lincoln since 1978, and the Lions have not scored in the last three meetings betwee nthe squads. Saturday's results yielded little in the way of change as the Mules defeated Lincoln 78-0.

With few starters getting significant play time, the results can appear on the exterior to be positive.

Running backs Jeremy Brayden and Justin Gore, in place of an injured Will Caldwell, combined for 202 yards on 16 carries, while punching in three touchdowns. Handling the ball became tough at times as both players fumbled as the Mules were within scoring range.

The performance of the backs warranted praise from head cioach Wille Fritz. "We think Brayden has a chance to be a really good back and for gore, it was his first college game," Fritz said. "Both of them played very well and if you subtract their fumbles, each had a great game."

Quarterback Toby Korrodi, in minimal action, was good on 13 of 18 passes, for 184 yards and four touchdowns. Korrodi was also sacked one time.

If any position has fallen under scrutiny for the Mules in the preseason, it has been the wide receiver position. Finding a way to replace 1,500 receiving yards is no easy task, but as of Saaturday, the current core of pass catchers seemed up to the challenge.

Matt Jacobsen caught three passes for 63 yards and two scores, while sophomore Brooks Faddis broke out with four catches for 56 yards and a score.

Jacobsen said that the group has been able to establish a rhythym with their quarterback, while creating a bond that will help them have a solid year.

"We have all ben together since last year and we have developed into a tight core of receivers," Jacobsen said. "Toby trusts us and we trust Toby. We know that if we can jump our routes and get good reads we can get the job done."

Defensively, the Mules pitched another shut out against Lincoln, allowing only 74 yards of total offense, including -23 yards rushing. Adrian Singletary led the way with six tackles and a sack, while LaVance Dotson and Rod Washington added 5.5 tackles apiece.

Singletary said the shutout only helps a defensive unit get stronger. "It definetely builds confidence for the defense," Singletary said. "It's good to get the goose egg on the board."

The defense will have to find a way to replace the eight sacks registered last season by the departed Maurice White, and Fritz said that has to come from up front.

"We want more pressure from our front four," Fritz said. "They are showing the ability to do so. If they cannot then we will have to blitz more."

Singletary added that the more successful the defense is in getting to the quarterback, the faster the Mules potent offense can get back on the field.

"The faster we do our jobs, the faster the offense can get on the field and do their jobs," Singletary. "They play off of us and we play off of them."

While on the surface the win appears to be solid, there is still cause for concern. One aspect Fritz points to is the energy of his squad.

"I did not feel we were very sharp at all," Frtiz said. "Here it was the opening game of the season and the guys didn't play with as much enthusiasm as I wanted them to. Someimtes in games like that you play down to your competition and we can't do that."

Unless you win by 78 points. Fritz was also quick to find the positive in the mechanical workings of the game. "There were some good things" Fritz said. "There are always good things every time you win. We got to work on substitutions, running off and on the field, and the kicking game."

With Dakota State on deck at 6 p.m. Saturday and defending conference champ Washburn looming in the near future, Fritz mentioned the opportunity the players have this season to do something special, one step at a time.

"I tell them that you work hard year round for 11 opporunities and now we only have 10," Frtiz said. "If I had to work that hard for 11 opporunities I would want to take advantage of them all."

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