Football: Eagles gearing up for tough opponent

Football: Eagles gearing up for tough opponent
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CHADRON, Neb. - The eighth-ranked Chadron State College football team's drive for its 26th straight regular season victory will get a big test today when it faces No. 14 Pittsburg State.

Both teams are coming off of opening week wins with the Eagles downing Mary, N.D. 37-17 and the Gorillas beating Central Oklahoma16-12.

Despite the close game, the Gorillas have a dynamic offense capable of scoring points on the ground or through the air. Chuck Broyles, the winningest active coach in NCAA Division II with a 182-39-2 record, is entering his 19th season at the PSU

"Ball control is going to be key for us because they are a good offensive system, they are solid on defense and they are one of the premier Division II teams," Chadron head coach Bill O'Boyle said. "They are an option team so you have to watch how much you pressure them because if you do too much they will kill you with the option."

Pittsburg State's offense has ranked either No.1 or No. 2 nationally in both scoring and total offense in three of the last five seasons. It has a multitude of weapons led by running back Caleb Farabi and quarterback Mark Smith who are both senior leaders for the team.

The Eagles counter with their own three-year starter under center in Joe McLain who had a strong opening game throwing for 184 yards and two touchdowns through the air and another on the ground.

"Joe knows the system very well and he is a big leader by example," O'Boyle said. "He is pretty much our offense right now and we need to keep him healthy."

While the running game had a 100-yard rusher in Aaron Cooksley, O'Boyle is still looking for more as CSC has to replace all-American Danny Woodhead.

"It is not where we would like it to be and I want to see us run the ball with consistency," O'Boyle said. "Our offensive line can't be satisfied because it is all about attitude and working to get better."

Although O'Boyle knows his team has areas to improve in, he was glad to see it put up 37 points in the first week. He is confident his defense will play well and keep his team in games, but the offense was a bit of a concern entering that first game.

The Eagles' defense recorded eight sacks in week one and that same kind of performance will be needed again this week.

"(Pittsburg State's) offense is deadly through the air and if they can get the running game going it is going to be a long day," O'Boyle said. "We have to pressure them and try to make them make mistakes."

The Eagles will have the advantage of playing the big early season game at Don Beebe Stadium, but O'Boyle knows this game will be a big measuring stick for his team against an opponent that is a consistent force at the D-II level.

"It is huge because we will see where we are at in the nation against a ranked team that should be ranked even higher," he said. "They are a very successful program and it will be a physical game."

Kickoff is set for noon MDT.

Copyright 2012 Rapid City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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