ShowMeBear2
September 8th, 2007, 07:58 AM
No-huddle offense good fit for MSU
Bears averaging 56.5 points, 562.5 yards in two wins.
Lyndal Scranton
News-Leader
The offensive numbers are downright ridiculous two games into Missouri State's football season.
With back-to-back 50-point games for the first time in 29 years, the Bears are averaging 56.5 points and 562.5 yards.
"It's just fun to play in this system," senior receiver Eric Davis said of the team's no-huddle, spread attack. "And more than anything else, it's definitely fun to win."
Davis was one of several Bears who enjoyed a big game in Thursday's 51-44 victory at Tennessee-Martin. He had five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown as Missouri State scored on eight of its first 10 possessions.
"The no-huddle is a pretty good offense for us because we have some pretty good ingredients for it," coach Terry Allen said of the offense installed by new coordinator Rob Christophel.
Davis and fellow senior receiver Tamarkus McElvane are off to big starts, combining for 16 catches, 385 yards and three touchdowns against Missouri-Rolla and UTM.
Running backs Gerald Davis and Kingjack Washington have given defenses fits with their opposite styles — Davis with power and Washington with speed. They have combined for 333 yards and six TDs so far.
A two-man system also is working at quarterback as Matt Krapfl and Cody Kirby directed six possessions apiece against UTM. Neither turned the ball over while combining for three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in Thursday's victory.
Perhaps most important to the no-huddle success, a young offensive line has been good. It has only two false-start penalties and one holding call in two games.
"We work well together and that's what really counts," said center David Tillman, the lone senior on the offensive line.
Allen said the no-huddle was key in the opening minutes at UTM as the Bears struck for two touchdowns before most of the fans had wandered into the stadium from parking-lot parties. The no-huddle went into fast-tempo mode, throwing the defense out of sync.
"We came out and got after them," Allen said. "They are a stunt, blitz team and we took care of that."
Things become more difficult a week from today when the Bears face Kansas State. But Allen is hopeful the extra couple of days of preparation (Kansas State plays San Jose State today) will be to his team's advantage.
"Every week is a challenge for us and this is probably the biggest challenge so far," Allen said. "We have to go and get ready for a team that probably should have beaten Auburn.
"We have to go back and get better. Then we'll go over there and see what happens."
Bears averaging 56.5 points, 562.5 yards in two wins.
Lyndal Scranton
News-Leader
The offensive numbers are downright ridiculous two games into Missouri State's football season.
With back-to-back 50-point games for the first time in 29 years, the Bears are averaging 56.5 points and 562.5 yards.
"It's just fun to play in this system," senior receiver Eric Davis said of the team's no-huddle, spread attack. "And more than anything else, it's definitely fun to win."
Davis was one of several Bears who enjoyed a big game in Thursday's 51-44 victory at Tennessee-Martin. He had five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown as Missouri State scored on eight of its first 10 possessions.
"The no-huddle is a pretty good offense for us because we have some pretty good ingredients for it," coach Terry Allen said of the offense installed by new coordinator Rob Christophel.
Davis and fellow senior receiver Tamarkus McElvane are off to big starts, combining for 16 catches, 385 yards and three touchdowns against Missouri-Rolla and UTM.
Running backs Gerald Davis and Kingjack Washington have given defenses fits with their opposite styles — Davis with power and Washington with speed. They have combined for 333 yards and six TDs so far.
A two-man system also is working at quarterback as Matt Krapfl and Cody Kirby directed six possessions apiece against UTM. Neither turned the ball over while combining for three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in Thursday's victory.
Perhaps most important to the no-huddle success, a young offensive line has been good. It has only two false-start penalties and one holding call in two games.
"We work well together and that's what really counts," said center David Tillman, the lone senior on the offensive line.
Allen said the no-huddle was key in the opening minutes at UTM as the Bears struck for two touchdowns before most of the fans had wandered into the stadium from parking-lot parties. The no-huddle went into fast-tempo mode, throwing the defense out of sync.
"We came out and got after them," Allen said. "They are a stunt, blitz team and we took care of that."
Things become more difficult a week from today when the Bears face Kansas State. But Allen is hopeful the extra couple of days of preparation (Kansas State plays San Jose State today) will be to his team's advantage.
"Every week is a challenge for us and this is probably the biggest challenge so far," Allen said. "We have to go and get ready for a team that probably should have beaten Auburn.
"We have to go back and get better. Then we'll go over there and see what happens."