This was a great CDS match-up with 4 CDS pre-season All-Americans on display. D-2 Offensive POY pick Joique Bell did not disappoint, rushing for almost 300 yards and 3 TDs including a 55-yard jaunt to seal the game with just over a minute to play and WSU leading by just 7. This was also a great GLIAC battle, pitting WSU (2-1, 1-1) against unbeaten Findlay (3-0, 2-0). Findlay's CDS picks, WR Mike Chambers, LB Joe Knopick, and DB Anthony Fields stood-out in their play, despite the loss. Chambers had 185 yards receiving to lead all receivers, Fields had 2 INTs and Knopick recorded several tackles head-to-head with Bell.

College: Findlay Univ Conference: GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Mike Chambers 2 6' 1.7" 199 4.55 WR 2010

Chambers is playing very well in 2009 - to date he has caught 26 passes for 583 yards and 5 TDs - currently 3rd in D-2 with 145.8 yards per game. He has done that against some fairly week teams (Urbana, Tiffin, and Ferris State who have a combined record of 2-10 to date) - but he did catch 74 for 915 yards and 7 TDs last year (while also playing quite a bit in the secondary racking-up 23 tackles and 2 INTs). He originally transferred from Minnesota as a DB, and he is very tough and physical. He has excellent speed and generally runs precise routes - he caught a nice 2-point conversion pass from Beam. He has good size for downfield blocking, and he was able to win almost all of his blocking assignments. On the negative side, he dropped a wide-open bubble screen and fumbled into the endzone midway in the second quarter after an important INT gave the Oilers great field position and a chance to take the lead. Half of Beam's 36 attempts were to Chambers - he caught 10 - it will be interesting to see if he can continue to be as productice against some of the better defenses in the conference. If so, I would expect to see him in an NFL camp/practice squad as a PFA or very late round pick.
GRADE: POSITIVE

Joe Knopick 6 5' 11.5" 220 4.85 LB 2010

Knopick lacks the size to play ILB at the next level and will need to improve his speed to really be considered at OLB. That said, he still plays the game downhill and shows great leadership on the field, making some nice tackles on Bell. He finished the game with 7 tackles (1 solo) and a half a TFL for -1 yard. He leads UF with 28 tackles and has also registered 2 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 2 pass break-ups and 2 fumble recoveries. He did get caught out of position and was unable to make the tackle on several big WSU plays. As the leading tackler, I expected him to be more involved against a running team like WSU (they ran 44 of 59 plays). Possibly a CFL or UFL candidate with continued improvement.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Anthony Fields 22 5' 9.0" 195 4.60 S 2010

Fields is very athletic - he had just two kick-off returns for 38 yards, but he has good speed and elusive moves. He had 4 solo tackles against WSU and 2 INTs (bringing his season total to 3). He is able to break quickly and has excellent reaction to the ball in the air. Of course, WSU only passed 15 times and used 3 different QBs, but Fields did well in the few coverage assignments. He was solid in run support. His height may be an issue, but his toughness and will to hit are not. Would expect him as a PFA or UFL/CFL player.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

College: Wayne State Univ (MI) Conference: GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Joique Bell 5 5' 11.4" 225 4.48 HB 2010

Bell showed his power and stamina today, getting 33 carries (75% of WSU's running plays) for 289 yards and 3 TDs for a whopping 8.8 yards per carry (13 carries were for 1st downs). He also caught a pass for 7 yards. His power was on display for most plays, but he showed breakaway speed with his 55-yarder to put the game on ice in the 4th quarter. He moved into first place on the all-time GLIAC rushing list with 4,986 yards. He currently leads all of D-2 in rushing, averaging 178.8 yards per game (119 carries for 715 yards and 8 TDs). He definitely has the size, speed and vision to be drafted in 2nd-4th rounds - he could move higher if he continues to excel. He has excellent character - named to the AD's honor roll with a 3.5+ GPA majoring in criminal justice.
GRADE: VERY POSITIVE

GAME NOTES:

WSU red-shirt sophomore FS Kenny Loney led the Warriors with 10 tackles (7 solo), 1.5 TFLs, a fumble recovery and 2 picks - he was named GLIAC defensive player of the week for his performance ... Findlay kicker Cameron Stevens kicked 2 FGs to bring his season total to 6 - good for 2nd in the GLIAC and 12th in all D-2 ... WSU is ranked number 1 in D-2 in kick returns average at 31.9 yards per return ... Bell was named GLIAC offensive player of the week for his efforts - his sixth time for the honor.

Next week Wayne State (3-1, 2-1) travels to winless Tiffin to take on the Dragons, while Findlay (3-1, 2-1) hosts Northwood (2-1, 2-1) who suffered their first loss at the hands of Saginaw Valley (3-1, 2-1), 32-27 last week.

Very nice writeup as always, Jay.

Chambers is definitely a guy to keep an eye on. I've heard some good things about him even before your confirmation.

Either Findlay was totally unprepared, or they were never all that good, huh? I mean 300 yards when you know who is getting the ball, and you know they can't pass? I'd have 8 men in the box all night....

The Findlay d-line needs to vastly improve for them to contend in the GLIAC - they start a freshman NG (Sumlin) and sophomore DT (Cornell) - their size isn't bad - both in the 6-3/265 range, but experience level is low ... the game this week against Northwood (NU is a running team that is learning how to throw) will indicate if they can be competitive or if they benefitted from a schedule that gave them 3 early opponents that have 2 wins between them.