Published: August 23, 2008 11:00 pm         

ISU football season preview: Trent Miles era begins Thursday night as ISU heads to Eastern Michigan

TERRE HAUTE — It has only been 26 days since the 2008 Indiana State football team came together under one roof.

Put that in perspective for a moment … the mortgage or rent payment you’ve paid for that period likely covers a longer period of time than the Sycamores have spent together.

The new-look Sycamores haven’t had much time to coalesce and the sand in the hourglass isn’t stopping anytime soon. Ready or not, ISU opens the season at Eastern Michigan on Thursday night, the first game of the Trent Miles era.

“I think we’re prepared. I think they’re eager to hit somebody other than themselves,” Miles said. “We’re fired up as coaches, the players are fired up and eager to get this done.”

Much is at stake as Miles — a Terre Haute native and ISU alum — begins his first season.

There’s no point in mincing words on the challenge Miles faces. In recent seasons, ISU football has been a gridiron punch line for rest of the newly-named Missouri Valley Football Conference, and around Terre Haute as well, as a bad team has struggled to draw respectable crowds. A 1-32 record since 2004 has a way of doing that to a program.

On the other hand, the magnitude of problems Miles inherited was so acute, it’s very unlikely it can be turned around overnight.

Despite a new attitude, and an experienced coaching staff, and an infusion of 45 freshmen and a few more transfers, an immediate turnaround in the win-loss record is remote.

What kind of approach does ISU take as it seeks to reclaim respectability?

“You never caught up in believing the hype. If someone is telling you how good you’re doing, you don’t listen. You say, ‘Thank you.’ When they tell you how bad you are, you don’t listen either, you maintain confidence and stick with your plan,” Miles said. “We know the plan, we know exactly how we need to go about doing it, we finally get to put that to the test. We hope to be farther along than people give us credit for, and our expectation is to get [the players] to believe in that.”

With more than 40 new Sycamores taking the field for the first practice on Aug. 1, the lack of on-field experience has been much ballyhooed. But its been just as big an adjustment for the veteran players too, who have not only had to acclimate themselves to a new coaching staff, but have also had to guide their raw teammates on how things are to be done.

“When camp was over, I think a lot of those young guys really came along,” ISU quarterback Chuck Dowdell said. “And it was mentally and physically tough for everyone. We want through every practice in pads to make us tougher. We went through an [offensive] install and a lot was thrown at us, but I feel like it all helped a lot.”

There’s been no certainty for anyone as Miles made it clear all positions are open for competition. Miles said he will not release a depth chart until he is required to on Tuesday.

On the surface, nearly every position remains open to the present, including the quarterback spot, where Dowdell and Calvin Schmidtke have competed throughout camp, with Matt Seliger getting his share of snaps too. Dowdell was slowed a bit by a knee injury, but Miles is tight-lipped about who will permanently take the snaps for the remainder of the season.

“The competition has been good, not only at quarterback, but at every position. Everyone at quarterback has handled it in a good way. We’ve all been cool about it. We all help each other for the better of the team,” Dowdell said.

There are other interesting position battles — such as Darrius Gates and Antoine Brown at running back, though both should get carries regardless of who is named starter — but some players seemingly stand on solid ground based on practice repetitions and experience.

Wide receiver Ryan Patrick, tight end Josh Jones, tackles Matt Duke and Janssen Hayes and center Jack Byrne have all taken primary reps during practice on the offensive side, as did receiver Jeramie Gray until his separated his shoulder. Nate White and Koby Kraemer have also been receiving options for the quarterbacks.

On the defensive side, Daniel Millington, Ben Geffert, Kevin Wilson, Jon Goodrich and Zach Nero could see significant time on the line. Jayden Everett is ISU’s defensive leader at the linebacker position and will likely be joined by some combination of C.J. Cook, Chris Stepp and Quinton Scott, among others, as a season-ending knee injury suffered by Aaron Archie cut down on the depth at linebacker.

In the secondary, Kyle Monroe, Donye McCleskey, Alex Sewall, Mike Woods, Darius Middlebrooks, Larry Carter, K.C. Wilson and Russell Dedeaux have all been in the mix.

“We have a good idea who’s doing what, but it’s an ongoing process through the season,” said Miles on how much players will play. “You’ll have injuries, you’re going to find out some kids some play, others won’t be ready. We have to play the game to see where we’re at. I mean … we’re still in the evaluation process with the guys who have been here. We’ve never been to battle with them. It’s going to be trial-and-error.”

Whatever happens with ISU’s football fortunes, Miles is glad to be back in his hometown. Family comes first for Miles, and it isn’t lip service; his young daughters, Kaylee and Anna, are regular visitors to practice, always giving their dad a big hug when practice ends. Miles’ addition to the program has unquestionably raised the profile of the program in Terre Haute,

“I love seeing my family and friends. I love seeing my family grow, I love seeing my mom, my brother and sister. I love being a part of their life. We’re three hours away from my wife’s [Bridget] family, we can get in the car and go, it’s not a three-day drive,” Miles said.

“The community has been so good to me and my family. I consider the community to be family to me. There’s a lot of people I grew up with I hadn’t seen in a long time, but it’s still my family. There’s a lot of people who have been influential in my life and have done good things for me or my family. That’s what’s gratifying for me. It’s huge to me,” Miles added.

Progress in wins and losses would be a huge on-field accomplishment, but Miles is more focused on his plan.

“We want to show growth through the season. What that translates into in wins and losses? You never know, but we just want to see steady growth on the team,” Miles said.

ISU defensive back Donye McCleskey wasn’t willing to give a round number for what signifies ISU improvement either. Just being competitive in games would mark progress.

“Expectations? I honestly couldn’t give any, but I think we have a decent chance of winning every game,” McCleskey said.



ISU schedule

Aug. 28 at Eastern Michigan 7 p.m.

Quick take on the Eagles: BCS member Eastern Michigan (4-8) has 15 starters back. Quarterback Andy Schmitt is an efficient passer with 1,613 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Eagles defense is suspect as they gave up 31.2 points per game in 2007.

Sept. 13 at Eastern Illinois 7 p.m.

Quick take on the Panthers: Eastern Illinois (8-4) has been in the FCS playoffs three years running and seeks an OVC-record fourth-straight bid. The Panthers have two players on the Preseason FCS All-America team — defensive lineman Pierre Walters and punter Kevin Cook.

Sept. 20 at Northern Illinois 3 p.m.

Quick take on the Huskies: Northern Illinois (2-10) has fallen on hard times after recently being on of the Mid-American Conference’s best teams. Former Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill takes over in DeKalb and has 21 starters back.

Sept. 27 Southeast Missouri State Noon

Quick take on the Redhawks: SEMO (3-8) was picked to finish last in the OVC in its coaches’ poll, and they were the only team ISU came close to defeating in 2007, when the Sycamores lost 13-10 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Running back Timmy Holloman and quarterback Houston Lillard are the best players back.

Oct. 4 Illinois State Noon

Quick take on the Redbirds: Illinois State (4-7, 2-4) struggled last season after making the playoffs in 2006 and was picked eighth in the preseason poll. Thirteen starters are back, but only five on the offensive side. Safety Tom Nelson is a standout.

Oct. 11 at Southern Illinois 2:30 p.m.

Quick take on the Salukis: A page turns for Southern Illinois (12-2, 5-1) as coach Dale Lennon takes over for the wildly successful Jerry Kill, who led the once-awful Salukis to five straight playoff bids. SIU has just 12 starters back and was picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll.

Oct. 18 at Western Illinois 4:05 p.m.

Quick take on the Leathernecks: Western Illinois (6-5, 3-3) could be the Valley’s sleeper team. Five Leathernecks were on the Preseason Valley team, including 1,491-yard rusher Herb Donaldson. Linebacker Jason Williams is also one of the league’s best.

Oct. 25 South Dakota State 2 p.m.

Quick take on the Jackrabbits: South Dakota State (7-4) is one of two new members in the conference. Despite being picked sixth in the preseason poll, they won’t be an easy mark either. Quarterback Ryan Berry threw for 2,132 yards and 19 TDs in 2007 as the Jackrabbits finished the season with five consecutive wins.

Nov. 1 at North Dakota State 7 p.m.

Quick take on the Bison: North Dakota State (10-1) is the other new member, preseason Valley favorite, and ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. The Bison have a powerful running back in Tyler Roehl (1,431 yards) and a stout defense that put three of its members (DL Joe Lardinois, LB Ramon Humber, DB Nick Schommer) on the preseason team. NDSU was 2-0 against Valley teams in 2007.

Nov. 8 at Youngstown State 1 p.m.

Quick take on the Penguins: Youngstown State (7-4, 3-3) was picked to finish third in the preseason poll. Though four-year starter Tom Zetts has to be replaced at QB, wide receiver Ferlando Williams is a good target to throw to. All-American Brad Samsa anchors a strong offensive line and Mychal Savage is one of the Valley’s best defensive linemen.

Nov. 15 Northern Iowa Noon

Quick take on the Panthers: UNI (12-1, 6-0) is the defending league champion and there’s several components in place to put them there again. Mark Huygens and James Ruffin are highlights of the league’s best defensive line and are joined by LB De’Veon Harris and DB Darrell Lloyd. UNI has six starters back on offense.

Nov. 22 Missouri State Noon

Quick take on the Bears: Missouri State (6-5, 2-4) has come a long way in a short time under coach Terry Allen, the 2-9 to 6-5 turnaround was MSU’s biggest improvement in 19 years. MSU was picked to finish seventh in the Valley. Nine starters return on defense. Cody Kirby returns at quarterback.