september 13, 2013

BEHIND THE GRIDIRON

The man behind the team:

Coach Mike Sanford begins his rst season

with the Sycamore football

A game going down in history:

A guest columnist explores Memorial

Stadium’s extensive past

PAGE 2

PAGE 6

Taking out the Hawks:

ISU Football is up against Quincy this

weekendPAGE 4

Friday, September 13, 2013Volume 121 Issue 8____________________

Indiana State’s new head football coach Mike Sanford grew up with the sport in his blood.

Sanford’s two older brothers both received football scholarships as wide receivers after successful careers in high school.

“I watched them play high school football and loved it,” Sanford said after a Wednesday evening practice. “I just loved the game and wanted to play it.”

This inspired Sanford to play high school football himself, landing a spot as quarterback for a high school in Los Altos, Calif., near Stanford University where his son is now a football coach, as well.

Sanford’s high school success and love of the game culminated in a football

scholarship at the University of Southern California and eventually led him to the head coaching spot at ISU.

“I was around some really good coaches at USC and realized from that whole experience that I wanted to coach football,” he said.

After graduating from USC in 1978, Sanford quickly realized he couldn’t compete at the professional level as the National Football League was growing in popularity and players were getting bigger and better every year.

“I had a great time [at USC] and learned a lot. I thought I wanted to be a pro football

player,” he said. “Then I realized … what a pro football player was and what I was.”

At that time, Sanford said, John Robinson was the head coach at USC and offered him an opportunity to be a graduate assistant

coach. There, Sanford worked with

several coaches that would go on to have successful professional careers, including Norv Turner, who was the San Diego Charger’s head coach before taking a position as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.

“I learned a lot about football and went on from there,” he said.

As a coach, Sanford said he gained a more fundamental understanding

of the game and his love for the sport grew exponentially.

“I think there’s two parts of coaching. There’s the actual loving the game and the schemes and the technical part of it,” he said. “And then there’s also the relationship that you get to build with players and coaches. That is also why I love the game of football: the people part of it. That’s why I’m coaching.”

After an opportunity to coach at ISU arose through Sanford’s relationship with Athletic Director Ron Prettyman, whose son played high school football and basketball with Sanford’s, he relocated to Terre Haute, where he and his wife have enjoyed becoming a part of the ISU community.

Indiana State’s new head football coach Mike Sanford runs a drill during a practice at Memorial Stadium (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

Joseph paul Features Editor

New coach considers ISU team a part of the ‘family’

“That is also why I love the game of

football: the people part of it. That’s why

I’m coaching.”

Mike Sanford, Indiana State Football Head

Coach

ContInued on PAGe 3

• Friday, September 13, 2013 www.indianastatesman.com

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“I’ve been very pleased. Both my wife and I like Terre Haute. We’ve built some friendships, some relationships here in the community,” he said. “We love the university and the campus and the whole situation. We’re very excited to be here.”

After arriving at ISU last fall, Sanford was busy building the football program from the ground up in a short amount of time. Although getting to know a team he was unfamiliar with proved to be a challenge; but Sanford said his experience coaching at other universities helped ease the transition.

“At first, I just wanted to get to know our team and I wanted to get to know

our players and I wanted to get to know our leaders,” he said, noting later that the offseason “was a whole process of starting from scratch and continuing to build.”

With the football season well underway, Sanford has come to know his players better and is establishing the relationships that have led him to fall in love with coaching.

“My kids are gone. I have two children, a daughter and a son,” he said. “But they’re out the house now, they’re married and have children, and now it’s just my wife and I. I do kind of feel like these guys — our coaching staff and our team and our players — are part of our family.”

Continued From PAGe 2

Head football coach Mike Sanford holds his headset and surveys the field during an ISU game this season (Photo Courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).


Indiana State will host the football home opener this Saturday against the Hawks of Quincy University. The Sycamores will look to capitalize on their home turf and bring in their first win of the season after dropping to 0 – 2 against the Hoosiers of Indiana University and the Boilermakers of Purdue University.

Quincy is currently 0 – 1 on the season after dropping their season opener to Western Illinois University.

The Sycamores will look to capture their first win of the season under new head coach Mike Sanford.

Sycamores will exploit the offense of the Hawks in their upcoming competition. In their contest against Western Illinois University, the Hawks only averaged 1.2 yards per carry on rushing attempts and 5.6 yards per pass on offense. The Hawks put up 263 total yards of offense and ended the game with a score of 6 – 34.

Indiana State has had success against the Hawks in the past. Last season the Sycamores dominated the Hawks on all sides of the ball and won by a score of 44 – 0, 21 of those points coming in the first quarter.

While the Sycamores were able to mount an impressive effort against the Boilermakers last week, they were not able to make their comeback turn into a win. Without the help of their senior All-American running back Shakir Bell the Sycamores were hard pressed to find any offensive rhythm. They finally gained momentum in the third quarter when junior quarterback Mike Perish found senior running back George Cheeseborough for a 36-yard touchdown pass cutting the Purdue lead to 17-7.

Following a Purdue field goal, the final touchdown for the Sycamores came off a 17-yard pass from Perish to senior wide receiver Demory Lawshe capping the final score to 14-20.

At the end of the game, Perish had thrown passes to 11 different players.

The Sycamores posted 295 yards of total offense and held the Boilermakers to 284. Defense was able to force two fumbles and also posted two sacks.

The Sycamores’ comeback was ended by a Perish interception that allowed the Boilermakers to take a knee and seal their victory.

It is optimistic for the Sycamores to note that they can have success in the passing game as well as their ground game.

Bell, who suffered a shoulder injury in the competition against the Hoosiers, was a game day decision for the Sycamores

against the Boilermakers and his presence was certainly missed out on the gridiron. Sanford is still unsure what Bell’s status will be for Saturday’s competition.

“We are excited about that, we want the fans to be excited about it, they need to come out and support us because we’re going to come out next week, we need to be an improved football team over what we did today [against Purdue],” Sanford

said.As the Sycamores look forward to

the Hawks, they will not rest on last years’ success and assume anything. The Sycamores need to come out strong and post their first victory of the season as well as the first victory under the leadership of Sanford.

Kick-off for Sanford’s welcome to Memorial stadium takes place at 3:05 p.m.

Jared MccorMick Reporter

Football stadium opens its gates for first home game ISU’s football team brings the action back to Memorial Stadium for its first home contest of the 2013 season

The Sycamores take the field in their first home game of the season against Quincy University Saturday afternoon (Photo by Drew Canavan).


Football 101: definitions of popular football termsSCORING:• Touchdown/Endzones: This is the main method of scoring points during a football game. They are positioned and mark on both sides of the field and running with or catching the ball in them will score six points for that team.

• Extra Point Kick: It is an attempt to score an extra point by kicking the ball through the field goal post.

TIME PERIODS:• Time outs: The periods of time uses to strategize a team’s tactics and each team receives three period half.

• Downs: One play is to move the ball down field in offensive mode and an opportunity for the defense to stop the offense. Each team has four down to try to score the ball before the ball is turned over to the other team.

• First Down: A ten-yard gain from wherever the ball is at on the field. Getting the first down resets the down count back to one for the next play.

PLAYS:• Touchback: When the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there.

• Turnover: If a team fails to get a first down or punt the ball during their fourth down then the team takes possession of the ball from wherever the previous team lost it.

• Kick Return: After a team scores a touchdown is it their responsibility to kick the ball down field. That team then tries to stop the receiving team as soon as possible, preventing them to gain any yards.

As a member of the Terre Haute community and an ISU graduate, I enjoy keeping abreast of college attitudes and events by reading the Statesman.

Occasionally, the newspaper contains a comment which sparks my responsive instincts. For instance, in issue of Sept. 16, a story stated: “Curious as to why Memorial was built so far away? Who knows? That’s just the way it is.”

To thousands of Terre Haute residents who “do know,” the statement is a bit shocking. Upon reflection, however, I suspect that there are many students who don’t know and, perhaps, don’t care. For the few who might like to have the answer to the story’s question, I offer this brief lesson in local history.

Prior to the Civil War, the Vigo County Fairgrounds were located in the northern part of the city. In 1861, the buildings at the fairgrounds were converted to barracks for Union soldiers who formed several prominent Indiana regiments. The converted grounds became known as Camp Vigo.

After the Civil war, Terre Haute needed new fairgrounds. The site chosen was located on the northeast corner of Wabash and Brown avenues. It was “out in the country,” to be sure, but substantial space was necessary. The new fairgrounds were elaborate for its day and featured in a centerfold in Harper’s Weekly, the popular New York Newspaper. The Indiana State Fair was held there in 1867. The grounds included an outstanding half-mile track. Soon, horseracing became a very popular spectator sport here. By 1886-87, the half-mile horseracing track had been turned into a mile-long track which encompassed much more land than both the present stadium and the golf course. It had been redesigned by surveyor George Grimes and track superintendent Uriah Jeffers.

During the two decades the track was on horse racing’s Grand Circuit, over 20 world records were set there. By special design, it was the fastest track in the country. Terre Haute’s “Four-Cornered Track” was, literally, world famous.

Meanwhile, Terre Haute also had professional baseball. The first enclosed stadium for baseball was built at 19th and Wabash in 1883. The second was built in 1895. That facility was still serving the community, its colleges and the pro baseball team in 1924. Football also was played there, it was called “Athletic Park.” With the introduction of automobiles and motorcycles, interest in horse racing diminished. By World War I, the “Four-Cornered Track” was being used for track meets and auto and motorcycle races than for horse racing. The city decided to build an elaborate sports complex at the site, primarily for baseball but also for football.

When memorial Stadium was dedicated in May, 1925, it was hailed as the “finest minor league baseball stadium inn the country” and second only to New York’s Yankee Stadium in playing area. Baseball Commissioner Kenneshaw Mountain Landis was here for the inaugural ceremonies. The stadium quickly became the primary arena for college and high school football. Indiana State students reached the stadium by using railroad cars, which departed on Saturday mornings—at a point a few blocks north of campus—and dropped them off at a point less than a block north of the stadium.

Professional baseball continued to flourish in Terre Haute—though interrupted by World War II—until 1956.

Television—a “new kid on the block”—kept many fans at

home and a 73-year tradition floundered. The last pro baseball game involving a Terre Haute team was July 4, 1956. Though the stadium and its 11,500 seats continued to be used for amateur and semi-pro baseball, boxing, wrestling, fireworks, pageants, circuses, band programs and high school and ISU football, inconsistent use did not permit it to be properly maintained.

ISU had not maintained its own football facility since Parsons field was abandoned early in the century. As ISU expanded its athletic program, Memorial Stadium was a logical site for a football stadium. The University leased the stadium from the city for 99 years and made it the first outdoor athletic facility in the nation to install Astro-turf and remodeled the baseball stadium into a football stadium. Only the memorial arch remains.

When, in 1865, the City of Terre Haute successfully battled competing communities before the stat legislature to obtain ISU, it was an advantage to locate the college in the middle of the town, near business and necessary facilities. One building turned into two and so on as the college was in the midst of a residential area, including many residential mansions. Over the years, most residences and nearby businesses have been eliminated as the campus has dramatically expanded. Now, most athletic facilities are on or near campus.

As you take the shuttle bus to Memorial Stadium this season, ponder that you are taking a step back in history and returning to the site where, a little over a century ago (1892), the great Nancy Hanks stunned the racing world by racing the mile in 2:04.

It is where the immortal racehorse Dan Patch often tried to set a world record and failed where Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and

Hank Aaron hit home runs where Cannonball Baker carved his reputation where Max Schmeling demonstrated the punch which captured the world heavyweight title where Roy Ewry, ten-time Olympic gold medalist, won several college athletic meets in the standing high jump and standing long jump where baseball immortals Roger Hornsby, Max Carey and George Sisler gave baseball lessons . . . where pitchers Dizzy Trout, Tommy John, Harry Taylor, Emil Bildilli and Bill Butland were discovered. Riley—now the New York Knicks’ coach—frolicked while his father managed the Terre Haute pro team where Don Larsen strode to the mound years before pitching the only perfect game in a World Series . . . and hundreds of others honed or performed the skills that would make the household names.

In a modest way, the stadium is a monument to those individuals, their feats and a multitude of significant events and accomplishments. Officially it is a shrine to those who lost their lives during the world wars. World War I was on the minds of those who built it.

Memorial Stadium provided Terre Haute with the finest athletic facility in the country for a community under 500,000. At the time it was built, and for 40 years after, its use by ISU was incidental to existence, not the reason for it. It was altered and is maintain to preserve a history heritage and to provide ISU with an outstanding football arena. Let’s hope that both students and community support will continue to justify its existence.

This column orginally ran in the Oct, 21, 1994 issue of the Statesman.


Memorial Stadium’s history a ‘monument’ to Terre HauteMichael MccorMick Guest columnist

Indiana State’s Memorial Stadium has a history that extends back to 1925 (Photo by Drew Canavan).


Indiana State head football coach Mike Sanford announced over the summer that he has promoted assistant coach Brian Sheppard to offensive coordinator. As part of his duties, Sheppard also coaches the Sycamore quarterbacks.

“As a result of what Brian has accomplished in his time at Indiana State working with our quarterbacks and the passing game, I have promoted him to offensive coordinator,” Sanford said. “I am very confident in Brian and his ability to lead our offense.”

Previously, Sheppard was the Indiana State passing game coordinator in addition to his role as the quarterbacks coach.

Sheppard came to Indiana State from Willamette University, where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

In Sheppard’s first year at Willamette, the Bearcats finished the 2012 season with a record of 8-2 while breaking numerous school records and concluding the year as one of the most prolific offensive teams in NCAA Division III. In their first game of the 2012 season the new look Bearcats beat Hardin-Simmons by a score of 58-34 while exploding for 727 total yards offensively. In the season opener, quarterback Josh Dean tied the school record with six touchdowns to go along with 468 passing yards en route to setting new Willamette season records with

273 pass completions, 422 attempts, 40 total touchdowns and 3,345 passing yards. Dean also led the Northwest Conference in passing efficiency rating (152.18). His 334.50 passing yards per game ranked fourth nationally and was sixth in both completions and total offensive yards per game.

As a team, Willamette ranked 10th nationally in total offense amassing 4,981 yards and 55 touchdowns.

Overall, the Bearcats finished the seasons with one of the most potent passing attacks in the nation amassing 3,550 total passing yards with 37 touchdown passes at a 64 percent completion rate. Willamette finished the season with the fourth ranked passing offense in the nation. Willamette also finished in the top 20 nationally in scoring 17, 39.6 points per game), third down percentage (17, 48.34 percent), first downs (8, 25.3 per game), and red zone offense (17 86 percent score, 76 percent touchdown).

The Bearcats finished the season ranked first in the Northwest Conference in total offense (499.1 ypg), passing offense, scoring offense, 3rd down percentage, and red zone offense.

Willamette’s prolific offense owed its success

not only to Dean, but also to a bevy of talented playmakers surrounding him. Jake Knecht (Sr., WR), Jake Turner (Sr., WR), Benny Weischedel (Sr., TE), Terrell Malley (Sr. ATH), Dylan Jones (So., RB) were selected as All-Conference performers along with Dean.

Sheppard brings a great level of enthusiasm and a strong commitment to teaching the game. He has worked with several exceptional offensive programs during his coaching career,

including the University of Tulsa, New Mexico State University and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

He spent the 2006 season as the offensive quality control coach at Tulsa University for Head Coach Steve Kragthorpe and Offensive Coordinator

Charlie Stubbs. While at Tulsa, he served as an offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach. The Golden Hurricane finished with an 8-4 record and earned a trip to the Armed Forces Bowl.

Sheppard coached at New Mexico State for three seasons and worked under two head coaches. The first two seasons were under head coach Hal Mumme. Sheppard initially worked with the secondary before moving to tight

ends and inside receivers. He was also the punt team coordinator for two years. During his third year at New Mexico State, he coached the tight ends for head coach DeWayne Walker.

At the University of California at Los Angeles, Sheppard worked with Head Coach Rick Neuheisel and Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow where he coached the Bruin tight ends.

He also served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Alderson-Broaddus College.

Sheppard’s father, Mike, was an head coach as well as an assistant coach in college for 18 years, and was an assistant coach in the National Football League for approximately 20 years before he retired in 2011. In addition, Brian Sheppard has worked with highly-regarded coaches during his years as a player and a coach.

Sheppard played college football at Saddleback Junior College for Mark McElory, Southeastern Louisiana University for Hal Mumme, and Baker University for Mike Grossner. He played mostly at quarterback, but also spent some time at wide receiver throughout his career.

After concluding his eligibility at Baker in the spring of 2006 he graduated with a achelor of science degree in business.

Sheppard and his wife reside in Terre Haute.

“I am very confident in Brian and his ability to lead our

offense.”

Mike Sanford, Indiana State Head football coach

Ace Hunt ISU Athletic Media Relations

Brian Sheppard promoted to offensive coordinator

Brian Sheppard at a glance

The coach:

Indiana State University, 2013, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coachWillamette University, 2012, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coachWest Virginia Wesleyan College, 2011, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach University of California at Los Angeles, 2010, offensive graduate assistant coach, tight endsNew Mexico State University, 2007-2009, graduate assistant coach, full backs and tight ends, punt team coordinatorUniversity of Tulsa, 2006, offensive assistant and offensive quality control

The player:

Sheppard played college football in 2001 and 2002 at Saddleback Junior College in California where he helped his team to a 9-2 record both seasons. He went on to play football at Southeastern Louisiana University, before transferring to Baker University where he graduated in 2006.

• Friday, September 13, 2013 www.indianastatesman.com www.indianastatesman.com Friday, September 13, 2013 • Page 9

ON TO THE NEXT ONE: ISU FOOTBALL BRINGS IT ALL HOME

Right: Defensive back Calvin Burnett responds to a referee’s call. Above: Defensive lineman Conlan Cassidy exits the field with his teammates at the conclusion of last weekend’s game (Photos by Drew Canavan).

Above: Indiana State University’s football team rushes the field to play Purdue. Below left: The Sycamores attempt to tackle Purdue safety Ashkan Mizani. Below right: ISU full back Austen Wozniak takes out his aggression during a play (Photos by Drew Canavan).


Shakir Bell already on the way to an award-winning year

The Sports Network recognized Indiana State senior Shakir Bell as one of 20 Football Championship Subdivision student-athletes nationally to be named to the 2013 Walter Payton Award Watch List as of July 8.

The Walter Payton Award is given annually to the top offensive player in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Football.

This marks the third consecutive season in which Bell has appeared on The Walter Payton Award Watch List.

Bell finished tied for second in the voting back in 2011 when he became the first Indiana State Sycamore to be invited to the FCS Awards Presentation in Frisco, Texas.

Last season, Bell finished 12th overall and was the second leading vote getter representing the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The 2013 Walter Payton Award Watch List is full of Missouri Valley representation as Bell is joined by North Dakota State Quarterback Brock Jensen, Northern Iowa Running Back David Johnson, as well as, South Dakota State

Running Back Zach Zenner. The Missouri Valley Football Conference

leads the nation with four honorees on the initial watch list.

Bell has already earned First Team Preseason All-America honors from The Sports Network this summer and last season he was named to

the Associated Press All-American Third Team after picking up four different first team honors in 2011.

He was named First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2012 and finished third in the Missouri Valley Offensive Player Of The Year balloting.

He was also named to The Sports Network FCS All-American Team last year and is the first Sycamore to earn back-to-back All-America honors since Richard Harris did it in 2000 and 2001.

Bell was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player Of The Year in 2011.

Bell finished as the Sycamores’ leading rusher in 2012 with 269 attempts for 1,475 yards [third-best ever at Indiana State] and 11 touchdowns, with a long rush of 64 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per rush and 134.1 yards per game.

He set the Missouri Valley single-game rushing record with 349 yards on the ground against Drake and was named Missouri Valley and National Offensive Player Of The Week

following that game. He averaged 6.55 points per game, which was

sixth in the Missouri Valley and tied for 77th nationally while his 147.0 all purpose yards per game was second in the league and 17th in the Football Championship Subdivision.

He enters the 2013 campaign with 3,794 rushing yards for his career, third on the Sycamore all-time list, and needs only 542 yards on the ground this year to become Indiana State’s all-time leading rusher, ousting Vincent Allen’s record of 4,335 yards during his 1973-77 career.

Bell’s rushing yards put him 11th in the history of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and he needs 953 to top Herb Donaldson’s record of 4,746 set from 2005-08 at Western Illinois.

Past winners of the FCS’ most coveted award include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Brian Finneran, John Friesz and Armanti Edwards, the only two-time recipient.

The Payton Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2013 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 175 sports information

Honors for Shakir Bell

He has earned a place on this year’s Walter Payton Award Watch List for the third consecutive season

He received the second leading vote from the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2012

Bell tied second for the 2011 award

Ace HuntISU Athletic Media Relations


Four years of iconic football at Indiana State

Indiana State’s football team has evolved the past four years to obtain successful feats through new coaches and players.

Success has followed the team since ending a 33-game losing streak in 2009, to having winning football seasons in 2010 through 2012, and senior running back Shakir Bell’s invitation to Walter Payton’s Award dinner.

In 2009, the Sycamores ended their losing streak against Illinois Western during homecoming game. Senior defensive back Kamerin Mitchell recalled the crowd running to the center field celebrating with the team. He felt relieved winning the their first game and breaking the streak.

“It was a pressure that was good to finally get off our backs,” Mitchell said.

The team went on to more successful seasons the following years. After winning their first game the team went 6-11 during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.

They continued winning 7-4 last year for 2012-13.

Through the winning season in 2010, the football team picked up Bell, an Indianapolis native from Warren Central High School.

Bell finished his first year being named All-Star Newcomer for the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

His sophomore year Bell was invited to

the Walter Payton Award Dinner. Bell said when he first got the invite he

thought he won the award. “When I found out I didn’t win I was a

little disappointed, but I was still happy I had the chance to be there,” Bell said. “It was cool to meet Jerry Rice.”

Previous head football coach Trent Miles led the team to out of their losing streak in 2009 and led the team to have winning seasons the past three years.

This year current head football coach Mike Sanford is taking the lead.

Sanford said that Miles is a great football coach who took a losing team to a winning team.

“Our job now is to take the team from where it is and move it forward,” Sanford said.

Mitchell said Sanford brings a family feel to the team.

He thinks that this will help out with the team’s chemistry on the field.

“The whole atmosphere being a little less tense then Coach Miles but the similarities that they share is that he wants them to stay disciplined and stay focused,” Bell said.

Sanford is excited for the first home game at Indiana State on Saturday.

He is looking forward to the support of the student body.

“I know the forest is strong and we want to get as many students out there as possible,” Sanford said.

Will Thomas Reporter

Sycamores are hopeful that their success from the past few years will continue with new head coach, Mike Sandford (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).


In the game of football, a quarterback has to be able to make split-second decisions, read defenses and above all else, be a leader. Junior quarterback Mike Perish handles the pressure that comes with such responsibility by leaning on his team and prayer before each game.

“All of my abilities have been given to me through God and it’s through his will that all of this is possible,” Perish said.

Relying on faith has pushed the Frankfort, Ill. native through his entire

football career. Perish started playing football in the fifth grade because a close family friend, who was an idol to him, played quarterback for Northwestern University from 1999-2001. He looked up to him and that’s what persuaded him into the quarterback role.

“Once I hit the field I’m focused on a lot of different things,” Perish said. “I’m focused on the play, the read I need to make, the check I need to make, what the defense is giving me and what play I can put my offense in to be the most successful.”

After moving on from his elementary days, Perish played football at Marist High School before beginning his collegiate journey as a Broncos of Western Michigan University. He continued his training and played in three games as a redshirt freshman before arriving at ISU, where he’s majoring in accounting.

For Perish, one of the best aspects of playing a college sport is working with the coaching staff.

“I love the football program here,” Perish said. “Coach Sanford is a great head coach, Coach Sheppard is a great coordinator,

I love my teammates … They’re all great guys and good friends of mine outside of football. It’s really a pleasure to play for this team.”

Head football coach Mike Sanford said the number one thing with Perish is his decision making, adding that Perish is an accurate passer, excellent leader and is a very bright young man.

“He’s a great game manager, as far as getting everyone on the same page on the field, especially in a no-huddle offense,”

Junior quarterback Mike Perish calls a play (Photo by Drew Canavan).

Faith drives quarterback to the leadership role

Zach Rainey Reporter

Continued on PAGe 13


Sanford said. “I think he has a tremendous work ethic. He worked real hard in spring practice and worked hard this summer.”

Perish was ranked a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked 93rd best quarterback in the country while attending Marist. He was also named All-Area as a junior and senior. He was selected First Team All-State in 2009 by the Chicago Tribune as well as Rivals.com. Perish finished his high school career with 5,398 passing yards and an astounding 57 touchdowns.

After transferring to ISU, during the 2012 season, led the team in passing, completing 155 passes out of

280 attempts for 1,615 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Perish’s goal for this season as well as the entire athletic program is to be an All-Conference quarterback and lead the Sycamores to a conference and national championship.

After the team’s two away battles, Perish believes the experience gives them confidence going into the match-up against Quincy on Saturday

“A loss is a loss and it hurts. But we’re excited to get a win against Quincy this weekend and we’re excited to start our conference schedule after playing against Tennessee Tech,” Perish said.

Above: Junior quarterback Mike Perish prepares to throw the ball during a play from the Sycamores. Below: The offensive line protects Perish as he is about to hand off the ball (Photos by Drew Canavan).

Continued FRoM PAGe 12


A new tradition will be born this Saturday, when the Indiana State Sycamores take to the Memorial Stadium turf for the first time under first-year head coach Mike Sanford against Quincy.

Kick-off is set for 3:05 p.m. (ET). A day full of activities will begin on the Memorial Stadium grounds well before kickoff against the Hawks. “The March” is a new tradition which will begin Saturday and will continue throughout the season and beyond.

“The March” will begin at 12:30 p.m. (ET) (two and half hours before kickoff at every home game), in which the team will arrive at the stadium grounds by bus at the corner of Wabash and Brown Avenues on the Southwest corner of the facility.

The football team will be led by the marching band, Sycamore Sam and the spirit squad through the tailgating area on the West side of the stadium along the

National Heritage Trail. Fans should line up along the trail at

12:30 p.m. (ET) to greet the team as they “March On” into the stadium for the game against Quincy.Several opportunities are available as well to receive free or discounted admission to the game as there are several special promotions for the season opener against Quincy.

Saturday’s opener marks Youth Football/Campers Day in which all youth football players that wear their team jerseys to the game will be admitted for free. This special offer is also extended to all who attended The Mike Sanford Youth Football Day Camp back in June of 2013.

All youth football players and youth campers are also welcome to come down to the field prior to the game to form the tunnel which will welcome the Sycamores to the field prior to kickoff.

All youth players and youth campers should arrive at the stadium by 2 p.m. in order to participate. Guests of the youth

players/youth campers can buy a ticket to the game for only $5.

Saturday is also Family Day at Memorial Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring the entire family to the season opener against Quincy.

Special Family Day tickets are available through the Hulman Center Ticket Office or they may register online at www.indstate.edu.

For the first time ever, Indiana State Football is hosting Motorcycle Day for the game against Quincy. All interested fans are welcome to enjoy the opener by riding your motorcycle to the game. Riders and a guest will also receive tickets to the game at the discounted rate of $5.

Finally, Saturday is Union Hospital and UAP Employee Appreciation Day as all employees of the two organizations will receive free admission (maximum of four guests) by showing their employee ID at the Memorial Stadium ticket window on game day.

Once inside Memorial Stadium, fans will also notice that the Sycamores now use the north sideline (opposite the stands) as their new home team area. Additionally, The Forest will now occupy the first 16 rows of Section G while The Sycamore Marching Band will perform during the game from the first 24 rows of Section H.

To recap, come early for the “trail-gating” along the National Heritage Trail outside Memorial Stadium and be ready to welcome the Sycamores at 12:30 p.m. (ET) at “The March.”

Enjoy discounted admission as a part of Youth Football and Youth Campers Day, Family Day or Motorcycle Day or come be our guest at the game for free as an employee of Union Hospital or UAP Clinic.

Kick-off against Quincy is set for 3:05 p.m. (ET). Come join the Sycamores for the dawning of “A New Day” in the football program at the first-ever home game under head coach Mike Sanford.

The ISU marching band and Sparkettes cheer on the football team during its game against Purdue last weekend (Photo by Drew Canavan).

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As the Indiana State Sycamores football team prepares for its first home opener against the Quincy Hawks on Saturday, let’s take a look back at what has happened in the first two weeks against in-state foes, Indiana and Purdue. With a new head coach and a plethora of young players expecting a large amount of playing time, there is no question that there has been, and will be, a steep learning curve for the program as a whole. Although the Sycamores have started the 2013 season with a 0-2 record, there was significant improvement from week one to week

two, which should give the team and coaching staff a good deal of confidence moving forward.

Opening up the season against two quality Big Ten opponents, regardless of the outcomes, should give the coaching staff a good idea of the team’s strengths and weaknesses at this point in the season. Yes, there were noticeable improvements from week one to week two at nearly every position, but I think we will have a better idea of just how much progress this team has made following this week’s matchup with Quincy, who lost 34-6 at Western Illinois last week. Unlike Indiana and Purdue, Quincy will not be quite as physically imposing, which is why I’m looking for the Sycamores to come out and take care of business rather handily, hopefully with the help of junior running back Shakir Bell, who was injured in the opener at Indiana and forced to sit out against Purdue.

Bell had been the headline of the offseason, as well as the one constant for a program in a transitional stage, and was certainly the biggest threat to an Indiana team that was simply bigger, faster and stronger in every area. For the 20th time in his career, Bell amassed the 100-yard rushing mark before leaving the game with a shoulder injury. His presence alone can change an opposing team’s entire defensive game plan, and I think his teammates and coaching staff will be glad to have him back when he’s 100 percent. ISU fans are hoping for a return this week.

Though it certainly hurts to lose, the Sycamores can take away a lot of positives from the loss in Bloomington and in West Lafayette. That should be reason enough for students and fans to show up to Memorial Stadium on Saturday and watch this team continue get better. If the team can stay focused and continue to improve each week, I think the ceiling for the rest of this season, and in the future, will be high.

Page 16 • Friday, September 13, 2013 www.indianastatesman.com

Derek JohnsonSports Columnist

ISU fans: Sycamores will improve with

more time

A guide on football duds and studsKickoff is well on its way, and there you are laughing with

uncertainty about a Derek Rose and RGIII joke made by one of your friends. Who’s Derek Rose? Is RGIII a distant cousin of C-3PO? Number 93 tackled the quarterback, but why did he get a foul called against him?

Most of us guys have been here with at least one sport in our lives. Unfamiliarity with one of America’s most beloved sports — football — can make a man stick out, and in turn make him be perceived less manly, which isn’t fairly accurate. Here are a few guidelines for why knowing football is good for a young man, do’s and don’ts when watching football if you aren’t familiar with the sport, and some general tips so you can follow along and possibly be the one tossing jokes around; just don’t fumble.

You’re a college student so why should you go beyond your classes’ syllabi to learn about a sport? It’s a guy thing. When hanging out with my friends there have been many times where all they’ve talked about was football.

Sure, it can be repetitive with statistics and heated with the occasional debates on who’s the better quarterback, but football talk is still a form of communication.

So, if you’re not familiar with it, then you could be excluding yourself from hanging out with the group because of your lack of understanding. That’s why you had them come over, right? To hang out? When you know more about something you naturally become more involved, and with involvement in the conversation comes good times, jokes, and figuring out what type of person you’re talking to. Also, you can display your wit with banter, and everyone knows most men love some good ol’ fashion trash talking.

Boom. What a hit. Yet, you’re the only one that yells out

of excitement. It’s a contact sport bud, tackles happen all the time. Now, if it was a receiver on a slant route that got laid out by a safety for a fumble, then by all means get hype.

You may be wondering “Okay, well what are some things I should or shouldn’t do?” The golden rule here is to never talk about a player, team, coach, and so on like you know everything about them when you really don’t. That’s just a life tip, but nothing screams “NEWB!” louder than misinformed, pompous statements. Also, when in doubt just ask your guys if you don’t understand something, but be confident when asking.

Timidity implies you’re not in a comfortable environment making someone feel like they need to cater to you. They may give you a “You’re killing me Smalls!” jokingly, but they prefer to answer questions because they would rather have you be included in the game. Plus, what man doesn’t enjoy feeling like the authority where he can bless you with his knowledge?

This is America. We love football. One of the biggest tips I can give you is to just learn the sport. Watch more games and observe so you can get a better understanding. Heck, play Madden any chance you get so you can actively learn! I asked a friend how he would suggest someone to lear. about football, and he replied that they should learn about the rules first, then the teams, and lastly about players. Learning the rules will give you universal knowledge so you can actually follow along with any game.

By knowing the teams you can talk about things like rivalries and how teams did against one another last season. Players and coaches are details of football, and if you know more about those details, then the more you know about the game. So here you go men, a brief guide on how not to be a football dud among football studs. I hope Week two goes better for you.

Ben RameiseR Sports Columnist

Two male students discuss football on campus (Submitted Photo).

september 13, 2013

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