The Bears are 2-0 with wins over Missouri-Rolla and at UT-Martin. The Bears return 7 starters off of a 2-9 team that is predicted to finish last in the Gateway Conference. The same conference that produced Illinois State (who came into Manhattan and scared the daylights out of us last season).
QB Matt Krapfl has completed 59% of his passes so far in 2007 with 3 touchdowns and only 1 interception. He's not the greatest quarterback in the world but his job is to simply manage the game and minimize his mistakes. Something he has done a fine job doing so far this season.
RB's Gerald Davis and Kingjack Washington, especially Davis, carry the load for the offense. Davis has 193 yards (5.7 yards/carry) rushing and 5 touchdowns already. He had 4 touchdowns in the win over Missouri-Rolla. Washington has 140 yards on 19 carries (7.4 yards/carry).
WR's Eric Davis and Tamarkus McElvane form a formidable receiving duo. Davis is averaging 17.5 yards/catch with a touchdown and McElvane averages 35 yards/catch with two touchdown receptions.
The defense needs to show a big time improvement. The teams that they've played have both been able to be balanced offensively. Missouri-Rolla had 206 total yards (104 passing and 102 rushing) while UT-Martin racked up 542 total yards (339 passing and 203 rushing).
In no way should the Cats have any trouble moving the ball on this team so I expect the defense to be "mobbish" and I expect the offense to finally put up some HUGE numbers.
