Game Preview: Miles-Central State
WATCH CENTRAL STATE vs. MILES NOW
Today, Miles looks to get back on the winning track this week against Central State as the Golden Bears celebrate Homecoming at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium. Today's game is also available on the Miles Digital Network for the first time. For $7.95, fans can keep up with all the action as the team also celebrates Senior Day for 27 student-athletes, who will play their final contest in the Purple and Gold at their home field.
CSU is winless this season but has several playmakers on both sides of the ball that can put it in position to steal an important win in this Western Division battle. Senior running back De'Michael Jackson is one of the top running backs in the SIAC and has three 100-yard games. Marquis Wells, who played quarterback last season, is arguaby the top receiver in the conference this season. Lavon Meeks has put together some solid performances as the quarterback of the Marauders.
Miles has split its four games, including a tough 35-33 loss last week to Albany State.
David Whipple is at the controls of the Golden Bears offense and was responsible for three touchdowns last week.
Jamarcus Nance has been spectacular out of the backfield and
Earnest Bell, Jr. had his best game ever last week in terms of receptions and yards. The defense continues to create opportunities for the offense by forcing turnovers and a front four, led by
Kaelan Bonds and
Ashton McKenzie, that is putting tremendous pressure on the quarterback.
Miles-Central State: The Series
Miles' series against Central State has been very brief as this marks only the fourth meetings between the two schools. Today also brings the Marauders to Fairfield for just the second time. The Golden Bears hold a 2-1 edge in the burgeoning rivalry between the two SIAC Western Division foes, including a big win last season.
In 2013, Central State picked up its first-ever SIAC win with a 25-21 win over the Golden Bears. It didn't take long for Central State to get on the board as Tyrez Shipmon picked up a Golden Bear fumble and returned it 28 yards giving CSU the 7-0 first quarter lead. A 3-yard touchdown run by Demetric Price and a 57-yard interception return for touchdown by Alexander Francois gave Miles a 14-7 advantage. Just before halftime, the Marauders would cut the lead to 14-13 as Priest Shuler ran it in from 11 yards out.
Central State would take the lead early in the third quarter when quarterback Michael Wilson found Steven Heard on a 15-yard scoring pass. Wilson's touchdown run would extend the lead to 25-14. Denzel Veal would add a touchdown run in the fourth quarter but CSU would come away with the victory.
Central State's only trip to Miles was for Homecoming 2014 and the Golden Bears sent more than 10,000 fans home happy with a 22-12 victory over the Marauders. Antonio Pitts caught four passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, the first coming on a 59-yard strike from Price just 43 seconds into the game. His second score also came in the first quarter – a 16-yard reception – for a 14-0 advantage.
Jason Coste connected on field goals of 31 and 46 yards for a 20-0 halftime lead. Wilson would throw a touchdown pass to Chris Murray in the third quarter but the extra point was blocked and returned by
Jawaski Randle for two points. Wilson would add a touchdown run but the Golden Bears still came away victorious.
Denzel Veal rushed for 76 yards while Michael Mitchell (11 total tackles), Rodrick Holloman and Randle (10 tackles each) paced the Golden Bears defense.
Last year, behind quarterback
John McDowell, running back
Jamarcus Nance and a stingy defense, Miles had their most complete game to date in a 34-9 thrashing of Central State.The win was the second in the last three for Miles, which remained undefeated in the SIAC West Division en route to a conference title.
McDowell - the third quarterback to start a game for Miles in 2015 - was 17-of-25 for 207 yards passing and ran for another 64 yards. He led the offense to a 495-yard day as the Golden Bears averaged more than seven yards per play.Â
Miles only led 10-9 at halftime. But the last two quarters belonged to the Golden Bears. The defense pitched a shutout and Nance put the game out of reach. The junior running back followed a
Nick Christiansen 49-yard field goal with a 3-yard touchdown run near the end of the third quarter and a 4-yard scoring run early in the fourth. He finished with 17 carries for 99 yards and three touchdowns.
After Nance's final touchdown, the Golden Bears capped the win on the Marauders next play from scrimmage.
Caleb Duncan intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards for the score. It was the second pick of the quarter for Miles and third of the game.
Earnest Bell, Jr. (four catches, 69 yards) and
Trey Smith (five catches, 36 yards) were the top receivers while
Emmanuel Ray (nine tackles, eight solo) paced the defense or Miles
