BLOG 6: Head coach spending a lot of time with offense

Ferris State University running back Tim Hogue works his way free as he tries to avoid tackles during practice late Thursday afternoon at Top Taggart Field (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Head coach Jeff Pierce has been focusing a lot on the offensive unit through the first few spring practice sessions of the spring.

Last fall, the offensive unit was a young group working hard to gain experience over the course of the 2008 fall season – one that ended for Ferris with a 6-5 record.

In 2008, the Bulldogs were young at receiver with promising talents such as Mike Ryan, Damien Miller, Seth Hubbard and others at wide out. Ferris also experimented with a two-quarterback system as sophomore Tom Schneider and juniorKyle Parrish shared the duties running the show for Pierce and Offensive Coordinator Matt McCarthy. Both Schneider and Parrish were in their first seasons of college football at the NCAA Division II level.

“I’ve been spending most of my time with the offense so far in practice,” Pierce said of an offense that returns the versatile and dangerous slot receiver/running back Tim Hogue, a guy who is a threat to take the ball the distance every time he touches it. “Our offense is a group we feel should be able to take a big step in the upcoming season from where they were last season.”

Returning a group with so much experience, and a veteran offensive line that saw guys like Matt Wellman, Scott Shattuck and Joe Doman gain experience last fall, seems to promise good things for the upcoming campaign.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com