Tartans Look to Keep Momentum Going; Avenge Last Year's Defeat

Oct. 19 - (PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - This Saturday the 6-0 Tartans host the 2-3 University of Chicago Maroons in a 12 p.m. University Athletic Association (UAA) clash at Gesling Stadium.

After earning their first conference victory last week with a 20-10 win at Case Western Reserve, Carnegie Mellon will look to keep rolling against a program that dealt the Tartans a tough loss last season at Chicago's Stagg Field.

A 28-0 second-half deficit in last season's match up proved too much to overcome as the Tartans fell 35-6. Not only did the Maroons offense post five touchdowns, but they limited Carnegie Mellon to just 146 yards of total yards from scrimmage.

"They had a fine football team and they put a licking on us last year," Head Coach Rich Lackner said. "It's a whole new year and our kids are playing great, hopefully our guys remember what Chicago did to us last year and hopefully we can turn it around this year."

This season, the offense figures to play a major role in the critical rematch with the Maroons. Staggering numbers nearly every week, 283 yards on the ground and 32 points per game, have carried the Tartans during the current undefeated stretch. Junior running back Travis Sivek (Traverse City, Mich./St. Francis) leads the UAA in carries (143), yards (681) and is tied for most touchdowns in the conference (7) with teammate junior running back Robert Gimson (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./The Benjamin School).

An efficient passing game, that averages 10.9 yards per attempt, has also been a large part of the offense's tremendous success. Through the air, the Tartans have scored eight touchdowns against just one interception thanks in part to a 61% completion rate. Tight end Derek Wisnieski (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) leads the team with nine catches and three touchdowns and senior wide receiver Mark Davis (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, averaging 36 yards on just five catches.

"[Our passing game] has been key. It has caused people to defend the run and the pass and we've been fortunate to have more balance in our scheme. The best way to put it is, that it keeps them honest defensively because they know we have the ability to throw the ball. And throw it deep. And throw it well. And it has been great."

Many of Carnegie Mellon's abundant scoring opportunities stem from a defensive unit that consistently forces the opposition to give the ball back to the offense. Led by preseason All-American senior defensive back Aaron Lewis (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont), the unit has forced 13 turnovers while allowing just 10.3 points per game, both a conference best and 18th lowest in the nation.

Chicago heads into Saturday's match up riding a two-game losing streak after double-digit home losses to DePauw and Washington (Mo.). But the Maroons, who last year started 0-4, closed out the 2005 season with five consecutive wins on their way to their first UAA title in five years.

"They were a dangerous team last year and they continue to be a dangerous team this year," Lackner said.

Chicago's balanced offense (176 yards rushing, 165 yards passing) presents a challenge but the Tartans' ability to capitalize on their opponents mistakes may again decide the outcome. The Maroons have committed 13 turnovers in just five games and have struggled moving the chains, ranking last in the UAA with 93 first downs.

"They're a team that has excellent personnel," Lackner added. "Yes they have had some turnovers but they have also played some very fine opponents. When you look at DePauw and Wash U and some of those other people they've played, they have played a very difficult, competitive schedule."

On the other side of the ball, Chicago relies on a run-defense that has yielded just 80.4 yards and not allowed an 100-yard runner all season.

"That is a battle. They have defended the run exceptionally well," Lackner said. "They have good athletes on the defensive side of the ball. It's going to be one of those match ups: a team that prides itself on the run versus a team that prides itself on defending the run."