Photo Credit: Shannen Hardy- AIC Athletics

Tonight, one of the best things from AIC Football’s opener will be put to the test against a much more experienced group for Southern Connecticut State. The Owls’ offensive line will be ready for a defense that plays how it wants when it wants.

Hear from Coach Hulk ( Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Rick Istvan) on some things to watch for the Yellow Jackets’ road opener tonight at seven pm on Flo Football.

“I think one of SCSU’s biggest strengths is they have their entire offensive line coming back. Their quarterback is a Ben Roethlisberger type who can be difficult to bring down, and their running back is said to be one of the best in the NE10. So, those are definitely some strengths for them as an offensive unit. One of the biggest points of emphasis for us this week is just mental toughness. Yes, we are 1-0, but we still have a lot of football to play. So, we have to remember every game is week one and we can’t overlook anyone. We have to focus on the task at hand, play old school smash mouth football and have more points on the board than they do when the clock hits triple zero’s in the fourth quarter.”

While the opponent has changed and their strengths may be a little different, one thing is not, this coaching staff’s focus on culture and mental preparation. In addition, Interim Head Coach Dan Chipka mentioning the offense getting some experience against a front in Shippensburg that the Owls and St Anselm both run. With those in game reps how can Cephas Williams make those reads ?

For the defense, how will facing a more veteran unit change the calculus on who to send , what fronts to show and actually use and beyond ? Last week this team got home with three or four rushing consistently which flummoxed either Shippensburg quarterback in who to throw to. Keith Ridley is a graduate student who knows how to read defenses and make his team better. How will this defense that mostly plays without true positions respond?

A lot of questions about both teams’ future this year could be answered tonight. Tune into watch on Flo Football.

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