By Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

Some thought it was the final nail in an already partially covered Central Michigan coffin. It only made sense. Leading rusher Jerry Seymour and some fellow Chips' had found themselves caught-up as suspects in a murder case, attendance was waning, and the football program was taking steps back, while other teams like Northern Illinois and Ohio seemed to be gaining momentum. But things would change quickly when head coach Brian Kelly called on inexperienced-but-talented freshman RB Ontario Sneed to salvage a now depleted running game. The result: 1065 rushing yards for Sneed, a six win season, and new hope in the college town of Mt. Pleasant, MI. Pigskinpress.com had a chance to talk with super-sophomore RB Ontario Sneed about life in the MAC, meeting expectations, and resurrecting a once faltering program.


PIGSKINPRESS.COM: So last year, Jerry Seymour finds big trouble with the law. Coach calls on you to step in as a true freshman. What kind of pressure did that bring?


Ontario Sneed: "It was a lot! When I first came, I didn't plan on playing. Once Jerry got into trouble, there was pressure with class and all the other things going on. I was fortunate enough to take care of business and do what I had to do."


PP: Not many people expected you guys to win 6 games last year. How has that success changed the attitude toward Chippewa football in Mt. Pleasant?


Sneed: "A Lot. It was our first winning season in awhile. This year is a harder schedule, which actually gives us a boost in our confidence. This year, we want to come out and show we are a top class and make a name for ourselves."

PP: Aside from your 1000+ yards rushing last season, you had 433 yards receiving as well. How will that change with Kent Smith (QB) gone?


Sneed: "I don't think it's gonna. I might actually have more opportunities to catch the ball. Once we figure out which of our 3 QB's will be in charge, I think I'll have more receiving yards."

PP: What role did Coach Kelly play in getting you guys focused after all the off-season turmoil before last year?


Sneed: "He told us to stay together. We did a lot of team-building stuff. You know, we went tubing, worked on a lot of unity builders. We just had to stick with each other."


PP: You're from Illinois, you were recruited by Northern Illinois. Why did you choose to head off to Mt. Pleasant?


Sneed: "NIU wanted me to switch positions and I wanted to play running back. Jerry was still here, but there was a chance that I could eventually play running back at Central so that made up my mind."


PP: 1498 total yards as a frosh last year. What can you possibly do for an encore?


Sneed: "1500 rushing, 500 receiving. Some people expect a slump out of me as a sophomore, but I've been working hard in the off-season. I think you will see a lot more out of me."


PP: You guys open with two nationally televised games against Boston College and Michigan. How do you get motivated when you have two national powers back-to-back?


Sneed: "Everyday at practice it's on our minds. It's B.C. and Michigan. We've watched film, and we've seen some things they do that we could take advantage of. If we can find a way to beat these guys on national T. V., then people will know who we are."


PP: In your opinion, how is the MAC viewed nationally?


Sneed: "We've got more attention lately because of guys like Ben Roethlisberger and Garrett Wolfe. These are guys who are recognized. Now we've got more bowl game tie-ins and we are getting more players taken in the draft. So I think we are more recognized than ever."


PP: Are their any players you look up to or try to style your play after?


Sneed: "I Try to do my own thing. I do admire Garrett Wolfe though, him being a smaller type back. When we're not playing, I like to watch him."