Coming off a rather disappointing 5-6 season in 2013, Edinboro is hoping to get off to a much better start in 2014. After posting back-to-back losing seasons, the Fighting Scots have a daunting schedule ahead of them.
After being faced with a plethora of injuries a year ago, Edinboro never seemed to find a rhythm on the offensive side of the ball. After Cody Harris was injured, Jon Girvin stepped in at quarterback for the Fighting Scots. Between the two of them they accrued 2,114 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Harris threw for 666 yards and eight scores in just two games.
With Harris back this year after gaining a sixth year of eligibility since he was sidelined for all but two games, the Fighting Scots believe that they can be better than they were last year. In his career at Edinboro, Harris has 7,854 yards of total offense, 7,261 passing yards, a career completion percentage of 68.6 percent and 55 touchdown passes.
Harris will get the opportunity to throw to senior Ben Eisel, a second-team All PSAC West selection in 2013. Eisel had 45 catches for 528 yards and a score. Darren Massey also returns after being named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2013 despite being hampered by an ankle injury for four games. He had 26 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns and scored on plays of 71 and 75 yards.
The Fighting Scots will look to Mike Miller, the former offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 and 2012, this year year as the new offensive coordinator.
On defense, Edinboro is led by inside linebacker Mike Shanksy, who earned a second-team All-PSAC West selection last season after transferring from Cal (Pa.). He had 87 tackles to lead the team, including a team-high 11 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Joining Shanksy on the Scots’ defense is Kyle Matula, who succumbed to injury during Week 3 a season ago.
Edinboro will lean highly on its linebacking corps which features Shanksy and Matula along with Chris Mitchell, Cory Hayes and Jimmy Grove.
The secondary will be rather young, as all four starters will likely be new in 2014.
Doing the kicking duties will be one of three freshmen.
The Fighting Scots of Edinboro will open its season up Thursday in the road against Carson-Newman College, a 10-win playoff team from last year.
Photo Credit: Edinboro
