The college football season gets off to an early start this weekend when Upper Iowa visits Lincoln University of Missouri. It will be the first game for new coach Tom Shea who takes over a program that struggled to a 2-9 record in 2008. Shea says he’s been very pleased with the way the players have responded and the effort they’ve given in camp.
Shea had been the head coach at Dakota State. He has installed a new “spread” offense but says it is one that still wants to run the ball. He says they’d like to be 50-50 run and pass, but he says they probably will be 60-40 run right now, as they have four good running backs.
Shea says a big key this season will be improving a defense that gave up just over 35 points per game in 2008. He says they have to be able to get pressure on the quarterback and may do more man coverage and blitzing to manufacture that pressure.