Thomas Rawls starts strong at CMU
Central Michigan held on for a 20-16 victory over the vaunted Chattanooga Mocs last night, but there was a bright spot for CMU...former UM running back Thomas Rawls rushed for 123 yards and one TD on 25 carries. He also caught 2 passes for 7 yards.
I'm really happy for the guy, glad he found a landing spot and hopefully he finishes his career strongly for the Chips.
Box score HERE
August 29th, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
In all honestly, that's where he should have been in the first place. He was definitely a MAC level back coming out of high school.
August 29th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
There were maybe twelve people on this board who bought into the "he is Mark Ingram 2.0" speech. The rest of us all figured a scholarship would've been better suited elsewhere than a 5'10, 220 pound guy with 4.7 speed and no lateral quickness.
Also, not to say recruiting rankings are always right, but when Michigan is taking the 1000th ranked player in the country during a crucial transition period, you know it's never a good thing. I just always felt he was a MAC level talent that would've been a nice preferred walk-on. Definitely happy he's in a place where he can finally have some success.
August 29th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^
Again, hindsight is 20/20.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:00 AM ^
Yeah it kinda is hindsight. Mike Hart was a 2 Star with no offers anywhere of note and he did OK here. And at least so far, Derrick Green isn't exactly living up to his 5 Star billing so you really never know how a player is going to perform until you see it (or don't see it) on the field.
I always liked Rawls so maybe I'm biased but he seemed to me to the type of downhill, workhorse back Hoke wanted here but never really got much of a show to show it in games. I'm glad at CMU he did.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
I was excited too. I thought he was going to be pretty good. Was hoping he'd run like Brandon Minor based on some of his highlights and thought he'd contribute early as a freshman. I also thought that Houma looked good and might get some more carries, so maybe I'm not the best one to have on your side.
August 29th, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^
.......................none of our backs have been good as of late - this is the year for us. Plus the amount of talent brought in after him was a tier or two above - (at least star ratings-wise)
Best of luck to him for sure.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
Granted, I'm from Flint area so I feel obligated to defend him.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^
Braylon was a 3 star? I'd think for the upside alone he'd be pretty highly ranked.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
I was excited when he came. He seemed like a perfect fit for the way Hoke wanted his offense to play.
August 29th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
I thought a lot of people were hoping he'd be offered for the longest time and were relieved when he finally was and committed
August 29th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
umm no he was better than Mark Ingram
August 29th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
Fred Jackson said he was like Mark Ingram... but FAST.
August 29th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
looks like Enos is going to rely on him to carry the team. . . Very proud of him .
August 29th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
August 29th, 2014 at 9:42 AM ^
I am required to reply: Fire Dan Enos.
Oh, and great game by Rawls. I'll be rooting for his continued success.
August 29th, 2014 at 12:41 PM ^
I also hold one of my degrees from the best school in Isabella County. Evertime Dan Enos manages to win a game, I die a little bit.
August 29th, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^
Wife went to CMU, and one of my husbandly duties is keeping up on the football team. Am close to telling her I need to be released from this as long as Enos is still coach. I think AD Heeke has to go too. Which ain't happening.
Also, am contractually obligated by said wife to include a "fire up" salutation in all CMU football posts. So, Fire Up Chips!
August 29th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
I would support your Enos era waiver. This stuff is hard to watch.
August 29th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^
Well done. I'm still rooting for him.
August 29th, 2014 at 9:49 AM ^
with an offensive line that can run block? Good for Him!
August 29th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^
August 29th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
My reply would be funny, except last year happened.
August 29th, 2014 at 1:20 PM ^
Which finger do you want him to use?
August 29th, 2014 at 10:03 AM ^
hope he has a lot of success there.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^
Well done, Mr. Rawls. I always like to see a fellow Flint Northern Viking do well.
August 29th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
Although I graduated from Flint Southwestern Academy ('97 baby!), it's always good to see Flint athletes doing well... I mean, not much else to talk about with Flint..
August 29th, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^
August 29th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
Rawls would have been good here if we had blocked worth a crap.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ^
"Wait, what is this gap-like substance between the defenders? Never saw this before..."
August 29th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
Good for him. Glad to see he's getting to play. I was really high on him when he showed up on campus. Seemed like the exact bruiser we were looking for. Stinks that he had to get buried on the depth chart, on top of a very subpar O-Line to block for him. But at least he's getting to play elsewhere.
Best of luck, Thomas.
August 29th, 2014 at 1:27 PM ^
Looks like a win-win situation. Michigan took a chance on Rawls and when it didn't work out, he moved on to a situation where he was a better fit, leaving an opening for another player. Not every recruit works out but Rawls was a good citizen while he was in Ann Arbor. It worked out a lot better than the situation at USC.
August 29th, 2014 at 3:21 PM ^
August 29th, 2014 at 4:06 PM ^
Wish him well. He did have some great spring games with us.
August 29th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^
a few good things, he ran some people over with authority and I was like, Dang. But then it seemed to spiral into going down at first contact and the depth chart seemed to swallow him like an ant lion.
Anyway, I am glad he was able to experience Ann Arbor, the MAC must really love iit when they can pick up a 5th year guy who has spent time training and working in a big D1 program.
August 29th, 2014 at 6:54 PM ^
Did he not have to take a year off? Or did he transfer without me knowing a couple years ago?
August 30th, 2014 at 5:02 AM ^
So he used the graduate school transfer thing.