Central Connecticut State?s Jo Jo Freeman said he can?t wait for Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium when he?ll get to go one-on-one with All-Colonial Athletic Association linebacker Brain Bradford.
Freeman, a two-year staring fullback, is looking forward to clearing out defensive linemen so he can see how he fares against the 6-foot-2, 240-pound inside linebacker, who is regarded as Towson?s best defensive player.
“[Bradford?s] a very good downhill linebacker and he comes down and fills the hole, we know what to expect,” Freeman said. “It?s going to be a good challenge.”
Last year, Freeman paved the way for then-senior running back Justice Hairston, the leading rusher in NCAA Division I-AA last year with 1,847 yards and 20 touchdowns. Now, Freeman?the Blue Devils? best lead blocker?will make a path for Ralph McKenley, who will make his first start at running back after playing primarily at safety last season.
But Freeman will get his opportunity to show what he can do with the football. Freeman rushed for 193 yards and six touchdowns on 52 carries last year in his first season at fullback after playing running back as a sophomore. However, Freeman, who rushed for 801 yards and seven touchdowns that season, switched positions because he felt it would translate to more victories.
It did. The Blue Devils went 8-3 last year, and Coach Jeff McInerney said its imperative Freeman emerges as a leaderon team in which just 20 of 80 players have more than two years of college experience.
“Jo Jo is the ultimate teammate,” McInerney said. “He just wants to win and he likes playing football. He likes the taste of his mouthpiece in his mouth and running into people. He?s been through the wars and he?s going to lead.”
McInerney said his team is prepared for opening the season against one of the top teams in the Football Championship Subdivision after opening last season with a 17-13 victory over perenennial power Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga.
“I like making a block and seeing it spring a running back,” Freeman said. “Being an unsung hero, I get big rush out of it.”
