Published: November 07, 2009 12:47 am         

Pair of ISU freshmen ahead of curve on gridiron

TERRE HAUTE — If Indiana State football coach Trent Miles’ blueprint to bring the Sycamore program back to respectability works, the players he’ll be depending on to see his plan through are currently taking their lumps as underclassmen.

Some more than others, some less than others. And then there are the select few freshmen who have stood out and have been ISU contributors ahead of the learning curve.

Defensive end Ben Obaseki and center FN Lutz fit into the latter category. Both freshmen have had a big impact at various positions. Obaseki has started at end all season. Lutz moved into the offensive line early in the campaign and has since settled in as the starting center.

“They’re kids with great potential, their best football is ahead of them. They’re good people and they love football,” Miles said. “I’m a little surprised they weren’t both recruited by MAC schools.”

Obaseki, a Washington, Ind., native, impressed the coaching staff during the summer preseason and quickly earned a starting spot. Along with linebacker Jacolby Washington (59 tackles), Obaseki’s been the freshman who’s had the most impact on the ISU defense. He has 24 tackles, two of them for a loss and has two sacks. Obaseki had a key sack in ISU’s 17-14 victory over Western Illinois on Oct. 24.

“I came into the season just trying to make the travel squad, I didn’t expect the season I’ve been having,” Obaseki said. “[Defensive coordinator] Shannon Jackson has helped me out a lot, but really, it’s just about hard work and keeping my nose to the grindstone.”

Obaseki defined himself as a hybrid type of end; he excels, or wants to excel, as a speed-rusher and power-rusher. It has also helped him that he has experienced line mates, notably seniors Dan Millington and Nate Brown.

“It’s helped me a lot. From the start, Dan Millington has taken me under his wing and has shown me the ropes and the other guys have encouraged me and kept me working hard,” Obaseki said.

Miles has been high on Obaseki all season.

“Before he leaves here, he’ll be an all-conference defensive end. It should be written on the wall for him. He has speed, strength and toughness. It’s hard to beat that,” Miles said.

Lutz, who hails from Lafayette, was plugged into the offensive line during ISU’s game at Louisville on Sept. 3. Lutz then replaced Corey Bichey at left guard for ISU’s game against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 10. Guard is Lutz’s natural position and the one he played in high school at Lafayette Harrison.

With ISU’s offensive line struggling in the first half of the season, the decision was made to move Lutz to center. He was behind Ben Geffert on the depth chart at Northern Iowa on Oct. 3. But the decision was made to move Geffert to guard and Lutz started at center when ISU played at Illinois State on Oct. 17.

“They had me at center when I first came here, then they put me at left guard. They did some changing up at the line [in late September] and I was back at center,” Lutz said. “I was nervous for that Illinois State game, I had never played center in a game before, I was worried about the snaps. But once I got over that, I knew I could incorporate my guard technique and be OK.”

Lutz’s first name is FN, the letters are not initials. It’s a tradition that’s been passed down in his family for three generations.

“Capital F, capital N, no periods,” said Lutz, who was also twice-named Indiana State Fair Woodworker of the Year. “My grandpa’s grandpa was named Franklin Norris Lutz, everyone called him FN for short. So my great-grandpa named my grandpa FN after him and its been carried down ever since.”

Miles has appreciated the stability Lutz has helped foster in an ISU offensive line that has gradually improved as the season has progressed.

“FN is just a good old country farm boy that likes to wear his cowboy boots and is a tough kid who loves football. Whatever he lacks size-wise [officially Lutz is 6-foot-3, 275 pounds], he’ll make up in the weight room and he’ll be a good football player,” Miles said.

• ISU travels to Missouri State today — Last season, the Bears dealt the Sycamores one of their biggest heartbreaks during the 33-game losing streak. ISU led 21-14 and Missouri State was down to its last play in regulation. Missouri State quarterback Cody Kirby completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Chris Geisz as time expired. Missouri State then plowed the shell-shocked Sycamores in overtime for a 27-24 victory, which ended ISU’s 2008 season on a decided downer.

The Sycamores (1-8, 1-5) have since put the losing streak behind them, but the Bears also aren’t the same team ISU faced last season. Missouri State (5-4, 3-3) has refined an already good passing game.

“They’re a lot better. [Kirby] is probably the best throwing quarterback in the conference and they have an All-American tight end [Clay Harbor] who’s a NFL prospect,” Miles said.

ISU rushed for 291 yards against the Bears last season, including 237 yards for Darrius Gates, but Missouri State has since gone to a 3-4 defense and improved drastically in defending the run. The Bears are middle-of-the-pack in the conference statistically on defense.

For the third week in a row, there are no changes in ISU’s starting lineup and there are no injuries. The stability is a welcome happenstance for Miles.

“It’s huge. We have continuity. The best thing about it is we have the chance to do this over the next two or three years. We just need a few wins,” Miles said.