DMN-SMU's Czerniak making an impact at nose guard

[ponyscott]

It sure is nice........ and a luxury, to have another NG available to be playing for us:


Free of concerns about family illnesses, SMU's Czerniak making an impact at nose guard


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... d316f.html



10:13 PM CDT on Tuesday, November 2, 2010
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
UNIVERSITY PARK – Look up SMU junior Szymon Czerniak's playing history and not much turns up.

2007: Redshirted. 2008: Did not play. 2009: Did not play.

2010: different story.

Czerniak, from Houston, has contributed on the defensive line and earned the start at nose guard in last week's win at Tulane. He is expected to start again Saturday night at UTEP, where SMU (5-4, 4-1 Conference USA) can become bowl eligible with a win.

"Some kids get it at different times, and he's starting to get it now," defensive coordinator Tom Mason said. "That's been an ongoing deal all year, playing nose by committee. ... I'm about playing our three guys (on the line) who are playing the best. He went in and did a good job."

Czerniak, 6-4, 275 pounds, said he benefited from a productive off-season in which he got stronger.

He also didn't have family concerns weighing on him. Czerniak donated bone marrow in February 2009 for his older sister, Katrina, who was suffering from aplastic anemia, a complete bone marrow failure. She is now healthy.

"They took out a significant amount," Czerniak said, alluding to his lineman-sized body. "The doctors said it was the most they'd ever seen."

As a freshman, Czerniak's father overcame cancer. Czerniak's parents moved to the U.S. from Poland, and he and his family usually converse in Polish.

Czerniak, who spent his freshman year practicing with the offensive line, said he always felt like he was close to earning playing time if he could just keep working.

"I've finally found my niche on the team," he said.

What's at stake: SMU is hoping to play in consecutive bowls for the first time since a string of appearances after the 1982, '83 and '84 seasons. The Mustangs are still in the mix for the C-USA West Division. They are tied with Houston for the lead, but the Cougars own the head-to-head advantage. Houston hosts East Division leader Central Florida on Friday.

UTEP (5-4, 2-4) can also earn bowl eligibility with a win Saturday, though the Miners have lost three straight.

More McDermott likely: Expect to see more of backup quarterback J.J. McDermott. While sophomore quarterback Kyle Padron is still SMU's clear starter – he leads the league in passing efficiency, and his 22 touchdown passes rank among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision – Jones likes to get his backups playing time.

Jones said he will try to get McDermott the chance to guide SMU for a series or more for the rest of the season, and not just in mop-up duty. Jones said that was generally his practice in Hawaii, but he had refrained from doing it this season because SMU's offense has struggled to click consistently.

McDermott alternated plays with Padron during the third quarter of SMU's win at Tulane, going 1-of-3 for 4 yards and a sack. Padron led the Mustangs in the decisive fourth quarter.

"It was good to get in there. I wish I could have played better," said McDermott, a transfer from New Mexico State who sat out last season. "I think I can help the team. I have a lot of confidence in myself."

Briefly: After struggling to stop third downs much of the season, SMU's defense allowed just four of 15 conversions at Tulane. ... Jones gave SMU Monday off as a reward for Saturday's win. ... The Mustangs' bye week follows Saturday's UTEP game. ... Kicker Matt Szymanski (pulled leg muscle) is out.

[giacfsp]

http://www.ponyfans.com/features/index.php?id=204

[Charleston Pony]

improvement every week...by as many guys as possible. Good to see Czerniak finally get a chance to contribute. Most of us can't appreciate the amount of work behind a story like this.