By Eric Sieger
Alma SID

"Somebody get that guy!"

That's a cry often heard from the opposition's fans when the Olivet Comets take the field, and that "guy" is the Comet's diminutive tailback, junior Kris Brown. His slippery, effortless running style makes him a hard target for defenses to draw a bead. He's made more than his fair share of defensive players whiff on a tackle, especially this season.

He has racked up 1,026 yards rushing, becoming the first back in Olivet history to crack the 1,000-yard barrier, also recording two 200-yards games and five consecutive games of at least 100 yards rushing. He also owns the school career rushing mark at 2,649 yards with two games left this season, and is closing in on the career record for attempts (he needs 33 more) and attempts in a season (19 more). He also needs just five more touchdowns and 11 more points to add those records to his ever-growing list of accomplishments.

Currently ranked tenth in the nation in rushing at 146.6 yards per game, he might just add the title of league MVP to that list as well.

But to talk with Brown, he is much more than numbers and accomplishments. Even more amazing is his positive attitude -- consider that Olivet has lost ten consecutive games, dating back to last year. "We've been losing, but we're getting better every week," said Brown. "All I ask of the guys is to give 100% and know we went down trying."

But this is not just a story of a great player on a bad team. It also involved tragedy, personal triumph and a dream. The tragedy involved Brown's parents. His mother Caroline, died unexpectedly during the season last year of leukemia, while his father, Kris Brown, Sr., passed away two years ago.

While Brown misses them both, he pushes on for himself and for his three year-old daughter, Kayla. "I'm doing this for her, myself and my parents."

Brown has been able to overcome the losses with help from family and friends. "My mom helped out a lot with my daughter, so I really miss that. But my family has rallied around me to help out."

As for the dream, Brown harbors a vision to continue his career after Olivet, whether that means the NFL or some other venue. He compares his style to Barry Sanders, and not many MIAA fans would disagree. He needs only a crack to get through the line, and slips tackles with as much ease as the former Detroit Lion and Oklahoma State standout.

"Growing up I watched him -- he keeps his feet moving and his shoulder north-south. I've taken things from his game and put it into mine."

While Brown is supremely confident in his own abilities, he is quick to praise his teammates first. "Any notoriety I get is because of the team. Everyone sees I'm doing well -- that brings the Olivet name out."

He also points to the development of his offensive line, which returned just one starter this season, Mike Rautio. "I tell them that all I need is a slight crack, then I can do my magic -- just give me a chance."

Once Brown breaks the line, he follows his big, blocking fullback, Gabe Steward through the hole. "Once we get through and he gets a linebacker, I'll take my chances with any free safety or cornerback."

As for the NFL, Brown realizes that he might be a long shot. But that doesn't mean he is giving up hope. "I'm looking toward bettering myself. I don't think of myself as great. I want to keep playing after Olivet, and I know that means I need to improve every day."

But if his dream doesn't work out, Brown has a backup plan. He is a secondary education major, and envisions himself one day returning to his old high school, Kalamazoo Central, to teach and coach. Right now his biggest goal after graduating is to fulfill his dream of playing on Sundays. The journey will certainly be an exciting one.

This week's big games
Hope (3-3, 3-0 MIAA) at Albion (5-2, 4-0)
These two teams are the poster children for the rebirth that the AQ can bring. Consider that Albion started 0-2 while Hope was 0-3 heading into conference play, but now both teams control their own destinies for the MIAA title and NCAA playoffs. A Hope win would almost guarantee them a share of the MIAA title and playoff berth, as they would need one win in their final two games against Kalamazoo (1-5) and Olivet (0-7) to give them the bid.

Albion has somewhat of a tougher road, as they must beat the Flying Dutchmen and then go on the road and defeat Alma to get into the playoffs. Alma's only hope of a playoff berth hinges on this game -- they need a Briton win coupled with their own wins against Adrian this week and Albion next week for their first-ever Division III playoff appearance.

Albion has found its ground attack over the past few weeks, as Dan Dreyer racked up 132 yards and three scores in last week's 42-14 blitzing of Olivet. Hope, meanwhile, has ridden quarterback J.D. Graves to three consecutive wins, as Graves has a rating of 183.21 over the past three games, throwing for 726 yards and completing 63% of his passes. Running back Eric Nichols has also been strong the last three weeks, averaging over five yards a carry and 108.7 yards per contest.

Ohio Wesleyan (6-1, 3-1 NCAC) at Wittenberg (7-0, 3-0)
The Battling Bishops most likely need a win against the sixth-ranked Tigers to gain a berth into the NCAA playoffs, while Wittenberg begins their home stretch run, facing OWU this week and ending the season at Wooster. Many experts have conceded an at-large bid to the runner-up in the NCAC, but if Wittenberg deals OWU and Wooster their second losses of the season, the conference could be relegated to just the one bid.

The Bishops' Matt Capone tallied 126 yards rushing in last week's win against Denison, including a 92-yard touchdown run to open the scoring in the first half.

Wittenberg, meanwhile, will be shooting for the program's 600th win, a feat not accomplished by any other Division II or III school. It is also the 75th meeting between the schools, with Wittenberg grabbing wins in the last seven games, including last year's 28-0 shutout.

Millikin (5-1, 3-1 CCIW) at Wheaton (6-0, 4-0)
Carthage threw a wrench into the CCIW race last week with its 7-6 upset of Millikin. Now the Big Blue is in a must-win situation at 11th-ranked Wheaton this week, needing a win to remain in the conference title hunt and NCAA playoff race.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, are coming off an emotional 22-20 win at Illinois Wesleyan, as Chris Baughman's 20-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining propelled Wheaton to the win. The Crusaders have a favorable schedule heading into the final three weeks of the season with Millikin and Augustana at home and a road game at 1-5 Elmhurst in between.

The Crusader defense has been super-stingy, allowing 215 yards of total offense and under 13 points per game. The Big Blue defense just as good, giving up an average of 243 yards per game and a measly 8.5 points per game. Wheaton could conceivably wrap up an at-large playoff berth with a win against Millikin and a win next week against the Blue Jays.