Funk Anchors Scouts' Defensive Line; Dever Takes Trip of a Lifetime

It was early in the fourth quarter of the Scouts' opening-week loss at Buffalo Grove on Aug. 26.

Bison receiver John Schumi hauled in a pass from quarterback Richie Zirngibl just in front of the goal line, leaping across the middle for a 15-yard touchdown.

Don't remember this particular play? That's OK because it's the . 

Experts always will say winning football is played first in the trenches. Based on a two-week sample, 's defensive line play has been the catalyst anchored by senior nose tackle Tyler Funk.

When asked after practice Wednesday what traits a football player must possess to play his position, he offers up a blended character description: part physical brute, part onerous crank.

"You need strength and you need to have an attitude of not getting pushed around and fighting every play," said the 6-foot-2, 265-pound Funk.

In 's 3-4 scheme, Funk's job is twofold depending on coverage call: either tie up the center, stuff running lanes, or if the guard is pulling, follow him and keep him from running downfield "and on the line so they are not chipping out to get our linebackers," said Funk.

When you have a defense built on speed, as the Scouts do with athletic linebackers Brandt Pfeifer and Nick Keefe, they must be free to make plays in space. The further offensive lineman get downfield, the harder it is for Pfeifer and Keefe to make tackles.  

Funk said this week's opponent, Zion, presents some of the same challenges as Buffalo Grove. The Scouts only two-year starter on the defensive line speaks with authority when asked if fans can expect a different outcome at Zion.

"I know we've had a bigger emphasis on buying into team concept rather than individual," said Funk, who is supported on the line by junior Thomas Kutschke and sophomore Jack Kutschke. "Obviously we didn't have a good game (against Buffalo Grove). We'll be flying around” Friday night.

The evidence supports Funk's belief: in almost nine quarters of football. By kickoff Friday night, it will be 21 days since that last touchdown. 

#####

Another trademark of a winning team: health. The Scouts have been at full strength the entire season, minus junior defensive back/wide receiver Jack Troller, who is recovered from a foot injury and is expected to play Friday night. 

When asked to explain his team's good fortune — which may have something to do with newly hired assistant Larry Lilja, who spent 30 years at Northwestern in charge of their strength and conditioning program — head coach Chuck Spagnoli said it's impossible to determine a direct cause and effect. 

"I would put it this way, in times like this you give credit to that. When things are not going well you blame luck," said Spagnoli while walking off the practice field Wednesday. "It’s obvious some guys have worked very hard in offseason conditioning."

Another intangible reason for 's spryness: program culture. In nine years as head coach, Spagnoli has made it a, thus making it less appealing for players to miss time unless they are diagnosed with an injury.

"We’re not very good at accepting little (bumps) and (bruises), 'Oh, I have to come out'. There’s a lot of accountability to their teammates," he said.

#####

Instant classic. Those were the words from ESPN play-by-play man Brent Musberger moments after Michigan's thrilling 35-31 victory the night of Saturday, Sept. 10, in Ann Arbor.

Sitting in the front row on the 50-yard line, just behind the Michigan bench?

Scouts' wide receiver and Michigan recruit Bo Dever, his younger sister and 2013 Wolverine field hockey recruit Morgan, and father David, who played football at Michigan in the 1980s. 

It's good to be Bo. Quite frankly, it's good to be a Dever. 

"The first night game, it was pretty crazy, the whole atmosphere," said Dever Wednesday, in the understatement of the year. 

Dever and family stayed in Ann Arbor for the night before coming back to on Sunday. What was it like on campus?

"It was like they won the Super Bowl," said Dever.