By Nathan Hutchinson
Register Sports Editor
RICHMOND —
Matt Lengel and his teammates barely had time to enjoy a season-ending victory last November before they were handed some stunning news.
Just a day after a 33-27 win over Rhode Island, members of the Northeastern football team were informed that the school was dropping the sport after 74 years.
“We won our last game. We came back and we were celebrating,” Lengel said. “Later that night, we got a text from our coach saying all the meetings the next day were canceled. Then they called us in to the girls basketball gym and told us that the program was over. It got a little heated. Words were said.”
The next day, Lengel was looking for a new place to play football.
After speaking with representatives from several schools, the 6-foot-7, 229-pound tight end decided to transfer to Eastern Kentucky University.
Because the Northeastern program was dissolved, NCAA rules allowed Lengel to move on to any school and play right away. The redshirt freshman tight end enrolled at EKU in January and went through spring practices with the team.
“Playing in the spring got me gelling with the wide receivers and (quarterback) T.J. Pryor,” Lengel said. “It really helped me get acclimated to life on the EKU campus. It’s a lot different here than in Boston.”
Lengel redshirted his freshman season at Northeastern, but after a solid spring entered fall practice at the top of the depth chart at tight end.
The Mechanicsburg, Pa., native was a two-year starter as a tight end and defensive back at Cumberland Valley High School. He had 25 receptions for 420 yards as a senior and picked up several regional and state-wide honors.
“I started playing tight end in midgets,” Lengel said. “I was a fullback and linebacker for a while, but then I just starting sprouting up. They realized I was too big to block anymore.”
Lengel should be a welcome addition to an offense that didn’t really feature a true tight end this past season — which was a drastic change from recent years.
From 2004 to 2008, EKU tight ends (most notably Patrick Bugg and Stephen Sizemore) combined for 174 receptions.
Last season, the Colonels got basically no offensive production out of the position.
“That’s all I keep hearing about is how I have to fill that role,” Lengel said. “Last year, (the team) didn’t have a (pass-catching) tight end, but this year they decided to bring it back. They move some guys around and brought me in. We are just hoping we can even out the offense.”
The EKU coaching staff loves Lengel’s hands, speed and athleticism, but would like the redshirt freshman to add some bulk.
Lengel had three catches for 25 yards in the spring game and the tight end and has been taking most of the reps with the first-team offense so far in training camp.
“He’s definitely a difference maker,” EKU assistant coach Klay Koester said. “He’s got good size and speed. From the slot, he can really stretch the field. He’s a big target to throw. He definitely fills the void.”
Lengel will compete for the starting tight end spot with sophomore Jonathan Sharp and junior David Ogunlari.
