A View From The Upper Deck Mark Willard Teamkong Do you prefer Jermaine?  Or maybe you like Germaine better?  Is your choice even germane to the conversation?  Is one or both of them German?  Well, no matter how you spell it, Jermaine Carpenter and Germaine Race are a couple of outstanding additions to the Gorilla program. Race, the “true” freshman (is there such a thing as a “false” freshman?) running back from Warrensburg, MO adds an element of explosiveness to the PSU backfield.   His ability to hit holes quickly, and “turn on the jets” once he gets through the hole, perfectly complements the power running style of QB Neil Philpot and the rest of his Gorilla backfield mates.   The highly sought after recruit from the heart of CMSU Mule country has begun paying immediate dividends for the Gorillas.  After the first three games of the season, Race leads PSU in rushing yardage, averaging just under 100 yards per game.  He also is the Gorillas leader in scoring, and ranks second in total offense.  With his recent promotion to starting tailback, allowing the versatile Joe Taylor to shift to fullback, the frosh phenom is poised to lead the Gorilla ground attack for several years to come. The entire PSU receiving corps has made a major upgrade this year, but no player has made a greater impact than Jermaine Carpenter.  The diminutive speedster from Waco, TX comes to Pittsburg State from Navarro Community College in Texas.  Carpenter and his 4.31 forty speed were all the buzz of Spring Practice this year, and he has done nothing to disappoint the preseason excitement.  In his first game as a Gorilla, Jermaine showed a preview of things to come, with a crowd dazzling 52-yard punt return that showcased his explosive speed.  In PSU’s big showdown with nationally ranked Saint Cloud State, he burned the Huskies for a 49-yard TD on the Gorillas first play from scrimmage.  He followed that performance with the first 100-yard receiving game by a Gorilla since the 1999 campaign, hauling in two more TD passes in the process.  Opposing teams will have to account for Carpenter and his deep threat capabilities, opening up other avenues of attack for the Gorillas.  As they say, “you can’t teach speed”. Part of the battle when you have players with this kind of ability, is properly utilizing them.  Over the past few years, the Gorilla coaching staff, and Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck in particular, have experienced a great deal of criticism for their play selection.  Whether you believe this was fair or not, you have to agree that they deserve an equal amount of praise for their performance this year.  Going deep on the first play from scrimmage, in a huge game?  The Gorillas?  No way!  Yes way!  More passing yards than rushing yards, in two consecutive games?  A balanced attack?  What in the name of Don Coryell is going on here?  Against Truman State this weekend, the Gorillas were faced with a 4th down and four situation.  What do they call?  Why, they throw the ball deep to Jermaine Carpenter for a 31-yard touchdown, of course!  Hats off to the coaching staff, and Coach Beck in particular.  Let’s hope this trend continues, and I have a feeling it will. This weeks Unsung Hero Award goes to Nathan Alleman.  After a shaky start in Week One that saw him miss two PATs and have two more blocked, Alleman has gotten his act together.  Discounting one aborted attempt due to a low snap, Nathan has converted his last 10 extra points attempted.  Another of Pittsburg State’s “true” freshman players, it would have been easy for him to “go in the tank”, facing that kind of adversity right out of high school.  Instead, he stuck it out, got the ship righted, and is showing why he won the kicking job in pre-season.  For his perseverance, Nathan Alleman is this weeks Unsung Hero. Well, it’s on to Bolivar.  I’ll be making my first visit to SBU, after all these years of watching Gorilla Football.  I hope to see a thousand or so of my PSU buddies making the trip.  Let’s take over Plaster Stadium, and give the Gorillas the support they deserve.