Oct. 5, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

JOE SUNNEN, THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

With five games in the record book and five games left to be played, the Western Washington University football team enters the halfway point of the season with work to do.

"Obviously, we're disappointed with the record," WWU coach Rob Smith said. "But we realize that we've played some very good football teams."

The Vikings are 2-3 overall this season and 1-0 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Injuries, travel and a schedule that included three top-25 teams hurt WWU in the first half of the year.

"The important thing is that we're 1-0 in conference," Smith said. "That's our focus right now."

After practice on Tuesday, Smith talked to the team about where they stand at this point in the season.

"It's gone by incredibly fast, as it always does," Smith said. "We tell the players to enjoy it now because it won't be too long before we're at the banquet and looking back on the season."

Conwell could be out for year: Sophomore defensive end Ryan Conwell could be out for the remainder of the season due to lingering affects from a concussion.

Conwell visited a neurologist on Tuesday, Smith said, and will be out several more weeks.

"There's a chance that he could be out for the season," Smith said. "That would be a big loss."

Conwell started two games for the Vikings this year and played in four. He has 12 tackles and three tackles for losses.

"I really feel bad for him," Smith said. "I know Ryan was thinking this was going to be a big year for him."

More injury updates: Linebacker Tieba Bropleh returned to practice on Tuesday after missing the last week with a shoulder injury. Offensive lineman Zach Myers also came back to practice this week. Myers has been out with a sprained ankle since Sept. 10.

Wide Receiver Casey Dell spent much of Tuesday's practice with ice on his ankle after tweeking the injury in Saturday night's game against Humboldt State. Smith said he expects Dell to be able to play Saturday.

GNAC Honors: Senior Jake Carlyle was named GNAC player of the week after rushing for a career-high 175 yards on 31 carries against Humboldt State on Saturday. Carlyle's 31 carries were the the second most by a WWU running back since 1996. Jon Williams had 33 attempts against Western Oregon last season. Before that, the last person with at least that many carries was Ryan Wiggins, who had 34 carries in a game in 1996.

A good start: Senior Chase Schmidtz made the most of his first career start at WWU. The defensive end finished with four assisted tackles and a sack. Schmidtz is undersized for the end position at 210 pounds, but the former wrestler makes up for it with quickness and leverage.

"Size-wise he might not fit the position, but athletically he certainly does," Smith said. "It's his athletic talents that allow him to be successful."