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CMU Defensive Pressure/Photo: Deb Ruthenberg

It was a Hall of Fame worthy performance by LeFevour that powered the Chips to their resounding victory but it was also a day in which the Chippewas' defense turned in by far its best effort of the season, forcing seven Army turnovers, including a record-tying three interceptions by defensive back Josh Gordy.

It was the third straight victory for the Chippewas after a rocky start to the season as Central Michigan climbed above the .500 mark for the first time in the 2007 campaign.

"You don't want to start your season too high," said LeFevour. "You want to peak later in the year and we are starting to do that."

If that's the case, then LeFevour is indeed following his own script as over the past two weeks LeFevour has recorded twelve touchdowns.

The two touchdown passes were the 38th and 39th of LeFevour's career and broke the Central Michigan all-time career passing touchdown record previously held by Jeff Bender.

The first-half scoring was capped off by, who else, Dan LeFevour, as the sophomore signal-caller scored on a seventeen-yard run  and a four-yard scramble, giving him five first-half touchdowns and the Chippewas a 33-16 lead heading into the halftime locker room.

Despite his four rushing touchdowns though, LeFevour does not want to be called a running quarterback.

"I think most quarterbacks think being called a rushing quarterback is kind of an insult," LeFevour joked afterward. "Really it was just a matter of they (Army) knew we had a lot of weapons downfield and were trying to take a lot of that away so we had to make things happen. A lot of those runs were on scrambles and not planned runs."

LeFevour finished with 100 yards rushing and 251 yards passing.

The second half was a testament to the Chips defense which has been roundly criticized this season for giving up big plays and an inability to force turnovers. That all changed against Army as well.

Sophomore defensive back Josh Gordy, who has battled injuries all season, tied a school record by picking off three passes, including two interceptions on consecutive plays, and returned a third interception for a 15-yard touchdown which finished off the scoring for the day, making it 47-23 in favor of the Chippewas.

The Chips recorded five interceptions and forced two fumbles and converted four of Army's turnovers directly into points as Central Michigan put consistent pressure on Army quarterbacks Carson Williams and Kevin Dunn.

"We knew that their offensive line was small," said CMU sophomore defensive end Frank Zombo, who recorded a forced fumble and an interception. "We knew if we came firing off the ball we could crush the pocket."

Chippewas head coach Butch Jones was pleased with the effort of the team and sees it as another sign that the team is coming together at the right time.

"This was another team win for us," said Jones. Our defense played well and took the ball away. I think we are growing up as a team. What's really satisfying is that our older players are teaching our younger players what it means to be a Central Michigan Chippewa."

LeFevour and Gordy's big days overshadowed a career day by Army wide receiver Jeremy Trimble who had two touchdown receptions and 169 yards receiving en route to becoming Army's all-time career leader in receptions. But it was not enough to overcome Central Michigan on this day.

"I'm disappointed in how we played today," said Army head coach Stan Brock. "We're probably lucky that CMU scored only 47 points."

Central Michigan finishes up its non-conference portion of the schedule by making a trip next week to Clemson, the first of three straight road games and has only one home game remaining, a November 16 contest against Eastern Michigan.

Notes: CMU freshman wide receiver Taylor Bradley left the game early and did not return after suffering a hip bruise. Junior running back Ontario Sneed missed his second straight game for the Chippewas with a deep bone bruise to his foot.