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Central Michigan Completes Undefeated MAC Season |
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Written by Mike Smith
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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mi. - Dan LeFevour tossed three touchdowns and the Central Michigan's defense kept Northern Illinois out of the end zone in two quarters as the Chippewas downed Nowthern Illinois 45-31 Friday at Kelly Shorts Stadium.
With the victory, 10-2 Central Michigan capped off a perfect 8-0 conference run. The Chippewas who clinched the MAC West title last week, will face MAC East representative Ohio University in Friday's Marathon Mid American Conference championship game at Ford Field in Detroit.
"We faced a very good football team today," Central Michigan head coch Butch Jones said. (It is) a very well-coached and physical football team, and we knew it was going to be a battle. I'm just very happy for our seniors, and now we have one game left next Friday before we can catch our breath and move on to the bowl game."
The CMU-NIU matchup pitted two of the MAC's best squads against each other. Central Michigan ranked No. 1 in scoring offense (33.3 ppg), while Norhtern Illinois held the third spot (30.7 ppg).
Central Michigan also held down the top spot in scoring defense (16.6 ppg), while the Huskies were one spot back at 19.0 ppg.
When the contest ended Friday, CMU held advantages over the Huskies in just about every statistical category. The Chippewas led in total offense (512-332), passing yardage (255-206), rushing yardage (257-126), first downs (28-19), and time of possession (34:13-25:47). The hosts also had one less turnover (1-2).
Central Michigan did all the scoring during the first quarter. Lefevour hit Bryan Schroeder with a 13-yard TD pass for the initial score. Andrew Aguila then converted a 24-yard field goal just before the end of the period.
Mike Salerno matched those three-points with a 30-yard field goal for Northern Illinois at 9:37 of the second quarter.
LeFevour's 23-yard pass to Kito Poblah on 3rd-and-10 kept Central Michigan's ensuing drive going. After two incompletions, Levour found Poblah again for 16 yards and a touchdown. However, the 17-3 lead took a quick hit as Northern Illinois used just three plays to go 68 yards for its own touchdown. Chandler Harnish hit Landon Cox for a 32-yard touchdown to complete the drive.
Harnish completed 17-of-28 for 206 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on the day
As if it were a heavyweight fight, Central Michigan returned with another TD strike.
LeFevour completed seven-of nine passes in the 78-yard drive. Bryan Schroeder's five yard TD run and Aguila's extra point gave the hosts a 24-10 lead at intermission.
As they had in the first quarter, Central Michigan did all the scoring in the third period. Schroeder broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third period. The Chippewas added another TD midway through the quarter when LeFevour hit Bryan Anderson with a 16-yard scoring pass.
"The key to the (Central Michigan) success is their quarterback and passing game," NIU head coach Jerry Kill said. "Any time you can complete a deep out against stiff wind, it makes it tough on the defense. We always have to try and contain the pass, and it opens up the running game for them as well. They played really well, especially in the third quarter to pull away from us."
Kill continued, "I've seen him (Lefevour) play for a long time. He is as good a person as a football player. I wish him luck, and I think he can play in the NFL. However, I am not sad to see him gone .... He's a great quarterback and makes plays."
Down 38-10 going into the fourth quarter, Northern Illinois refused to quit. Patrick George contributed an 80-yard reception return for one Huskies touchdown. Chad Spann added another on a six-yard run at 8:25.
Frank Zombo's 27-yard interception return for a TD provided Central Michigan's final score. Marcus Lewis received a seven-yard pass from Harnish for the final NIU tally.
"These kids have been focused all year," Jones said. "I can't say enough. To have 10 wins in today's world of college football does not happen very often."
He added, "We've got one game left, which is going to be a great, great challenge against a very physical and dynamic Ohio University football team.
"Honestly, we have some more work to do, so it's hard to get too emotional thinking about this one," LeFevour said. "Seven days from now, that one is the one we're looking toward. (Today was) a great day and it's a great tribute to one of the best classes that's been here, but we still have more to do." |
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