Central Michigan struggles in loss to BC

Central Michigan Chippewas 2009 ... Head Coach: Butch Jones

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 8-4
2009 Record: 7-2

9/5 at Arizona L 19-6
9/12 at Michigan St W 29-27
9/19 Alcorn St W 48-0
9/26 Akron W 48-21
10/3 at Buffalo W 20-13
10/10 Eastern Mich W 56-8
10/17 at WMU W 34-23
10/24 at B Green W 24-10
10/31 at Boston Coll L 31-10
11/7 OPEN DATE
11/11 Toledo
11/18 at Ball State
11/27 Northern Illinois

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2008 Record: 8-5

8/28 Eastern Illinois W 31-12
9/6 at Georgia L 56-17
9/13 at Ohio W 31-28
9/20 at Purdue L 32-25
9/27 Buffalo W 27-25
10/4 OPEN DATE
10/11 Temple W 24-14
10/18 Western Mich W 38-28
10/25 at Toledo W 24-23
11/1 at Indiana W 37-34
11/8 OPEN DATE
11/12 at No Illinois W 33-30 OT
11/19 Ball State L 31-24
11/28 at Eastern Mich L 56-52
MOTOR CITY BOWL
12/26 Florida Atlantic L 24-21

Central Michigan Chippewas

Oct. 31
at Boston College 31 … Central Michigan 10
Central Michigan scored first on a 34-yard Andrew Aguila field goal, and then it was all Boston College as Montel Harris scored on two thee-yard touchdown runs and Rich Gunnell caught a 41-yard scoring pass as part of a 31-point run. LB Luke Keuchly put an exclamation point on the stunning blowout with a 28-yard interception return for a score. CMU didn’t get into the end zone until the final minute on an 11-yard run for a score form backup QB Ryan Radcliff. There were only three penalties committed; all by BC.
Player of the Game: Boston College LB Luke Kuechly made 11 tackles with an interception for a score.
Boston College: Passing: Dave Shinskie, 18-28, 262 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Montel Harris, 27-136, 2 TD, Receiving: Rich Gunnell, 8-134, 1 TD
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 20-34, 152 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 11-26, Receiving: Antonio Brown, 8-61 
What It All Means: This was supposed to be a chance for CMU to make a big statement for the MAC and for itself, and instead it struggled to get the offense moving and the defense couldn’t come up with a big stop in the third quarter to try to turn the game around. While the loss might not be a plus for the team’s confidence, it doesn’t take away from the excellent seven-game winning streak, and it doesn’t distract from the task at hand. If CMU’s head is on straight, there should be no problems getting wins over Toledo and Ball State in the next two weeks and take control of the MAC West for good.

Oct. 24
Central Michigan 24 … at Bowling Green 10
Central Michigan survived a 55-pass attempt day from Tyler Sheehan, and another monster game from WR Freddie Barnes, with a four-yard Antonio Brown touchdown run and a 29-yard catch, and a nine-yard Bryan Anderson touchdown grab. The CMU defense gave up passing yards, but allowed just 20 rushing yards and kept the Falcons out of the end zone after a 24-yard Barnes catch early in the second quarter.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 16-of-22 passes for 14 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran 22 times for 128 yards.
Bowling Green: Passing: Tyler Sheehan, 35-55, 341 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Willie Geter, 11-42, Receiving: Freddie Barnes, 14-172, 1 TD
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 16-22, 147 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 22-128, Receiving: Antonio Brown, 5-68
What It All Means: The CMU defense was going to let Tyler Sheehan bomb all day, but there weren’t a lot of deep passes and the D was in command in the second half. Dan LeFevour continues to put a stranglehold on MAC Player of the Year honors with yet another impressive performance, but it would be nice if he got a little more rushing help. On a seven-game winning streak, the team is steamrolling toward the MAC title, but first, a statement game at Boston College to see just how good the team really is. 

Oct. 17
Central Michigan 34 … at Western Michigan 23
Tim Hiller threw 66 times for 410 yards and two touchdowns, but Central Michigan took control in the second quarter with Bryan Schroeder breaking a 13-13 tie with a 15-yard touchdown catch and a two-yard run. Dan LeFevour ran for a score and threw for two touchdowns with his nine-yard pass to Antonio Brown putting the game away. The two teams combined for 21 penalties.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan LB Nick Bellore made 12 tackles with 2 tackles for loss and an interception with a 50-yard return
Western Michigan: Passing: Tim Hiller, 40-66, 410 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon West, 21-96, Receiving: Robert Arnheim, 9-112
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 18-30, 238 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Antonio Brown, 8-100, Receiving: Bryan Anderson, 7-133 
What It All Means: CMU didn’t play its best game, and the defense struggled way too much, even though Matt Berning made 13 tackles and Nick Bellore 12, but the team got the win and took advantage of every break. The flurry at the end of the first half set the tone for the rest of the game, and while the secondary gave up a ton of yards, it didn’t break all that often. The 11 penalties were way too many, the 1-of-9 third conversions were a problem, and giving up 410 passing yards are a concern, but this was a huge win that should all but ensure the MAC West title without a major collapse. However, Tyler Sheehan, Freddie Barnes, and the Bowling Green passing game are up next.

Oct. 10
at Central Michigan 56 … Eastern Michigan 8
Dan LeFevour threw three touchdown passes and ran for three short scores in the ugly blowout. The Chippewas scored the first 49 points of the game, highlighted by a 70-yard Antonio Brown touchdown catch and a 75-yard punt return for a score. EMU finally got on the board in the fourth quarter with a one-yard Corey Welch touchdown run. CMU outgained EMU 521 yards to 255.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 16-of-22 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran 11 times for 44 yards and three scores.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Kyle McMahon, 8-14, 76 yds
Rushing: Corey Welch, 12-81, 1 TD, Receiving: Kinsman Thomas, 3-20
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 16-22, 318 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Bryan Schroeder, 10-57, Receiving: Kito Poblah, 5-126, 1 TD
What It All Means: Dan LeFevour is playing at a high level and CMU can’t be beaten with everything working. He’s running well, it on his game throwing it, and he’s using his weapon, Antonio Brown, and getting him the ball in places he can do something with it. The receivers are making plays after the catch, with LeFevour averaging 14.5 yards per throw. On a five-game winning streak, now it’s time to hit the road with three road games in a row and four of the next five.

Oct. 3
Central Michigan 20 … at Buffalo 13
In a game that was delayed midgame by a lightning storm, Dan LeFevour hit Bryan Anderson on an 11-yard touchdown pass and Antonio Brown for a 27-yard score on the way to a 20-10 lead. Brown also ran for a seven-yard score. Buffalo’s offense moved the ball, and got a 24-yard Naaman Roosevelt touchdown catch, but couldn’t get on the board in the fourth quarter.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 22-of-28 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, and he ran 21 times for 98 yards
Buffalo: Passing: Zach Maynard, 16-31, 210 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ike Nduka, 22-172, Receiving: Naaman Roosevelt, 6-114, 1 TD
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 22-28, 268 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 21-98, Receiving: Bryan Anderson, 8-95, 1 TD
What It All Means: Dan LeFevour set the MAC record for completions, breaking Byron Leftwich’s record, adding to the greatness of his tremendous career. The offense wasn’t humming against Buffalo, but LeFevour was on fire with the midrange passing game and he’s running again like the LeFevour of old. The run defense got rumbled over, but Nick Bellore made 15 tackles and had a decent game. This is part one of the tough road stretch with three more away from Mount Pleasant after next week’s layup against Eastern Michigan.

Sept. 26
at Central Michigan 48 … Akron 21
Dan LeFevour ran for 140 yards with two short second quarter touchdown runs, and he threw four touchdown passes with two to Antonio Brown as the Chippewas cruised to the win. CMU was up 20-0 before Matt Rodgers ran for a ten-yard score for the Zips. Rodgers would later add a one-yard scoring run, but Akron couldn’t keep up the pace. CMU outgained Akron 523 to 196.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 23-of-31 passes for 197 yards and four touchdowns with an interception, and he ran 19 times for 140 yards and two scores.
Akron: Passing: Matt Rodgers, 12-19, 127 yds
Rushing: Joe Tuzze, 12-62, 1 TD, Receiving: Jeremy LaFrance, 3-54
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 23-31, 197 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 19-140, 2 TD, Receiving: Antonio Brown, 9-89, 2 TD
What It All Means: This was the dominant statement CMU needed to make in the MAC opener. Dan LeFevour was back to being his old running self as he was in total command of the offense that ripped off 326 yards rushing and was never stopped when the game mattered. The run defense did a fantastic job while the back seven was great at getting off the field by making key third down stops. If CMU wasn’t the MAC favorite, it looked like it after this game. Up next are four road games in the next five, and now the veteran team has to try to maintain an even keel. 

Sept. 19
at Central Michigan 48 … Alcorn State 0
Dan LeFevour ran for two second quarter touchdown runs in the second quarter, Carl Volny ran for two short scores in the third, and Antonio Brown returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in the easy win. Alcorn State came up with just 36 yards rushing and committed nine penalties.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan RB Carl Volny ran 18 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Alcorn State: Passing: Tim Buckley, 7-16, 89 yds
Rushing: Walker, 13-26, Receiving: Ryan Singleton, 3-15
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 10-12, 92 yds
Rushing: Carl Volny 18-101, 2 TD, Receiving: Antonio Brown, 4-32
What It All Means: Coming off the Michigan State win, CMU was able to get the backups some good work with Carl Volny running well and Ryan Radcliff giving a glimpse of the future, stepping in at quarterback when the game was well in hand. The defense continues to improve, and while it was only Alcorn State, it was the type of performance that the much-maligned group needed going into the MAC opener against Akron. The team is playing as well as it has over the last few years, and now the offense should be humming on all cylinders when it’s trying again against the Zips.

Sept. 12
Central Michigan 29 ... at Michigan State 27
In a wild finish, CMU pulled within one on an 11-yard Paris Cotton touchdown catch with :32 to play. Instead of trying for overtime, the Chippewas went for two and missed as Antonio Brown caught the ball out of the end zone. CMU's onside kick was perfect leading to 47-yard field goal attempt to try to win the game. Andrew Aguila missed, but MSU was offsides. Aguila nailed the 42-yarder on his second shot and CMU had the upset. MSU got short touchdown passes from both Keith Nichol and Kirk Cousins, but CMU kept coming back with Dan LeFevour throwing three touchdown passes including two in the fourth quarter. In a losing cause, MSU LB Greg Jones came up with 15 tackles.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 33-of-46 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns with an interception, and he ran 13 times for ten yards.
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 33-46, 328 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Paris Cotton, 6-27, Receiving: Antonio Brown, 6-71, 1 TD
Michigan State: Passing: Kirk Cousins, 13-18, 164 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Caulton Ray, 16-51, 1 TD Receiving: Blair White, 7-105
What It All Means: The knock on Central Michigan was that it couldn't do much of anything on the road against decent non-conference team. There goes that. Dan LeFevour didn't run well, but he used his receiving corps perfectly and even with the misfire on the key late two-point conversion, he was nearly perfect in getting one of the biggest wins of his great career. After the clunker against Arizona, CMU proved it could play with a strong defensive performance against the Spartans while getting just enough big plays from the special teams, highlighted ba Andrew Aguila's big kick, to get the upset. Now the offense has to sharpen up against Alcorn State before diving into MAC play against Akron.

Sept. 5
at Arizona 19 ... Central Michigan 6
Alex Zendejas hit four field goals and Nic Grigsby added a three-yard touchdown run as Arizona slugged its way past Central Michigan. The supposedly high-octane Chippewa offense was held to 182 yards with Dan LeFevour getting the only score on a five-yard run in the fourth. The Wildcats held on to the ball for 37:45 including 10:44 in the first quarter and 10:04 in the fourth.
Player of the Game: Arizona RB Nic Grigsby ran 23 times for 118 yards and a score.
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 18-31, 108 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Antonio Brown, 3-31, Receiving: Kito Poblah, 6-47
Arizona: Passing: Matt Scott, 19-30, 202 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Nic Grigsby, 23-118, 1 TD, Receiving: Terrell Turner, 6-55
What It All Means: Central Michigan might have the best offense in the MAC and has the type of veteran firepower that should be cranking out 400 yards and 35 points per game without breathing hard. Arizona shut the attack down cold by swarming all over QB Dan LeFevour and not letting the great CMU receiving corps breathe. Matt Scott took a little bit to warm up as the Arizona starting QB, but he got the hang of things and kept the offense moving. Now the Cats have to turn all the field goal drives into touchdowns to match the defense's production.