The Chippewas (4-3 overall, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) recorded a number of big plays against the Bobcats Saturday, including the first play from scrimmage, to extend their winning streak to three games.
Central Michigan quarterback Kent Smith found tight end Jacob Brown wide open over the middle for a 50-yard pass play down to the Ohio University 30 yard line on the game's first play from scrimmage.
Three plays later, Smith found CMU wide receiver Justin Harper for a 10-yard scoring strike on a screen pass. And just like that, the Chippewas took a 7-0 lead 29 seconds into the contest.
"Obviously, getting off to a quick start was important for our football team," CMU head coach Brian Kelly said. "I think we proved today that we can beat you throwing the football."
Kelly said he felt getting off to a quick start and being able to throw the football were two of the three keys to the game. He noted the third key was the physical play of the CMU defense, led by defensive end Daniel Bazuin, who recorded six tackles including three QB sacks, and linebacker Thomas Keith, who tallied a team-high 14 tackles.
"Their quarterback felt the pressure today, we did a good job of collapsing the pocket," Bazuin said. "Teams haven't been able to move the ball against us very well. We are able to bend but not break."
The Bobcats (2-4 overall, 1-2 MAC) did score a touchdown on their first possession when quarterback Austen Everson found wide receiver Scott Mayle down the right sideline for a 38-yard TD pass, evening the score at 7-7 with 12:05 remaining in the first quarter. On the play, CMU's Isaac Brown applied a punishing hit to Everson just as he threw the ball.
The Chippewas built an insurmountable 16-point lead in the second quarter thanks to some more big plays.
Following an Ohio punt, CMU began a series at the Bobcat 44-yard line. On the first play, Smith lateraled the ball to Harper who lofted the ball down the right sideline to wide receiver Obed Cetoute who raced underneath the ball for a 41-yard reception down to the three.
"I thought Cetoute made a nice catch on that play," Kelly said.
The next play running back Ontario Sneed ran the final three yards for his eight TD of the year, giving the Chippewas a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish.
CMU added two more scores in a span of 1:22. Placekicker Rick Albreski booted a 28-yard field goal with 2:25 remaining in the half.
After forcing an Ohio punt, Damien Linson took the kick at his 28-yard line, faked once to his left, and raced 78 yards down the sideline for a touchdown and a 23-7 CMU lead at the half. It was Linson's second career punt return for a TD.
The Chippewas stretched their lead to 30-7 in the third quarter when Smith capped a four play, 44-yard drive with a four-yard TD scamper at the 5:10 mark.
Ohio added a 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, before CMU closed out the scoring on a 32-yard screen pass from Smith to Sneed.
"Central Michigan is a big, strong, athletic football team," Ohio head coach Frank Solich said. "Obviously, our defense didn't match-up very well."
Smith led the CMU offensive attack by completing 14-of-25 passes for 228 yards and two TDs, and rushing 10 times for 44 yards and a score. Sneed added 74 yards rushing on 17 carries and he caught three passes for 39 yards.
"Kent did a nice job today," Kelly said. "He had his best week of practice and I see him getting better each week."
Running back Kalvin McRae led the Bobcats option offense by rushing for 117 yards on 28 carries.
Saturday's game was the first of three straight at home for CMU. The Chippewas take next weekend off before hosting MAC West leader Toledo (Oct. 29) and Northern Illinois (Nov. 5) in successive weekends.
"We knew from the beginning of the season that the MAC West goes through Toledo and Northern Illinois," Kelly said.
Kickoff against the Rockets is set for 1 p.m. The game has been selected as the MAC Television Game of the Week and can be seen on FSN Ohio, Comcast Local, Comcast Sports Net Chicago, and Adelphia 13 in Buffalo.
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