Offense Tops Defense, 42-32, in Spring Game

MOUNT PLEASANT - Joe Bockheim caught two touchdown passes to lead the offense to a 42-32 win over the defense in front of a crowd of 7,107 in Central Michigan University's spring football game Saturday night.

The scrimmage utilized a modified scoring system that allowed the offense to gain a point for each first down and the defense to score points by forcing punts, stopping the offense on downs, sacking the quarterback and creating turnovers.

The defense forced four punts and stopped the offense on downs on the game’s first five possessions before the offense broke through. On a play called by a fan in the stands, Jemmy Jasmin took a reverse and tossed a 45-yard scoring pass to a wide-open Joe Bockheim.

Jonathan Mills added the point-after to stretch the offense’s lead to 20-6.

After a three-and-out on the next possession, Brian Brunner connected with Bockheim up the sideline for a 21-yard score. Brett Hartmann added the point-after to make the score 29-8.

The defense tallied a sack and a three-and-out to cut the score to 29-12 on the next possession, but the offense tallied two first downs and Hartmann banged a 45-yard field goal just before halftime to send the offense into the locker room in front 34-12.

Hartmann also converted a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter that stretched the offense’s lead to 40-22.

Brunner finished 17-of-24 passing for 177 yards and a score, while Dan LeFevour was 13-of-21 for 116 yards. Jasmin completed a second reverse pass later in the scrimmage and finished 2-of-2 for 88 yards.

Jasmin finished with seven catches for 44 yards, while Duane Brooks caught five passes for 69 yards. Bockheim finished with three catches for 89 yards and two scores.

Carl Volny was the game’s leading rusher, tallying 25 yards on five carries.

The spring game completes the spring practice season for Central Michigan. The Chippewas open the 2007 season at Kansas on Sept. 1.