Central Michigan University Athletics
CHIPPEWAS FALL TO NIU
2/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 16, 1999
Mount Pleasant, Mich. - Wide receiver Justin McCareins and the Northern Illinois University football team (3-4, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) spoiled Central Michigan University's (2-4 overall, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) Homecoming celebration with a 31-27 win on Saturday afternoon at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
McCareins had the Chippewas' number all day, making seven catches for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He scored the game winner with just 3:24 remaining in the game on a seven-yard catch from quarterback Chris Finlen. The touchdown gave NIU a 31-27 lead.
The Chippewas had taken a 27-24 lead just minutes earlier when David Hannah caught a 63-yard pass from Ira Gooch on a tailback option play with 7:23 to go.
CMU's Paul Savich started the scoring in the first quarter with a 38-yard field goal to give the Chippewas the early 3-0 lead but McCareins scored his first touchdown on the day minutes later on a 40-yard catch from Finlen to give NIU a 7-3 advantage. NIU rounded out the first quarter scoring with a 30-yard field goal from Kent Baker to take 10-3 lead.
Eric Flowers scored the only two touchdowns of the second quarter to give CMU a 17-10 halftime lead. His first score was a one-yard run while the other was a 23-yard scamper. Flowers had 129 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
NIU opened the second half with a two-yard touchdown run from William Andrews that tied the score at 17-17. Savich then hit his second field goal of the day, a 18-yarder that gave CMU a 20-17 lead going into the dramatic fourth quarter.
CMU quarterback Pete Shepherd was 11-31 for 144 yards and three interceptions while wide receiver Jammarl O'Neal had six receptions for 93 yards.
CMU is off next week and returns to action at Bowling Green on Oct. 30.
NOTES AND QUOTES
*Northern Illinois won its third straight game to improve to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the MAC. It was NIU's first win in Mount Pleasant since 1965.
*CMU redshirt freshman linebacker Darvin Lewis picked up his fourth interception on the season. The school record for interceptions by a linebacker is five by Ray Bentley in 1982.
*CMU tailback/receiver Ira Gooch tossed a 63-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. It was the first pass attempt of his career.
*NIU's 73-yard touchdown pass from Chris Finlen to Justin McCareins in the fourth quarter was the eighth longest pass play in Huskie history.
*CMU tailback Eric Flowers rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third multiple touchdown game of the season. He had four TDs a week ago at Buffalo. It was Flowers' 34th career touchdown which ties him for fourth place in the CMU record books along with Walt Hodges and Brian Pruitt.
*CMU split end David Hannah caught the first touchdown pass of his career, a 63-yarder from Ira Gooch. It was the first CMU TD reception in 1999 by someone other than Jammarl O'Neal.
Quoting CMU Coach Dick Flynn:
"Obviously this is a very tough loss for us. It boils down to them making more plays than us. We shot ourselves the foot with execution and penalties. Shutting down their rushing was something we had to do and we did. I felt we controlled the line of scrimmage very well. We'll talk about the rest of the season real soon. We're a young team there's still a lot for us to achieve. This week off may get us healed and ready for the rest of the season. People don't understand how young we are, especially on the offensive line. These young kids are doing some good things despite the circumstances."
Quoting NIU Coach Joe Novak:
"This is a new experience for me, coming out of Mount Pleasant with a win. Central is always well coached and always plays well. There's a lot we have to improve on, but a win like this definitely helps."
