Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ohio
Ohio Runs Past Chippewas, 34-3
10/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 13, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Ohio's option offense was too much for Central Michigan as the Bobcats won, 34-3, on Saturday during Homecoming in Mount Pleasant. It was Ohio's first win on the season (1-4, 1-2 Mid-American) while Central falls to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the MAC.
Ohio was without its leading rusher, Chad Brinker, who was lost for the season earlier in the week when it was discovered he had a cyst on his brain.
The Bobcats still managed to move the ball on the ground, though, amassing 342 rushing yards which surpassed CMU's total offensive output of 316 yards.
Ray Huston took over in Brinker's place, carrying 11 times for a career-high 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Ohio jumped out to a 20-0 lead on the rainy afternoon when Stafford Owens broke several tackles on a 19 yard rushing TD on the Bobcats' second possession of the game. Ray Huston added a 56-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to go up 14-0.
Owens struck again early in the second quarter, this time catching a 27-yard pass from Dontrell Jackson.
The Chippewas lone score came with 3:04 remaining in the first half when Paul Savich connected on a 22-yard field goal. The Chippewas' scoring drive was 14 plays and went 70 yards.
CMU had a first and goal situation from the one yard-line on the drive but Terrence Jackson was stuffed twice Derrick Vickers couldn't find the end zone on CMU's third try.
Ohio added a pair of scores in the third quarter. Huston rushed in from 23 yards out and Jamel Patterson found the end zone untouched on a four-yard scamper with 25 seconds left in the frame.
Jackson rushed for over 100 yards for the second straight game for CMU. He carried 29 times for 126 yards. Allan Parks had five rushes for 37 yards late in the game.
Derrick Vickers was 16-for-25 for 105 yards and one interception. Kenan Lawhorne caught five passes for 10 yards and Rob Turner added four grabs for 45 yards.
Ohio only attempted eight passes in the game. Dontrell Jackson completed four of them for 94 yards and one TD. He hit four different receivers with one of them being Owens for the 27-yard score.
Central travels to Marshall next weekend, Oct. 20, to facing the Thundering Herd. MU is undefeated in conference play at 3-0.
Notes and Quotes
*Ohio's Ray Huston had two touchdowns on runs of 56 and 23 yards, respectively. The 56-yard TD scamper was the first of his collegiate career. He entered the game with 103 yards on the season and rushed 124 against Central.
*Stafford Owens of Ohio scored his first two TDs of the year. He rushed for 19 yards for his first TD and caught his second on a 27-yard toss.
*Punter Dave Zastudil of Ohio had a season-high of six kicks and averaged 55.0 for the game. He booted a 61-yarder for a career best this afternoon.
*Ohio's 20-3 halftime lead was the first time Ohio led going into the locker rooms after two quarters.
*Today's 34-3 Ohio win over Central Michigan is its first-ever win in Mount Pleasant.
*Central Michigan's Terrence Jackson ran for 126 yards on 29 carries against Ohio. It is his second straight 100-yard rushing game. His first 100-yard game was in Central's last outing at Buffalo.
Ohio Head Coach Brian Knorr:
"We had a team with high expectations this year and starting the season, we had a lot of adversity losing four straight. And, with the injury to Chad Brinker, it was nice to finally get a win."
"We showed great character today. Give a lot of credit to our offensive line and Stafford Owens did a great job of making defenders miss."
"CMU did some good things. It has great balance, good athletes and great coaching."
"With Chad Brinker being out, everyone picked up their play today and we showed a great team effort."
"Our defense did a good job of getting off the field quick and stopping the big play."
Central Michigan Head Coach Mike DeBord:
"Last year's game with Ohio, we got annihilated and never had a chance. This game showed how much we had progressed. We ran the ball well but our passing attack was terrible. We have made strides as a team but we were not able to operate as a total team and for us to beat a team like Ohio, we have to do that."
"It's a combination of not executing on our patterns, misreads by our quarterback, dropped balls by our receivers and our line allowing the quarterback to be sacked. You need your passing game to convert on third down and we were not able to do that today."
"Terrence Jackson has a great attitude. The offensive line loves blocking for him and he energizes our other runners. I think we have found a running back that will fit the style of play we a re looking for."
"I thought we were able to run the ball effectively throughout the game. But, our passing game hurt us in not being able to score. Being able to throw effectively in scoring and third-down situations is a key element of the game and we were not able to do that. Ohio is a good team, much better than it's record, and it showed that today. "
