Central Michigan University Athletics
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Western Michigan
Last-Second FG Gives Western Michigan a 20-17 Win
11/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Central Michigan tied the game at 17 with less than a minute remaining, but Western came back and drove 50 yards setting up a 24-yard field goal by Robert Menchinger as time expired.
Down 17-10, the Chippewas faced a fourth-and-three situation from the Bronos' seven-yard line when Derek Gorney rolled right and fired to an open Rob Turner in the end zone with 58 seconds left. Paul Savich tacked on the extra point to even the score and give CMU the momentum it hoped to take into overtime.
However, a 26-yard kickoff return by Anthony Turner gave the Broncos good starting position at their own 44. During the drive on a third-and-two situation, WMU QB Jon Drach was able to complete a three-yard pass to Benny Clark. Drach's throwing arm was pinned against his chest while he was being dragged down by a CMU defender and Drach made the throw with his left hand giving WMU a first down.
Western Michigan was able to drive to the six yard-line before calling time out to set up the last-second field goal.
The win improves Western Michigan to 5-5 overall, 4-3 in the MAC and 2-2 in the West Division. CMU falls to 3-7 overall, 2-6 in the MAC and 1-4 in the West.
The first half was a defensive battle with both teams struggling to score. The Broncos threatened in the first quarter when they drove all the way to the five-yard line, but a botched snap prevented a chip shot field goal attempt early.
In the closing minutes of the half, WMU went for it on fourth-and-one from their eight-yard line but was stuffed at the line by CMU. The Chippewas got the ball back but couldn't move it. On fourth down from their own 17-yard line, a Brian Brandt punt was blocked by Sam Reynolds and recovered in the end zone by Jason Babin with five seconds left in the half.
After WMU tacked on a 14-yard field goal late in the third quarter, CMU took its next possession 76 yards and scored on a 16-yard TD run by Kenan Lawhorne.
The Broncos pushed right back and added another TD on a one-yard plunge by Phillip Reed, extending the lead to 17-7.
CMU again responded after the Bronco score by driving into WMU territory for a 34-yard boot by Savich with 9:27 left in the game.
During CMU's game-tying drive, Jackson picked up 35 yards on the ground and Lawhorne added 10. The Chippewas were aided by a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. CMU's only pass on the drive was the TD to Turner.
The offensive numbers were as close as the final score.
Western Michigan held a slight edge in total offense with 337 yards compared to CMU's 325. The Chippewas gained 198 on the ground and 127 through the air. The Broncos picked up 170 on the ground and 167 via the air.
Terrence Jackson rushed 39 times for 153 yards. He eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the season becoming the first Chippewa back to do so since Eric Flowers in 1998. It was Jackson's seventh straight 100-yard game.
Kenan Lawhorne carried nine times for 47 yards, including a 16-yard TD.
Derek Gorney completed 16-of-29 passes for 127 yards and one TD. He was intercepted twice and sacked once.
Rob Turner caught seven passes for 82 yards and one score. Lawhorne had six grabs for 27 yards.
Reed rushed 30 times for 154 yards and one TD for WMU. Jon Drach was 14-for-28 passing for 167 yards.
Central Michigan closes the 2001 campaign next Saturday (Nov. 24) at Boise State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MST.
