Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Michigan State
Spartans Win, 35-21, Despite Fourth-quarter Surge By Chippewas
9/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2001
EAST LANSING - For the first time since the series began in 1991, Michigan State can say it leads the all-time football series against Central Michigan.
The Spartans won the fifth meeting, 35-21, Saturday in East Lansing before a sold-out crowd of 73,879. The win is MSU's third straight in the series after CMU shocked Michigan State in 1991 and '92.
"I was proud of the way we fought today," coach Mike DeBord said. "We didn't play perfect but we fought hard and that makes me proud."
After trailing 35-7 heading into the fourth quarter, a pair of MSU punts were blocked by freshman James King and returned for Chippewa touchdowns.
CMU got the ball back again with 5:21 remaining in the game but the Chippewas couldn't provide any more late-game magic.
"We are all about finishing and playing in the fourth quarter and this team believes in that," DeBord said. "We had opportunities to win the game and that's all we wanted." The Chippewas threatened to score first when Paul Savich hit a 45-yard field goal attempt. But, CMU received an illegal participation penalty and the infraction backed Central up to a 50-yard attempt. With 10:18 remaining in the first, Savich's second attempt was wide left.
MSU took over and drove 67 yards on a nine-play drive that ended on a nine-yard TD pass from Jeff Smoker to TE Chris Baker at 5:40.
The Chippewas evened the score just before the quarter when freshman King blocked his first MSU punt that was downed at the 18-yard line.
On CMU's first play, Derrick Vickers hit a wide-open TE Tory Humphrey who found pay dirt to even the score at 7-7. The score came with 38 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Each team turned it over before Michigan State took a 14-7 lead after driving 80 yards for a rushing TD by QB Jeff Smoker from three yards out.
The final four minutes of the half were trouble-filled for Central.
CMU fumbled on its next possession following the Spartan TD, giving MSU the ball back at the 28-yard line. On the first play, Ryan Van Dyke hit Little John Flowers for a one-play scoring drive with 2:51 remaining in the half for a 21-7 Spartan lead.
MSU added another score before the half when Van Dyke connected with Roderick Maples for a 53-yard TD pass with 27 seconds left. The final two scoring drives were one and three plays, respectively.
The Spartans held a 285 to 168 yard advantage in total offense in the first half while each team committed two turnovers.
"Those last three minutes in the second quarter hurt us," DeBord said. "If we could have went into the half at 14-10 or 14-7, I think we could have done something in the second half."
Michigan State continued its scoring flurry in the second half, posting points on the first drive. T.J. Duckett scampered for a 31-yard touchdown at the 11:37 mark of the third.
Central looked like it might score again after another King blocked punt gave CMU excellent field position. But, Savich missed a 31-yard field goal wide left with 5:31 remaining in the third.
The Chippewas were able to move the ball early in the fourth and just when they were getting close, a Vickers pass was deflected and picked off at the two-yard line.
State could then only move the ball 18 yards before it was forced to a fourth and nine situation.
That's when King blocked his third punt of the game and Joe Ballard picked it up and returned it 17 yards for a TD.
The three blocked punts set a school record and it was the first time a blocked punt was returned by a CMU player for a touchdown since Darren Leins did it against Kent State in 1994.
After a three-and-out series by MSU, King did his magic again blocking the next punt which was again returned for a touchdown, this time a 36-yard return by Omari Colen.
The four blocked punts tied an NCAA record set by Memphis' Ken Irvin versus Arkansas State in 1992.
CMU tried an onside kick but it was received cleanly by the Spartans. However, QB Jeff Smoker fumbled on second down giving CMU another chance.
The Chippewas started at their own 25 yard line and were able to move the ball to the 40 where a fourth-down pass by Vickers was broken up by Josh Thornhill.
Despite great field position, the Spartans couldn't move the ball either and QB Jeff Smoker was sacked on fourth down.
Central took over with 2:34 left in the game and was able to pick up a pair of first downs while moving into Spartan territory. CMU faced a third-and-14 situation but Vickers could not find an open receiver in CMU's desperation attempt.
"With the no huddle offense, it created a fast football game," MSU Bobby Williams said. "The game could have gone either way several times."
The Spartans gained 486 yards of total offense compared to 287 by CMU. MSU picked up 290 through the air and 196 on ground. Central managed 165 rushing and 122 passing.
Robbie Mixon was CMU's leading rusher with 16 carries for 72 yards. He also caught three passes for 39 yards. Mixon suffered a concussion just before the half and did not see action in the second.
Kenan Lawhorne rushed 10 times for 38 yards.
Vickers was 18-for-36 with two interceptions and one TD. He hit Rob Turner seven times for 19 yards and Humphrey four times for 50 yards and the one TD.
Duckett gained 120 yards on the ground for MSU with one TD.
Smoker completed 15-of-23 passes for 196 yards and one TD and Van Dyke was 3-for-6 for 94 yards and two TDs.
Charles Rogers made his Spartan debut by catching three passes for 72 yards.
Bryan Keim led Central on the defensive end for the second straight game with 16 unofficial tackles, including one sack. Darvin Lewis added 10 unofficial tackles.
CMU NOTES
CMU's Robbie Mixon was shaken up after taking a vicious hit just before the half. He rushed for 72 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 39 yards in the first half. He suffered a concussion and was out of uniform for the second half.
