Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Wyoming
Football Starts 2-0, Tops Wyoming, 32-20
9/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University quarterback Derrick Vickers completed a school-record 28 passes as CMU defeated the visiting Wyoming Cowboys, 32-20, here Saturday afternoon.
The Chippewas open the season 2-0 for the first time since 1986.
CMU rolled to 529 yards of total offense while the Chippewas held the high-powered Wyoming attack to 354 yards, 290 of them coming through the air.
Vickers completed 28-of-39 passes for a career-high 361 yards and two TDs. He threw to nine different receivers.
Robbie Mixon rushed for 150 yards and one TD, and Rob Turner had seven catches for 90 yards to lead CMU's offense.
Central Michigan University took advantage of a Wyoming fumble of the first drive of the game and drove 64 yards for a touchdown, a four-yard run by Mixon. CMU tacked on a Mike Gruzwalski field goal on the Chippewas' next drive for a 10-0 lead.
Gruzwalski nailed four field goals on the day, tying a school record held by five others. He hit from 40, 29, 19 and 26 yards.
Wyoming came back to take a 13-10 lead following a 17-yard TD pass from Casey Bramlet to Scottie Vines and another 29-yard Bramlet strike to Brock Ralph. CMU's James King partially blocked the point after attempt on the first score and the kick was no good.
The Chippewas tied the score with 3:15 left in the half on Gruzwalski's second three-pointer of the game.
Gruzwalski added two more field goals in the third and Vickers hit Tory Humphrey on an 18-yard TD pass with 53 seconds left in the quarter to give CMU a 13-point cushion.
That cushion didn't last for long as Wyoming needed just one play to score, a 67-yard pass from Bramlet to Malcom Floyd.
CMU used a ball control offense in the fourth quarter to take time off the clock. The Chippewas held on to the ball for 11:47 of the fourth quarter and added a late score, a four-yard Vickers pass to Humphrey, to seal the victory.
Bramlet threw for 290 yards and three Cowboy TDs. Wyoming gained just 64 yards rushing with Derek Armah picking up 46 of them on eight carries. Dustin Pleasant was Bramlet's favorite target, catching five passes for 69 yards.
Central Michigan University shoots for its third straight win in its Mid-American Conference opener next week at Akron.
Central Michigan University Notes:
*Adam Supianoski carried for his first career rush
*Anthony Tyus had his first career kickoff return
*Mike Gruzwalski had his first career field goal. He had four in the game, one shy of the stadium record. The four field goals in one game ties Gruzwalski with five other CMU kickers for the school record.
*CMU was 6-for-6 in the red zone. It had four field goals and two TDs, one which was a pass.
*Tory Humphrey had two TD receptions, a career high for Humphrey.
*With the 32-20 win over Wyoming, Central Michigan University starts 2-0 for the first time since 1986.
*CMU QB Derrick Vickers threw for 361 yards on 28-of-39 throwing. The 361 yards is a career high. He set the school record for completions in a game and his passing yards were good enough for fourth in the CMU record book.
Wyoming Notes:
*Wyoming suffered its 10th consecutive loss today, dating back to a Sept. 29, 2001 loss to Colorado State
*Wyoming wide receiver Malcom Floyd caught a pass in his 21st consecutive game today, including one reception that went for a 67-yard touchdown.
*Freshman wide receiver Dustin Pleasant caught his first career pass today, ending the day with five catches for 69 yards
*Derek Armah played in his first game of the season, and led Wyoming with 46 yards rushing.
*Injuries (All injuries will be re-evaluated next week to determine status for next week's Boise State game) Place-kicker J.D. Wallum suffered torn cartilage in his left (non-kicking leg) as he made a tackle on a kickoff Cornerback Gary Wright suffered a fracture in his right foot Linebacker Tyler Gottschalk suffered a leg contusion to his lower right leg in the second half and didn't return
"It doesn't get this hot Laramie. It got especially warm with the turf field. The temperature was something that was not a positive for us."
"Two years of experience for CMU's running back and quarterback has helped the team improve a lot. On defense, it has changed dramatically and showed great improvement."
"Central got more pressure on our quarterback than we thought they should and Casey Bramlet looked like a deer in headlights."
"We had to get away from our running game because it was not as effective as we needed it be."
Central Michigan University head coach: Mike DeBord
"We have a focused and committed team right now and I think that is one of the main reason for our success. After our win last week, I was worrried that we might get soft in preparation for this game. But, we had no let down. I happy with our players and assistant coaches. They stayed with it and even though we have a long way to go, this is a great start for us."
"Our offense has stalled in the fourth quarter, but, today the kids stayed focused and committed to finishing the game and we were able to put together a great drive to put the game away. We had some players step up down the stretch and make plays to keep the drive alive and give us this victory."
"I made the decision at halftime to be more aggressive and throw the ball down the field. Derrick Vickers did a great job comming out in the second half and staying focused to help move the offense. Derrick did a great job executing the offense today and when he makes smart plays, we are a better football team."
