Central Michigan University
Eastern Kentucky
CMU Snags Come-From-Behind Win Over Eastern Kentucky
9/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 13, 2003
Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University launched one of the most incredible comebacks in Kelly/Shorts Stadium history here Saturday afternoon en route to a 42-41 non-league victory over Eastern Kentucky University.
The Chippewas trailed by a 34-14 margin with 2:22 remaining in the third period before rallying.
CMU scored three straight touchdowns to take a lead of 35-34 with 9:51 left only to have the visiting Colonels strike on an 80-yard pass to grab a 41-35 lead at the 9:38 mark.
Led by junior quarterback Jeff Perry, the Chippewas marched 75 yards in 15 plays to score with 17 seconds to play for the victory. Perry carried the final two yards around the right end and Mike Gruzwalski drilled the extra point for the final margin.
The win was the second straight come-from-behind triumph for the Chippewas after a 40-33 win a week ago over New Hampshire.
"If this is what it takes to win, we'll take it," said CMU head coach Mike DeBord. "We're glad to win any way we can."
CMU is now 2-1 for the season while EKU falls to 1-2.
The Colonels scored early and often in rolling to a 24-7 lead at the half. EKU booted a field goal to open the second half for a dominating 27-7 lead.
"The first half was disappointing," said DeBord. "I think we lacked the emotion we needed. We didn't have the juice at the start of the game and I don't know why.
"But, we were able to put the first half behind us and win the second half. This team showed the ability to finish. We just can't do this in every game."
The Chippewas open Mid-American Conference action next week with a game at Ball State University. It is he first of eight MAC outings for CMU.
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*The combined 83 points tied the Kelly/Shorts Stadium record first set in 1986 when CMU whipped Ohio, 56-27.
*EKU set the stadium record for total offense, finishing with 614 yards. The old mark of 595 was set by CMU against UNLV in 1994.
*CMU QB Jeff Perry completed 17-of-31 passes for 206 yards and a career-high three TD passes. He also caught a pass for 28 yards.
*EKU QB Matt Guice was 21-of-27 for 290 yards and a TD before leaving at the end of the third period with an injury.
*Chippewa freshman Jerry Seymour broke the 100-yard barrier for the second straight game, netting 116 yards in 25 cracks. The 5-6, 190-pounder nicknamed "Bam Bam" also scored twice.
*CMU WR Justin Harper had five catches for 46 yards and a TD on a seven-yarder from Perry. It was Harper's great catch on a fourth down pass that kept the game-winning drive alive.
*Willie Hill caught four passes for 93 yards for the Chippewas, one a 50-yard TD aerial from Perry. He also rushed twice for 12 yards.
*Redshirt frosh Orlando Walton had one of the biggest plays of the game when he returned an EKU interception 57 yards to prevent the visitors from taking a 28-0 lead late in the second quarter.
*Senior Steve Messam blocked an EKU punt in the fourth period that led to a 12-yard TD run by Seymour.
*EKU's Andre Ralston had eight catches for 211 yards and two scores.
