Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Southeast Missouri State
Smith, Linson, Lewis Power Chippewas
9/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 18, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT - A trio of relative newcomers led Central Michigan University to a 44-27 non-conference football win over Southeast Missouri State University here Saturday afternoon in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The win was the first at CMU for new head coach Brian Kelly who had 118 wins in 13 seasons at Grand Valley State University. The Chippewas are now 1-2 while SEMO falls to 0-3.
Junior quarterback Kent Smith, in the third start of his career, completed 17-of-31 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 29 yards and two more six-pointers.
"I was pleased with his ability to make some plays downfield," Kelly said. "He can do some things athletically and make some plays. If anyone throws for 300 yards in a game, that's a pretty good day."
Smith's favorite target was sophomore Damien Linson who caught six passes for 157 yards and one touchdown. Linson also returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown - the first Chippewa to do so since 1983 when Ted Hollern brought one back 70 yards against Northern Illinois.
"That does seem like a long time," Kelly said. "Damien wasn't even born then (Linson was born in 1985)." The third Chippewa with a banner day was junior tailback Spencer Lewis who filled in for the injured Jerry Seymour (hip). The battering Lewis, a 5-10, 224-pounder, posted a career-high 134 yards in 28 carries and scored once on a nine-yard run.
Damien Linson scored two touchdowns against SEMO -- a 32-yard reception and a 66-yard punt return.  | |
Prior to the SEMO contest, Lewis had gained 87 yards in 28 career carries across two seasons.
CMU jumped out to a 21-0 lead early in the second period and held a 28-13 lead at the half.
The Chippewas went up 34-13 early in third and held their largest lead of the game at 44-20 after Linson's punt return and a 25-yard field goal by Mike Gruzwalski.
Kelly was not pleased with the play of his defense.
"I didn't like the way the defense played," he said. "I felt we played harder against Indiana and Michigan State. We didn't have the same fire and attitude.
CMU is idle next week and will return to action at home on Saturday, Oct. 2, against Kent State at 1p.m.
GAME NOTES
*CMU linebacker James King blocked an Indian extra point, the 11th block of his career, in the second period.
*Mike Gruzwalski had his string of 52 straight extra points end when SEMO blocked his conversion attempt in the third period.
*Indian QB Andrew Goodenough completed 32-of-50 for 304 yards and three touchdowns; seven receptions were by Ray Goodson for 104 yards.
*CMU finished with 498 yards in total offense (a season high) to 391 for SEMO; the Indians rushed for just 87 yards in 30 tries.
