Central Michigan University
Indiana
Central Michigan Falls To Indiana 41-10
9/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Central Michigan University couldn't overcome poor play on special teams and Indiana University's incredible third-down proficiency here Saturday in dropping a 41-10 football decision.
"We gave great effort and I'm proud of that,:" said CMU head coach Brian Kelly. "But, we did not come here just to give great effort. Our special teams were horrible and we couldn't get the defense off the field."
IU converted 11-of-14 third downs and took advantage of two CMU interceptions.
The Chippewas finished with 389 yards in total offense to 334 for the Hoosiers but because of poor play on special teams Indiana had to go much shorter distances to score.
"The bottom line is that we just didn't execute," said Kelly. "Every other play someone broke down. Give Indiana credit, too. It made a lot of great plays on third downs."
Kelly pointed to the 96-yard interception return for a TD in the third period that killed a CMU drive and gave the Hoosiers a 27-3 lead as the final blow.
"I think that one just took the wind out of our sails," Kelly said. "But, I didn't see one guy quit out there. They still wanted to get bit done but just don't know how yet.
"This team is a work in progress. We have a lot of work to do."
The Hoosiers jumped out to a 6-0 lead with 8:53 to play in the initial period on a five-yard run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Indiana took advantage of an intercepted pass to move 16 yards on five plays to grab the quick advantage.
CMU came right back on its next possession to march 53 yards in six plays to score on a 29-yard field goal by Mike Gruzwalski that hit the left upright and caromed through.
The Hoosiers returned a Chippewa punt to the CMU 40 early in the second period to set up their next score. Chris Taylor capped a 40-yard drive in nine plays with a one-yard plunge to make it 13-3 with 10:50 to go in the first half.
Indiana capped the first half scoring with 1:41 to play before intermission when QB Matt LoVecchio teamed with Travis Haney on a 46-yard scoring play to give IU a 20-3 lead.
The Chippewas opened the second half with an impressive drive deep into IU territory only to have Tracy Porter step in front of a CMU aerial and return it 96 yards for a Hoosier TD to make it 27-3 with 8:01 remaining.
On Indiana's first possession of the second half, LoVecchio capped a 51-yard scoring drive with a one-yard sneak with 13:44 remaining in the game to up the Hoosier lead to 34-3.
IU scored on its next possession, as well, rolling 50 yards in 10 plays, Yamar Washington diving the final one yard for a 41-3 lead with 7:05 to go.
CMU returns to action at Michigan State next Saturday at noon.
*** *** *** *** *** Jerry Seymour broke the 100-yard barrier for the sixth straight game, rushing 21 times for 111 yards. He also caught six passes for 62 yards.
"Jerry is the lone playmaker we have right now," said Kelly. "People are not going to let him run the ball. We're going to have to find other playmakers and establish a passing game.
*** *** *** *** *** Senior Grant Arnoldink started and completed 13-of-26 passes for 127 yards. However, he had two passes intercepted.
Junior Kent Smith finished the game and went 10-of-17 for 148 yards and a nine-yard TD pass to Troy Peyerk.
Kelly indicated that Arnoldink and Smith would resume their battle for the starting job next week in practice.
*** *** *** *** *** LoVecchio completed nine-of-14 passes for 121 yards while Green-Ellis was the top rusher with 97 yards in 28 tries.
