Chippewas Run Away from Ohio on Homecoming, 37-10

Oct. 15, 2005

MOUNT PLEASANT - Senior quarterback Kent Smith threw for 228 yards and two scores as Central Michigan University downed Ohio, 37-10, on Homecoming weekend in Mount Pleasant.

The Chippewas (4-3 overall, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) extended their winning streak to three games, the longest since the 2002 squad opened the season with three straight wins. CMU's 3-1 start in conference play is the best since the 1998 team opened 4-1.

Saturday's game was the first of three straight at home. The Chippewas take next weekend off before closing the season with four straight games against MAC West Division opponents. Defending division champ Toledo visits Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Oct. 29 in a pivotal intra-division contest.

CMU set the tone early against Ohio on Saturday, as Kent Smith hit Jacob Brown over the middle for 50 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Three plays later, Justin Harper turned a screen pass into a 10-yard scoring play. Rick Albreski's point-after made it 7-0 just 29 seconds into the contest.

Ontario Sneed scored on this 32-yard pass play in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 27 points.

Ohio answered on its initial possession, as Austen Everson hit Scott Mayle for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Everson rolled right and withstood a punishing hit from Isaac Brown on the scoring play.

The Chippewas put 16 points on the board in the second quarter to take a 23-7 lead into the locker room.

Following an Ohio punt, CMU head coach Brian Kelly dipped into his bag of tricks. On first down from the Ohio 44-yard line, Smith lateraled to Harper, who pulled up and found Obed Cetoute for 41 yards down the right sideline. Ontario Sneed scored from three yards out on the next play to put the Chippewas in front.

CMU then scored twice in a span of 1:22. Rick Albreski converted a 28-yard field goal with 2:25 remaining in the half. The defense forced an Ohio punt on the ensuing possession, and Damien Linson returned the kick 78 yards for a score.

Thomas "Red" Keith was in on a team-high 14 tackles against the Bobcats.

The Chippewas stretched the lead to 30-7 midway through the third quarter on a four-yard run by Smith. A 27-yard run by Ontario Sneed and a 13-yard pass from Smith to Harper set up the score.

Matthew Miller converted a 26-yard field goal, the first of his career, early in the fourth quarter for Ohio, while Sneed scored on a 32-yard catch-and-run set the final margin at 37-10.

Smith finished 14-of-25 through the air for 228 yards and two scores. He also ran 10 times for 44 yards. Sneed carried 17 times for 74 yards and caught three passes for 39 yards.

Defensively, Thomas Keith was in on a game-high 14 tackles. He also collected his second interception of the season. Daniel Bazuin made six stops, including three sacks, forced a fumble and broke up a pass.

Head coach Brian Kelly met with Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal Larry Joe Campbell prior to the game. Campbell, a CMU alum, is known for his role as Andy on ABC's "According to Jim."

Kalvin McRae ran 29 times for 117 yards for Ohio, while Austen Everson and Brandon Jones combined to complete 12-of-36 passes for 101 yards.

CMU is off next weekend before hosting Toledo on Oct. 29. Kickoff against the Rockets is set for 1 p.m. The game has been selected as the MAC Television Game of the Week and can be seen on FSN Ohio, Comcast Local, Comcast Sports Net Chicago, and Adelphia 13 in Buffalo.

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