CMU Falls to Indiana, 20-13, in Season Opener

Sept. 3, 2005

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University freshman tailback Ontario Sneed ran for 148 yards on 14 carries and scored on an 80-yard run, but Indiana claimed a 20-13 win in the 2005 football season opener on Friday night in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Sneed, who set a school record for most rushing yards by a freshman running back in CMU's first game of the season, scampered 80 yards off right tackle on the second play of the fourth quarter to pull the Chippewas (0-1) within a point, 14-13.

Indiana (1-0) scored the decisive touchdown just 1:04 after Sneed awoke the Kelly/Shorts crowd of 22,212. On third-and-10, Blake Powers hit Marcus Thigpen over the middle; Thigpen broke a tackle at midfield and raced 74 yards for the score. CMU's Isaac Brown blocked the point-after to keep the margin at 20-13 with 13:38 left.

After a scoreless first quarter, CMU freshman Rick Albreski hit a 30-yard field goal to put the Chippewas up 3-0 with 6:10 left in the half. A 68-yard catch-and-run from Kent Smith to Damien Linson set up the kick.

The Hoosiers, however, scored twice in the final 3:25 to take a 14-3 lead into the locker room. Powers hit James Hardy with 21-yard scoring toss, then connected with Matt O'Neal in the back of the end zone for a two-yard touchdown. Both Hardy and O'Neal's touchdown catches were the first of their careers.

Albreski accounted for the only points in the third quarter, booting a 39-yard field goal midway through the period.

CMU's Pacino Horne intercepted Powers in the end zone on the first play of the final quarter, and on the next snap Sneed sprinted 80 yards nearly untouched off right tackle. The Chippewas moved inside the Indiana 40-yard line on their next two possessions, but both times the Hoosier defense came up with a stop.

Kent Smith was 18-of-36 passing for 216 yards for CMU. He spread his 18 completions around to eight different receivers.

Ontario Sneed had the biggest freshman running back debut in school history against IU.

Defensively, Thomas Keith piled up a game-high 16 tackles (including 13 solo), while Daniel Bazuin filled the stat sheet with 10 tackles (nine solo), two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

Yamar Washington ran for 108 yards on 20 carries for IU, while Powers completed 17-of-35 passes for 276 yards and three scores. Hardy hauled in five passes for 107 yards.

The Chippewas open Mid-American play next weekend, traveling to Miami. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

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