Central Michigan University
4-4
Clemson
5-2
Chippewas Fall at Clemson, 70-14
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
CLEMSON, S.C. Cullen Harper completed 20-of-22 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns to lead Clemson to a 70-14 nonconference win over Central Michigan University on Saturday.
Clemson (5-2 overall) snapped a two-game losing streak with the win and halted the Chippewas’ winning streak at three games.
CMU (4-4) drove 68 yards with the opening kickoff and dented the end zone when Dan LeFevour connected with Duane Brooks on a 9-yard scoring toss. The Chippewas converted a pair of third downs on the drive; Gardner made a diving catch for 14 yards on third-and-10 and Antonio Brown made a 6-yard reception along the sideline on third-and-5.
Clemson moved to the CMU 34-yard line on its opening possession before Josh Gordy intercepted a Cullen Harper pass in the end zone for a touchback.
The Chippewas were forced to punt, however, and Clemson answered by covering 83 yards on 15 plays to even the score. James Davis scored on a 1-yard to cap a drive that lasted just over seven minutes.
CMU picked up just two first downs on its next five drives, while Harper threw touchdown passes on Clemson’s final four possessions of the half to send the Tigers into the locker room in front 35-7.
The CMU defense forced Clemson to punt to open the second half, but the punt bounced off of Matt Berning and was recovered by Clemson at the 1-yard line. C.J. Spiller scored on the first play to extend Clemson’s lead to 42-7.
LeFevour hooked up with Brooks on a 4-yard scoring toss on CMU’s next possession. A 28-yard completion to Justin Hoskins on third-and-7 and a 12-yard throw to Antonio Brown on third-and-6 extended the drive.
Jacoby Ford returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards to the CMU 15-yard line, setting up a 1-yard scoring run by Davis. The Chippewas fumbled the kickoff, and five plays later Harper found Ford for an 8-yard score. Sadat Chambers added a 63-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter for the Tigers.
LeFevour completed 20-of-35 pass attempts for 204 yards and a pair of TDs. Brown had six catches for 40 yards and Brooks five grabs for a team-high 49 yards and two scores. Carl Volny rushed 10 times for 36 yards and LeFevour carried five times for 31 yards.
Red Keith tallied a team-high 10 tackles to lead the Chippewas.
CMU plays the second of three straight on the road next weekend when it visits Kent State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
CMU 7, CU 0
CMU - BROOKS, Duane 9 yd pass from LeFEVOUR, Dan (AGUILA, Andrew kick) 13 plays, 68 yards, TOP 3:36
CMU 7, CU 7
CU - Davis, J 1 yd run (Buchholz, M kick), 15 plays, 83 yards, TOP 7:06
CMU 7, CU 14
CU - Kelly, A 63 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick) 3 plays, 69 yards, TOP 1:23
CMU 7, CU 21
CU - Ford, J 36 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick) 6 plays, 76 yards, TOP 1:22
CMU 7, CU 28
CU - Davis, J 11 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:32
CMU 7, CU 35
CU - Kelly, A 5 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick) 5 plays, 63 yards, TOP 0:37
CMU 7, CU 42
CU - Spiller, C 1 yd run (Buchholz, M kick), 1 plays, 1 yards, TOP 0:04
CMU 14, CU 42
CMU - BROOKS, Duane 4 yd pass from LeFEVOUR, Dan (AGUILA, Andrew kick) 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:52
CMU 14, CU 49
CU - Davis, J 1 yd run (Buchholz, M kick), 4 plays, 15 yards, TOP 1:40
CMU 14, CU 56
CU - Ford, J 8 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick) 5 plays, 32 yards, TOP 1:54
CMU 14, CU 63
CU - Chambers, S 63 yd run (Buchholz, M kick), 4 plays, 76 yards, TOP 1:59
CMU 14, CU 70
CU - Dye, X 0 yd fumble recovery (Jackson, Ri kick)