Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
1-3
North Dakota State
3-0
Chippewas Fall to North Dakota State, 44-14
9/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Roehl scored on runs of 5 yards, 33 yards and 4 yards in the second half as the Bison (3-0 overall), ranked fourth in this week’s Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) coaches poll, extended a 16-7 halftime lead to 37-14.
NDSU held the ball for more than 36 minutes, scored on six of its first eight offensive possessions and forced three Chippewa turnovers. Walker completed 13 consecutive passes at one point midway through the contest as the Bison won for the 16th time in their last 18 outings.
Dan LeFevour completed 25-of-40 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for CMU. He also led the Chippewas (1-3 overall) with 49 yards rushing.
Bibeau kicked field goals of 34 and 22 yards to cap two of NDSU’s first three drives. Midway through the second quarter, Shamen Washington returned a punt 39 times to set up the NDSU offense at the CMU 20-yard line. Three plays later, Walker tossed a 7-yard scoring pass to Jerimiah Wurzbacher that extended the Bison lead to 13-0.
Justin Hoskins carried five times for 24 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run, on the ensuing possession to pull CMU within 13-7 with 1:44 left in the half. Led by six consecutive completions by Walker, the Bison covered 60 yards in nine plays and Bibeau booted a 26-yard field goal with one second left in the opening half.
NDSU scored twice in a span of 2:32 early in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 30-7. Washington returned the opening kickoff of the second half 52 yards to the CMU 37-yard line. Pat Paschall scored on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line to cap a 7-play, 37-yard drive.
Ontario Sneed fumbled on the first play of CMU’s next possession, and the Bison responded with the first of Roehl’s three touchdown runs.
The CMU offense put together its best drive of the day when it returned to the field, cutting the deficit to 30-14. LeFevour completed 9-of-10 attempts for 60 yards on the march, including a 5-yard scoring toss to Antonio Brown.
CMU’s final four possessions ended in a punt, turnover on downs, interception and turnover on downs, respectively, while Roehl scored twice in the fourth quarter to put the game away for NDSU.
True freshman Nick Bellore finished with a career-high and game-high 16 tackles for CMU. Red Keith added 14 stops.
Joe Mays made 11 tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble for NDSU.
CMU returns to Mid-American Conference action next Saturday, hosting Northern Illinois at noon. ESPN Regional will televise the contest.
Team Stats
NDSU 3, CMU 0
NDSU - Shawn Bibeau 34 yd field goal 9 plays, 47 yards, TOP 4:32
NDSU 6, CMU 0
NDSU - Shawn Bibeau 22 yd field goal 10 plays, 42 yards, TOP 4:55
NDSU 13, CMU 0
NDSU - J. Wurzbacher 7 yd pass from Steve Walker (Shawn Bibeau kick) 3 plays, 20 yards, TOP 1:08
NDSU 13, CMU 7
CMU - HOSKINS, Justin 5 yd run (AGUILA, Andrew kick), 7 plays, 49 yards, TOP 2:36
NDSU 16, CMU 7
NDSU - Shawn Bibeau 26 yd field goal 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:43
NDSU 23, CMU 7
NDSU - Pat Paschall 1 yd run (Shawn Bibeau kick), 7 plays, 37 yards, TOP 3:56
NDSU 30, CMU 7
NDSU - Tyler Roehl 5 yd run (Shawn Bibeau kick), 6 plays, 53 yards, TOP 2:18
NDSU 30, CMU 14
CMU - BROWN, Antonio 5 yd pass from LeFEVOUR, Dan (AGUILA, Andrew kick) 12 plays, 55 yards, TOP 3:30
NDSU 37, CMU 14
NDSU - Tyler Roehl 33 yd run (Shawn Bibeau kick), 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 3:11
NDSU 44, CMU 14
NDSU - Tyler Roehl 4 yd run (Shawn Bibeau kick), 3 plays, 10 yards, TOP 1:28