Football vs. Ohio Notebook
10/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 4, 2014 By Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Thomas Rawls and Titus Davis combined to do much of the damage offensively for the Chippewas Saturday in their 28-10 victory over Ohio.
Rawls carried 40 times for 229 yards, while Davis caught 10 passes for 181 yards. They scored two touchdowns apiece.
Rawls' attempts and yards were both career highs, and Davis' 10 catches matched his career best.
Rawls' 229 yards are the most by a MAC ball carrier in a game this season, and Davis' 181 yards receiving are also tops in the league in 2014.
It was Rawls' third game in which he rushed for at least 100 yards and he leads the league in both rushing yards per game (142.5) and in all-purpose yards per game (161.8).
His two touchdowns on Saturday brought his season total to seven, giving him an average of 10.5 points per game, which ties him for second in the conference.
Davis, who missed three games this season because of injury, now has 3,040 career receiving yards, good for fourth on CMU's all-time list. His effort against Ohio moved him past Bryan Schorman, who finished his career in 1998 with 2,968 yards.
Third on that list is Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown, who amassed 3,199 yards from 2007-09.
Davis' two TD receptions brought his career total to 26, two shy of all-time leader Bryan Anderson (2006-09). He is second in the MAC with 106.7 yards receiving per game.
Dominant Defense
Sometimes, a team's best defense is its offense.
It helps when the defense itself is pretty stout, too.
One week after surrendering 543 yards and 42 points in a loss at Toledo, Central Michigan's defense flexed its muscle in holding Ohio to 187 yards in a 28-10 win Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Bobcats' 10 points were a season-low for a CMU opponent.
"It was a big motivator," CMU safety Tony Annese said of the Chippewas' defensive performance against Toledo. "Last week, we didn't play well on defense and this week we came out ready to go."
The Chippewas forced Ohio into three-and-out on the Bobcats' first two possessions while the CMU offense built a 14-0 lead by putting together 77- and 68-yard scoring drives.
"Whenever you make someone go three-and-out back-to-back, it gives you a little confidence," said CMU defensive end Blake Serpa, who made a team-high four solo tackles including two sacks. "Especially when the offense is rolling too, it makes it a lot easier."
CMU limited Ohio to 24 total yards in the first half and just two first downs. The lone blemish was an Ohio field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the half which was set up by a CMU fumble that was returned by Ohio to the Chippewas' 5-yard line.
The Bobcats netted minus-2 yards on three consecutive run plays and were forced to settle for the field goal. CMU led at the half, 14-3.
"To hold them to three there, that was huge for us to do that," CMU coach Dan Enos said. "They got some plays in the second half, but the defense was outstanding, the key to the game. You hold a team to 10 points, you're going to win a lot of games.
"They (the defense) played a great game. They were resilient, tough."
Ohio finished with 187 yards in total offense, 95 of it coming on two plays during a fourth-quarter scoring drive. The Bobcats managed just eight first downs. Their passing yardage (98), rushing yardage (89) and first down total were season-lows for a CMU opponent.
The key now, Enos said, is for the Chippewas to match that effort next week when they go to Northern Illinois, which is 4-1 overall, 1-0 MAC after a 17-14 win over Kent State on Saturday.
The Huskies are averaging a MAC-best 256 yards per game on the ground.
"I always tell the kids, `Don't walk around campus and take a complacency pill now,'" Enos said. "Everybody's going to tell you, `Hey defense looked good, defense looked good.' Just keep that focus and that drive."
Part of CMU's defensive success can be traced to the success of its offense. The Chippewas dominated time of possession, holding the ball for more than 42 minutes, while Ohio had it for just under 18 minutes. The Chippewas ran 79 plays to Ohio's 44.
Central Michigan ranks second in the MAC in total defense (357.5 yards per game) and in pass defense (199.5), and fourth in rushing defense (158).
Chris Kantzavelos had CMU's other sack of Ohio quarterback JD Sprague. The Chippewas recorded five tackles-for-a-loss in the game. Besides the sacks, the others came from Jabari Dean and Leterrius Walton.
Third-down success
The Chippewas offense converted 13 of their 17 third downs against the Bobcats, while the CMU defense held Ohio to 3-of-12. The Chippewas stopped Ohio on its first eight third-down tries.
"Explosive plays on offense and third-down conversions are the key to any football game," Enos said. "Offenses aren't good enough to just continually get four and five yards a play and move the ball down the field. That's a known fact, it's just the way football has always been."
Chapman makes debut
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Mark Chapman made his Central Michigan debut against the Bobcats, catching one pass for nine yards in the first quarter.
Chapman was injured early in fall practice and had not played until Saturday's game. He is the brother of CMU senior defensive back Jarret Chapman and the cousin of another Chippewa DB, sophomore Winslow Chapman.
Mark Chapman was named the 2012 Michigan Gatorade High School Player of the Year at Port Huron High School.
Wilson sidelined
Senior Dennis Nalor drew the start at cornerback for the Chippewas in place of senior Jason Wilson, who sat out with an injury.
Wilson was injured but played in last week's loss at Toledo.
Nalor made three tackles, including two solos.
Eavey remains perfect
Central Michigan placekicker Brian Eavey was a perfect four-for-four on his extra-point attempts. He is now 14-for-14 on PATs this season.
CMU punter Ron Coluzzi averaged 31.8 yards on his four punts, more than 10 yards below his season average (41.9).
But accuracy, not distance, was Coluzzi's goal on most of his punts, something akin to a golfer hitting a pitching wedge rather than the driver.
Coluzzi punted from inside Ohio territory three times, and two of those punts were downed or fair caught inside the Bobcats' 20-yard line. The other went for a touchback.
Coluzzi's one punt where he could really "swing it" - which came from CMU's 37-yard line - covered 39 yards.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Thomas Rawls and Titus Davis combined to do much of the damage offensively for the Chippewas Saturday in their 28-10 victory over Ohio.
Rawls carried 40 times for 229 yards, while Davis caught 10 passes for 181 yards. They scored two touchdowns apiece.
Rawls' attempts and yards were both career highs, and Davis' 10 catches matched his career best.
Rawls' 229 yards are the most by a MAC ball carrier in a game this season, and Davis' 181 yards receiving are also tops in the league in 2014.
It was Rawls' third game in which he rushed for at least 100 yards and he leads the league in both rushing yards per game (142.5) and in all-purpose yards per game (161.8).
His two touchdowns on Saturday brought his season total to seven, giving him an average of 10.5 points per game, which ties him for second in the conference.
Davis, who missed three games this season because of injury, now has 3,040 career receiving yards, good for fourth on CMU's all-time list. His effort against Ohio moved him past Bryan Schorman, who finished his career in 1998 with 2,968 yards.
Third on that list is Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown, who amassed 3,199 yards from 2007-09.
Davis' two TD receptions brought his career total to 26, two shy of all-time leader Bryan Anderson (2006-09). He is second in the MAC with 106.7 yards receiving per game.
Dominant Defense
Sometimes, a team's best defense is its offense.
It helps when the defense itself is pretty stout, too.
One week after surrendering 543 yards and 42 points in a loss at Toledo, Central Michigan's defense flexed its muscle in holding Ohio to 187 yards in a 28-10 win Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Bobcats' 10 points were a season-low for a CMU opponent.
"It was a big motivator," CMU safety Tony Annese said of the Chippewas' defensive performance against Toledo. "Last week, we didn't play well on defense and this week we came out ready to go."
The Chippewas forced Ohio into three-and-out on the Bobcats' first two possessions while the CMU offense built a 14-0 lead by putting together 77- and 68-yard scoring drives.
"Whenever you make someone go three-and-out back-to-back, it gives you a little confidence," said CMU defensive end Blake Serpa, who made a team-high four solo tackles including two sacks. "Especially when the offense is rolling too, it makes it a lot easier."
CMU limited Ohio to 24 total yards in the first half and just two first downs. The lone blemish was an Ohio field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the half which was set up by a CMU fumble that was returned by Ohio to the Chippewas' 5-yard line.
The Bobcats netted minus-2 yards on three consecutive run plays and were forced to settle for the field goal. CMU led at the half, 14-3.
"To hold them to three there, that was huge for us to do that," CMU coach Dan Enos said. "They got some plays in the second half, but the defense was outstanding, the key to the game. You hold a team to 10 points, you're going to win a lot of games.
"They (the defense) played a great game. They were resilient, tough."
Ohio finished with 187 yards in total offense, 95 of it coming on two plays during a fourth-quarter scoring drive. The Bobcats managed just eight first downs. Their passing yardage (98), rushing yardage (89) and first down total were season-lows for a CMU opponent.
The key now, Enos said, is for the Chippewas to match that effort next week when they go to Northern Illinois, which is 4-1 overall, 1-0 MAC after a 17-14 win over Kent State on Saturday.
The Huskies are averaging a MAC-best 256 yards per game on the ground.
"I always tell the kids, `Don't walk around campus and take a complacency pill now,'" Enos said. "Everybody's going to tell you, `Hey defense looked good, defense looked good.' Just keep that focus and that drive."
Part of CMU's defensive success can be traced to the success of its offense. The Chippewas dominated time of possession, holding the ball for more than 42 minutes, while Ohio had it for just under 18 minutes. The Chippewas ran 79 plays to Ohio's 44.
Central Michigan ranks second in the MAC in total defense (357.5 yards per game) and in pass defense (199.5), and fourth in rushing defense (158).
Chris Kantzavelos had CMU's other sack of Ohio quarterback JD Sprague. The Chippewas recorded five tackles-for-a-loss in the game. Besides the sacks, the others came from Jabari Dean and Leterrius Walton.
Third-down success
The Chippewas offense converted 13 of their 17 third downs against the Bobcats, while the CMU defense held Ohio to 3-of-12. The Chippewas stopped Ohio on its first eight third-down tries.
"Explosive plays on offense and third-down conversions are the key to any football game," Enos said. "Offenses aren't good enough to just continually get four and five yards a play and move the ball down the field. That's a known fact, it's just the way football has always been."
Chapman makes debut
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Mark Chapman made his Central Michigan debut against the Bobcats, catching one pass for nine yards in the first quarter.
Chapman was injured early in fall practice and had not played until Saturday's game. He is the brother of CMU senior defensive back Jarret Chapman and the cousin of another Chippewa DB, sophomore Winslow Chapman.
Mark Chapman was named the 2012 Michigan Gatorade High School Player of the Year at Port Huron High School.
Wilson sidelined
Senior Dennis Nalor drew the start at cornerback for the Chippewas in place of senior Jason Wilson, who sat out with an injury.
Wilson was injured but played in last week's loss at Toledo.
Nalor made three tackles, including two solos.
Eavey remains perfect
Central Michigan placekicker Brian Eavey was a perfect four-for-four on his extra-point attempts. He is now 14-for-14 on PATs this season.
CMU punter Ron Coluzzi averaged 31.8 yards on his four punts, more than 10 yards below his season average (41.9).
But accuracy, not distance, was Coluzzi's goal on most of his punts, something akin to a golfer hitting a pitching wedge rather than the driver.
Coluzzi punted from inside Ohio territory three times, and two of those punts were downed or fair caught inside the Bobcats' 20-yard line. The other went for a touchback.
Coluzzi's one punt where he could really "swing it" - which came from CMU's 37-yard line - covered 39 yards.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
K
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ Football
K
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DB
/ Football9.12.25 - Football Insider
Friday, September 12
Jordan Kwiatkowski Post-Game Press Conference at Pitt
Saturday, September 06
Joe Labas Post-Game Press Conference at Pitt
Saturday, September 06
Matt Drinkall Post-Game Press Conference at Pitt
Saturday, September 06