Chippewas Fall To Rival Western Michigan

Saturday, October 20

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

3 P.M.

Central Michigan University

1-7 , 0-4

Western Michigan

6-2 , 4-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Western Michigan

Central Michigan

Photo by: Mary Lewandowski

10/20/2018 8:31:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

CMU commits three turnovers in dropping Victory Cannon

By: Andy Sneddon

Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – There were plenty of factors, plays, turns for the Central Michigan football team to point to on Saturday in the wake of its 35-10 loss at Kelly/Shorts Stadium to rival Western Michigan.

At the top of the list: self-destruction.

"We have to stop beating ourselves," fourth-year coach John Bonamego said after his team slipped to 1-7, 0-4 Mid-American Conference. "That's the most important thing."

The Chippewas turned the ball over three times, two of which led directly to Western touchdowns, and committed seven penalties for 59 yards in falling to their archrivals and ceding the Victory Cannon.

"Very disappointed, I feel bad for our seniors," Bonamego said. "We really wanted to send them out with a victory (against Western)."

The game was played under cold temperatures, a very strong northwesterly wind, and occasional rain, all of which played major factors in the game. Lightning caused a 33-minute delay early in the first quarter.

"The wind was a definite factor," Bonamego said. "It really limited us a lot. Not to discredit their defense any way, shape, or form (but) we felt like we matched up with their secondary and wanted to take some shots there. The elements prevented us from doing it the way we wanted to."

As expected under such conditions, the passing game was most affected. CMU quarterback Tommy Lazzaro completed just nine of 24 attempts for 104 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked three times. Western attempted just nine passes.

The Chippewas surrendered 305 yards on the ground to the MAC's top rushing team, fell behind early, and failed to capitalize when they had a chance to pull back within striking distance.

Levante Bellamy rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Jon Wassink ran for three scores to lead the Broncos, who won their sixth consecutive game in improving to 6-2, 4-0.

Western built a 21-0 halftime lead before the Chippewas got on the board on a 40-yard Ryan Tice field goal. Romello Ross, who led CMU with 69 yards rushing, scored on 4-yard run with under a minute to play in the third quarter to pull CMU to within 21-10.

CMU covered the ensuing onside kick, but was flagged for offsides on the play. That, and an interception minutes later that eventually turned into another Western touchdown, snuffed out the Chippewas' last chance to get back in the game.

"You gamble and take a risk (with the onside kick)," Bonamego said. "You try to steal a possession when you have the wind, try to get it down to a one-score game and then have to give it right back. It's frustrating to say the least.

"I really believe our biggest issue is (that we're) making it hard on ourselves. Pre-snap penalties are discipline things. We're not disciplined, and to me that's a reflection of me. I'm the head coach. It starts and ends with me. I'm going to be accountable for those things. That's just how I am, that's what I believe in. I'm going to continue to work and lead as best I can and try to get players to play as best they can."