Wide receiver JaCorey Sullivan paid homage to his teammate and fellow Muskegon native Andrew Ward on Saturday during the Chippewas' loss at Buffalo.
Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf
Chippewa Notebook: Get Back At It On Monday
10/27/2019 9:36:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Yes, Buffalo was good. Perhaps as good as any Mid-American Conference team the Chippewas have faced this season.
But the Chippewas did themselves no favors in Saturday's 43-20 loss before 14,850 at the Bulls' UB Stadium. CMU committed five turnovers, two of which, both fumbles, came in the first half and gave Buffalo possession at CMU's 22-yard line and at its 15.
Both ensuing drives ended in Buffalo touchdowns.
That set the tone as the Chippewas failed to get untracked in seeing their win streak end at three games.
The Chippewas are 5-4, 3-2 MAC and are tied with Western Michigan for second place in the West. Ball State, 3-1 league, leads the division. Western holds the tie-breaker over CMU as a result of the Broncos victory over the Chippewas in Kalamazoo on Sept. 28.
CMU has little time to lick its wounds and feel sorry for itself. If it is to remain in the hunt, it will have to refocus quickly for a battle with Northern Illinois (3-5, 2-2) on Saturday, Nov. 2 (noon). at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"We're right back at it," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "I want us to hurt, that's what I want us to do. I want us to hurt and not forget about that feeling.
"And then come back and start Monday; here we go, let's bury it, let's learn from it, and go get ready to play at home against another conference opponent."
Tribute by Number
CMU wide receiver JaCorey Sullivan wore jersey No. 43 in honor of teammate Andrew Ward, a linebacker who suffered a career-ending injury during the week leading up to the Buffalo game.
Sullivan, who normally wears No. 11, and Ward are both Muskegon natives, graduated from Muskegon High School in 2017, have been lifelong friends, and are now roommates.
"That's my brother," said Sullivan, who finished with seven receptions for a team-high 114 yards and a touchdown against the Bulls. "I know what he put into this game, how much he loved this game, how much he sacrificed and what it took to get here and I just wanted to show him that I love him, that I'm standing behind him."
The Numbers
The Chippewas entered the game averaging 187.5 yards per game on the ground. They were held to 73 by a Buffalo team that was first in the MAC and 13th in the nation in yards rushing allowed.
CMU quarterback Quinten Dormady completed 25 of 37 pass attempts for 272 yards and two TDs, but was intercepted twice and sacked four times. The Chippewas had not allowed a sack during their three-game win streak.
Big Plays Limited
The Chippewas had thrived on big plays during their three-game win streak, but could muster few on Saturday against the Bulls.
Their longest play from scrimmage was a 52-yard pass play from Dormady to Kalil Pimpleton, and their longest run play netted 13 yards.
Last Gasp
While the Chippewas struggled with turnovers, they still had a legitimate chance to remain in the game after the Dormady-to-Pimpleton pass play put them at the UB 27 and trailing 30-14 with about three minutes to play in the third quarter.
The Chippewas could only get as far as the Bulls 18 where they failed to convert on fourth-and-1.
Defense
Linebacker Troy Brown and safety Devonni Reed led the Chippewas with seven tackles apiece. CMU did not register a sack, but it did record seven tackles-for-loss, two of which came from Brown.
Kicking game
CMU's Brady Buell punted five times in the game for an average of 44.4 yards with a long of 53. One of his punts was downed inside the Buffalo 20-yard line.
Placekicker Ryan Tice did not attempt a field goal. He kicked off three times, averaging 52.3 yard per.
But the Chippewas did themselves no favors in Saturday's 43-20 loss before 14,850 at the Bulls' UB Stadium. CMU committed five turnovers, two of which, both fumbles, came in the first half and gave Buffalo possession at CMU's 22-yard line and at its 15.
Both ensuing drives ended in Buffalo touchdowns.
That set the tone as the Chippewas failed to get untracked in seeing their win streak end at three games.
The Chippewas are 5-4, 3-2 MAC and are tied with Western Michigan for second place in the West. Ball State, 3-1 league, leads the division. Western holds the tie-breaker over CMU as a result of the Broncos victory over the Chippewas in Kalamazoo on Sept. 28.
CMU has little time to lick its wounds and feel sorry for itself. If it is to remain in the hunt, it will have to refocus quickly for a battle with Northern Illinois (3-5, 2-2) on Saturday, Nov. 2 (noon). at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"We're right back at it," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "I want us to hurt, that's what I want us to do. I want us to hurt and not forget about that feeling.
"And then come back and start Monday; here we go, let's bury it, let's learn from it, and go get ready to play at home against another conference opponent."
Tribute by Number
CMU wide receiver JaCorey Sullivan wore jersey No. 43 in honor of teammate Andrew Ward, a linebacker who suffered a career-ending injury during the week leading up to the Buffalo game.
Sullivan, who normally wears No. 11, and Ward are both Muskegon natives, graduated from Muskegon High School in 2017, have been lifelong friends, and are now roommates.
"That's my brother," said Sullivan, who finished with seven receptions for a team-high 114 yards and a touchdown against the Bulls. "I know what he put into this game, how much he loved this game, how much he sacrificed and what it took to get here and I just wanted to show him that I love him, that I'm standing behind him."
The Numbers
The Chippewas entered the game averaging 187.5 yards per game on the ground. They were held to 73 by a Buffalo team that was first in the MAC and 13th in the nation in yards rushing allowed.
CMU quarterback Quinten Dormady completed 25 of 37 pass attempts for 272 yards and two TDs, but was intercepted twice and sacked four times. The Chippewas had not allowed a sack during their three-game win streak.
Big Plays Limited
The Chippewas had thrived on big plays during their three-game win streak, but could muster few on Saturday against the Bulls.
Their longest play from scrimmage was a 52-yard pass play from Dormady to Kalil Pimpleton, and their longest run play netted 13 yards.
Last Gasp
While the Chippewas struggled with turnovers, they still had a legitimate chance to remain in the game after the Dormady-to-Pimpleton pass play put them at the UB 27 and trailing 30-14 with about three minutes to play in the third quarter.
The Chippewas could only get as far as the Bulls 18 where they failed to convert on fourth-and-1.
Defense
Linebacker Troy Brown and safety Devonni Reed led the Chippewas with seven tackles apiece. CMU did not register a sack, but it did record seven tackles-for-loss, two of which came from Brown.
Kicking game
CMU's Brady Buell punted five times in the game for an average of 44.4 yards with a long of 53. One of his punts was downed inside the Buffalo 20-yard line.
Placekicker Ryan Tice did not attempt a field goal. He kicked off three times, averaging 52.3 yard per.
Players Mentioned
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