Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU cornerback Donte Kent (19) breaks up a pass during the fourth quarter on Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Football Notebook: Defense Sets The Table In Comeback Victory
9/25/2021 6:54:00 PM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Certainly, backup quarterback Daniel Richardson and the Central Michigan offense deserve all the accolades that will come their way after Saturday's 31-27 comeback win over Florida International at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The Chippewa defense deserves props as well.
CMU's defense slammed the door on a dangerous FIU passing attack in the fourth quarter and then came up big on the game's final drive as the Chippewas secured the dramatic victory.
"Hat's off to those guys for getting them stopped," CMU coach Jim McElwain said of his defense. "I'm proud of our kids, I'm happy for our kids."
FIU quarterback Max Bortenschlager threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns, hitting several big-yardage plays throughout the game.
But when the Chippewas most needed it, they came up with the stops in the fourth quarter, got off the field and then turned it over to a suddenly energized CMU offense.
"One of the most important things is you can't point fingers," said CMU defensive end Troy Hairston II, who had two sacks among three tackles-for-loss. "The game doesn't end 'til that clock strikes zero. Offense had our back; defense had their back."
FIU had the ball four times in the fourth quarter, and those four drives ended in two punts, a missed field goal and a game-ending interception by Donte Kent in the end zone as time expired.
The Panthers (1-3) began their final drive at their own 10-yard line with 1:11 left. They reached the Chippewa 18.
"We just looked at each other like, 'We've gotta go; this is where we're made,'" Hairston said. "There's no pressure; I'm not saying that in a cocky way at all. But we live for these moments. An opportunity to seal the game … we're going to lock it down in front of these fans. We all had trust and confidence in each other, and we couldn't wait for a moment like this."
Two FIU placekicks – one a miss, the other a block – played a major role in allowing CMU to eventually win the game.
The Chippewas' Devonni Reed blocked the extra point on a third-quarter FIU touchdown that left the Panthers in front, 20-10, and then the Panthers missed a 28-yard field goal attempt with just over four minutes remaining.
Had Reed not blocked the extra point in the third quarter, FIU could have tied the game with a field goal on its final possession and, at the CMU 18, they were well positioned for a field goal try as time ran down. As it was, however, they needed a TD and the CMU defense stiffened to secure the victory.
Leaders
Safety Alonzo McCoy led CMU with seven tackles, while fellow safety Gage Kreski and Kent, a cornerback, had six each.
While FIU found plenty of success through the air, CMU's defense held the Panthers to 42 yards rushing. It marked a season low for a Chippewa opponent.
Richardson's Big Day
The Chippewas needed a spark. Daniel Richardson delivered a blow torch.
Richardson, a redshirt freshman, came out of the bullpen in relief of starter Jacob Sirmon and finished with a career-high 276 yards on 16-of-23 passing. Nearly all of it came in the fourth quarter. His three TD tosses were also a career high.
It's doubtful that Richardson was wide-eyed. He started four games before his 2020 season was cut short by an injury. And he played in all three of the Chippewas' previous games this season, completing 12-of-23 passes for 161 yards and three TDs.
"D Rich has always been known as a playmaker," said wide receiver Dallas Dixon, whose 27-yard TD reception with 1:18 remaining put the Chippewas ahead for good. "Whether it's Sirmon in there or D Rich, we complete our assignments and we know that they'll do there's regardless. The confidence level is always there no matter who you put in."
Big Numbers
The Chippewas finished with 599 yards, 397 through the air and 202 on the ground. The total yardage and passing yards were both season highs.
Running back Lew Nichols III ran for 152 yards on 25 carries, while Dixon and Kalil Pimpleton both had eight catches. Dixon finished with 127 yards and two TDs, Pimpleton had 117 yards. The yardage totals are career highs for both Dixon and Pimpleton, and Dixon's eight catches were the most in his CMU career.
Nichols also had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, giving him 195 all-purpose yards. His 152 rushing yards marked the second-highest total of his career behind the 196 he posted against Eastern Michigan last season.
Long Drives
CMU's three fourth-quarter scoring drives covered 80, 76 and 80 yards. They are three of the four longest scoring drives of the season for CMU. The Chippewas' longest was an 86-yarder two weeks ago in a 45-0 win over Robert Morris.
Kicking Game
Chippewa punter Luke Elzinga punted five times for an average of 36 yards. One of his punts was blocked and returned for a touchdown.
Taking out the blocked punt, Elzinga averaged 45 yards on four punts with a long of 56 yards. Three of those punts were downed inside the FIU 20-yard line.
CMU's Josh Rolston kicked off six times for an average of 59 yards. Three of his kickoffs went for a touchback.
Next
The Chippewas open Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks are 1-3 after a 23-10 loss at Army on Saturday.
The Chippewa defense deserves props as well.
CMU's defense slammed the door on a dangerous FIU passing attack in the fourth quarter and then came up big on the game's final drive as the Chippewas secured the dramatic victory.
"Hat's off to those guys for getting them stopped," CMU coach Jim McElwain said of his defense. "I'm proud of our kids, I'm happy for our kids."
FIU quarterback Max Bortenschlager threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns, hitting several big-yardage plays throughout the game.
But when the Chippewas most needed it, they came up with the stops in the fourth quarter, got off the field and then turned it over to a suddenly energized CMU offense.
"One of the most important things is you can't point fingers," said CMU defensive end Troy Hairston II, who had two sacks among three tackles-for-loss. "The game doesn't end 'til that clock strikes zero. Offense had our back; defense had their back."
FIU had the ball four times in the fourth quarter, and those four drives ended in two punts, a missed field goal and a game-ending interception by Donte Kent in the end zone as time expired.
The Panthers (1-3) began their final drive at their own 10-yard line with 1:11 left. They reached the Chippewa 18.
"We just looked at each other like, 'We've gotta go; this is where we're made,'" Hairston said. "There's no pressure; I'm not saying that in a cocky way at all. But we live for these moments. An opportunity to seal the game … we're going to lock it down in front of these fans. We all had trust and confidence in each other, and we couldn't wait for a moment like this."
Two FIU placekicks – one a miss, the other a block – played a major role in allowing CMU to eventually win the game.
The Chippewas' Devonni Reed blocked the extra point on a third-quarter FIU touchdown that left the Panthers in front, 20-10, and then the Panthers missed a 28-yard field goal attempt with just over four minutes remaining.
Had Reed not blocked the extra point in the third quarter, FIU could have tied the game with a field goal on its final possession and, at the CMU 18, they were well positioned for a field goal try as time ran down. As it was, however, they needed a TD and the CMU defense stiffened to secure the victory.
Leaders
Safety Alonzo McCoy led CMU with seven tackles, while fellow safety Gage Kreski and Kent, a cornerback, had six each.
While FIU found plenty of success through the air, CMU's defense held the Panthers to 42 yards rushing. It marked a season low for a Chippewa opponent.
Richardson's Big Day
The Chippewas needed a spark. Daniel Richardson delivered a blow torch.
Richardson, a redshirt freshman, came out of the bullpen in relief of starter Jacob Sirmon and finished with a career-high 276 yards on 16-of-23 passing. Nearly all of it came in the fourth quarter. His three TD tosses were also a career high.
It's doubtful that Richardson was wide-eyed. He started four games before his 2020 season was cut short by an injury. And he played in all three of the Chippewas' previous games this season, completing 12-of-23 passes for 161 yards and three TDs.
"D Rich has always been known as a playmaker," said wide receiver Dallas Dixon, whose 27-yard TD reception with 1:18 remaining put the Chippewas ahead for good. "Whether it's Sirmon in there or D Rich, we complete our assignments and we know that they'll do there's regardless. The confidence level is always there no matter who you put in."
Big Numbers
The Chippewas finished with 599 yards, 397 through the air and 202 on the ground. The total yardage and passing yards were both season highs.
Running back Lew Nichols III ran for 152 yards on 25 carries, while Dixon and Kalil Pimpleton both had eight catches. Dixon finished with 127 yards and two TDs, Pimpleton had 117 yards. The yardage totals are career highs for both Dixon and Pimpleton, and Dixon's eight catches were the most in his CMU career.
Nichols also had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, giving him 195 all-purpose yards. His 152 rushing yards marked the second-highest total of his career behind the 196 he posted against Eastern Michigan last season.
Long Drives
CMU's three fourth-quarter scoring drives covered 80, 76 and 80 yards. They are three of the four longest scoring drives of the season for CMU. The Chippewas' longest was an 86-yarder two weeks ago in a 45-0 win over Robert Morris.
Kicking Game
Chippewa punter Luke Elzinga punted five times for an average of 36 yards. One of his punts was blocked and returned for a touchdown.
Taking out the blocked punt, Elzinga averaged 45 yards on four punts with a long of 56 yards. Three of those punts were downed inside the FIU 20-yard line.
CMU's Josh Rolston kicked off six times for an average of 59 yards. Three of his kickoffs went for a touchback.
Next
The Chippewas open Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks are 1-3 after a 23-10 loss at Army on Saturday.
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