Simply Sensational! Freshman QB Leads Second-Half Surge

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Star Wars was the theme for the Marching Chippewas' halftime performance on Wednesday night on Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Fitting, really, for the CMU football team's first-half performance. After all, the Chippewas seemed light years from being competitive.

Second half? Different story, different movie theme. Let's try, A Star Is Born.

Freshman quarterback Bert Emanuel, Jr. turned in an Oscar-worthy performance, rushing for 293 yards and three touchdowns as CMU rallied from a 24-7 halftime deficit for a 31-27 Mid-American Conference victory over Buffalo.

It was the Chippewas' second straight win as it improved to 4-6, 3-3 MAC. They need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible.

"It's just a great feeling," said Emanuel, who was playing in just his second collegiate game and his first before the home crowd. "I like seeing everybody happy, jumping around in the locker room singing and dancing. It's a great thing to see, a great thing to be a part of."

Emanuel, the son of a former NFL wide receiver with a Hollywood smile and sprinter speed who hails from Houston, was nothing short of sensational in carrying 24 times and scoring on runs 75, 87 and 1 yards.

His rushing yardage is the fourth highest for a single game in CMU history. All three of his scores and all but 19 of his yards came in the second half.

"You know he's a tremendous athlete (and) a hell of a quarterback," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "He's got a bright, bright future. The guys rallied around him; great energy and he's pretty darned fast."

Emanuel raced 75 yards untouched on the first play of the third quarter to draw CMU to 24-14.

The play sent a bolt of energy through the Chippewas, who didn't let up over the final 30 minutes on either side of the ball.

"It definitely gave us the juice on defense," CMU defensive end Thomas Incoom said. "Everybody was just excited, and the defense was ready to get on the field, get a stop so we could give them the ball back and do it again."

CMU's defense held the Bulls to 121 yards and a field goal over the final two quarters. Buffalo shredded the Chippewas for 310 yards in the first half.

"The message was dominate, but don't worry about dominating your opponent," McElwain said, "worry about dominating your job and if you dominate your job you're going to win.

"Our defense, I think, they got exposed in the first half and I think (at halftime) they were like, 'Hey, wait a minute.' And they played much better in the second half."

Marshall Meeder kicked a 40-yard field goal to draw CMU to 24-17 midway through the third quarter, and then Emanuel tied the game, 24-24, with a thrilling 87-yard TD romp with just over a minute to play in the third.

Emanuel somehow kept his balance after being hit, and apparently stopped, just beyond the line of scrimmage. He then broke free into the secondary and raced down the Chippewa sideline. He slipped a tackle inside the 10-yard line to complete the highlight-reel run.

After Buffalo went back on top with a 54-yard field goal with 9:42 remaining, Emanuel scored the go-ahead TD on a 1-yard plunge with 7:29 to play, capping a six-play, 54-yard drive during which Emanuel accounted for all the yardage with his legs.

"Heck of a ball game," McElwain said. "At least a heck of a (final) 30 minutes. Just can't tell you how proud I am of this team. I've said from the start, I just love these kids and I just want what's best for them and to see the joy in their faces, in their smiles, and in their hearts. I'm just proud of them."

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Team Stats

Daniel Richardson

Bert Emanuel, Jr.

Players Mentioned

Thomas Incoom

Marshall Meeder

Players Mentioned

Thomas Incoom

Marshall Meeder