Central Michigan University
1-2 , 0-0
Notre Dame
4-0 , 0-0
Another Solid Effort Against a Heavyweight Foe
9/16/2023 7:07:00 PM | Football
Central Michigan drops 41-17 decision at Notre Dame in the two school's first meeting in college football; Chippewas total 268 yards of offense; Chippewas trail just 21-14 at halftime.
In the end, Notre Dame flexed its muscle which translated to big plays as the Fighting Irish pulled away from Central Michigan in the second half, handing the Chippewas a 41-17 nonconference loss before 77,000 plus on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium.
"Those guys have got not only really shiny helmets, but the guys in those shiny helmets are some of the best players in all of college football," CMU coach Jim McElwain said of the ninth-ranked Irish (4-0). "Our guys went out there and played their tails off."
The Chippewas are 1-2 with their final nonleague game on Saturday, Sept. 23 at South Alabama next. They open Mid-American Conference play at home against Eastern Michigan the following week.
CMU opened with a 31-7 loss at Michigan State and then defeated Football Championship Subdivision New Hampshire, 45-42, a week ago at home.
If you're keeping score at home, that's a Power 5, one of the top FCS teams in the nation (New Hampshire is ranked 11th), and Notre Dame, which is college football royalty with roster loaded with blue chippers and future NFLers.
"We're playing a lot harder than we did a year ago and I'm talking every snap and that's something that we talked about a lot in the offseason," McElwain said. "These guys are taking pride in it. I've talked about the physical effort; we've got to continue to work the mental effort (so) that we don't get ourselves in the situations to give up the big plays."
The Chippewas held their own through two quarters with backup Jase Bauer making the start at quarterback in place of ill starter Bert Emanuel Jr.
Bauer, a redshirt sophomore who started one game last season, threw for 137 yards on 10-of-20 passing. He scored on a 1-yard run with 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter to draw CMU to 21-14.
"I've said it all along," McElwain said. "We've got good quarterbacks. "He handled the game and did a really good job. He's a hell of a quarterback; we're fortunate to have the luxury of having a couple of guys. I knew the game would not be too big for him at all. That's just kind of his makeup. He competed his (butt) off."
And while the Chippewas hung in, Notre Dame – which finished with 578 yards in total offense – took command in the second half.
The Irish zapped any momentum CMU might have gained by scoring just before the half when they drove 74 yards in seven plays to open the third quarter. Quarterback Sam Hartman, one of the nation's best, scored on a 1-yard sneak to extend Notre Dame's lead to 28-14.
The Chippewas, still swinging and still very much in the game, then mounted an impressive drive and had a first down at the Irish 5-yard line. But CMU was forced to settle for a field goal.
Notre Dame hit field goals on its next two possessions to extend its lead to 34-14.
Team Stats
CMU 0, UND 7
UND - Merriweather,Tobias 75 yd pass from Hartman,Sam (Shrader,Spencer kick) 4 plays, 91 yards, TOP 02:03
CMU 7, UND 7
CMU - Bailey,Myles 6 yd run (Mattson,Tristan kick), 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:30
CMU 7, UND 14
UND - Estime,Audric 17 yd run (Shrader,Spencer kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:09
CMU 7, UND 21
UND - Tyree,Chris 76 yd pass from Hartman,Sam (Shrader,Spencer kick) 3 plays, 87 yards, TOP 01:18
CMU 14, UND 21
CMU - Bauer,Jase 1 yd run (Mattson,Tristan kick), 9 plays, 83 yards, TOP 03:58
CMU 14, UND 28
UND - Hartman,Sam 1 yd run (Shrader,Spencer kick), 7 plays, 74 yards, TOP 03:19
CMU 17, UND 28
CMU - Mattson,Tristan 23 yd field goal 12 plays, 50 yards, TOP 05:37
CMU 17, UND 31
UND - Shrader,Spencer 50 yd field goal 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 01:29
CMU 17, UND 34
UND - Shrader,Spencer 31 yd field goal 10 plays, 47 yards, TOP 03:54
CMU 17, UND 41
UND - Staes,Holden 4 yd pass from Hartman,Sam (Shrader,Spencer kick) 6 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:51
