Central Michigan University
2-2 , 0-0
South Alabama
2-2 , 0-0
Football Rallies from Behind for Big Road Win, 34-30, Over South Alabama
9/23/2023 9:50:00 PM | Football
Quarterback Jase Bauer finishes the day with five touchdowns (four rushing, one passing), 279 yards of total offense, scores game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds to play, leads CMU to come-from behind victory in last non-conference game.
The win lifted the Chippewas to 2-2 and gave Central Michigan its first non conference road win since a 45-27 victory at Kansas on Sept. 9, 2017. They play host to Eastern Michigan next week in their Mid-American Conference opener. South Alabama (2-2) defeated the Chippewas, 38-24, last season in Mount Pleasant and was coming off a 33-7 win at Oklahoma State.
CMU fell into a 14-0 first-quarter hole when Bauer relieved starter Bert Emanuel Jr. at quarterback and ignited the Chippewas.
"That was a hell of a football team they just beat," CMU coach Jim McElwain said of his players. "At the end of the day, I'm just proud of these guys."
Bauer threw for 224 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 55 yards and four scores.
After South Alabama took a 30-27 lead on La'Damian Webb's 3-yard run with 2:42 to play, Bauer led the Chippewas' on an 11-play, 75-yard game-winning drive.
"The offensive line gave me great protection the whole drive," Bauer said. "I never doubted it for a second. That's what we practice every Thursday.
"I love that, it's just playing football, win or go home and that's my favorite time. I love having my guys out there, my teammates had my back the whole way."
Jesse Prewitt III led the Chippewa receivers with 10 catches for 143 yards and one touchdown, a 70-yarder on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Chippewas a 27-17 lead.
South Alabama answered almost immediately with a 72-yard TD pass to cut it to 27-23 and then, after a CMU punt, scored with 2:42 left to set the stage for the dramatic finish.
"We didn't want to leave any time on the clock," McElwain said. "Sure enough we did what we had to do. (Bauer) was on it. Credit the front too. They did a great job of giving him some time.
"I don't know what (this win) says about the program, but it's going to make that airplane flight a lot better going back."
Team Stats
CMU 0, USA 7
USA - Webb,La'Damian 3 yd run (Guajardo,Diego kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:38
CMU 0, USA 14
USA - Lacy,Caullin 35 yd pass from Bradley,Carter (Guajardo,Diego kick) 6 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:37
CMU 7, USA 14
CMU - Bauer,Jase 15 yd run (Mattson,Tristan kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:46
CMU 13, USA 14
CMU - Bauer,Jase 1 yd run (), 14 plays, 69 yards, TOP 07:41
CMU 20, USA 14
CMU - Bauer,Jase 1 yd run (Mattson,Tristan kick), 10 plays, 56 yards, TOP 05:35
CMU 20, USA 17
USA - Guajardo,Diego 32 yd field goal 12 plays, 61 yards, TOP 05:45
CMU 27, USA 17
CMU - Prewitt III,Jesse 70 yd pass from Bauer,Jase (Mattson,Tristan kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:06
CMU 27, USA 23
USA - Lacy,Caullin 72 yd pass from Bradley,Carter () 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:20
CMU 27, USA 30
USA - Webb,La'Damian 1 yd run (Guajardo,Diego kick), 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 03:27
CMU 34, USA 30
CMU - Bauer,Jase 4 yd run (Mattson,Tristan kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:29
