125 Years of CMU Football: Remembering Central Michigan's Three Wins Over Michigan State

Three of Central Michigan's all-time greatest wins have come against Michigan State. Here is a look at each of three memorable victories in 1991, 1992, and 2009:

September 14, 1991
Central Michigan 20, No. 18 Michigan State 3; East Lansing, Mich.

In the greatest gridiron triumph in CMU history, the Chippewas stunned the No. 18-ranked Spartans, controlling all facets of the game. The Chippewas outgained MSU, 346-281, led by tailback Billy Smith's 162 yards and a fierce rush that sacked MSU quarterbacks four times. Smith's high school classmate at Detroit Henry Ford, Lamar Sally, registered three sacks as both players would later capture MAC Player of the Week honors. CMU's defense set the tone on the first series when Doug Adler stuffed Tico Duckett on fourth-and-goal at the CMU 1-yard line. Smith opened the scoring with a 15-yard TD run just before halftime, and the Chippewas made it 14-0 on a 57-yard pass from Jeff Bender to Ken Ealy in the third quarter. From there, the Chippewa defense took over.

Key Plays
• Central Michigan's defense set the tone on the first series when Doug Adler stops Tico Duckett on fourth-and-goal at the CMU 1-yard line. The Spartans fail to advance inside the Chippewas' 20-yard line the rest of the day.
• After Central Michigan's Mike Kyler recovers a fumble, CMU goes up 7-0 when Billy Smith runs for a 15-yard touchdown right before halftime.
• The Chippewas take a 14-0 lead in the third quarter when quarterback Jeff Bender connects with Ken Ealy for a 57-yard touchdown pass.

Key Statistics
• Smith accumulates 162 yards rushing and a touchdown on 40 carries.
• CMU recovered two MSU fumbles, outgained MSU 346-281, and sacked MSU four times. CMU led in time of possession (34 minutes).
• Lamar Sally led the defense with three sacks.
• Bender completed 10-22 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.

Notes
• At No. 18, Michigan State was Central Michigan's first nationally ranked NCAA Division I opponent.
• Coach Herb Deromedi engineered the first of two victories over Michigan State.
• Central Michigan and Michigan State played in front of 71,629 at Spartan Stadium.

September 12, 1992
Central Michigan 24, Michigan State 20; East Lansing, Mich.

A great moment in CMU football history occurred when the Chippewas accomplished what few people thought they could do – repeat 1991's startling victory over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. Outstanding performances on both sides of the ball helped the Chippewas stun Michigan State 24-20 for CMU's second consecutive win over the Big Ten school. Safety Darrall Stinson paced the CMU defense with 14 tackles, including a jarring hit that forced a fumble at the Central goal line in the second quarter. Quarterback Joe Youngblood connected with split end Bryan Tice for touchdown passes of 6 and 15 yards to give CMU a 14-7 halftime lead. Youngblood would earn Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors for his performance which included 163 yards passing and two TDs on 17-of-22 attempts and a pass reception for 29 yards. Youngblood also led CMU on a crucial 69-yard drive in the second half which took 6:33 off the clock and ended with a 7-yard TD scamper by Brian Pruitt to put the game out of reach. Junior tailback Leo Griffin gained 90 of CMU's 141 rushing yards.

Key Plays
• CMU safety Darrall Stinson makes a jarring hit that forces a MSU fumble at the Central Michigan goal line in the second quarter.
• Quarterback Joe Youngblood connects with Bryan Tice for touchdown passes of 6 and 15 yards, giving CMU a 14-7 halftime lead.
• Youngblood leads Central Michigan on a 69-yard touchdown drive which takes 6:33 off the clock in the second half and puts the game out of reach.

Key Statistics
• Youngblood completes 17-22 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
• Tailback Leo Griffin gains 90 of CMU's 141 yards rushing.
• Stinson finishes the game with 14 tackles and Mike Kyler adds 10.
• MSU outgains CMU 367-333 in total yardage, but CMU registers 23 first downs to MSU's 19, converts 10-15 third downs, and controls time of possession (32:22-27:38). Michigan State fumbles five times, losing one.

Notes
• Central Michigan's win over Michigan State was its second in as many seasons.
• Head coach Herb Deromedi defeats Michigan State in two consecutive seasons (1991 and 1992).

September 12, 2009
Central Michigan 29, Michigan State 27; East Lansing, Mich.

Andrew Aguila's 42-yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining, in front of a national audience on ESPN2, gave the Chippewas their third victory in seven all-time meetings with the Spartans. Dan LeFevour's touchdown pass to Paris Cotton with 32 seconds remaining drew the Chippewas within a point, 27-26. A two-point conversion pass to Antonio Brown was incomplete. But Bryan Anderson recovered a perfectly executed onside-kick, and LeFevour completed three straight passes to move the Chippewas into field goal range and set up Aguila's game-winner.

Key Plays
• Andrew Aguila converts a 42-yard field goal with three seconds left in front of an ESPN2 national audience to give Central Michigan a 29-27 win.
• Trailing 27-20, Dan LeFevour's 11-yard touchdown pass to Paris Cotton with 32 seconds draws the Chippewas within a point, 27-26. A two-point conversion pass to Antonio Brown fell incomplete.
• On the ensuing kickoff, Bryan Anderson recovers a perfectly executed onside kick and LeFevour completes three straight passes to set up Aguila's game-winning field goal.

Key Statistics
• CMU outgains MSU 418-316 and totals 27 first downs to the Spartans' 17.
• LeFevour completes 33-46 passes for 328 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
• Anderson catches six passes for 120 yards, Antonio Brown hauls in 10 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Notes
• Central Michigan wins its third contest over Michigan State in seven meetings.
• Butch Jones becomes the second Central Michigan coach to defeat Michigan State.

Central Michigan University Athletics

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