FINAL STATS | PDF Box
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour had two quick strike touchdown passes in the second quarter which helped the Chippewas create a first half cushion in a 31-12 win over Eastern Illinois.
The Panthers ranked No. 18 in the preseason FCS polls held their own but made a couple of mistakes which proved costly at different points of the contest.
Eastern Illinois held Central Michigan to what it thought was a 3-and-out on the first possession only to have a roughing the passer penalty called. LeFevour would drive CMU down inside the 10 yard line but was stuffed on two running plays. The Chippewas settled for a 17-yard kick by Andrew Aguila with 11:48 to go in the first.
The Panthers answered with a long drive on their series as Tyler Wilke connected from 29-yards to knot the score at 3-3. Bodie Reeder connected on big passes to Sean McGrath and Charles Graves on the drive with an end around by Shawn Williams putting the Panthers in the red zone.
Central Michigan scored early in the second quarter taking advantage of great field position on an Antonio Brown punt return. Ontario Sneed broke loose from 23 yards to put CMU up 10-3 at the 11:58 mark.
EIU gained some life as the Panthers stopped the Chippewas on a fourth and one at the 19 yard line with 2:54 left in the half. Two plays into the following EIU drive Frank Zombo forced a Reeder fumble which CMU recovered at the 19. LeFevour hit Jean Pitts on the next play to push the lead to 17-3.
“We did what we could not afford to do tonight and that is make turnovers and penalties,” said EIU head coach Bob Spoo. “We can build from this and become a better team as the season progresses.”
Reeder led the Panthers on an extended drive to open the second half taking 9 minutes and 9 seconds off the clock. After Desmin Ward rushed the ball inside the 20, EIU had to settle for another Wilke 29-yard field goal to trim the lead to 17-6.
LeFevour answered the Panthers score marching CMU 60 yards after EIU's kick off sailed out of bounds and allowed CMU's drive to start at the 40. LeFevour hit Bryan Anderson for a 5-yard touchdown with 2:11 left as CMU extended its lead to 24-6.
With 12:50 left in the game, EIU junior offensive lineman Kevin Mahoney had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. Mahoney had feeling in all his extremities but no further report was available. EIU seemed to be inspired by the injury as Reeder hit McGrath for a 15-yard strike on the next play. The Panthers were stopped on the two point conversion to trail 24-12.
“I was able to find some spots to get open and make some catches in the middle of field,” EIU tight end McGrath added. “Bodie (Reeder) did a good job of finding the open receivers.”
EIU had a chance to sustain the momentum as Seymour Loftman couldn't handle an interception opportunity inside the CMU 20. LeFevour would throw his third TD strike to Sean Skergan to cap an 80-yard drive and put the game away as they led 31-12 with just over eight minutes left.
LeFevour was 21-for-31 for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Reeder kept pace for EIU with a 19-for-28 night and 201 yards. Reeder had one touchdown pass.
Anderson was the Chippewas top receiver with 9 catches for 66 yards while McGrath had 6 catches for 66 yards for EIU. Graves hauled in five passes for 66 yards.
