Detroit, MI - Dan LeFevour did it with his arm and his legs,
throwing for 162 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 69 yards and
another score, as Central Michigan joined the 10-win club for the first time
since 1979 with a 31-14 victory over Middle Tennessee in the Motor City Bowl.
LeFevour found Ontario Sneed for a score and the back rushed for another as
the Chippewas (10-4) never trailed. Sneed had six catches for 48 yards and
rushed for 48 more.
Clint Marks completed 25-of-37 passes for 251 yards with two costly
interceptions. His wild throw into the arms of Doug Kress was returned 56
yards for the game-sealing touchdown and a 28-7 lead in the third stanza.
Eugene Gross and DeMarco McNair had rushing scores for the Blue Raiders (7-6),
who were playing in their first bowl game as a member of Division I-A.
The Chippewas wasted little time lighting the scoreboard, going on a nine-
play, 69-yard march to paydirt. LeFevour finished 4-of-4 on the drive, and
also sprinted up the middle for 12 yards on 3rd-and-7 late in the stretch.
Sneed finished it all off with a one-yard plunge for a 7-0 advantage not even
five minutes in.
After the Blue Raiders missed a field goal, Central Michigan's offense stepped
right back on the field and engineered another scoring drive. Sneed slashed
off right tackle for 26 yards then LeFevour gashed the middle for 23 yards.
One play later, LeFevour found a streaking Sneed on the dead run for a 29-yard
touchdown connection and a 14-0 edge.
After a pair of punts, Middle Tennessee cut the deficit in half. The
smashmouth, 12-play march featured plenty of downhill running. Gross handled
the ball on the last four plays, concluding in a three-yard TD burst up the
middle.
The Blue Raiders then tried a surprise onside kick to no avail. The great
field possession only aided Central Michigan's trip into the end zone.
LeFevour found Bryan Anderson down the middle, and the big target made a low
circus catch for 21 yards.
Later in the march, LeFevour scrambled right and reached the pylon for a nine-
yard score and a 21-7 game.
After Kress' interception return, a great punt return led to a quick score for
the Blue Raiders early in the fourth quarter. McNair capped the 14-yard
scoring march with a six-yard TD burst.
Rick Albreski's 43-yard field goal gave the Chippewas a 31-14 edge and capped
the scoring.
Game Notes
`Anderson had six catches for 51 yards in the victory.
Desmond Gee led the
Blue Raiders with nine catches for 63 yards.
The Blue Raiders ended the
campaign with three straight losses.
CMU had 149 net yards rushing to 61 for
Middle Tennessee.
© 2006 The Sports Network
USA
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