Dec 27, 2006, 5:10 GMT
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.
`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
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