Central Michigan Comes From Behind To Beat UTC 20-16

Thursday, August 28, 2014
B.B. Branton

Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush passed for 173 yards and two scores to lead the host Chippewas to a come-from-behind 20-16 win against Chattanooga Thursday night in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

UTC (0-1) led 16-0 in the second quarter only to have CMU score 20 straight points for the win in the season opener for both teams.

"Our defense played well and played hard, but Central Michigan made adjustments at halftime and ran the ball well in the second half," said UTC coach Russ Huesman.

"Our front four rose to the occasion time after time, but give Central Michigan credit for making the big plays on both sides of the ball."

Second Half:

Trailing 16-7, CMU took the second half kickoff and drove 74 yards in 12 plays to trail 16-13 after a missed extra point attempt. Thomas Rawls scored the touchdown from six yards out.

Following an interception in UTC territory, the Chippewas took the lead for good on a Rush to Courtney Williams 26-yard scoring pass for a 20-16 advantage.

Turnovers: UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman threw four interceptions (he only had five all last season)... UTC defensive end Keionta Davis had his first career fumble recovery in the first quarter which led to Henrique Rubeiro's 47-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.

First Half

Highlighted by two touchdown passes by Jacob Huesman, Chattanooga led host Central Michigan, 16-7 at halftime.

First Score: UTC put points on the scoreboard first on a career-long 47-yard field goal by Henrique Rubeiro for a 3-0 lead at 10:21 of the first quarter.

The Mocs pushed the lead to 16-0 on a pair of Huesman to Tommy Hudson scoring tosses before the Chippewas had their own TD scoring pass play late in the second quarter; Rush to Jesse Kroll for 18 yards..

Best Drive: The Mocs best drive of the first half came on the fifth possession as starting from their 6, UTC drove 94 yards on 13 plays in 5:48 and pushed the lead to 10-0 at 9:35 of the second quarter … Hudson had the big catch in the back of the end zone for his second career TD reception.

UTC made it 16-0 on a 70 pass and catch, Huesman to Hudson at 4:34 before halftime.

CMU then moved 75 yards in six plays as quarterback Cooper Rush connected with Jesse Knoll for 18 yards and the score to trail, 16-7.

CMU’s Missed Scoring Opportunity: The Chips drove inside the Mocs 10, but three penalties led to a 43 yard missed field goal attempt by Ron Coluzzi with less than five minutes before halftime.

A key play for the hosts on that drive was a 3rd and 8 and CMU quarterback Cooper Rush made the completion to the UTC 30 followed by a horse collar penalty … CMU then set up at the Mocs 15, but did not score.

Good UTC Defense: The UTC’s speed on the front four caused a great deal of problems with the larger CMU O-Line.

UTC’s Long Pass: UTC’s second touchdown was a Jacob Huesman career long TD pass (70 yards) to Hudson … but Rubeiro had the extra point attempt blocked for a 16-0 lead.

Mocs started inside their 15 three times (12, 6, 6) on their first four possessions, but were able to score (field goal) after the CMU fumble.

Coach Russ Huesman Quotes
Receivers: "Our wideouts were really good tonight in catching the ball and blocking their defensive backs."

Quarterback: "Jacob Huesman made some bad throws, but we will play better and our quarterback will play better as well."

Defending the Pass: "I thought we did a nice job on defending the pass and Dee Virgin did a great job on their top receiver Titus Davis."

Game Stats:

Passing: CMU - Cooper Rush (15-26, 173 yards 2 TDs

UTC - Jacob Huesman (13-24, 150 yards, 2 TDs 4 INTs)\

Rushing: CMU - Thomas Rawls (25 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD

UTC - Keon Williams (11 carries for 64 yards)

Receiving: CMU - Jesse Kroll (3 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD

UTC Tommy Hudson (2 catches, 78 yards, 2 TDs)

Central Michigan 20, UTC 16