Mt. Pleasant, MI – Ohio U. QB Parker Novarro led his Bobcats with 323 yards of total offense and two TDs for an early 24-0 lead. However, the CMU Chippewas whittled down the lead with some offense of its own. A late field goal gave the Bobcats the advantage, however, to defeat CMU at its homecoming, 27-25.
Novarro started the excitement on the first play from scrimmage with a 52-yard run to CMU’s 23. It resulted in Gianni Spetic’s 35-yard FG for a quick Bobcat advantage. The Bobcats dominated the second period. Novarro capped a 75-yard drive with an eight-yard TD for a 10-0 lead. The next Ohio Bobcat possession commenced from its 45. Novarro connected with WR Coleman Owen near the right sideline in the end zone for a score from the five. With Tyler Jefferson replacing QB Joey Labas for the Chips, they went three and out (never imagined that a transfer QB from Iowa in recent years could amount to any value to any offense anyway). Looks like the Chips found a new starting QB for this season.
Ohio keeps rolling along
Ohio U. countered with a screen that went to Chase Hendricks who raced from his 30 to CMU’s 13. A penalty negated a blocked field goal for the Chips. Instead, it led to a four-yard TD run by Duncan Brune to give the Bobcats a 24-0 lead by halftime. First half statistics indicated how Ohio U dominated Central Michigan. The Bobcats gained 332 yards compared to the Chips’ 62! Many CMU students decided to leave after half time festivities. Bolstered by friends and alumni with my friends Mike and Cheryl Meyers with their family and friends, along with Mike’s 90-year-old Mother who purchased all of our tickets for us, we stayed the course into to second half.
CMU fans in until the end
The dedication paid off for CMU fans. Several of us noted the butt-chewing by defensive coaches on the bench before the first half ended. Surely, it continued into the locker room at intermission. The trailing Chippewas came to life finally. The defense forced a punt after a three-and-out by the Bobcats. After a block in the back on the punt return set the Chips on their 33, with Jefferson still barking signals, they capped a long drive with Marion Lukes’ five-yard TD run. Jefferson connected with him on a two-point conversion. The score closed, 24-8. Ohio U. punted once again.
Mounting comeback against these Ohio U. Bobcats
Starting the final period, the Chips’ Tristan Mattson made good on a 37-yard FG to cut the score further, 24-11. After an exchange of punts, Ohio U. started on their 27. On a first and ten from their 42, LB Dokata Cochran sacked Novarro for a 19-yard loss and he fumbled. Cochran recovered at the Ohio 15. The Chips scored on a four-yard run up the middle by Lukes (20 carries, 110 yards, three TDs). Ohio started again after touchback from its 25. They settled on Spetic’s second field goal for the day from 44 yards to take a lead, 27-18.
CMU’s ensuing drive began from its 25. Jefferson converted on fourth down from their 40 for nine yards for a first down. After an Ohio U. time-out with a fourth and one at the Bobcats 28, CMU called upon Lukes. He burst up the middle for a touchdown with 1:52 left. With three timeouts remaining, HC Jim McElwain decided to kick off instead of attempting an onsides kick. .
Questionable coaching call
CMU burned their three time-outs with Ohio U. gaining first downs twice by Anthony Tyus for gains of 13 and 11 yards respectively to kill any chance of getting the ball back. The strategy failed. Ohio (4-2, 2-0) defeated Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1) by the final score of 27-25. In Collegefootballfan.com’s 695th game, the Chippewas made a great effort to overcome a 24-0 halftime deficit, but they came up short to the chagrin of our CMU friends and the entire Meyer family.
Next up for the Chips and the Cats
Next Saturday, the Chips head to play Eastern Michigan, surprise starters at 4-2, 1-1. Ohio U. heads to Miami (O.) (2-4, 1-1) who beat EMU just this past week, 38-14. We will see both teams in action again later this season. CMU will visit Toledo and Ohio hosts EMU for some MACtion on November 12 and 13.
On to Game 700!
As for collegefootballfan.com, this became our 695th game since 1979. We pack in four games starting Tuesday night to attend Game 700 for a tailgate celebration on October 26. We start with a Tuesday night tailgate to see Middle Tennessee (1-5, 0-2) host Kennesaw State (0-5, 0-1) on an evening ConferenceUSA match. One of them has to win its first CUSA game of the season. Should be a battle for a win. Thursday, we’ll attend Boston College at Virginia Tech in an ACC clash. Friday, we’re on hand to see 2024 disappointment Florida State (1-5, 1-4) visit Duke (5-1, 1-1) in an ACC game. everyone probably expected to these records be reversed.
On Saturday, we wind up the weekend for our first game ever between two FCS squads to add to our all-time list of teams. The Davidson Wildcats (4-2, 2-1) will host the Stetson Hatters (2-3, 1-1) in a Pioneer Football Conference game. Seen Wildcats before, but never Hatters! That will complete our Game 699. The following Saturday, we’ll tailgate early with friends and Bloody Mary’s when possibly undefeated No. 25 Navy will play No. 12 Notre Dame in our 700th. It should be a far better game than we initially anticipated!
Speaking of Tailgating
Great time up at Central Michigan. St. Laurie and I visited our friend Mike Meyer, who worked with me at BASF, and his wife Sharyl for a fantastic time. We attended a Detroit Tiger party with them at their neighbors on Thursday night. Checked out the Northern Lights after. On Friday, we hiked together and took a boat ride on the lake they’ve retired on now. Had a nice lunch at The Lake House nearby. Later, dined at their house with another former work colleague, Dave Imrick, a former U of M Cheerleader of all things.
Game time!
On Saturday, we had a great tailgate party on the beautiful campus at CMU where Mike, Cheryl and their kids Lindsay and Nick also graduated. Hosting us all was Mike’s 90-year-old mother, also a graduate and die-hard Chip fan, who traditionally invites all her family and extended friends and gets them all tickets for a game every season. St. Laurie and I were honored to be invited to this year’s tailgate. We met many of their extended CMU family, and had a great time. They all brought so many good things to eat, we filled up and forced ourselves to try even more! “Fire up, Chips!” as they cheer.
And we wonder why
Sidenote: Before we walked over to Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Tootsie Pops and “suckers” were distributed to all of us going in. St. Laurie’s was confiscated by security – of all things! No wonder why she doesn’t go to more games with me. Go figure!
-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of Football Writers Association of America and author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to get your copy today and please submit a review. Thanks!
