The Central Michigan Chippewas (5-3, 3-1 MAC) celebrated their 101st Homecoming with aplomb on Saturday afternoon, blitzing the UMass Minutemen (0-8, 0-4 MAC) for 502 total offensive yards in a dominating
38-13 victory.
The first quarter started off with some interesting theatrics, as halfback Brock Townsend’s one-yard score to put CMU up 7-0 with 9:48 remaining in the first quarter was answered quickly by UMass’ Rocco Griffin— who was questionable to play due to injury— escaping the grasp of several Chippewas en route to a 43-yard touchdown run to tie the game up on the next possession.
Townsend was game to score once again, hauling in a 27-yard reception down the sideline to get into the UMass redzone before crossing the goal line for the second time on a five-yard rush on the next play to put the Chippewas up 14-7.
The Minutemen blinked first, forced to punt on a three-and-out drive which lost 12 yards, and the hosting Chips eventually cashed in on the opportunity, as Angel Flores set up his own five-yard touchdown run to put CMU up 21-7 with a 48-yard toss to Langston Lewis on a second-and-six from CMU’s own 43-yard line.
Both sides would register a field goal to end the half, putting the tally at 24-10 at the break.
Unfortunately for the visitors, their issues only got worse, as Brock Townsend scored his third touchdown of the night for CMU on the opening possession of the third quarter— this one on a 51-yard pitch-and-catch with Joe Labas— while UMass QB AJ Hairston would toss an interception to CMU cornerback Kalen Carroll.
CMU receiver Nasir Williams would convert the turnover into six points on a pass from Joe Labas to put the Chips up 38-10 with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter, and UMass would fail to threaten the margin seriously after that, mustering only a 50-yard field goal en route to a 38-13 loss.
Brock Townsend was the dynamo for the Chippewas, with 112 total yards— including a team-leading 78 receiving yards— and three touchdowns on the afternoon. Nahree Biggins led the rushing effort with 94 yards on just 10 carries. Trey Cornist logged a team-high 15 carries for 70 yards, while quarterback Angel Flores had 83 yards and a touchdown.
Joe Labas finished 10-of-11 passing for 148 yards and two touchdowns, logging all second-half snaps after an undisclosed injury to Angel Flores (2-of-2, 75 yards).
Jordan Kwiatkowski led the CMU defense with 10 total tackles, a tackle-for-loss and a half-sack. Defensive end Michael Heldman collected team highs in quarterback hurries (four) and pass breakups (two), while Kalen Carroll collected a crucial interception and a solo TFL. As a unit, CMU collected seven TFLs and three sacks. Landon Swanson collected the lone solo sack effort.
A week removed from a 6-of-14 effort last week, UMass QB AJ Hairston was called upon to pass 51 times against Central, completing 21 passes for 176 yards and an interception. The Minutemen were plagued by drops throughout, but even still, were a paltry 41 percent on completions.
Rocco Griffin led the UMass rushers with 56 yards and a touchdown, and also held the joint-lead for receptions (four) with 27 yards collected. Kezion Dea-Johnson led the team in receiving yards (41) on three catches.
Safety Zeraun Daniel ended up atop the tackle charts for UMass, with 13 total stops, a TFL and a forced fumble. Linebacker Tyler Martin was the other double-digit tackler, with 10 tackles. Marques White had another stellar day from the EDGE position, with nine tackles, three TFLs and a solo sack. Linebacker Zach Ferris notched a fumble recovery in the second half.
CMU now prepares to face their most bitter rival, Western Michigan, in the much-anticipated return of a Victory Cannon Saturday game. The game, scheduled for Nov. 1st, is set to kick off at 4 p.m. Eastern time, with coverage by ESPNU.
UMass gets a few extra days to prepare for weeknight MACtion for the first time as a full MAC member. They’re set to take on Akron for a road contest on Tuesday, Nov. 5th, at 7 p.m. Eastern time. TV broadcast provider is to be determined.
