COLUMN: Quarterback David Moore makes statement, displays clutch factor in close loss to Miami
Backed up to his 5-yard line with 28 seconds remaining in a fourth-and-10 situation against the Miami Hurricanes, starting quarterback David Moore delivered.
Down 17-12 and hoping for a miracle, Moore dropped back, surveyed his options and confidently let the football fly.
The junior transfer from Garden City Community College connected with Tyrone Scott for a 24-yard gain to move the chains.
Twenty-one seconds left.
On the first-down throw, Moore took the last of many hits from Miami's defensive line. He was taken out of the game.
Enter backup quarterback Tommy Lazzaro, who threw an incomplete pass and was replaced immediately by Moore. There were just 15 seconds left.
Even though Moore clearly displayed a clutch factor Saturday afternoon, his next throw was intercepted by Al Blades Jr.
That's how the game ended. Central Michigan was forced to walk off the field so close to an upset at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
"I'm really proud of those kids in that locker room," said CMU coach Jim McElwain. "I'll tell you what, we played hard, which was great to see."
The biggest takeaway was Moore's play, even though the Chippewas (2-2) weren't victorious.
In his second career start at the Division I level, Moore made high-quality throws in high-pressure situations against an ACC team. The likes of Lazzaro, Tony Poljan and Austin Hergott weren't able to get the job done last season, and Dormady and Moore struggled against Wisconsin in a 61-0 loss.
But now, already having a game under his belt, Moore went into a hostile environment and proved that he fits the part of the future in Mount Pleasant.
Courage, composure, heart and a never-ending desire to win.
That was David Moore.
He was under pressure for nearly the entire game and took multiple tough hits in the backfield. More importantly, he got back up each time.
Moore deserves respect for his performance, and Miami coach Manny Diaz was thoroughly impressed.
"Central Michigan, their quarterback, he's a dude," Diaz said. "That guy can play."
Moore's first highlight moment came when the Chippewas were down 7-0 with 5:06 left in the opening quarter. He was facing a third-and-5 from CMU's 28-yard line. Rather than staying conservative, McElwain let his quarterback go to work.
And Moore responded by throwing a 17-yard pass to JaCorey Sullivan to get near midfield.
It was the beginning of a night where the Chippewas were 6-for-18 on third down and 2-for-2 on fourth down. In total, Moore and his offense put together 21 first downs compared to just 16 for the Hurricanes.
Moore finished the game 23-of-50 passing for 217 yards and one interception. He had a rushing score on a quarterback sneak for CMU's only touchdown.
While Moore only completed 46 percent of his passes, missed a few throws (specifically to slot receiver Kalil Pimpleton down the field) and fumbled twice, the Chippewas wouldn't have stayed in contention if it wasn't for his leadership.
"We all know we have greatness in us," defensive tackle Robi Stuart said. "I think people saw a little bit of that. No such thing as perfection, but we're on our way and I'm really proud of what everyone did today."
Imagine Poljan, now a tight end, starting at quarterback for former coach John Bonamego. Do you really think the Chippewas make that game competitive from an offensive standpoint?
I don't think so.
Moore was the difference.
On the third drive of the game, Luke Goedeke was penalized for a false start to put CMU in a first-and-15 situation. Two plays later, on third-and-5, Moore dropped in a 17-yard strike to Sullivan for a first down.
The same occurred later in the drive, as Moore found redshirt freshman receiver Tyrone Scott for 15 yards on third-and-9 for yet another first down.
But with 2:47 left in the first quarter, Moore was sacked on third-and-8 by Gregory Rousseau. He fumbled on the play, and the ball was recovered by the Hurricanes.
Two clutch plays. One key mistake.
Moore was back at it again just a drive later. Faced with a third-and-7, Moore avoided pressure and scrambled 11 yards to the CMU 44-yard line. Another first down from the junior quarterback.
The drive, however, stalled due to a few incompletions. The score remained 7-0, as Miami had already found the end zone on its opening drive.
After CMU forced a safety at the 11:06 mark of the second quarter, Moore delivered on back-to-back third down situations before fumbling.
Both passes went to Pimpleton. The first was a 20-yard gain on third-and-11; the second was an 11-yard pickup on third-and-5.
Then, he was sacked by Jonathan Garvin and fumbled in the process. Miami, of course, snagged the football.
Two clutch plays. One key mistake.
The Chippewas were 5-of-9 on third downs in the first half, and Moore was the reason for that success. Without him, it would've likely been a handful of three-and-outs – automatically giving Miami pristine field position on each offensive drive.
Without Moore moving the football, Buell wouldn't have been able to pin the Hurricanes deep at the beginning of the second quarter. True freshman defensive lineman Jacques Bristol wouldn't have executed on the safety to put points on the board.
"Literally what happens is one guy gets going and everybody just feeds off of it," Stuart said.
Again, Moore was the difference maker.
In the second half, however, it was all about fourth down conversions.
On third-and-13 with 2:24 left in the third quarter, the Chippewas were out of field goal range at the Miami 43-yard line. CMU needed a few yards for Ryan Tice to connect from 55 yards, and Moore made sure it happened.
Even though he didn't pick up the first down, he completed a sharp 6-yard pass to running back Kobe Lewis to put Tice in a situation where he was able to use his leg.
Moore didn't try to make the big play. Instead, he went with what he knew he could get and trusted Tice.
That showed leadership.
"When he was younger, he might’ve wanted to be the guy who always wanted to get the ball," said Quincy Avery, Moore's quarterback trainer. "Now that he’s matured, he has a different perspective on things. That’s a testament to him.”
Down 17-5 with 11:41 left in the game, CMU needed some magic on its 11th drive. The Chippewas converted twice on fourth down – one was set up by Moore, and he was the reason for the other.
Moore delivered a 5-yard completion to Pimpleton on fourth-and-3 to move the chains. On the next play, a first down situation, he hit Sullivan for 22 yards to get just 7 yards away from the end zone.
And finally, after Lewis and true freshman Lew Nichols were stopped multiple times at the goal line, Moore punched the ball in the end zone on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 3:16 remaining.
Four clutch plays, no mistakes.
The final offensive drive ended in Moore throwing an interception, allowing Miami to escape with a 17-12 victory. Let me remind you, the Chippewas were expected to lose by over 30 points.
You have Moore to thank for that performance.
The junior took hit after hit, made a few silly mistakes and wasn't always the most accurate. But he kept the Chippewas in the game, a testament to his ability to win at all costs.
"If athletics was strictly about athletic ability, Tom Brady wouldn’t be the best quarterback in pro football," said Jeff Sims, Moore's coach at the JUCO level in 2017.
"As a coach, you think guys would just do what you ask them to do. The truth of the matter is that the human element comes into play all the time."
Moore did what McElwain and offensive coordinator Charlie Frye asked him to do against Miami. Because of that, he has officially proved he's everything Central Michigan needs in a quarterback.
He's a reliable leader – someone that won't back down until the final whistle blows.
That's David Moore. It's time you get used to him.
