He had the right game plan
After scoring 24 straight points the CMU offense took the field with three time-outs and the ball on their own 29-yard line with 1:37 before halftime.
Head Coach Mike DeBord decided to let quarterback Derrick Vickers take a knee on three straight plays, giving Central a 24-7 lead at halftime.
The decision was a surprise, but at that time of the game a good one by DeBord. But, it looks bad after losing to Northern Illinois on Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
DeBord, you made the right call. It was good to not take any chances. It prevented another possible mistake that might have allowed the Huskies back into the game.
He said they dominated the first half. DeBord was right.
Central had 313 total yards in the first half and their best half this season.
But, DeBord’s decision surprised Northern Illinois.
“If they don’t want to score more points that’s fine with us,” NIU receiver P.J. Fleck said.
“They must have thought the game was over,” NIU receiver Darrell Hill said.
But, DeBord’s decision to sit on the ball at the end of the first half had nothing to do with Central losing.
In the second half, the Huskies proved the game was far from over and dominated right from the first play of the second half.
Hill took the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown. Momentum shifted towards NIU and scored 26 unanswered points.
Northern Illinois did not make any second half changes with their defense, DeBord said. Yet, the Chippewas failed to score in the second half.
So what happened?
“We could not make any plays in the second half, like we did in the first half,” DeBord said.
He should have said they couldn’t make any good plays, because they sure made some bad plays in the second half.
First, the opening kickoff of the second half was returned for a touchdown by Hill, he said the hole on his return was as “big as the red sea.”
Next, Paul Savich’s 38-yard field goal attempt is blocked at the end of the third quarter, which was returned 20 yards to the 50-yard line by NIU free safety Mike Spacuello.
Northern Illinois takes full advantage and three plays later the Huskies trail 24-23, thanks to a miss extra point by Steve Azar.
Finally, CMU backup quarterback Derek Gorney throws an interception after his pass was tipped by an NIU defender at the line of scrimmage with 5:12 remaining in the game.
For the second straight time, the Huskies take advantage. Eight plays later the Huskies take its first lead and never looks back.
For the third straight week Terrence Jackson’s performance was overshadowed with the loss.
It was his fourth straight 100-yard game. But as he said, “I would have rather have 20 yards as long as we win, rather than a hundred yards and lose.”
So what was the difference in the second half?
Rob Turner said it best. “We were unable to put points on the scoreboard.”
He forgot to say that Central’s defense could not stop Northern Illinois.
So did DeBord’s decision at the end of the first half cause CMU to lose?
Nope. Their worst second half of the season caused CMU to be 2-5.
That was the difference.
