CMU football falls to Ohio in chilling Homecoming game
After a comeback from a 24-0 trail on homecoming night, Central Michigan football would take the field in an attempt to close the gap against Ohio University.
In desperate need of a score, senior running back Marion Lukes rushed the middle for a 28-yard touchdown.
Despite the last-minute attempt, it was not enough to take the lead. The Chippewas would fall to the Bobcats on Saturday, 27-25. This marks CMU’s first loss at home and first conference loss.
The Chippewas now stand 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. As the Mid-American Conference begins, CMU sits at seventh.
“We were close to giving ourselves an opportunity to win the ball game,” head coach Jim McElwain said. “We just couldn’t get over the hump. (It’s) nothing we didn’t prepare for…they did a good job getting into open sets…and took advantage of it. At the end of the day, we’ll go get it looked at and we’ve got a lot of ball games left.”
The first quarter kicked off with a fast start as Ohio’s offense struck quickly, racking up a 53-yard gain on its opening play.
Despite not finding the end zone, the Bobcats kicked a field goal, putting the Bobcats ahead 3-0 just minutes into the game. CMU struggled to find its rhythm, managing to complete only a handful of plays before punting the ball back to Ohio.
“The way they play, our guys were jacked up and ready to go,” McElwain said. “They got some momentum plays and we weren’t able to pick it back up but that’s on us.”
Tensions rose as both teams were hounded with penalties, but the turning point came when defensive back Elijah Rikard pounced on a fumble forced by linebacker Lawai’a Brown, giving the Chippewas hope.
However, CMU couldn’t capitalize and ended the first quarter without a score.
“A couple of those were totally on me because I coached them how to do it,” McElwain said. “I guess it’s bad coaching on my part.”
As the second quarter unfolded, Ohio seized control. After a series of strong drives, CMU scored its first touchdown with an 8-yard rush, extending its lead to 10-0.
The Chippewas’ offense sputtered again, unable to gain momentum, while Ohio's relentless pressure culminated in another touchdown, pushing the score to 17-0 with under five minutes left in the half.
CMU’s momentum seemed to shift when linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski blocked an Ohio field goal attempt, only for a penalty to gift the Bobcats a fresh set of downs. They took full advantage, scoring once more just before halftime to make it 24-0, leaving the Chippewas in a deep hole.
“I’m not upset with how we came out in the second half,” defensive back Dante Kent said. “We showed that we have some fight. We just can’t fall behind early in the game.”
After a tough first half, CMU suffered after losing starting quarterback Joe Labas to an injury. With quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. out, Tyler Jefferson stepped in.
“I just went to him and told him…are you going to show me if you can do it,” Lukes said. “And he definitely showed that he can play. I’m extremely proud of that kid. I’ve watched him come in since he was a young guy…I got his back and he knows the team will be right behind him.”
The Chippewas defense tightened, forcing Ohio to punt, and the offense finally clicked with Jefferson connecting to Lukes for their first touchdown of the game. A successful two-point conversion brought the score to 24-8, sending a roar through Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
As the fourth quarter began, CMU's determination to take the lead showed. A field goal from kicker Tristan Mattson narrowed the deficit to 24-11.
CMU continued to push, despite an overturned 48-yard completion that could have shifted momentum.
The Chippewas’ defense stood tall, with linebacker Dakota Cochran sacking the quarterback and recovering the ball. Moments later, Lukes found the end zone again, making it 24-17.
CMU’s comeback seemed in sight as it scored again with another field goal, closing the gap to just six points.
However, Ohio responded with a field goal of their own, pushing the lead to 27-18. That’s when Lukes scored his third with less than two minutes left, leaving the score at 27-25.
“These guys were a little embarrassed,” McElwain said. “I think that was the biggest piece, these guys instead of hanging their heads, they picked themselves up and picked each other up.”
The Chippewas will take the road to Ypsilanti to take on the Eagles of Eastern Michigan on Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.
