CMU football loses fifth-straight
After being held to three points for the majority of the game, Central Michigan football looked for an opportunity for its first touchdown. That's when senior running back Marion Lukes found the end zone on a two-yard rushing touchdown with 1:28 left in the game.
In the end, the Chippewas were unable to break its four-game losing streak as they fell to the Rockets 37-10 on Tuesday. This continues CMU’s struggles on the road, as it hasn’t won an away game since last season.
"I'm proud of these guys," head coach Jim McElwain said. "We obviously aren't where we want to be. That's a group that really cares. It's frustrating. You turn the ball over like we did, you're not going to give yourself a chance to win.
Central Michigan now stands 11th in the Mid-American Conference standings. With a 3-7 overall record and a 1-5 MAC record, the Chippewas are no longer bowl eligible.
The Chippewas struck first on their opening drive with a 29-yard field goal from kicker Tristan Mattson to take a 3-0 lead. However, the Rockets answered quickly, taking their first lead of the game with a 9-yard touchdown with under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
From there, the Rockets continued to take control. Early in the second quarter, Toledo’s kicker nailed a 32-yard field goal to extend the Rockets’ lead to 10-3. Soon after receiving the ball back, Glasser threw an interception, giving the Rockets possession in Chippewa territory.
CMU’s struggles continued as it failed to capitalize on its next possession and was forced to punt. Toledo took advantage on its ensuing drive, with the Rockets breaking off for a 30-yard touchdown run to give them a 17-3 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the half.
With just 22 seconds remaining in the first half, Glasser threw his second interception, and the Rockets returned it 50 yards for a pick-six. Toledo then topped the first half off with a 32-yard field goal, holding the score at 27-3 going into halftime.
The second half saw more of the same as CMU was unable to cause a threat to the Rockets’ defense. Going scoreless, Toledo scored another touchdown, giving them a 34-3 lead late in the third.
Another field goal further extended the lead in the fourth quarter. Desperate for a touchdown, Lukes found the end zone as the game closed out.
Glasser finished the game with 150 passing yards, two interceptions, and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, Toledo's defense sacked Glasser five times, further limiting the Chippewas' ability to find a rhythm.
CMU returns home for its last game of the season against Western Michigan on Tuesday at 7:00/7:30 or 8:00 p.m. The Chippewas will celebrate their seniors and battle the Broncos for the Victory Cannon Trophy.
"I told them we've got to come back for our last home game," McElwain said. "(We’re) playing for a lot, playing for the cannon, playing for the seniors and a lot of guys who've played a lot of football for us. We'll put a good week's work together and go get ready to play next week."
