Offense stifled, CMU loses opener to Arizona, 19-6

TUCSON, Ariz. — The offense made up for the defense’s deficiencies last year. But this season started vastly different for the CMU football team.

After a 43-minute lightning-induced delay, the Chippewas opened their season with a 19-6 road loss against the University of Arizona on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz., in front of 51,683 attendees.

Despite allowing Arizona to gain 448 yards of total offense, CMU held Arizona — which scored 36.6 points per game last season — to 19.

“It was a proud moment for us as a defense to be able to keep (Arizona’s) passing game in check,” said senior cornerback Josh Gordy. “But, again, we didn’t reach our ultimate goal.”

Arizona was held to 202 yards passing, but it added 246 yards rushing. Arizona junior Nic Grigsby ran 23 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Matt Scott added 83 yards on nine attempts.

“I wasn’t real pleased with the way we tackled,” said coach Butch Jones. “There were a number of times when we had a negative yardage play and we weren’t able to get them down, and then all of the sudden a three-yard loss turns into a six-yard gain.”

Arizona managed just one touchdown, but made four of five field goal attempts. Jones said he was happy the defense was able to limit points.

“The big thing was we made them kick field goals in the red zone,” he said. “I really liked the way our defense flew around.”

Offensively, however, the Chippewas were unable to find rhythm. They did not gain a first down until their final drive of the first half. CMU also did not convert a third down until the third quarter.

Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour was 18-of-31 passing for 108 yards and an interception. He added 18 yards rushing on nine attempts.

Jones said part of the reason the offense was stifled was because of Arizona’s defense.

“I think that’s probably the fastest defense we played since we’ve been here,” he said.

“They were sitting on our breaking points. We were never able to get into a rhythm offensively.

“Arizona possesses many advantages defensively,” Jones said. “Not only are they fast, but they’re physical.”

Arizona scored three points off of a turnover, after an Antonio Brown fumble on a punt return in the second quarter.

Brown sat out the first two possessions after arriving late to a team meeting. Jones said Brown was only three minutes late, but everyone on the team is accountable.