The CMU football team completed a blemish-free Mid-American Conference schedule for the first time in program history after beating Northern Illinois 45-31 Friday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Prior to this year, CMU had never finished a MAC schedule without a loss or tie.

The team took a 38-10 lead into the fourth quarter until NIU closed the gap to 38-24. But on Senior Day, senior defensive end Frank Zombo ended all of NIU’s momentum.

With less than four minutes remaining, Zombo dropped back in a zone-blitz scheme and intercepted NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish, returning the ball for a 27-yard touchdown.

“It’s very fitting Frank Zombo steps up when we need it and makes a big play,” said coach Butch Jones.

The seniors also led CMU to its first undefeated home season since 1998 en route to the team’s third trip to the MAC Championship in four seasons. It will play Ohio next Friday at 8 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.

“You look at what (the seniors) have been able to do, not only for this football family, but for the entire Central Michigan University and Mount Pleasant, you just can’t say enough about them,” Jones said.

Running the ball

Led by sophomore running back Bryan Schroeder, CMU ran for 257 yards against an NIU defense that held teams to an average of 106.5 rushing yards per game.

Schroeder had a career-high 128 rushing yards on nine carries, averaging 14.2 yards per carry.

To start the third quarter, Schroeder broke an 80-yard touchdown run — a career-long rung — on the first play from scrimmage in the half to put CMU up 31-10.

“I think that really sort of took their spirit away … I think that really put the third quarter in our favor,” Schroeder said.

Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour ran just six times, his second-lowest total of the season. He ran three times against Alcorn State in limited action.

LeFevour completed 27-of-41 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

NIU, which came in the game averaging a conference-best 209.4 rushing yards per game, was held to 126 rushing yards. Junior running back Chad Spann rushed for his MAC-best 19th rushing touchdown on 76 rushing yards.

CMU Senior wide receiver Bryan Anderson, who caught a ball on the second play from scrimmage, has now caught a pass in 52 consecutive games, an NCAA record.

Anderson finished with three receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Junior wide receiver Kito Poblah led the team with 77 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover