Chippewas fall short at Navy

• Tweet
• 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Ryan Radcliff’s career-high 394 yards and three touchdowns wasn’t enough as the Central Michigan football team came up short in its comeback bid Saturday, losing 38-37 against Navy.

After trailing 38-24 in the fourth quarter, the sophomore quarterback marched CMU down the field twice, scoring two touchdowns to pull within a point with four seconds remaining on the clock.

Head coach Dan Enos then decided to go for the win and try a two-point conversion, but Radcliff’s pass sailed out of the end zone, ending the team’s hopes for an upset win in front of 34,333 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

“The whole team wanted to and I felt we had momentum,” Enos said after the game on the decision to go for two. “We made them punt once the whole day, so I didn’t know if we could get into a deal where we had the ball on the 25 and would be able to stop them consistently.”

Radcliff finished the day 36-of-58, setting a personal record for the number of yards and completions. He was sacked twice, but did not throw an interception.

The loss drops the Chippewas to 3-8 on the season, the first time they have lost eight games since 2003.

“You play 59 minutes and 56 seconds,” Radcliff said he told his teammates, “And in four seconds, that’s the game. It’s frustrating, but that’s football.”

CMU got a break right from the start, as Navy fumbled on its first possession of the game. The Chippewas, however, would squander the opportunity, as freshman place kicker David Harman missed a 42-yard field goal.

Sophomore defensive back Jahleel Addae pulls down Navy junior quarterback Kriss Proctor during the second quarter Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Addae led the the team with 10 tackles in the 38-37 loss. (Leah Sefton/Staff Photographer)

The Midshipmen came back right away, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Quarterback Kriss Proctor lead them 75 yards down the field, setting up an 18-yard touchdown run by strong back Aaron Santiago and 7-0 lead.

Proctor, who played for an injured Ricky Dobbs, rushed 20 times for 201 yards, averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

“He came in and did a very good job,” Enos said. “He’s tough, ran hard and made very good decisions within their offense.”

The Chippewas followed up, like they did much of the game, with a drive of their own, capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Radcliff to sophomore tight end David Blackburn.

Both teams traded touchdowns before CMU’s defense forced the Midshipmen to turn the ball over on downs, allowing Harman to kick a 41-yard field goal before half and give it a 24-21 lead.

Navy (7-3) answered in the third quarter, scoring consecutive touchdowns on drives of 64 and 74 rushing yards, respectively.

The Midshipmen outgained the Chippewas running the ball, 437 yards to 101.

Santiago had 60 yards rushing on four carries. Junior fullback Alexander Teich recorded 53 yards on 12 carries and a pair of touchdowns.

“We really couldn’t stop them on defense all day long,” said senior linebacker Matt Berning, who finished with eight tackles. “It’s just a combination of them pounding (us) and discipline.”

Redshirt freshman Zurlon Tipton led the team rushing with 62 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Cody Wilson had 13 catches for 126 yards, leading all receivers.

Linebacker Max Blue had a game-high 12 tackles for Navy.

CMU has a bye week before traveling to Toledo on Nov. 26. Kickoff time has not yet been determined.

NOTES: Senior linebacker Nick Bellore sat out the game after receiving 16 stitches to repair a gash in his lip following the Nov. 5 game against Western Michigan. … As a result, Matt Berning moved to the middle linebacker spot and junior Mike Petrucci played the weakside linebacker position. … Bellore’s streak of 51 consecutive games with a start was snapped, falling one-game short of tying Andrew Hartline for the program record. … Freshman Kenny McClendon started at defensive end for Kashawn Fraser.