Chippewas offense explodes past Northern Illinois

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Head coach Dan Enos walked out of his postgame press conference and asked his safety if he was alright.

Junior Jahleel Addae looked up from finishing his radio interview and said yeah. This coming after racking up a career-high 18 tackles. Enos said, “You’ll be sore tomorrow,” and gave the defensive leader an emotional hug.

Addae intercepted a Northern Illinois hail mary on the final play of the game as Central Michigan won 48-41 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Central Michigan junior wide receiver Cody Wilson attempts to break a tackle during the second half of Saturday's game against Northern Illinois University at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas beat the Huskies 48-41. (Andrew Kuhn/Assistant Photo Editor)

It was Addae’s second interception of the game. On the third play from scrimmage Addae picked off NIU’s Chandler Harnish, giving the Chippewas momentum the offense thrived on.

Running back Paris Cotton and quarterback Ryan Radcliff went wild all afternoon against the Huskies.

Cotton accounted for three touchdowns in the first game, which was his first extended playing time this year.

“It felt great,” Cotton said. “I’ve been waiting for that.”

Northern Illinois University junior wide receiver Martel Moore gets tackled near the 25 yard line by senior defensive back John Carr (left), junior defensive back Jahleel Addae (center) and freshman line back Cody Lopez (right) on Saturday afternoon at Kelly Shorts Stadium. CMU beat NIU 48-41. (Bethany Walter/Staff Photographer)

Radcliff had a big day after he was announced the starter directly before kickoff. He threw a career-high four touchdown passes.

“Ryan Radcliff did outstanding today,” Enos said. “He had a great look in his eye all week. He hasn’t had that lately, it’s a confidence thing.”

Radcliff found Cotton twice on screen passes where Cotton showed off his elusiveness, taking both to the end zone. His first touchdown reception went for 43 yards during the opening drive after halftime. Cotton’s 46-yard second receiving touchdown made the score 38-16.

“I love getting my offensive line in front of me,” Cotton said about his success with screen passes. “They were cleaning house.”

Freshman Courtney Williams caught a 79-yard touchdown pass on his first collegiate play, making it 10-0 in the first quarter. Fellow freshman Ben Brown punched in a 7-yard touchdown run on the next CMU possession, building a 17-0 lead.

“I really didn’t come down to earth until after I got in the end zone and saw the ref’s hands go in the air,” Williams said.

Addae forced a fumble and caught an onside kick late while being pounded by a NIU defender to go along with his career day.

“It’s just a blessing,” Addae said. “I try to play balls-out when I’m out there.”

NIU had the ball with a chance to tie it in the last 20 seconds of the game after two successful onside kicks, but Addae sealed it. Both teams got in a scuffle after the game ended, but nothing major materialized.

Harnish broke the Huskies program record for career passing yards in the first half. He finished with 370 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Harnish also rushed for 106 yards and a score.

Radcliff finished the day 17-of-28 for 387 yards and no turnovers. He was only sacked once.

Cotton had over 225 yards.

He gained 110 yards on the ground, 36 of those coming on a touchdown run up the middle. He also accounted for 115 yards through the air.

“This gives me big momentum going into MAC play,” Cotton said.

Senior tight end David Blackburn got into the action in the fourth quarter catching a 61-yard touchdown pass. Blackburn caught it over his shoulder and shook off a defender before scampering into the end zone.

NIU made a comeback scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter.

The win puts CMU’s record at 2-3 and 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. NIU falls to 2-3 and 0-1.

“This was huge for us,” Radcliff said. “We get back on the right foot in MAC play. I still made mistakes, but we’ve needed to execute lately and we did that today.”

At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Chippewas travel down to play North Carolina State of the Atlantic Coast Conference.