Jumping the Zips: Central Michigan defense thrives in 14-6 victory over Akron
Chippewas move above .500 for first time in Bonamego era
AKRON, Ohio — A missed field goal and a missed extra point helped the Chippewas to a 7-6 first half lead, but it was nine consecutive scoreless Akron drives to end the game that helped the Central Michigan football team emerge victorious.
While the offense couldn’t stay hot consistently, the CMU defense shut down an Akron rushing attack that Head Coach John Bonamego said was the strength of the Zips football team.
“We felt like if we could stop the run and make them one-dimensional, they might complete some passes but we didn’t feel like they could beat us consistently through the air,” Bonamego said.
The Zips ended the day with 25 carries for 25 yards, including a -4 first half total. The Chippewas didn’t fare much better on the ground, with junior quarterback Cooper Rush finishing as the leading rusher and the group collectively gaining 39 yards on 24 carries.
“I thought our defense was outstanding,” Bonamego said. “We knew it’d be hard to move the ball against Akron’s defense. The other two phases, I thought we were decisively better.”
Senior defensive end Blake Serpa led the charge, racking up two of CMU’s four sacks, including forcing a fumble resulting in an 18-yard loss and a missed Akron field goal.
The Chippewas came into Saturday with six sacks in their eight games.
“When you’re not expecting to get hit like that, I played a little quarterback back in the day and I know it’s just not fun at all,” Serpa said. “You’re definitely quicker to get out of the pocket and make not-as-good throws.”
Coming out of halftime, Rush led the Chippewas down the field in 3:01 for a seven-play, 75-yard drive, ending in an Anthony Rice over-the-shoulder score.
“We just started playing pitch-and-catch a little bit,” Rush said. “Pass protection was really good on that drive, we were able to step up and hit some guys down the field.”
Rush was 5-for-6 with 76 yards on that drive, and ended the day 23-for-37 with 226 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Rice was his top receiver, hauling in nine catches for 105 yards and the score.
“The defender did a really good job, he had me for locked down for a lot of the play,” Rice said. “At the end, I just somehow slipped open and Coop saw where I went. Beautiful ball.”
But after the quick score, neither team would put points on the board again, giving the Zips numerous chances to tie the game.
“It’s kind of exciting because you know it’s still your opportunity,” Serpa said. “It’s your chance to do something, it’s on your shoulders, really, so you take that with great pride.”
With the 14-6 win, the Chippewas move to 5-4 with the win and 4-1 in the Mid-American Conference. It’s the first time since 2009 they have started 4-1 or better through five conference games. They have a partial bye week before hosting MAC West Division leader, No. 20 Toledo on Nov. 10.
“It’s better to win ugly to lose pretty,” Bonamego said. “Right now, I think the best thing is that we’re relevant and we’re going into November and we get a couple days to rest up our team.”
