Rapid Reaction: CMU 49, Presbyterian 3
Wide receiver Mark Chapman catches a pass during a game against Presbyterian on Sept. 1 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Central Michigan opened its football season with a 49-3 victory over Presbyterian Thursday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
CMU jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, scoring on its second play of the game on a 69-yard touchdown run by junior running back Devon Spalding.
Spalding finished the game with 135 yards rushing on 15 carries.
The running game carried the Chippewas scoring, accounting for five of the seven touchdowns in the game. Senior Jahray Hayes had three rushing touchdowns to lead the way for CMU.
Rush finished the game 16-for-26 for 237 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Junior wide receiver Corey Willis scored CMU's lone passing touchdown on a 46-yard connection, breaking tackles along the way to the goal line.
CMU will be on the road for its next game against Oklahoma State on Sept. 10. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Final Statistics
Total Attendance: 16,215
Passing Yards: CMU 237, Presbyterian 82
Rushing Yards: CMU 255, Presbyterian 44
First Downs: CMU 23, Presbyterian 6
Turnovers: CMU 2, Presbyterian 3
Top Performers:
CMU: Jahray Hayes nine carries, 43 yards and three touchdowns.
Presbyterian: sophomore quarterback Ben Cheek 10-22 passing for 82 yards, 10 carries for four yards and zero touchdowns.
