Trick plays not enough for CMU in 31-20 loss to MSU
On the first play from scrimmage, Tommy Lazzaro handed the ball off to running back Jonathan Ward, who immediately lateraled the ball back to Lazzaro.
Central Michigan’s junior quarterback let go of the ball and completed a 35-yard pass to receiver Brandon Childress.
The successful flea-flicker helped CMU put its first, and only, points of the first half on the scoreboard – a 40-yard field goal from Ryan Tice just 1:51 into the game.
From that point on, it was all Michigan State in a 31-20 victory over the Chippewas (1-4) on Sept. 29 at Spartan Stadium in front of 73,752 fans.
Central Michigan cut its deficit to 11 points with 6:44 remaining in the game on a touchdown pass from Ward to backup quarterback Tony Poljan, but Michigan State never allowed its edge to fall below at least a touchdown.
“We thought it was important to get a spark and make some plays,” said CMU coach John Bonamego. “We rolled the dice, and I thought we did a good job.”
The Spartans (3-1) scored for the first time on a three-yard rushing score from quarterback Brian Lewerke with 10:57 to play in the first half. Eight minutes later, the junior found the end zone from five yards out for a 14-3 edge.
Lewerke threw a pass in the middle of the end zone for Felton Davis III on Michigan State’s second drive of the game, but the pass was intercepted by CMU cornerback Sean Bunting. The interception rejected a touchdown opportunity and handed the ball back to the Chippewas.
Matt Coghlin made his 14th field goal in a row, this time from 33 yards out, to push Michigan State ahead 17-3 at halftime.
“We dug ourselves into a hole at half,” Bonamego said. “We didn’t come here to play a game. We came here to win a game. We didn’t do that. However, I’m very proud of the fight in our football team.”
Michigan State is ranked as the No. 1 defensive team against the run. The Spartans proved themselves by holding CMU to nine carries for five yards in the first half.
Ward, who accumulated 1,494 all-purpose yards a season ago, was held without a positive rushing yard in the first half and a total of 26 yards when the final whistle sound.
True freshman La’Darius Jefferson, receiving a majority of playing time due to the injury absence of senior running back LJ Scott, logged his first career touchdown on a two-yard carry with 4:18 left in the third quarter for a 31-3 edge. The touchdown prior was a two-yard carry from backup running back Connor Heyward.
“The running backs ran hard,” said CMU defensive tackle Nathan Brisson-Fast. “They hit the holes and moved the pile.”
Facing 1st-and-10 from the Michigan State 11-yard line, a holding penalty bumped Lazzaro’s group back to the 21. Nevertheless, a third down completion from the quarterback to receiver Julian Hicks for a score cut CMU’s deficit to 21 points.
Lazzaro finished the game 19-of-34 through the air for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He added 11 carries for 32 yards in the loss.
“They were really good against the run, so I had to come out and throw it,” Lazzaro said. “I got a little antsy back there, and the two interceptions were definitely on me. Most guys would give up, but we kept grinding.
“I loved the fight from our guys.”
Kaden Keon’s ensuing onside kick was recovered by CMU’s George Douglas. Six plays later, Tice made a 40-yard field goal with 12:08 remaining, cutting Michigan State’s lead to 31-13.
The Chippewas got the ball back with 9:50 left and an 18-point deficit.
Lazzaro immediately went to work.
CMU’s final touchdown of the comeback effort was another trick play, but it happened a bit different than the first play of the game.
Lazzaro hiked the ball and pitched it back to Ward, who tossed the ball into the end zone for backup quarterback Tony Poljan, doubling as a wide receiver, for 29-yard connection.
Despite being down by just 11 points after Ward's strike through the air with 6:44 to go, the Chippewas were unable to stop the Spartans from running down the clock on their final offensive drive.
MSU coach Mark Dantonio’s team held the Chippewas to 245 total yards of offense and 63 rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Spartans nearly split in their 345 yards – 185 passing and 160 rushing.
Central Michigan returns to Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant at noon on Oct. 6 to play Buffalo. The Bulls are 4-1 on the season.
“We didn’t have quite enough at the end to pull it out,” Bonamego said. “We will go back home and improve off this. We will be a very good football team down the stretch.”
