2008 Woodie Awards
WEB UPDATE: CMU proud of its effort despite loss in final act
Leaders praise team's character in heart-breaking 51-48 Motor City Bowl loss
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: Sports
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Posted Dec. 26
DETROIT - They left it all out on the field.
That's how Dan LeFevour described his Central Michigan teammates' effort in the second half of Wednesday's 51-48 loss to Purdue in the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field.
Senior defensive tackle Steven Friend kneeled in the middle of the field with no time left in his Chippewa career after Chris Summers' 40-yard kick ended one of the best comeback attempts in school history.
The seniors came within two seconds of beating a Big Ten team for the first time since the 1992 Chippewas beat Michigan State, something the group had strived for heading into the season.
"I'm just proud of the effort of my teammates," said senior linebacker Red Keith. "You saw the character of my teammates. I'm proud about that, but we're disappointed about the scoreboard."
CMU's second-half effort, in which it outscored Purdue 35-17 (28-7 in the third quarter) highlighted one of the most exhilarating finishing halves in school history.
"It was a heck of a college football game," said CMU coach Butch Jones. "It may go down as one of the best bowl games, at least that I've ever been a part of."
LeFevour, CMU's record-setting sophomore quarterback, was held to only 79 yards passing and 41 yards rushing in the first half, and was sacked three times.
LeFevour and the offense began the game on the Purdue 9-yard line after freshman linebacker Nick Bellore's interception return, but CMU was only able to muster a field goal.
"There's a lot things that didn't go our way (in the first half)," LeFevour said. "I think we just said '(forget) it,' and came to play in the second half a lot more."
CMU went into the tunnel trailing 34-13 at the break.
CMU's third-quarter onslaught began on the half's second play from scrimmage, as freshman Antonio Brown leaned down and caught a screen pass. 76 yards and a few jukes later, Brown had brought CMU within two touchdowns only 51 seconds into the new half.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Mary Catherine Rentz
posted 12/27/07 @ 12:04 PM EST
My family and I attended the game last night and are so proud of our Chippewas. Even when they were down a couple of touchdowns, we knew they would keep fighting to come back and they did. (Continued…)
Karl Kassmann
posted 12/27/07 @ 8:20 PM EST
I attendend the Motor City Bowl game and am very proud of the Chippewa players and all the CMU fans that showed up to the game. What a site to see so many people in maroon and gold. (Continued…)
sidda1ms
Mark Siddall
posted 12/28/07 @ 9:28 AM EST
We Chippewas should be proud of our team's drive and effort. Dan LeFevour said it best, "They left it all out on the field." Our team kept the pressure on Purdue all day long and in the end proved that our Chips are a force to be reckoned with; Hooah!
Steven
posted 12/31/07 @ 8:23 PM EST
CMU certainly proved they deserved to be on the same field as a Big Ten team like Purdue. CMU certainly should be proud of their efforts in this game. (Continued…)
Bill Caldwell 84'
posted 1/01/08 @ 2:13 AM EST
I was watching the game Utah, "I was there visiting relatives for the holiday" and I made sure that everybody in the house knew that Central was not going down quietly! Being a former Marching Chip I was really into the game. (Continued…)
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