Box Score
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Western Michigan (7-3, 5-2 MAC) fell to Central Michigan (7-3, 6-0 MAC), 31-7, Friday night in front of 30,072 people at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The third quarter was the turning point for the Broncos. After coming out of the locker room at halftime trailing by only three, 10-7, the Broncos turned the ball over on their first three possessions and CMU capitalized.
Central was able to turn two of those turnovers into 14 straight points to push its lead to 17, 24-7, going into the fourth quarter. The Chippewas tacked on a late touchdown to account for the final margin.
Central Michigan got off to a hot start, scoring a touchdown on the third play of the game on a 53-yard touchdown pass from Dan LeFevour to Damien Linson. LeFevour finished the game 17-for-27 passing for 163 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Broncos were able to answer back by mounting a 10-play, 67-yard drive capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Cubit to Nick Saad. Freshman running back Brandon West rushed seven times for 55 yards on the Broncos only scoring drive. West rushed a career-high 22 times for a career-high 117 yards.
Central Michigan was able to add a field-goal late in the second quarter to give them the lead at the half.
Cubit finished the night 12-for-23 passing for 59 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Branden Ledbetter led the Broncos with five receptions for 33 yards.
Western Michigan will travel to Tallahassee, Florida to take on Bobby Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles Saturday November 17 at 2 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN360, ESPN's online subscription service.
WMU at CMU Notes
- First time WMU/CMU game is being played with conference/division title on the line since Nov. 15, 1980
- Nic Saad recorded second career TD catch (first quarter for five yards)
- First quarter TD pass extends Cubit's streak of games with at least one TD pass to seven
- Anthony Gebhart recorded first career INT in second quarter (21st INT as a team)
- WMU has a turnover on each of its first three second half possessions (2 fumbles, 1 INT)
- West runs for a career high 117 yards on a career best 22 carries
