Central Michigan kept its spot atop the Mid-American Conference West Division when it defeated Ball State (2-5, 2-2 MAC) 18-7 on Saturday. For just the fifth time in school history, the Chippewas are 4-0 in the MAC.
Central Michigan (4-3, 4-0 MAC) thwarted Ball State's offense, which averages a conference-best 32.7 points per game, by allowing the Cardinals to score just seven points, their lowest scoring output this season.
The Chippewas defense forced five turnovers and held the Cardinals' best pass offense in the MAC (274.9 yards per game) to just 160 yards.
The die has been cast in terms of what this team is about
Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly said. They grind out wins and find ways to win.
Chippewas' redshirt freshman quarterback Dan LeFevour was 18-of-30 for 171 yards and an interception, while rushing for 75 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns. LeFevour was named MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week after his sterling performance. He leads the MAC with 1,401 yards passing on the season.
However, the Chippewas don't have time to dwell on their victory, with only four days to prepare for their Thursday night match up against Bowling Green on ESPNU.
They know how to win Kelly said. You can tell by the way they play that it's not a team that goes into a game not expecting to win.
Snowstorm can't stop Miami's first victory
Miami won its first game of the season when it defeated Buffalo (1-5, 0-4 MAC) 38-31 on Sunday in Buffalo. The game had originally been scheduled for Saturday but was rescheduled because of a snowstorm that knocked out power in most of the area.
The RedHawks (1-6, 1-3 MAC) defense intercepted Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy four times and the special teams blocked a punt that led to a touchdown that put Miami up 28-21, a lead that the RedHawks would not relinquish.
The lone bright spot for Buffalo was running back James Starks, who rushed for a career-high 113 yards and a touchdown.Wolfe contained
Northern Illinois tailback Garrett Wolfe was held to just 25 yards on 18 carries ' almost 200 yards below his 223.8 per game average ' in the Huskie's 16-14 loss to Western Michigan on Saturday. The 25 yards rushing was the second-lowest rushing total of his career. Wolfe rushed for just 24 yards against Maryland in 2004.
Wolfe still leads all NCAA Division I-A in rushing this season with 1,368 yards, which is over 400 yards more than the second place rusher, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson.
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