CMU starts the game, gets a couple of first downs and punts to the Penn State 22.
Penn State roars down the field in quick fashion, scoring on a 2 yard run on 3rd and goal.
CMU marches down the field. Big run to the 20 called back due to a dubious holding call. Replay confirms the call was weak. CMU going for it on 4th down at PSU's 40. And Penn State brings the house to squelch any chance with a 13 !!!! yard loss.
Penn State's drive stalls and their field goal kicker sends one wide left.
PENN ST 7 CMU 0 late 1st Q
Good stop for the defense in the red zone after Penn State started with a short field. Now we have to move the ball!
I'm doing a game thread <a href='http://mb3.scout.com/fcentralmichiganfrm1.showMessage?topicID=2740.topic' target='_blank'>here.</a> I can't promise I'll be able to do the whole game, though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End 1st Quarter: Penn State 7, CMU 0. CMU has the ball and it'll be 2nd and about 15 at the CMU 39.
Penn St 7 CMU 0 end of 1st Q
CMU has the ball, second and 15
Offense doing OK so far. Defense has been shaky. (Last Penn St drive was stopped by their TE dropping a sure TD pass.)
Come on CMU! Get a BIG WIN
PSU drives, but Central "D" stiffens. Field goal. Earlier, PSU fumbled a punt, but refs said he was down. Replay shows a CMU players ripping the ball out of the receiver's hands, but too close a call to by overturned. Later, PSU fumbles, but lucks out on a recovery.
PSU 10 CMU 0
CMU must get a sustained drive to keep the game competitive.
CMU player tackles the PSU running back for a 5-yard loss, but pulls on the facemask as he makes the sure tackle. 15 yard penalty. Next, PSU throws the bomb for a TD. Extra point botched.
PSU 17 CMU 0
Critical part of the first half, with 5 minutes left. Gotta get a drive, only if to keep PSU off the field on stay in game at halftime.
Just as I feared.
CMU takes the kickoff deep and gets out to the 16. Penn St "D" instantly pushes CMU to the shadow of the end zone. Punt gives PSU the ball in CMU territory. Quick strike. 23-0
Ugh.
CMU three and out. Penn State putting it away in a matter of minutes in the late second half.
CMU recovers a fumble on the kickoff and gets a FG. No more goose egg, at least:
Penn State 23,
CMU 3
_____________________________________________________
Unfortunately, we allowed Penn State to return the kickoff to our 38.
Completed pass to the 20 with six ticks left. 37 yard FG is good.
Penn State 26,
CMU 3 
CMU finally gets on the board with less than a minute in the half.
Then the kickoff goes to the #1 recruit in America (according to the announcers) and he runs it into CMU territory. Penn State kicks a field goal as the half ends.
PSU 26 CMU 3
CMU offense isn't bad, but PSU's looks very good AND disciplined.
CMU defense cannot stop PSU. Wonder if Kelly will pull out all of stops in the second half? I didn't see the Chippewas blitz once. You might as well try a few times to mix it up. The announcers are talking up the PSU QB, but he hasn't been pressured but one or two times the entire game.
Second half could be brutal, especially if the CMU players quit going 100%. Hopefully Kelly will urge them to play it out to the end.
Quote:Second half could be brutal, especially if the CMU players quit going 100%. Hopefully Kelly will urge them to play it out to the end.
I can't see us quitting. If I'm Kelly, I tell the players to forget the score right now and just play. Whatever happens, happens. :saber:
Well, CMU was clearly overmatched on both sides of the ball, plain and simple.
Time to regroup and realize we can still earn a winning record, if they play hard and don't quit.
Reasonable prediction:
W EMU
L at Akron
W at Army
W Ohio
L Toledo
L Northern Illinois
W at Western Michigan
W at Ball State
That would result in a 6-5 record, which would be a show of progress.
Quote:Well, CMU was clearly overmatched on both sides of the ball, plain and simple.
Time to regroup and realize we can still earn a winning record, if they play hard and don't quit.
Agree on both counts. I have a feeling Penn State is going to be 4-0 heading into their game against Minnesota, and the Nittany Lions will make a little noise this season.