INSIDE SLANT

Central Michigan took care of business by crushing Ball State 35-3 earlier in the week. A few days later, the Chippewas got another victory of sorts, when Ohio defeated Northern Illinois. The NIU loss coupled with CMU’s victory over Ball State cemented the Chippewas as the 2009 MAC West Division champions.

“Obviously this is very exciting for Central Michigan,” CMU coach Butch Jones told the Morning Sun Newspaper. “We have the opportunity to go back and play for the MAC Championship in two weeks. But, we still have a lot to play for before then.”

At 9-2 overall and 7-0 in the MAC, the Chippewas will be playing in the MAC title game again. Central Michigan avenged last year’s loss to the Cardinals by getting an historic effort from Dan LeFevour. The CMU senior completed 25-of-28 passes for 344 yards and four touchdowns. LeFevour also ran for a score and became the MAC’s all-time leader in passing yards.

“It means a lot because there are a lot of great players that have played here, but fortunately a lot of those guys didn’t play four years so I feel like I’m kind of stealing it,” LeFevour said of the record.

Jones, perhaps stating the obvious, called LeFevour a special quarterback.

“Obviously it is, because he’s got the record,” Jones said. “He’s been very durable, knock on wood, and he’s been able to play a lot of games in his career. He’s obviously been very productive because he’s gotten the ball every time he’s played. You can take away all the personal records, but what he has meant to our football family and our football program, I think that speaks volumes.”

Antonio Brown torched Ball State’s defense with 11 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown. Brown caught an 82-yard touchdown from LeFevour late in the second quarter to extend CMU’s lead to 21-3. Tight end David Blackburn had two touchdown grabs in the victory, the first two of his career. The Chippewas finished with 512 yards total offense.

The CMU defense held the Cardinals to 231 yards and 2-of-11 on third down conversions.

NOTES, QUOTES

• QB Dan LeFevour became the MAC’s all-time leader in passing yards when he hit 12,000, breaking Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich’s record of 11,903. LeFevour moved into third place on the NCAA all-time yardage list with 14,861.

• WR Bryan Anderson caught a pass on CMU’s first drive to extend his streak to 51 straight games with a reception, tying an NCAA record. Anderson is now in third place on the all-time MAC reception list with 273.

• TE David Blackburn finished with two catches for 14 yards, catching touchdown passes of 3 and 11 yards to mark his first career touchdowns.

• WR Antonio Brown raised his streak to 38 consecutive games with a reception. Brown moved into second place on the all-time MAC reception list with 275.

Game Ball Goes To:   QB Dan LeFevour—Who else? The senior quarterback had another historic performance, etching his name atop the MAC’s all-time passing yardage list. LeFevour played a near-flawless game, completing 25-of-28 passes for 344 yards. He threw for four touchdowns and ran for one score.

Keep An Eye On:   TE David Blackburn—Caught two touchdown passes against Ball State—the first two of his career. He hauled in touchdown grabs of 3 and 11 yards from Dan LeFevour in the third quarter.

Quote To Note:   “He’s been a rock of stability for us. It’s the ability to play through the nicks and the pains and the bruises, which he’s done. It’s amazing because football is an extremely physical game, and I think that shows his durability.”—CMU coach Butch Jones on wide receiver Bryan Anderson tying the NCAA mark with 51consecutive games with a reception.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   The Chippewas received a collective effort to notch their ninth victory in 11 games. The offense racked up 512 yards behind a big day from quarterback Dan LeFevour, who threw for four touchdowns. The defense held Ball State to three points, the lowest total the Chippewas allowed in a conference game since a shutout win over Akron in 1996.

TE David Blackburn entered the game without a career touchdown catch. He had two touchdown grabs in the third quarter against Ball State.

WR Kito Poblah finished with four receptions for 75 yards, including a 33-yard grab.

DB LaVarus Williams intercepted a pass and broke up a pass.

Still Needs Work:   The Chippewas lost two fumbles against the Cardinals. Dan LeFevour and Bryan Schroeder both ended drives with fumbles.

Roster Report:  

• LT Eric Fisher, a freshman, made his first career start against Ball State.

• QB Dan LeFevour passed Marshall’s Byron Leftwich to become the MAC’s all-time passing yardage leader with 12,000 yards.

• WR Bryan Anderson extended his streak to 51 consecutive games with a reception to tie an NCAA record.