MAC Football Scoreboard: Friday, Oct. 12
Navy 31, Central Michigan 13 Final Stats Postgame Notes
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan football team stayed with Navy through two-and-a-half quarters, but the Midshipmen scored two unanswered touchdowns in the latter half of the third to claim a 31-13 victory over the Chippewas in Friday’s Military Night contest.
Central Michigan (2-4) pulled within four points of the Midshipmen (3-3) after a touchdown from senior quarterback Ryan Radcliff to sophomore receiver Titus Davis and a 22-yard field goal by senior David Harman, but Navy pulled away in the third.
After falling behind 17-3, the Chippewas’ offense kicked into gear and answered with a touchdown on its final drive of the first half. Junior Zurlon Tipton rushed four yards for a first down and caught a Radcliff pass for 13 and another first down, and Radcliff found senior receiver Cody Wilson for 21 yards and a third straight first down. Radcliff found Davis for a 23-yard touchdown reception on the next play to pull the Chippewas within a score, 17-10.
Davis’ touchdown reception gives him 13 in his young career after just 18 games. His mark of 13 is tied for ninth all-time at CMU with D.J. Reid, Bryan Schorman and Ontario Sneed.
Four first downs in five plays put the Chippewas on the Navy 4-yard line on their first drive of the second half, but the Maroon and Gold were unable to convert, including an incomplete pass to the corner of the endzone from Radcliff to Davis on third down.
Navy struck first at the 11:43 mark in the first with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Keenan Reynolds to Brandon Turner just two plays after converting on a fourth-and-one at the CMU 26. The Midshipmen were 5-for-5 for fourth-down conversions on the night.
A 69-yard punt return up the left sideline by freshman Saylor Lavallii put the Chippewas at the Navy 26 to start their first possession. After getting as close as the Navy 6-yard line, the Chippewas settled for a 29-yard field goal by senior David Harman with 8:32 left in the quarter to pull within four, 7-3.
The Midshipmen converted two fourth-and-one opportunities in CMU territory during its second drive en route to a 19-yard touchdown pass from Reynolds to Gee Gee Green at the 3:49 mark in the first period giving Navy a 14-3 lead.
After neither team scored for the equivalent of a quarter, Navy extended its lead to 17-3 with 3:10 left in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal.
Harman nailed a 22-yard field goal to pull the Chippewas within four, 17-13, at the 9:37 mark in the third.
The Midshipmen milked 5:19 off the clock on their next drive, going 61 yards in 11 plays leading up to a two-yard rush by Prentice Christian to take a 24-13 lead with 4:08 left in the quarter.
The Chippewas were pinned down on their own six after a fumble recovery, forcing a punt and giving the Midshipmen a short field at the CMU 41. Navy responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass on the following play from Reynolds to Green at the 2:53 mark, giving them a 31-13 lead.
Central Michigan held an advantage in passing yards, with 151 to Navy’s 134, but the Midshipmen rushed for 372 to CMU’s 221.
Tipton led the Chippewas with 59 yards rushing, while Davis caught two passes for a team-high 48 yards. Radcliff went 11-for-19 for 139 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Justin Cherocci and junior Shamari Benton each recorded a game-high 14 tackles. Benton’s 14 were a career-high.
Central Michigan continues a four-game homestand against Ball State on Saturday for homecoming. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 kickoff.
Story courtesy of Central Michigan Sports Information Department.