2014 Week 9

It was an ugly scene for Bronco fans at Kelly/Shorts stadium on Saturday, as the Chippewas steamrolled Western Michigan 63-24 to earn their 2nd consecutive victory over the rival Broncos.

The Chippewas came into the game with a 7-0 record and ranked #12 in the nation and they showed just how much separation there is between the two programs. CMU trailed 3-0 after a quiet 1st quarter, but 35 2nd quarter points for the Chippewas provided them with a 35-17 halftime lead. The passing game could not be stopped in the first half as QB Cooper Rush accumulated 300 yards passing and 5 TD's in the first half. Rush finished the game 21/28 passing for 446 yards 5 TD's and 1 INT.

The 2nd half was no different as Central Michigan continued to dominate. The defense held the Bronco offense scoreless. Western's lone TD came on a fumble punt return by CMU. Saylor Lavallii accounted for all of CMU's 2nd half TD's finding the endzone on the ground four times. Lavallii finished the game with 168 yards on 23 carries and scored 4 TD's.

The story of the game may have been the performance of Senior WR Titus Davis. The outstanding play maker caught 12 passes for 304 yards and 4 TD's, setting the school record for receiving yards in a game and receiving TD's in a game. "I don't know what to say about today. I was just feeling it" said Davis. "It's obvious Cooper and I have a great relationship and he just finds ways to get me the ball. We always want to beat Western and the two of us were in a zone. There wasn't anything that was going to stop us." It was the 5th game in a row that Davis has surpassed 100 yards receiving. Davis now has 1,068 yards receiving on the season to go along with 8 TD receptions. "Titus is obviously a special player" said Carlson. He is the best WR in the NCAA in my opinion and that was before he did what he did today. Just grateful that he is playing on our side."

The win pushes Carlson's record to 2-0 against Western Michigan. Carlson now has a 4-0 record against the Michigan MAC schools. The win ensured that both the Cannon Trophy and the Michigan MAC trophy would stay in Mt. Pleasant for another year.

Central Michigan improves to 8-0 (4-0) and travels to Toledo next weekend to face the Rockets.