2015 Week 17

The Chippewas entered the game looking to become the first school from a Non-AQ conference to win a National Championship. Much to the joy of everyone involved with Central Michigan University, that is exactly what they did. The Chippewas shocked the college football world by knocking off the Ohio State Buckeyes 42-28.

The Chippewas looked like they may be in for a long game just a few minutes in. Ohio State forced a CMU three and out on the first possession and quickly turned around and scored the game's first TD on a 30 yard TD run. However, CMU did not blink as Cooper Rush hit WR Anthony Rice down the sideline on the next play for a 70 yard TD which tied the game 7-7. The Chippewas turned up the defensive pressure on OSU's next drive. CMU looked to have recovered a fumble only to have it overturned. Two plays later, CMU picked off an errant Buckeye pass for the games first turnover. CMU would use the short field to their advantage as Maurice Shoemaker finished off the drive punching it in from the 2 yard line to give CMU the 14-7 lead.

The Buckeyes bounced right back. Less than one minute later RB Bri'onte Dunn busted a 62 yard run for his 2nd score of they day to tie the game 14-14. The Chippewas would score the next two TD's of the game as Anthony Garland and Saylor Lavallii each found the endzone from two yards out. With only 11 seconds left and a 28-14 lead, the Chippewas looked poised to enter halftime with a comfortable 14 point lead. Ohio State had other ideas. Bri'onte Dunn broke through the secondary and was off to the races as time expired in the half. The 75 yard TD run was the third of the game and cut CMU's lead down to 28-21 at halftime.

The Buckeyes received to start the 2nd half and utilized another quick drive capped off by a 21 yard Bri'onte Dunn score to tie the game 28-28. The score was Dunn's 4th TD of the game. It was hard not to wonder if the Chippewas had finally run out of steam against the big bad Buckeyes. CMU showed they still had some fight left. Cooper Rush led CMU right back down the field and capped off the drive with an 8 yard pass to RB Anthony Garland to put CMU back in front 35-28. The Chippewa defense was able to force a three and out on the next drive and gave the ball back to red hot CMU offense. Cooper Rush once again took over, leading CMU down the field before finding TE Ben McCord from 8 yards out late in the 4th quarter to increase the Chippewa lead to 42-28. Ohio State would be unable to answer as CMU picked off the Buckeyes for a 2nd time and were able to run the clock out to earn the schools first ever National Championship.

"I can't even begin to describe what we are feeling right now," said a jubilant Carlson. "No one gave us a shot to come in here and win this game. We went 14-0 and won a BCS game last season and yet none of the polls ranked us in the pre-season Top 25. That provided even more motivation to an already hungry group. We knew after last year we were capable of achieving some great things and we've reached the top of the mountain by winning a National Championship!"

QB Cooper Rush had a prolific day passing the ball. Completing 28 of 32 passes for 404 yards and 3 TD's. Andrew Flory lead all receivers catching 9 passes for 113 yards and 1 TD. Saylor Lavallii rushed for 71 yards on 20 carries and scored 1 TD.

The win was CMU's 34th consecutive win a feat that is simply unheard of in college football today. The win also improves Carlson's record to 39-3 through three seasons. Carlson always mentioned that he would not leave CMU until he won a National Championship. He has achieved that goal in three short years, it will be interesting to see if his Alma Mater can entice him to stay. I imagine Athletic Director Dave Heeke will be working the phones to see if a new conference may be willing to add the Chippewas. With the ever changing landscape of football and fresh off a National Championship win, it seems anything is possible.