By Neil Rosan / @neilandsports
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan University quarterback Cooper Rush showed why he was the class of the Mid-American Conference as the Chippewas blew out the Buffalo Bulls 51-14 on Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Rush picked apart the Bulls’ defense as he went 16-of-20 in the first half for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jesse Kroll was Rush’s main threat hauling in six passes for 123 yards and a score in the opening half and leading the Chippewas to the team’s first 50-point performance since 2010.
“We challenged the team all week to not let one disappointments turn into two,” Head Coach John Bonamego said. “In order to be successful you can’t allow your self to get to high with the wins and too low with the lows.”
Fire Up Chips! It’s GAME DAY! I expect our Student Section to be LOUD & PROUD! We appreciate & need your support! pic.twitter.com/w48jCIcMyR
— John Bonamego (@CMUCoachBono) October 17, 2015
CMU wasted little time getting on the scoreboard driving 78 yards in seven plays on the opening drive. Running back Martez Walker, starting for the injured Jahray Hayes, opened up the scoring with a 6-yard scamper.
The Chippewas opened up the floodgates in the second quarter in all three phases of the game. CMU played an up-tempo style of offense that allowed Rush to find Kroll on a 46-yard bomb on the to extend the lead to 21-7. Kroll Finished the game with 133 yards on seven catches.
“I always know where Jesse is going to be,” Rush said. “He’s played a lot, so he’s very good. That’s why we’ve been successful in the passing game.”
CMU special teams continued the misery for Buffalo as Zach Oakley blocked a punt for a safety.
“It was something we saw earlier in the week in our game plan,” Bonamego said. “We want to be aggressive in that phase. Coach Dietzel knew them really well because he was there last year. Our guys bought in to the play and were able to execute it. I just wish we could have fallen on it before it went out of the end zone.”
The Chippewas used the short field position on the following possession to their advantage. Rush went 5-for-5 on the drive and capped it off with a 2-yard pass to fullback Trevor Thomas.
Not to be outdone by the rest of the team, senior safety Kavon Frazier picked off quarterback Joe Licata to complete the Bull’s meltdown.
“It was great to see us come out and execute on both sides of the ball,” Bonamego said. “In the second half, we finished it off.”
Central Michigan put in a complete performance on defense, winning the turnover battle 4-1. The unit allowed only 92 rush yards and 149 pass yards in the game.
Walker was able to put the game on ice with his second touchdown of the game in the third quarter. The Illinois-native rushed for 60 yards and averaged 3-yards per carry.
“With all the injuries to our running backs, he really stepped up,” Rush said. “He knew he had to for the team. I’m really proud of him.”
Rush was clinical on the afternoon going 23-for-30 for 313 yards and finding 10 different receivers. He did have a late miscue when he threw a pick-six to Andrew Dadeboe, but finished with five total touchdowns in the game.
“I don’t have to zero in on one guy,” Rush said. “Wherever the coverage takes me, I can target another guy. All those guys can make plays and they are all always ready.”
From here Central Michigan will travel on the road to take on the Ball State Cardinals.
