CMU senior QB Dan LeFevour's milestone night led the Chippewas to a big MAC victory in front of a national crowd on ESPN. He became the Mid-American Conference's all-time leader in passing yards, completing 25-of-28 throws for 344 yards, and was in on all five of CMU's touchdowns in a 35-3 win at Ball State to spoil Senior Night for the Cards.
The Chipps (9-2) stand at 7-0 in the MAC for just the second time in program history. It is CMU's first nine-win regular season since 1994, and the Chippewas moved within a game of their third MAC Championship Game appearance in the past four seasons. Coach Butch Jones' squad can clinch a spot in the conference title game with either an Ohio victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday, or with a victory over NIU at home in the regular season finale on Nov. 27.
The Chippewas signal-caller threw TD passes of 10 yards to Bryan Anderson, 82 yards to Antonio Brown and 3 and 11 yards to David Blackburn. He also ran 1 yard for a TD in the second quarter.
Ball State has struggled this season to 1-10 (1-5 in the MAC) and looked like a team that lost 11 starters (4 who went to the NFL) in 2008. They expect to return 90 of 99 players next year and should be a bit more competitive in 2010.
College: Central Michigan Univ Conference: MAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class
Dan LeFevour 13 6' 3.0" 229 4.70 QB 2010
LeFevour just continues to impress me like no other QB has done this year. With just a little over a minute to play in the first half, LeFevour made a play that stands out to me as emblematic of his leadership and competitive value. The Cardinals had just kicked an FG to make the score 14-3; after a poorly thrown incomplete pass, Lefevour was facing third-and-11 from the CMU 18-yard line as the clock ticked under a minute. LeFevour was flushed from the pocket and rolled right, keeping his focus upfield. After a quick gesture towards Brown to the open area and without breaking stride he threw to a strike to Brown (that covered about 40 yards), who made the catch in-stride and out-sprinted the Ball State defense down the sideline to the end zone to get the TD and snatch the momentum away from Ball State - they never threatened the rest of the night. Indi GM Bill Polian was on the sidelines, and while Indi doesn't need the services of a LeFevour, he sure would be a nice back-up. Look for LeFevour's stock to continue to rise by draft day. By the way, he also moved to third on the NCAA's career total offense list. He now has 14,861 career yards. He passed both Colt Brennan (Hawaii) and Ty Detmer (BYU) last night. This kid's a winner in every way.
GRADE: VERY POSITIVE
Antonio Brown 27 5' 10.0" 179 4.40 WR 2011
Brown had 17 touches today and accounted for 199 yards and a big TD. 11 catches for 170 yards again attest to his value as a receiver. Not a big night in the returns department (3 for 2 yards for punts, and 1 KO return for 18) and just 8 yards on 2 rushes. Very good hands and great field awareness (he was in perfect sync with LeFevour on the big 82-yard TD - CMU's longest play of the year). We will need to re-adjust our rankings to include him highly as a WR if he chooses to declare.
GRADE: VERY POSITIVE
Bryan Anderson 7 6' 5.0" 213 4.55 WR 2010
Anderson capped CMU's opening possession with a 10-yard touchdown reception. It was his 51st consecutive game with a reception, tying an NCAA all-divisions record and demonstrating his durability. He caught 4 on the night for just 43 yards, but had a good all-around game making some good blocks (all the CMU receivers block very well, incidentally) downfield for the run game. I expect to see him in as a mid-round pick and perhaps higher if he shows great speed at the combine.
GRADE: POSITIVE
Frank Zombo 98 6' 4.0" 260 4.80 DE 2010
Zombo had a modest night by his standards with just 3 tackles (2 solo) including 1.5 TFLs. (He didn't play much in the second half as many of the CMU starters watched the entire fourth quarter.) He showed good quickness on the pass rush and made a great read on a draw-play where he tackled Lewis for a 2 yard loss. He pursued well down the line, forcing cut-backs to give the LBs (usually Bellore) easy tackles. He should definitely be in camp and has a shot a making an NFL roster.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE
Collin Miller 63 6' 3.0" 291 5.00 C 2011
The Rimington Trophy nominee continued to play well. I like his quickness and solid footwork; very strong - rarely overpowered by defender. All snaps were good and on-target. Will be a solid prospect in 2011.
GRADE: POSITIVE
College: Ball State Conference: MAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Kyle Kuntz 9 5' 10.0 197 4.60 S 2010
Back-up safety (had 1 start on the season) that had 4 tackles (1 solo). Decent speed and coverage ability but nothing excpetional that would suggest interest at the next level.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE
Tanner Justice 17 6' 3." 200 4.70 QB 2010
Starting QB RS frosh Page has broken thumb getting Justice the start - only 10-17 with an INT and a fumble for 105 yards - rushed 4 times for -7 yards and a sack. He never really looked comfortable or could develop a rhythmn - I would expect more from a 5th year senior in is final game. Not a prospect.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE
Alex Knipp 38 6' 0.0 194 4.60 S 2010
Team's 3rd leading tackler for the season - strong in run support; a little soft in coverage, but keeps the play in front of him. Had 8 tackles (2 solo). Special teams contributor. Good size for position - would need an exceptional combine/pro day to be drafted - a solid CFL/UFL or practice squad player.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE
Miquale Lewis 33 5' 6.0 184 4.55 HB 2010
Quick and elusive runner who can slash through defense (had 310 yards vs EMU earlier in the year)- had just 33 yards on 13 carries in this game, but averaged 5.0 yards per carry in 2009. Caught a pass for 7 yards. Showed a couple very nice bursts and good patience allowing the holes to open. Versatile coming out of the widlcat (but fumbled hand-off on key 4th down with RB Sykes). Is pursuing a medical redshirt (only played in 4 games in 2007 with knee injury, and 6 games in 2006 with shoulder injury) to play in 2010. Concerned that diminuitive size will limit interest - also, injury history does not bolster confidence in his durability against NFL competition.
GRADE: NEUTRAL
Spain Cosby 48 5' 11.0 225 4.60 LB 2010
Only 1 start this season - played 'in and out' in this game - finished with just 1 assisted tackle for the game. Not a standout tonight, but will finish as a 4-year letterwinner. Decent quickness, but was not in many plays - needs to play through the block better to move to the next level. Potentially a practice squad contributor.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE
Sam Woodworth 55 6' 2.0 206 4.60 LB 2010
Back-up LB (2 starts this year) with good height, but too light to compete at the next level. Would need to add 25-30 pounds to play in the NFL. Fairly quick, but unable to get to LeFevour (only 1 assisted tackle on the night). Really not a PP at unless he gains weight and has an amazing pro day.
GRADE: NEUTRAL
Drew Duffin 65 6' 3.0 260 DT 2010
Duffin was about the only Ball State defender to put much pressure on LeFevour. He finished with 6 tackles (2 solo) and had the only sack on LeFevour. He has a couple rush moves (spin, bull-rush, & rip were three I saw) and he got very low on the goal line (the Cards had a great goalline stand early in the game where they stopped the Chipps at the 1 - Duffin was key to leading the charge against the Chipp o-line). He is a bit light, and was knocked-down a couple times, limiting his pursuit. I liked his effort and leadership. He needs some more mass to play every down at DT ... I could see him being a very solid practice squad player, where he could gain some weight and experience and then get a chance to play in the NFL.
GRADE: VERY POSITIVE
Chad Davis 69 6' 3.0 280 4.90 OT 2010
Back-up tackle who played in the 4th quarter on senior night. In the few plays he was in, did not distinguish himself as a PP.
GRADE: NEUTRAL
Jordan Applegate 70 6' 5.0 300 5.00 C 2010
Back-up center who played in the 4th quarter on senior night. He has tremendous size for the position, but in the few plays he was in, did not distinguish himself as a PP.
GRADE: NEUTRAL
Madaris Grant 82 6' 5.0 221 4.70 TE 2010
Injured in week one - pursing medical redshirt to return in 2010
GRADE: INCOMPLETE
Jake Hogue 29 5' 9.0 195 0.00 K 2011 - did not play
GRADE: INCOMPLETE
Brandon Crawford 90 6' 3.0 260 4.80 DE 2010
Crawford had some good rushes, but failed to contain LeFevour consistently to make a difference for his team. A little undersized for the d-line, so he needs to improve his quickness off the ball to become effective. Had a nice tackle for loss to help stop CMU on their opening drive of the 2nd half; also stayed very low and helped 'blow-up' CMU's plays on the goalline. Another 'tweener' that might make it at OLB with speed increase or at end with some more mass - another practice squad player.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE
Game Notes:
LeFevour finished with 403 yards of total offense against Ball State (344 passing, 59 rushing), the ninth time in his career he has posted at least 400 yards of offense ... Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson now rank second and third, respectively, in MAC history in career receptions. Brown has caught 275 passes in his career, while Anderson has tallied 273 ... CMU held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the seventh time in 11 games this season ... LeFevour rushed and passed for at least one touchdown in the same game for the 20th time in his career ... JR LB Davyd Jones of Ball State led all tacklers with 15 (5 solo) with a forced-fumble and a tackle-for-loss.