Saturday's MAC: CMU handles Maine in Lazzaro's first start; EMU falls in OT
Mount Pleasant — Tommy Lazzaro had a touchdown pass and ran for a score in his first career start to lead Central Michigan to a 17-5 victory over Maine on Saturday.
Lazzaro replaced sophomore starter Tony Poljan after the offense struggled in the Chippewas’ 0-3 start. Lazzaro ran it in from 5 yards out in the first quarter and connected with JaCorey Sullivan for a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth that put Central Michigan (1-3) up two scores.
The Black Bears (2-1) scored on Kenny Doak’s 36-yard field goal in the third quarter and a fourth-quarter safety when Richard Carr blocked a punt that rolled out of the CMU end zone.
The Chippewas had just 177 yards of offense, but they managed to rush for 95 yards against Maine, which came into the game allowing just 13.5 yards on the ground — tops in the FCS.
Maine was penalized 11 times for 113 yards.
More MAC
(At) San Diego State 23, Eastern Michigan 20: John Baron made three field goals, including the winning 38-yarder in overtime, to help San Diego State beat Eastern Michigan 23-20 on Saturday night.
Ryan Agnew passed for 176 yards and two touchdowns and Chase Jasmin had 94 yards rushing on 16 carries for San Diego State (3-1).
Baron made a 50-yard field goal to make it 20-all with 1:16 left in regulation and, after Darren Hall picked off a pass from Eastern Michigan’s Mike Glass on the second play of overtime, hit a 38-yarder to clinch it. His 34-yard kick opened the scoring in the first quarter.
Glass scored on a 2-yard run late in the first half and then hit Arthur Jackson for a 37-yard touchdown before Chad Ryland’s 24-yard field goal with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter gave EMU (2-2) its first lead. On the first play of San Diego State’s ensuing drive, Agnew hit Ethan Dedeaux for an 11-yard gain near midfield and, two plays later, a pass interference penalty moved the Aztecs into Eagles territory, setting up Baron’s tying kick.
Glass was 9-of-16 passing for 153 yards and a touchdown with one interception and Tyler Wiegers, a graduate transfer from Iowa, was 8 of 11 for 83 yards for EMU.
Western Michigan 34, (at) Georgia State 15: Jamauri Bogan and LeVante Bellamy combined for almost 250 yards rushing as Western Michigan rolled over Georgia State.
Bogan carried 15 times, racking up 126 yards and one touchdown. Bellamy had 21 carries for 121 yards. Jayden Reed pulled in seven passes for 101 yards and a score. Jon Wassink threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns for Western Michigan (2-2).
The Bronco defenders forced three fumbles, recovering two, and had one interception to stop Georgia State.
Both teams opened with field goals before the Broncos sprinted to a 20-9 halftime advantage. Wassink hit Keishawn Watson on a 24-yard scoring strike in the final seconds of the first half. Wassink quickly added another score in the third when Reed hauled in a 40-yard touchdown toss for a 27-9 advantage. Bogan broke for a 71-yard scoring sprint for Western Michigan’s final score with 10:45 left in the third.
Dan Ellington threw for 285 yards for Georgia State (1-3).