Central Michigan tops Northern Illinois 45-31

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Dan LeFevour threw for 255 yards and 3 touchdowns in the final home game of his record-setting career, leading Central Michigan to a 45-31 victory against Northern Illinois on Friday.

The Chippewas (10-2, 8-0 Mid-American Conference), who wrapped up the MAC West title last week, head to the conference championship game to face Ohio University at Ford Field in Detroit next Friday. CMU finished unbeaten in conference play for the first time in school history.

"It is hard to sit back and think about what we have done because we have more work to do," LeFevour said. "We can't get emotional because we have a big game next week that means a lot. It is a great day for us and a great tribute to one of the best classes that has even been here, but we have more to do."

After exchanging field goals, Central Michigan extended its lead over the Huskies (7-5, 5-3) to 17-3 when LeFevour found Kito Poblah for a 16-yard touchdown pass.

LeFevour, who in his four seasons as a starter at CMU has rewritten the school record book, finished 27 of 41 in his final game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

"The key to their success is their quarterback. He is a special football player," Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill said. "He is an outstanding player and I do believe he can play in the NFL and I am not going to be sad to see him go."

LeFevour currently holds four MAC career records and six Central Michigan career records as he has thrown for 12,255 yards and 99 touchdowns. He has run for 2,885 yards and 46 touchdowns.

Northern Illinois scored its first touchdown with 5:12 left in the first half when Landon Cox scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Chandler Harnish to cut the score to 17-10.

But the Chippewas answered with a 78-yard, 13-play drive, capped by Schroeder's 5-yard TD run to make it 24-10 at halftime.

The second half opened with Bryan Schroeder (9 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs) scoring on an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. The run was the longest of Schroeder's career and gave him a new career high in rushing yards for a game.

LeFevour threw his third touchdown pass to Anderson for 16 yards in the third quarter to put the Chippewas ahead 38-10.