SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 7, 2013
Central Michigan 24, New Hampshire 21: Ron Coluzzi booted a 27-yard field goal as time expired and the host Chippewas erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to avoid the upset.
Central Michigan (1-1) drove 66 yards to set up the winning score after recovering a fumble by the Wildcats - ranked No. 8 in the FCS - with 4:34 to play. Saylor Lavallii had a 42-yard run and Cooper Rush hit Titus Davis for 17 yards on third-and-15 to get the Chippewas in position for Coluzzi's winning kick.
Rush, making his first career start after Cody Kater was injured in last week's season-opening loss at Michigan, finished 19-for-32 for 326 yards and three touchdown passes - all coming in the second half as the Chippewas rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit. Davis had six catches for 184 yards and two TDs, including a 97-yard scoring pass to tie it at 21-21 with 9:08 remaining.
Andy Vailas was 15-for-22 for 156 yards and a touchdown, but he fumbled with New Hampshire driving for the go-ahead score. Nico Steriti ran for 56 yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats, who lost their season opener for only the third time in 11 seasons
New Hampshire was seemingly in command early in the fourth quarter when it answered Rush's 9-yard scoring pass to Davis with an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by Steriti's 2-yard run. The Chippewas responded with two quick scores - a 20-yard pass from Rush to Andrew Flory and the 97-yard strike to Davis to draw even.