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Homecoming Hero! Kater Shines Against the Huskies

Posted on October 19, 2013 at 02:30 PM.

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Homecoming Hero! Kater Shines Against the Huskies
Adam B. Fictitious | OSPN FBS Correspondent | October 19, 2013

Mt. Pleasant, MI -- Homecoming always has a certain aura about it. The little things mean just a little bit more when you're playing in front of usually the biggest home crowd of the year. The Chippewas hosted strong MAC rival, the Northern Illinois Huskies in front of a packed crowd at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The contest did not disappoint.

Out of the gate, CMU debuted a new-look offensive attack that relied heavily on a no-huddle rushing attack not unlike what is displayed in many schools around the nation. This was a stark departure from their more traditional pro-style offense that Coach Jon Boyd has brought to the team. It produced immediate results, however. CMU raced down the field for a score in under a minute on the legs of Zurlon Tipton. NIU immediately responded. The shots traded fast and furiously: another quick drive for 6 by CMU, followed by a kickoff return by NIU. Halfway through the first, it was 14-14. CMU's special teams pinned NIU against their own endzone and the defense stepped up, producing a safety. 16-14 at the end of one.

NIU's superior speed, however, quickly took over. Quarterback Jordan Lynch, a favorite for MAC MVP, carried the Huskies to a commanding lead by the late third quarter, 36-19. CMU's defense was exposed, for the second week in a row, as helpless against the read-option rushing attack, getting gouged for big runs by the dynamic Lynch.

"We were naked out there," Coach Boyd said later. "It was embarrassing."

Maybe embarrassment was a good thing, however. It gave the Chippewas a spark. After utilizing a radically different offense for the first half, CMU adopted a pass-first scheme after the rushing game failed to provide continued results. Following a huge fumble recovery by Central Michigan, QB Cody Kater tore apart NIU's secondary and completed a 17-point comeback to take the lead with under a minute left to play. The defense held and CMU shocked the Huskies in front of a raucous Mt. Pleasant crowd, 47-43 F.

Where the defense failed, the offense came through in a big way. CMU outgained NIU 559 to 352 in total yards. Kater's 322 yards for 4 TD/0 INT performance paved the way for the huge win. Running back Zurlon Tipton accounted for 137 yards on 31 carries and 1 TD.

"It was the kind of win this program needed. We put ourselves out there, put everything on the line," Boyd said.

Asked about the win, Kater simply said, "I couldn't be happier."

CMU moves to 5-3 on the season (2-1 MAC) and heads into a bye week.

--- Key Leaders ---
C. Kater - 26/35 322 yards, 4TD, 0INT
Z. Tipton - 31 car, 137 yards, 1 TD
A. Flory - 4 rec, 47 yards, 2 TDs

J. Lynch - 8/15 45 yards, 1 TD
J. Lynch - 13 car, 159 yards, 4 TDs
A. Daniels - 9 car, 100 yards, 0 TDs, 2 rec, 22 yds