The Cardiac Chips made another appearance on Saturday, wrapping up the non-conference season in dramatic style.
Tristan Mattson’s first-ever field goal attempt as a Chippewa at Kelly/Shorts Stadium was a game-winning attempt.
The former Arkansas State Red Wolf, who had never attempted a placekick in his three-year career prior to that moment, lined up from 47 yards away, hit the ball from the center hash, and watched as the ball ambled through the wind and over the crossbar as time expired.
That kick gave Central a 45-42 win over New Hampshire last season. It hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows for the Clarkston, Michigan native, but when his name was called upon Saturday afternoon, Mattson stepped up in the clutch once again.
With five seconds left, after the offense had set-up a 46-yard field goal two plays prior, long snapper Ben Pratt sent the ball to holder Ryan Campeau, and Mattson’s right leg did the rest, sending a scorching— and ascendent— fastball straight down the middle to give Central Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC) the scoring tally they needed to secure a 22-21 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs (1-3, 0-0 Mountain West).
Coincidentally, it was Mattson who started the scoring accounts, as he capped off CMU’s first offensive drive of the game with a short field goal try, set up in part by a 58-yard Gavin Harris reception, to put the Chippewas up 3-0 early on the visiting Aztecs.
The Aztecs were aggressive from the start of the game, opting to go for it on fourth-and-10 inside CMU territory on their first offensive possession. The run by Danny O’Neil was ultimately stopped short by Jordan Kwiatkowski, but the ‘Tecs defense bowed up, forcing a three-and-out punt.
The offense paid the defense in kind on the next drive, with a 34-yard pass to Nate Bennett and a 43-yard free-play pass to Louis Brown IV set up a three-yard Marquez Cooper rushing score to extend SDSU’s lead out to 10-3 with 6:13 to go in the first quarter.
CMU would drive down the field and take their time doing it on the next possession, with Joe Labas finding Marion Lukes on a screen pass to the right side of the endzone to cap off a 12-play, 75-yard drive taking up 5:42 of game clock to bring the game to a 10-all tie just before the end of the quarter.
The contest took a turn early in the second quarter. Central Michigan lined up to take a punt after the defense forced a four-play drive, with cornerback Donte Kent returning. Kent opted not to fair catch, instead attempting to haul in the ball. However, it bounced awkwardly off his shoulder and SDSU gunner Chris Johnson jarred the ball loose, giving the ‘Tecs the ball at the CMU 17-yard line.
That’s when Jude Wolfe would come into focus for the Aztecs.
The USC transfer tight end from Laguna Hills, California, would make his mark twice in the second quarter, scoring on a five-yard reception off the punt fumble recovery, and then again on a 26-yard free play touchdown to expand SDSU’s tally to 21-10 with 3:30 to go in the first half.
Suddenly down two scores, the Chippewas executed their four-minute offense and got down to the SDSU 16-yard line on a 12-play, 59-yard drive, setting up Tristan Mattson for a 34-yard attempt to narrow the margin to 21-13 before halftime.
The second half would be a defensive struggle, with yards hard-earned and points at a premium.
The Chippewas established the tone early, forcing a quick three-and-out on San Diego State’s half-opening possession and then ramming the ball down the heart of the Aztec defense on a 12-play, 77-yard drive which ended with BJ Harris crossing the goal line on a one-yard touchdown run set up in part by a 29-yard fake punt pass from David Campeau to linebacker Justin Whiteside.
This is where the game took yet another unexpected turn, as head coach Jim McElwain opted to go for two points to make it a 21-21 game. Joe Labas’ first pass attempt was incomplete, but a flag for defensive pass interference gave CMU a chance to reconsider. Instead, McElwain opted to go again, handing the ball to BJ Harris. The try failed, and CMU would only cut the margin to 21-19.
CMU’s defense stepped up after the gaffe by forcing back-to-back punts, but SDSU would do the same on their end, once again stalemating the game.
It seemed as if the Aztecs had finally broken through with 4:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, driving down the field for an 11-play, 65-yard drive over 4:54 of clock to set up a 33-yard field goal try for Louisville via Cal transfer Nick Lopez.
However, the kick hooked wide of the goalposts, keeping the score at 21-19.
The Chippewas also looked as if they might have found something of their own, getting all the way to SDSU’s 35-yard line with 3:49 to go— but CMU’s playcalling got predictable, with a first down run for three yards and a second-down run losing six yards to force a third-and-13 situation on a condensed field.
San Diego State defensive back Bryce Phillips intercepted the Joe Labas pass and evaded 10 of CMU’s 11 offensive players en route to a 68-yard return.
Every offensive player that is, except for Joe Labas.
On perhaps the most crucial defensive play of the game on a night full of them for CMU, caught up to Phillips and dragged him down at the CMU 11-yard line, forcing the visitors to earn their score on offense.
SDSU seemed content to set up the field goal, allowing CMU to use two of their timeouts on defense before the two-minute warning before trotting Nick Lopez onto the field once again fora 28-yard try.
Unfortunately for Lopez, five less yards produced the same result, as he smacked the ball wide left to leave the Aztecs scoreless— much to the chagrin of a suddenly energized Chippewa faithful.
Now with possession and a timeout, Central Michigan pushed the ball forward as far as they could take it.
The game-deciding play was ultimately before what would be the game-winning field goal, as on fourth-and-seven from the SDSU 44-yard line, Labas dropped back in the pocket and stood tall to find Chris Parker for a 16-yard gainer to move the sticks.
That sequence allowed CMU another chance to burn more clock and convert another key play, with Evan Boyd hauling in a 12-yard pass on third-and-10 from the SDSU 40-yard line to set up Mattson’s 46-yard kick three plays later.
San Diego State put up one last gasp play to try and steal the game, but Louis Brown IV was brought down by Justin Whiteside after a 16-yard gain to seal the deal for the homestanding Chips.
It was an intriguing day for both sides in the box score, to say the least.
Joe Labas finished 26-of-43 for 275 yards, a touchdown and an interception on the day, notching a crucial tackle near the end of the contest. Bert Emanuel Jr. once again saw a package of plays at QB, missing his only pass attempt but notching 37 yards on six carries. Campeau’s pass extended CMU’s first offensive possession of the second half, and turned out to be crucial to CMU’s later success.
CMU was largely kept in check on the ground after last week’s performance, with Marion Lukes leading the way with 76 yards on 16 carries and a receiving touchdown. BJ Harris (13 carries, 41 yards) had CMU’s lone rushing score.
It was not a conventional passing attack for CMU, with Gavin Harris’ 58-yard opening reception giving him the lead for the team on its own, totaling 66 yards on two catches. Lukes, a running back, had three catches for 57 yards and the lone receiving score. Evan Boyd (51 yards) and Jesse Prewitt III (42 yards) tied for the team lead in receptions.
Justin Whiteside— who had a 29-yard catch on special teams— also tallied seven tackles to hold the joint-lead with Lawai’a Brown for CMU’s defense. Four Chippewa defenders registered six tackles each, with Jordan Kwiatkowski (two tackles-for-loss) and Jason Williams (two sacks) highlighting. Defensive back Caleb Spann also picked up a solo sack.
Tristan Mattson was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goal attempts.
For SDSU, Danny O’Neil returned to action after missing most of the game vs. Cal with an injury. He finished 14-of-23 for 246 yards and two touchdowns— both to Jude Wolfe (three catches, 40 yards.)
Familiar face Marquez Cooper toted the ball an incredible 34 times, collecting 111 yards and a touchdown on the day. Louis Brown IV led all receivers with eight receptions and 149 yards. No other receiver had more than two receptions or 34 yards.
JD Coffey III pulled down 15 tackles, including eight solo stops, to lead all defenders. EDGE risher Trey White terrorized the Central offensive line to the tune of four tackles-for-loss and three sacks despite dealing with a late injury. Bryce Phillips notched a crucial interception for SDSU, and also tallied four tackles— all unassisted.
Nick Lopez, who was 1-of-1 prior to Saturday, finished 0-of-2 on the day placekicking.
Central Michigan now gets set for a BYE week after five-straight weeks of action.
San Diego State will go back home to play host to open conference play against Hawai’i next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern time.