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CMU running back Zurlon Tipton saved his best for last in an impressive performance in his final game as a Chippewa at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Tipton's four touchdowns powered the Chips to a 42-10 blowout victory over intrastate MAC West rival Eastern Michigan. The win enabled Central Michigan to get control of the Michigan MAC trophy and made the Chips bowl eligible for the second year in a row.
Central Michigan took control of the game from the opening kickoff by taking advantage of short field and an Eastern Michigan fumble. Tipton scored his first touchdown of the game on a four yard run to pit the Chips up 7-0 in the first quarter. Later in the first quarter, it was Tipton again, this time from one yard out.
The Chips started the second quarter with a bang as Tipton showed why he is the premier running back in the MAC by exploding for 86 yards through the Eastern Michigan defense to put his team up 21-0 with 12:02 to play in the second quarter. This is where the game became interesting for a minute.
55 seconds was all the Eagles needed to score a touchdown and make things tight at the end of the half. EMU quarterback Brogan Roback completed a ten yard touchdown pass to receiver Cole Gardner with 0:06 left in the half and it looked as if the complexion of the game had changed. EMU star running back Bronson Hill was unstoppable on the EMU scoring drive to make the halftime score 21-10.
CMU return specialist Courtney Williams ended the EMU rally by taking the opening kickoff of the second half for 84 yards and a touchdown. On CMU's next possession, Tipton scored his fourth touchdown of the game on a 44 yard run and the Kelly/Shorts Stadium rout was on.
Chippewa fans are left to ponder what their season would have been like had Tipton been healthy all year. As it stands, CMU has to wait to see if a bowl is in their future after getting bowl eligible with the win. The Chips are currently 6-6. EMU falls to 2-10 and will suffer another heartbreaking losing season.