The tortoise and hare.
This one went to the hare.
Central Michigan used a slew of big plays, including two punt returns for touchdowns by Kalil Pimpleton, in running past Western Michigan, 42-30, on Wednesday in a Mid-American Conference game at Waldo Stadium.
The win returns the Victory Cannon to Mount Pleasant as CMU snapped a three-game losing streak to its bitter rival.
"That was a heck of a football game and we beat a really good football team," said Jim McElwain, who beat the Broncos for the first time in three tries as the Chippewas' coach. "So proud of our guys. I love this locker room, I love these kids, and to see the joy on their faces really is what it's all about.
"But more than that, for the university and for the fans, it's been a long time since we've beaten these guys and just feel good about it."
The diminutive and electrifying Pimpleton was huge, scoring three touchdowns, two on punt returns covering 70 and a program-record 97 yards. He also caught an 11-yard TD pass in finishing with 115 yards on five receptions.
Pimpleton finished with 281 all-purpose yards.
"Just beating Western Michigan, I know how much that means to the people that have been here before us," Pimpleton said. "I know how much that means to everybody in this program right now. I'm definitely proud of the team."
Pimpleton's 70-yard punt return came with just over five minutes to play in the first half, and it cut CMU's deficit to 14-7 and helped swing momentum after Western used two long scoring drives in seizing a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Pimpleton caught an 11-yard TD pass from Daniel Richardson to tie the game 14-14 with 1:06 to play in the half, and then he bolted for his record-setting 97-yard punt return with just 3 seconds remaining in the half, putting the Chippewas up, 21-14.
CMU never trailed after that as its defense tightened. Lew Nichols, who rushed for 163 yards on 26 carries, scored two second-half TDs. Darius Bracy tossed an 11-yard TD pass to Joel Wilson from the wildcat formation to put the Chippewas firmly in command, 42-24, midway through the fourth quarter.
It was the fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game for Nichols, who upped his season total to a MAC-best 1,082 yards.
For all the flash the Chippewas used in surging past the Broncos, they turned to the workhorse Nichols to close the deal as he carried 18 times for 70 yards in the fourth quarter as the Chippewas iced it.
"We're beat up pretty good up front and yet those kids who showed up today and played, they played their tails off," McElwain said. "Again I can't tell you how proud I am of this whole team."
