Central Michigan wins its first MAC championship game

DETROIT – Dan LeFevour threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns and Damien Linson had 186 yards receiving to help Central Michigan beat Ohio 31-10 in the Mid-American Conference championship game Thursday night at Ford Field.

Linson broke the title-game record of 179 yards set by Marshall’s Denero Marriott in 2001. Randy Moss had 170 yards for Marshall in 1997.

Chippewas tailback Ontario Sneed had two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 96-yard run that broke Chester Taylor’s title-game record run by 31 yards.

Both teams were making their first appearance in the championship game, which started in 1997.

Central Michigan (9-4) last won the conference title in 1994, while Ohio (9-4) has not won the championship since 1968.

After an Ohio fumble, Rick Albreski kicked a 27-yard field goal to put Central Michigan up 17-7 with 3:04 left in the first half.

The Chippewas will return to Ford Field for the Dec. 26 Motor City Bowl, their first bowl game since the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl. Ohio will be in the Jan. 7 GMAC Bowl, breaking a streak that had lasted since the 1968 Tangerine Bowl.