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Northwestern Holds Off Central Michigan 30-25

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) Dan Persa threw two touchdown passes, both to Jeremy Ebert, and Northwestern held off Central Michigan 30-25 Saturday.

Jacob Schmidt added two rushing scores to help the Wildcats (4-0) remain undefeated.

Ryan Radcliff threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns for the Chippewas (2-2) but also had two interceptions.

Northwestern led 30-13 early in the fourth quarter before Central Michigan put together a late rally. The Chippewas pulled to within 30-19 on a 1-yard run by Carl Volny with 7:36 to play. Radcliff then connected with Kito Poblah on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 to go, but the Wildcats recovered the onside kick.

The game was tied 13-13 at halftime before Northwestern scored 17 unanswered points. Stefan Demos's field goal gave the Wildcats the lead early in the third quarter. Ebert then scored on a 25-yard pass one play after an interception by Quentin Williams, and Schmidt's 13-yard TD run made the score 30-13.

Persa was 23 of 30 for 280 yards, and Ebert had five catches for 83 yards.

Radcliff finished 29 of 43 while Volny also had a touchdown catch.

Both teams used a no-huddle offense and combined for over 800 yards. Northwestern totaled 429 yards. Central Michigan finished with 423.

Updated September 25, 2010

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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