Central Michigan 6, Arizona 19

1234T
CMU (0-1)00066
ARIZ (1-0)673319

Final

10:00 PM ET, September 5, 2009
Arizona Stadium
TUCSON, AZ

Grigsby helps Arizona get by Central Michigan

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Team Stat Comparison
 
1st Downs1124
Total Yards182448
Passing108202
Rushing74246
Penalties3-145-45
3rd Down Conversions2-126-16
4th Down Conversions0-00-0
Turnovers22
Possession22:1537:45
Air/Ground Leaders
Central Michigan Passing
 C/ATTYDSTDINT
LeFevour18/3110801
Arizona Passing
 C/ATTYDSTDINT
Scott19/3020201
Central Michigan Rushing
 CARYDSTDLG
Brown331019
LeFevour91819
Arizona Rushing
 CARYDSTDLG
Grigsby23118124
Scott983016
Central Michigan Receiving
 RECYDSTDLG
Poblah647016
Brown52307
Arizona Receiving
 RECYDSTDLG
Turner655012
Criner454025
Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTERCMUARIZ
FG07:17Alex Zendejas 36 Yd 03
FG00:00Alex Zendejas 37 Yd 06
SECOND QUARTERCMUARIZ
TD08:20Nic Grigsby 3 Yd Run (Alex Zendejas Kick) 013
THIRD QUARTERCMUARIZ
FG00:38Alex Zendejas 37 Yd 016
FOURTH QUARTERCMUARIZ
TD12:21Dan LeFevour 5 Yd Run (Two-Point Conversion Failed) 616
FG08:45Alex Zendejas 35 Yd 619
Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Nic Grigsby ran for 118 yards and a touchdown, Alex Zendejas Jr. matched a school record with four field goals and Arizona defeated Central Michigan 19-6 on Saturday night in a game delayed 43 minutes by lightning.

Ending weeks of mystery over Willie Tuitama's successor, Arizona coach Mike Stoops started Matt Scott at quarterback ahead of fellow sophomore Nick Foles.

Stoops said last week that he planned to play both quarterbacks in the opener, but Foles didn't take a snap.

After a slow start, Scott completed 19-of-30 passes for 202 yards, and he was intercepted once. Scott also rushed for 83 yards on nine carries.

Scott, who saw action as Tuitama's backup last season, may improve with seasoning. But with Arizona's offense sputtering, the Wildcats needed their defense to take control, and it did.

The Wildcats neutralized Central Michigan senior quarterback Dan LeFevour, one of the most prolific passers in Mid-American Conference history. He ran for a touchdown but finished with 108 passing yards, his third-fewest in 40 career games.

Central Michigan didn't make a first down until 1:09 to go in the first half. By that time, by that time Arizona led 13-0 on a 3-yard run by Grigsby and two field goals by Zendejas, the nephew of Max Zendejas, Arizona's all-time scoring leader.

Zendejas later missed a 43-yard field goal but converted on another 37-yarder to put the Wildcats ahead 16-0 late in the third quarter. Zendejas tied the school record -- shared by four kickers, including his uncle -- with a 35-yarder midway through the fourth quarter.

The opener for both schools was scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m., but as frequent bursts lit up the sky to the southeast and northeast, Arizona officials announced that the contest would be delayed.

"There has been lightning in the area. Please exit the stadium seating area and find cover," said a message on the end-zone scoreboard.

Fans in many sections scattered, but the student section remained packed during the delay.

Several Arizona games have been delayed by weather. The most recent was on Aug. 30, 2008, when lightning delayed the Idaho-Arizona game 64 minutes.

Once the storm clouds blew away, weather wasn't a factor on a breezy 84-degree night in the desert.

The defense asserted itself on Central Michigan's first possession, when linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka picked off a deflected pass at the Chippewas' 31-yard line.

The Wildcats harried LeFevour throughout the game. He completed 18-of-31 passes and was intercepted once.

LeFevour's highlight came when he ran for a 5-yard touchdown with 12:21 to go in the game, cutting Central Michigan's deficit to 16-6. But the Chippewas botched the 2-point conversion when LeFevour fumbled the snap in the shotgun.

College Football Scores

Other Scores:

Thursday, September 3rd
16 Oregon 8 Final
14 Boise State 19
Saturday, September 5th
San Jose State 3 Final
4 USC 56
11 LSU 31 Final
Washington 23
Maryland 13 Final
12 California 52
Portland State 7 Final
Oregon State 34
Stanford 39 Final
Washington State 13
San Diego State 14 Final
UCLA 33
Idaho State 3 Final
Arizona State 50
Central Michigan 6 Final
Arizona 19