Central Michigan Shocks Michigan State : Chippewas: Running back helps underdog defeat the 18th-ranked Spartans, 20-3.

It did not take a history lesson for Central Michigan Coach Herb Deromedi to realize the magnitude of his team’s 20-3 upset of Michigan State Saturday.

“I wasn’t around in the 1900s, but I think it has got to be the biggest victory in our history,” Deromedi said.

The Chippewas (2-0-1) used the strong running of Billy Smith to shock the 18th-ranked Spartans. Smith gained 162 yards in 40 carries, including a 15-yard touchdown run.

The game also marked a disappointing debut for Bret Johnson, who sat out last season aftertransferring to Michigan State from UCLA, where he started in 1989.

“It was a lousy game for us and a great game for Central Michigan,” Michigan State Coach George Perles said. “They played as well as they probably can play, which was good enough to beat us. We were terrible offensively and we were terrible defensively and they played one great game defensively.

“(Smith’s) a great running back. He’s strong, he’s tough, durable, and he’s one of the few backs that’s ever gained that much yardage against us.”

Deromedi said some of his players came to Central Michigan knowing they would get a chance to play in Spartan Stadium and test themselves against one of the Big Ten’s best. Michigan State was co-champion last season.

Central Michigan, last year’s Mid-American Conference champion, took the lead on Smith’s touchdown run with 52 seconds left in the half. Michigan State never really threatened after that.

Jeff Bender and Ken Ealy teamed for a 57-yard scoring pass play in the third quarter, and Chuck Selinger’s field goals of 22 and 32 yards in the final quarter accounted for Central Michigan’s other scores.

Michigan State avoided a shutout with Jim DelVerne’s 45-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Michigan State’s troubles began early when the Spartans failed to capitalize on two first-quarter interceptions of Bender and saw a third wiped out by a roughing-the-passer penalty.

The Chippewas’ chance came late in the first half when Johnson--a star at El Toro High in the 1980s--was trapped in the pocket and Mike Kyler slapped the ball out of his hand.

Bryant Satterlee recovered for Central Michigan and, three plays later, Bender threw to Robert Kench for 21 yards to the 18. Smith scored on his run.

Michigan State blew a chance by going for a touchdown instead of a field goal on fourth down from a yard out early in the first quarter.

Michigan State’s reserve quarterback, Jim Miller, also had his problems.

With 8:34 left in the game, a Spartan drive stalled when Miller was called for intentional grounding and sacked for a loss of 11 yards on the next play by Lamar Sally.

The next Michigan State drive ended when a pass by Miller was intercepted by Kyler.

Central Michigan’s 197 yards rushing were the most against the Spartans since 1989, when Notre Dame gained 257 yards.

Saturday’s game also marked the first time since 1988 that Michigan State has failed to score a touchdown at home, that also against Notre Dame.