Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Open 2005 Under the Lights Against Indiana
8/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 29, 2005
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MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University raises the curtain on the 2005 season in historic fashion at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, hosting the Indiana Hoosiers of the Big Ten Conference.
Rarely in recent memory has anticipation for a CMU opener been this high. ESPNU will carry the game, just the sixth at night in the history of Kelly/Shorts Stadium, live to a national audience. And, on the night when Indiana becomes the first Big Ten team to visit Mount Pleasant, CMU will honor its 1991 and 1992 teams which beat Michigan State in East Lansing.
"There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm surrounding this program," said second-year head coach Brian Kelly. "Obviously having a Big Ten team come in for the opener is a great opportunity for us, plus we finished last season on such an exciting note with our come-from-behind win at Ball State. All of those things combined are going to make for an incredible atmosphere."
CMU and Indiana are squaring off in a season opener for the second time in as many years. Last season in Bloomington, the Hoosiers broke open the contest with a 96-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the third quarter on their way to a 41-10 victory.
"Both us and Indiana are really two different teams than we were a year ago," Kelly said. "From our standpoint, we are much further along in terms of an understanding of our offense and defense. And, our kids are going into this game with an understanding of what it takes to win. Last year we didn't know how we were going to react or perform in that type of environment."
CMU enters 2005 with a retooled offense, which includes a deeper playbook, and a more experienced defense. Senior quarterback Kent Smith, a threat on the ground and through the air, will be the focal point of the offense, while junior defensive end Daniel Bazuin will be a headache for opposing offensive coordinators. Bazuin is on the preseason watch lists for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Award, given to the top defensive player and top defensive lineman, respectively, in the country. He was an All-MAC first team pick in 2004.
Indiana will build its offense around a front line that returns four starters from a year ago. The Hoosiers must replace Matt LoVecchio, a two-year starter at quarterback, and Courtney Roby, the program's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Defensively, senior linebacker Kyle Killion (107 tackles in 2004) and sophomore Tracy Porter (three interceptions as a true freshman last season) are standouts. Junior Lance Bennett averaged 29.95 yards per kickoff return last season, third-best in the country.
Former Miami boss Terry Hoeppner is making his debut on the Indiana sideline tonight. Hoeppner guided the RedHawks to back-to-back appearances in the MAC Championship Game in 2003 and 2004, winning both the conference title game and GMAC Bowl in 2003.
Hoeppner is familiar with MAC - Big Ten clashes. During his tenure at Miami, the RedHawks knocked off Northwestern in Evanston in 1999 and 2003.
CMU plays four of its next five on the road, including next week's MAC opener at Miami and a trip to Penn State on Sept. 17. The Chippewas return to Kelly/Shorts to host Eastern Michigan on Sept. 24.
The CMU-IU Series
Indiana has won both prior contests with the Chippewas, claiming victories in Bloomington in 2002 and 2004. In last year's opener, the Hoosiers returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown to break the game open midway through the third quarter. In 2002, CMU led 29-16 midway through the third period before IU rattled off 23 unanswered points en route to a 39-29 win.
Opening Act
CMU has won eight straight home openers, including last year's 44-27 win over Southeast Missouri State. The Chippewas have won their last five season openers at home. CMU last opened a season at Kelly/Shorts in 2002, downing Sam Houston State 34-10.
Friday Night Lights
Friday night's contest marks the sixth time that CMU has played at night at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas are 4-1 in the previous five, each of which have been home openers.
Date Opponent Result9/2/93 Akron 23-13 L8/28/97 Northern Illinois 44-10 W9/2/99 Eastern Illinois 33-17 W8/30/01 Eastern Kentucky 42-28 W8/29/02 Sam Houston State 34-10 W
CMU vs. the Big Ten
The Chippewas are 2-13 all-time against the 11 current members of the Big Ten Conference. Both wins came at Michigan State, a 20-3 win over the No. 18 Spartans in 1991 and a 24-20 victory in East Lansing in 1992. CMU all-time against the Big Ten:
Indiana 0-2 Iowa 0-2 Michigan 0-2Michigan State 2-4 Minnesota 0-1 Purdue 0-2
Keeping an Eye on Bazuin
Junior defensive end Daniel Bazuin, an All-MAC First Team selection in 2004, has been named to the preseason watch lists for both the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Award. He is one of 50 players named to the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, presented to the top defensive player in college football. The Lombardi Award, which names 54 players on its preseason list, is given to the top defensive lineman in the nation.
Preseason Prognostications
CMU was picked to finish fourth in the MAC West Division in the MAC News Media Association's preseason poll. Toledo was selected to defend its West Division and MAC Championship Game titles, while Bowling Green was tabbed to win the East in its first season back in that division.
Indiana Notables
• The Hoosiers last visited a MAC campus in 1996, claiming a 40-6 win at Toledo in the season opener.
• Indiana has split its last eight openers, winning four and losing four. The Hoosiers have lost the last three season openers they have played on the road dating back to 1997.
• Indiana is just 1-17 on the road over the past three seasons. The lone win was a 30-24 victory at Oregon on Sept. 11, 2004.
• Three players return after garnering All-Big Ten or All-America honors in 2004. Senior linebacker Kyle Killion was a second team all-conference pick by the media, and honorable mention by the coaches, after recording 107 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions in 2004. Tracy Porter was named to The Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team after intercepting three passes as a rookie. Junior Lance Bennett was an honorable mention All-America pick by SI.com and All-Big Ten selection by Rivals.com after averaging 29.95 yards per kickoff return, third-best in the country. He returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown at Oregon and a punt 94 yards for a score at Michigan State.
