Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Travels to Northern Illinois: Game Notes
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Matchup
With a trip to the 2006 Mid-American Conference Championship Game secured, CMU travels to defending West Division champ Northern Illinois. CMU has won five straight, and six of its last seven overall, and is seeking its first eight win-season since the 1994 MAC champion Chippewas finished 9-3. NIU has dropped two of its last three following a four-game winning streak.
The CMU-NIU Series
CMU leads the all-time series, 21-19-1, but has dropped eight straight to the Huskies. The Chippewas’ last win in the series was a 44-10 decision in the 1997 season opener, NIU’s first game in its return to the Mid-American Conference. CMU was 10-6 against Northern Illinois from 1950-65, when both were members of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Coaches
Brian Kelly is 17-15 overall in three seasons as CMU’s head coach. He has improved the Chippewas’ win total in each of his first three seasons, and in 2006 has guided CMU to its first MAC West Division crown. In 2005 and 2006, he has guided CMU to its first consecutive winning seasons since 1990-91. Kelly arrived in Mount Pleasant after a successful 13-year run at Grand Valley State University which saw him lead the Lakers to back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships in 2002 and 2003.
Joe Novak is 59-60 in 11 seasons as NIU’s head coach. He has led the Huskies to at least a share of the MAC West title four times and a 34-21 win over Troy in the 2004 Silicon Valley Classic. Novak was the 2002 MAC Coach of the Year.
LeFevour Wants Your Vote
Redshirt freshman quarterback Dan LeFevour has built a resumé worthy of MAC Freshman of the Year accolades. Consider the following:
• LeFevour leads the MAC in touchdown passes (18), ranks second in total offense (238.0 ypg) and passing efficiency (141.3 rating) and third in passing yards (204.4 ypg).
• He is 7-1 as a starter this season.
• He is piloting an offense that ranks first in the MAC in scoring (28.9 ppg) and total yardage (377.2 ypg) and third in passing (240.4 ypg).
• LeFevour was responsible for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) at Temple (11/4), the most by any player in the MAC in 2006.
• He has twice thrown a MAC-high four touchdown passes in a game.
• He posted a conference-best 407 yards of offense at Kentucky (9/30).
• His 88-yard touchdown pass to Obed Cétoute in the fourth quarter against Bowling Green is the longest play from scrimmage in the MAC this season.
• LeFevour was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after recording 407 yards of offense and throwing four touchdown passes at Kentucky.
• His 18 touchdown passes are tied for the second-most in a season at CMU.
• LeFevour has led CMU in rushing three times this season.
Archer, Bazuin Collect MAC Honors
Marcel Archer and Daniel Bazuin were named MAC West Players of the Week for their efforts in the win over Western Michigan. Archer ran for a career-high 70 yards and three touchdowns, while Bazuin collected eight tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Welcome to the Postseason
CMU’s 31-7 win over Western Michigan secured the Chippewas’ first postseason football appearance since 1994 when they won the MAC title and played in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Chippewas will make their first appearance in the MAC Championship Game on Nov. 30 and are awaiting a bowl invitation.
Bouncing Back
The Chippewas’ seven wins this season are the most in a season in which CMU started 0-2. This is the 16th time in 106 years that CMU has opened a season 0-2. Previously, a 6-4 record in 1962 marked the most wins CMU had posted after dropping its first two contests.
CMU Claims Michigan MAC Trophy
With its 31-7 win over Western Michigan, CMU claimed the Michigan MAC Trophy for 2006. The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame sponsors the traveling trophy, which goes to the institution that wins the round robin competition between Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan each season. CMU claimed a 24-17 overtime victory at Eastern Michigan on Sept. 23.
Still Perfect
CMU enters the weekend 6-0 in conference play for just the third time since joining the MAC in 1975. The Chippewas have gone on to win conference championships both previous times (1979, 1990) that they have started a season 6-0 in the MAC. In 1979, CMU started 7-0 in the MAC before tying Toledo, 7-7, while in 1990, the Chippewas opened 6-0 before dropping a 13-3 decision to Ball State. The two previous seasons in which CMU has started 6-0 in the MAC:
Keeping Good Company
CMU is one of just eight teams remaining in Division I-A with an unblemished record in conference play. Six of the eight are ranked in the top 25. Division I-A’s remaining conference unbeatens:
School Conference Record
Arkansas Southeastern 6-0
Boise State Western Athletic 6-0
BYU Mountain West 6-0
Central Michigan Mid-American 6-0
Michigan Big Ten 7-0
Middle Tennessee State Sun Belt 6-0
Ohio State Big Ten 7-0
Rutgers Big East 4-0
Beating the Best
CMU has won three straight games against defending MAC divisional champs. Akron, which the Chippewas defeated 24-21 on Sept. 16, represented the East Division in the 2005 MAC Championship Game. CMU can extend that streak to four games this weekend at NIU.
Last season, CMU defeated Toledo (West Division) and Miami (East Division), the 2004 MAC Championship Game participants. With those wins, the Chippewas became the first MAC team to defeat both of the previous year’s MAC Championship Game participants in the following regular season.
Complete game notes packet available in .pdf format below.
