Central Michigan University Athletics
Football Closes Regular Season at Buffalo: Game Notes
11/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Matchup
CMU closes the regular season at MAC East Division foe Buffalo. The Chippewas enter the contest seeking their first eight-win season since 1994, while Buffalo has dropped two straight following a 41-14 win over Kent State on Nov. 4.
The CMU-Buffalo Series
Friday’s game is just the fourth between the two schools, with CMU holding a 2-1 edge in the series. The Chippewas have traveled to Buffalo for all four contests, posting wins in 1999 (38-19) and 2001 (16-8) and dropping a 36-6 decision in 2004.
The Coaches
Brian Kelly is 17-16 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.
Turner Gill is in his first season as the head coach at Buffalo. He was part of a coaching staff that won three national championships at Nebraska during the 1990s. Gill was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Cornhuskers (1981-83), finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1983.
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 (19) and total offense (244.1 ypg), ranks second in passing efficiency (136.0 rating) and third in passing yards (205.5 ypg).
• He is 7-2 as a starter this season.
• He is piloting an offense that ranks first in the MAC in scoring (27.2 ppg) and second in total yardage (372.1 ypg) and passing (238.3 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 passing play 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 19 touchdown passes are the second-most in a season at CMU and already tied for eighth on the career list.
• LeFevour has led CMU in rushing four times this season.
Record Watch
A pair of freshmen enter Friday’s game within striking distance of CMU single-season records. Dan LeFevour has thrown 19 touchdown passes in 2006, just three short of tying the school record. Bryan Anderson enters the contest with 58 receptions, eight shy of equaling the school record. LeFevour has thrown at least three touchown passes in a game three times this season, while Anderson has caught eight balls in four different games. (See Chippewa Single-Season Charts, page 5.)
Finishing Strong
CMU has won its last two regular season finales in thrilling fashion. In 2004, the Chippewas rallied from a 27-0 first-half deficit to defeat Ball State, 41-40, at home. Last season, CMU returned a blocked punt for a score in the closing minutes of regulation before claiming a 31-24 victory in overtime at Ball State. Prior to 2004, CMU had dropped four consecutive regular season finales.
Against the Other Side
CMU is 6-1 against foes from the MAC East Division during Brian Kelly’s three seasons as head coach. The Chippewas have won five straight against East Division opponents. Since the MAC expanded to two divisions in 1997, CMU is 12-14 in games against the East Division.
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.
Welcome to the Postseason
CMU’s 31-7 win over Western Michigan on Nov. 10 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.
Complete game notes packet available in .pdf format below.
