Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Football Game Notes
8/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Complete game notes available in .pdf format below.
Game No. 1: Boston College Eagles (0-0 overall, 0-0 ACC) at
Central Michigan University Chippewas (0-0 overall, 0-0 MAC)
Date: Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Site: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
30,199 capacity; FieldTurf
Radio: CMU Radio Network, with Kurt Wilson (play-by-play) and Stan
Shingles (color commentary)
Television: ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, with John Saunders (play-by-play), Craig James (color commentary), Doug Flutie (color commentary) and Rob Stone (sideline)
With a Win, CMU ...
1. ... would start 1-0 for the first time since 2002.
2. ... would improve to 9-1 in its last 10 home openers.
3. ... would post the first win in program history over an ACC opponent.
4. ... would improve to 7-1 in nonconference home games dating back to the 2001 season.
The Matchup
CMU welcomes Boston College to Kelly/Shorts Stadium in arguably the highest profile football game ever played in Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas, fresh off their first winning season since 1998, open the 2006 campaign against a BC program that tied Florida State for the ACC Atlantic Division title and won its sixth consecutive bowl game in 2005.
First Time for Everything
Thursday’s season opener will be night of firsts for the Central Michigan University football program. Boston College is the first Atlantic Coast Conference opponent to visit Mount Pleasant, and the contest will be the first under permanent lights at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas will also be making their first appearance on ESPN2.
Getting it Started
The CMU-BC game will be the first of the Division I-A football season. A total of 16 games featuring Division I-A teams are slated for Thursday, with kickoff in Mount Pleasant the earliest of the day.
The CMU-Boston College Series
In the only prior meeting between the two programs, Boston College claimed a 43-0 win over CMU in Chestnut Hill on Sept. 28, 2002. Brian St. Pierre completed 25-of-35 passes for 314 yards and three scores for BC, while Robbie Mixon led the Chippewas with 109 rushing yards on 28 carries.
The Coaches
Brian Kelly is beginning his third season as the head coach at Central Michigan University. He guided the Chippewas to a 6-5 record in 2005, the program’s first winning season since 1998. CMU’s overall win total has improved in both of Kelly’s two seasons at the helm. 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.
Tom O’Brien is in his 10th season as the head coach at Boston College. He is 66-42 overall and has led the Eagles to seven consecutive bowl games, winning the past six. His 66 wins are just two shy of the program record.
Tough Start
CMU opens the season by playing an unprecedented three consecutive opponents who competed in bowl games following the 2005 season: Boston College (MPC Computers), Michigan (Alamo) and Akron (Motor City). The Chippewas have never opened a season with a victory over a team that won a bowl game the previous season.
On this Date ...
Thursday’s game is the seventh in CMU history to be played in the month of August. The Chippewas are 1-0-1 all-time in games played on Aug. 31.
Date Opponent Result
8/30/03 at Michigan L, 45-7
8/29/02 Sam Houston State W, 34-10
8/30/01 Eastern Kentucky W, 42-28
8/28/97 Northern Illinois W, 44-10
8/31/96 at Boise State W, 42-21
8/31/91 at Ohio T, 17-17
Light Up the Night
Thursday’s season opener marks the debut of Kelly/Shorts Stadium’s $650,000 permanent lighting system. The contest will be the seventh played at night at Kelly/Shorts. The Chippewas are 4-2 in the previous six, all of which were season openers:
Date Opponent Result
9/2/05 Indiana L, 20-13
8/29/02 Sam Houston State W, 34-10
8/30/01 Eastern Kentucky W, 42-28
9/2/99 Eastern Illinois W, 33-17
8/28/97 Northern Illinois W, 44-10
9/2/93 Akron L, 23-13
Back to Back
The Chippewas closed the 2005 season with a 31-24 overtime victory at Ball State. With a win over Boston College, CMU would follow a season-ending win with a season-opening win for the first time since 1998-99. CMU defeated Ball State, 31-21, in the 1998 curtain closer, then opened 1999 with a 33-17 victory over Eastern Illinois.
Shooting for Six
Last season saw the Chippewas defeat six Division I-A opponents for the first time since 1994. CMU has not defeated six I-A opponents in consecutive seasons since 1984-85. Thursday’s contest against Boston College provides an opportunity for CMU to defeat a Division I-A opponent in a season opener for the first time since 1997 (Northern Illinois).
