Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Football Game Notes
9/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Matchup
CMU and Eastern Michigan get together for the latest installment in a series that has seen 11 of the last 16 meetings be decided either by seven points or less or go to overtime. EMU has won the past two matchups in overtime: 61-58 in four overtimes at Ford Field in 2004 and 23-20 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium last season. Comcast Local will televise Saturday’s game, the first leg in the race for the Michigan MAC Trophy.
The CMU-EMU Series
CMU leads the all-time series, 52-25-6, but Eastern Michigan has taken the last two meetings in overtime. The Chippewas posted a 47-21 win in 2002, the last time the programs met at Rynearson Stadium. The Chippewas were 37-5-3 in 45 meetings against EMU from 1937 through 1992. Since then, CMU is 7-6 in the last 13 matchups.
The Coaches
Brian Kelly is in 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.
Jeff Genyk is in his third season as the head coach at Eastern Michigan. The Eagles are 8-17 overall, 7-10 in the MAC during his tenure.
Gordy MAC West Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Redshirt freshman cornerback Josh Gordy was named the MAC West Division Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Akron on Saturday. He returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown on the final snap from scrimmage in the first half to send the Chippewas into the locker room in front 14-0. Gordy also recorded a career-high six tackles, including one for a loss.
Michigan MAC Trophy on the Line
Saturday’s game marks the beginning of the race for the 2006 Michigan MAC Trophy. 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. Western Michigan claimed the trophy in 2005.
Long-Gone Gordy
Josh Gordy tied an NCAA record with his 100-yard interception return in the second quarter against Akron. He is the first Division I-A player since 2003 to return an interception 100 yards for a score. The last CMU player to return an interception 100 yards was Shawn Williams at Eastern Michigan in a 36-23 overtime win in 1998. Gordy is the 75th player in Division I-A history to return an interception 100 yards. He intercepted the pass one yard deep in the end zone, but the NCAA caps all returns at 100 yards.
Down with Doman
Victor Doman scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter on Saturday against Akron. It was his first career rushing attempt and first career touchdown.
Kicking it Straight
Eastern Michigan’s Andrew Wellock (6-of-6) and CMU’s Rick Albreski (3-of-3) are the only two Mid-American Conference kickers, with more than one attempt, still perfect on field goal attempts this season. They account for two of just 11 kickers in the country still perfect with at least three attempts.
LeFevour the Leader
Redshirt freshman quarterback Dan LeFevour was particularly efficient on the Chippewas’ three offensive scoring drives against Akron. He completed 7-of-7 passes for 89 yards on a second quarter drive that resulted in a touchdown, completed 4-of-4 passes for 57 yards and ran for 15 yards on a third quarter touchdown march and rushed for 32 yards on a fourth quarter drive that culminated in a game-clinching field goal.
Nailing it Down
Known for an attack that produces sub-2:00 scoring drives, CMU pieced together a 14-play, 72-yard drive that lasted 5:52 and led to a game-clinching field goal in the fourth quarter against Akron. It was the longest scoring drive in terms of time of possession during the Brian Kelly era at CMU.
Mikulec for MVP
Arguably the most dominant player in the Chippewas’ first three games has been punter Tony Mikulec. The junior is averaging 43.1 yards on 19 punts and has placed six inside the 20-yard line. Remarkably, opponents have only been able to return five of his punts for a total of 14 yards (2.8 ypr). He has forced opposing returners into five fair catches.
MAC Nailbiters
With its 24-21 win over Akron last week, CMU has now won three straight MAC openers by a total of seven points. On Sept. 10 last season, Jacob Brown blocked a Miami field goal attempt with 11 seconds left to preserve a 38-37 Chippewa win. In 2004, CMU defeated Kent State, 24-21, in the MAC opener at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Daniel Bazuin blocked two field goals in the fourth quarter of that win, including one with 24 seconds remaining.
Beating the Best
CMU has won three straight games against defending conference divisional champs. Akron, which the Chippewas defeated 24-21 on Saturday, represented the East Division in the 2005 MAC Championship Game.
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.
CMU travels to defending West Division champ Northern Illinois on Nov. 17.
Nowhere to Run
CMU led the MAC in rushing defense in 2005, allowing just 113.7 yards per game on the ground. The Chippewas were at their best against the run when facing the the top two rushing teams in the MAC. Toledo (216.8 ypg) and Northern Illinois (207.2 ypg) finished the season first and second, respectively, in the MAC in rushing offense. Against CMU, however, the two teams combined for just 101 yards on 52 attempts (1.9 yards per carry). Toledo (95 yards on 30 attempts) had been averaging 231.3 ypg entering its Oct. 29 trip to Mount Pleasant, while NIU (six yards on 22 attempts) was averaging 212.0 ypg entering the CMU contest … This Season … CMU held Boston College to 66 yards on 33 attempts and Akron to 61 yards on 31 attempts. Only once in 2005 did CMU allow fewer than 61 yards rushing. Through three games, the Chippewas are allowing an average of 126.3 yards per game on the ground.
Youth Movement
Seventeen of the 41 players who saw action against Akron were either freshmen or redshirt freshmen. A season-high 18 true freshmen and redshirt freshmen played against Michigan on Sept. 9.
Gardner Grabs It
Justin Gardner entered the season with seven career catches for 71 yards. The past two weeks, he has hauled in four passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career-high 54 receiving yards, including a 38-yard touchdown catch, at Michigan on Sept. 9.
Walking a Tightrope
Fifteen of the 25 games (60 percent) in the Brian Kelly era at CMU have been decided by seven points or less, including last weekend’s 24-21 win over Akron. The Chippewas are 8-7 in games decided by seven points or fewer under Kelly. In 2005, CMU was 4-4 in games decided by seven points or less.
Complete game notes available in .pdf format below.
