Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Announces Nonconference Football Schedule
2/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
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MOUNT PLEASANT Road trips to Kansas, Purdue and Clemson, and a home game with Army, make up the nonconference portion of the 2007 Central Michigan University football schedule.
The Chippewas open the 2007 season at Kansas Sept. 1, then travel to Purdue Sept. 15. CMU hosts Army Oct. 13 before visiting Clemson Oct. 20.
“We’re going to face a high level of competition and play some very good football programs in our nonconference schedule,” said first-year head coach Butch Jones. “It is a challenging schedule, but it is also an exciting one for our football program. We are looking forward to competing in some of the greatest venues in all of college football, as well as hosting an opponent the caliber of Army in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.”
Jones will make his head coaching debut in CMU’s first season opener on the road since 2004. CMU and Kansas have never met on the gridiron; in fact, the contest will be CMU’s first against an opponent from the Big 12 Conference. Kansas was 6-6 overall in 2006.
CMU and Purdue will meet for the third time since 1999. The Boilermakers posted wins over CMU in West Lafayette, Ind. in both 1999 and 2000. This will mark the ninth straight season the Chippewas have faced at least one opponent from the Big 10 Conference. Purdue finished 8-6 last season, including a 24-7 loss to Maryland in the Champs Sports Bowl.
Army makes its first appearance at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 2007. It is the second matchup all-time between the programs. CMU rallied for a 14-10 victory in a downpour at West Point in 2005. The Black Knights were 3-9 overall in 2006.
The first meeting between CMU and Clemson closes the Chippewas’ nonconference slate. CMU is 0-3 all-time against current members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, including a season-opening 31-24 loss to Boston College in 2006. Clemson finished 8-5 last season, including a 28-20 loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
CMU was 10-4 overall, 7-1 in the Mid-American Conference in 2006. The Chippewas defeated Ohio, 31-10, in the MAC Championship Game and Middle Tennessee State, 31-14, in the Motor City Bowl.
