GAME PREVIEW: CMU Football vs. Western Michigan
11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 18, 2014
Central Michigan Game Notes | Western Michigan Game Notes
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan football team is still alive in the hunt for the Mid-American West Division title as it prepares for its regular-season finale.
The Chippewas need a win this week - and several other things to happen, all of which are out of their control -- in order for them to claim the division crown and a spot in the MAC title game.
Division titles seem secondary, however, as the opponent is archrival Western Michigan. The teams meet Saturday (1 p.m.) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"I'm very excited," CMU receiver Titus Davis said last week after a 34-27 victory over Miami (Ohio). "I know that's what we've been talking about the last couple of weeks.
"We've been watching film on them, low key -- don't tell coach that. We've been excited for this one, I've had this one stuck on my calendar for a while. Not only because of my brother (Corey, a WMU wide receiver), but because it's Western. I hope the best for him every time only just not against us obviously.
"Just for it to be the last game of the season and our last game in Kelly/Shorts. It's very bittersweet and we're excited for it."
The Davises are one of two sets of brothers who will square off in Saturday's game. Central Michigan middle linebacker Justin Cherocci's brother, Lucas, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Broncos. Justin Cherocci is a senior.
"I guess it makes the game unique as far as that goes," CMU coach Dan Enos said. "Can't talk to your brother this week."
The game figures to be hard-fought and emotional, as is typically the case whenever the Chippewas and Broncos meet. The winner keeps alive its hopes of the division title.
The Chippewas have won three straight games and five of their last six. They are 7-4 overall, 5-2 MAC. Western Michigan (7-3, 5-1) is perhaps the surprise team in the MAC after winning just one game a year ago. The enter Saturday's game riding a five-game win streak.
Saturday's winner takes the Victory Cannon and the Michigan MAC Trophy, which goes to the team with the best head-to-head record between the Chippewas, Broncos and Eastern Michigan. Both defeated the Eagles earlier this season.
CMU's Davis, who is on the Biletnikoff Watch List, is winding down an historic college career. He had eight catches for 102 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's win over Ball State.
The three TD catches gave him a CMU record 11 this season, and 33 for his career. The three TD receptions is a single-game school record, one he shares with six others.
Davis had eight TD cathes in each of his first three seasons at CMU, and he is the first receiver in FBS history to catch at least eight TD passes in all four of his collegiate seasons.
"Any time you can say that you're the first to do anything in NCAA history, it's really mind boggling," Enos said. "I think sometimes when you have a guy like Titus there that you take him for granted because you see him every day.
"He really is a very talented young man, and his work ethic matches his talent, which is what I think really separates the good ones from the great ones. Those guys who have the ability, but they also have the work ethic to go along with it."
CMU freshman running back Devon Spalding finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 22 attempts against the RedHawks. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game.
The Chippewas held on to defeat Miami despite an outstanding performance by quarterback Andrew Hendrix. Hendrix threw for 369 yards - the most by a CMU opponent this season - and had the RedHawks on the Chippewa 1-yard line with 10 seconds remaining.
"We found a way to win and we were very encouraged by that," Enos said.
CMU will encounter another solid signal-caller in Western sophomore Zach Terrell, who combined for five touchdowns and 398 total yards in a 51-7 win over Eastern Michigan last week.
Western freshman Jarvion Franklin leads the MAC in all-purpose yards per game (147.4), while Terrell is third in total offense (288.2). Corey Davis is second in the MAC with 118.8 yards receiving per game; his brother, Titus, is third (94.4).
The Broncos are first in the MAC at 36.2 points per game. The Chippewas lead the league in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass defense.
"I think they're outstanding offensively," Enos said. "Very impressed with them, especially their offensive line. Their left tackle in particular is an outstanding player. Their quarterback is playing very efficiently; they have very good wideouts and their running backs are good. They're a very, very deep solid offense.
"It's going to be a huge challenge for our defense."
By Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
Central Michigan Game Notes | Western Michigan Game Notes
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan football team is still alive in the hunt for the Mid-American West Division title as it prepares for its regular-season finale.
The Chippewas need a win this week - and several other things to happen, all of which are out of their control -- in order for them to claim the division crown and a spot in the MAC title game.
Division titles seem secondary, however, as the opponent is archrival Western Michigan. The teams meet Saturday (1 p.m.) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"I'm very excited," CMU receiver Titus Davis said last week after a 34-27 victory over Miami (Ohio). "I know that's what we've been talking about the last couple of weeks.
"We've been watching film on them, low key -- don't tell coach that. We've been excited for this one, I've had this one stuck on my calendar for a while. Not only because of my brother (Corey, a WMU wide receiver), but because it's Western. I hope the best for him every time only just not against us obviously.
"Just for it to be the last game of the season and our last game in Kelly/Shorts. It's very bittersweet and we're excited for it."
The Davises are one of two sets of brothers who will square off in Saturday's game. Central Michigan middle linebacker Justin Cherocci's brother, Lucas, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Broncos. Justin Cherocci is a senior.
"I guess it makes the game unique as far as that goes," CMU coach Dan Enos said. "Can't talk to your brother this week."
The game figures to be hard-fought and emotional, as is typically the case whenever the Chippewas and Broncos meet. The winner keeps alive its hopes of the division title.
The Chippewas have won three straight games and five of their last six. They are 7-4 overall, 5-2 MAC. Western Michigan (7-3, 5-1) is perhaps the surprise team in the MAC after winning just one game a year ago. The enter Saturday's game riding a five-game win streak.
Saturday's winner takes the Victory Cannon and the Michigan MAC Trophy, which goes to the team with the best head-to-head record between the Chippewas, Broncos and Eastern Michigan. Both defeated the Eagles earlier this season.
CMU's Davis, who is on the Biletnikoff Watch List, is winding down an historic college career. He had eight catches for 102 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's win over Ball State.
The three TD catches gave him a CMU record 11 this season, and 33 for his career. The three TD receptions is a single-game school record, one he shares with six others.
Davis had eight TD cathes in each of his first three seasons at CMU, and he is the first receiver in FBS history to catch at least eight TD passes in all four of his collegiate seasons.
"Any time you can say that you're the first to do anything in NCAA history, it's really mind boggling," Enos said. "I think sometimes when you have a guy like Titus there that you take him for granted because you see him every day.
"He really is a very talented young man, and his work ethic matches his talent, which is what I think really separates the good ones from the great ones. Those guys who have the ability, but they also have the work ethic to go along with it."
CMU freshman running back Devon Spalding finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 22 attempts against the RedHawks. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game.
The Chippewas held on to defeat Miami despite an outstanding performance by quarterback Andrew Hendrix. Hendrix threw for 369 yards - the most by a CMU opponent this season - and had the RedHawks on the Chippewa 1-yard line with 10 seconds remaining.
"We found a way to win and we were very encouraged by that," Enos said.
CMU will encounter another solid signal-caller in Western sophomore Zach Terrell, who combined for five touchdowns and 398 total yards in a 51-7 win over Eastern Michigan last week.
Western freshman Jarvion Franklin leads the MAC in all-purpose yards per game (147.4), while Terrell is third in total offense (288.2). Corey Davis is second in the MAC with 118.8 yards receiving per game; his brother, Titus, is third (94.4).
The Broncos are first in the MAC at 36.2 points per game. The Chippewas lead the league in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass defense.
"I think they're outstanding offensively," Enos said. "Very impressed with them, especially their offensive line. Their left tackle in particular is an outstanding player. Their quarterback is playing very efficiently; they have very good wideouts and their running backs are good. They're a very, very deep solid offense.
"It's going to be a huge challenge for our defense."
Players Mentioned
Coach Matt Drinkall Post-Game Press Conference Vs. Wagner
Saturday, September 20
Dakota Cochran Post-Game Press Conference Vs. Wagner
Saturday, September 20
Joe Labas Post-Game Press Conference Vs. Wagner
Saturday, September 20
FB v. Wagner Broadcast Melt
Saturday, September 20