Central Michigan University Athletics
Game Preview: CMU vs. Kent State
11/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
CMU Game Notes
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The last time the Central Michigan football team found itself in this position, it responded very well.
John Bonamego is hoping for a repeat.
The Chippewas, coming off a 28-23 loss to Toledo, play at Kent State Wednesday (8 p.m.) in a Mid-American Conference game. CMU is 5-5, 4-2 MAC; the Golden Flashes are 2-4, 3-7.
The loss to Toledo ended CMU's three-game win streak and its hopes of winning the MAC West.
The last time the Chippewas had lost a game before falling to Toledo was a month previous, when they dropped a 41-39 decision at Western Michigan.
One week later, the Chippewas drilled Buffalo, 51-14, breaking the 50-point threshold for the first time since a 52-14 win over Eastern Michigan on Sept. 18, 2010.
"You never want to let a team beat you twice," Bonamego said. "You have to move on, you have to take what learning you can from the loss and regroup, re-energize, and get yourself ready to go for another game.
"I think they just went back to work (after Western). Business as usual. They've worked well all year. So I expect that to continue."
The Chippeaws found themselves in an early 21-0 hole against Toledo, but managed to draw to 21-17 in the third quarter. CMU never did seize the lead, but it had its opportunities, including a first down at the Toledo 2-yard line trailing by four in the fourth quarter.
CMU needs a win in one of its two remaining regular-season games - the Chippewas host Eastern Michigan on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving - to become bowl eligible.
Kent State enters Wednesday's game having lost three straight and four of its last five. The Golden Flashes rank last in the MAC in total offense, and have been shut out in two of their last three games.
"They're a very good defensive football team," said Bonamego, whose team ranks No. 1 in the league in total defense. "They've been up and down offensively, playing with a redshirt freshman quarterback (George Bollas).
"There have been times he's look really good, there's times he's looked like a freshman. They've got one of the better defenses in the league, they're playing at home, last home game for their seniors. I fully expect that we'll get their very best."
CMU's Cooper Rush continued his season-long emergence as one of the top quarterbacks in the MAC, throwing for 349 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Rockets.
Rush has completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 2,975 yards and 22 touchdowns. He ranks second in the league in total offense and passing yards per game, and fourth in passing efficiency.
