Bonamego: No other game on our schedule that is more important than this one

Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – John Bonamego has been nothing if not optimistic in his three-plus years as Central Michigan's football coach.

But don't confuse optimism with realism. Bonamego knows full well his football team has struggled with inconsistency in 2018 and, at 1-6 overall, 0-3 Mid-American Conference, a league championship is unrealistic and hopes of a bowl berth are faint.

None of that matters come Saturday as the Chippewas take on Western Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in the 90^th meeting of the bitter rivals. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

It is unquestionably the annual red-letter date for both programs and once the teams take the field, they can forget about past successes or failures.

"No other game on our schedule that is more important than this one," said Bonamego, who got his first win in three tries as CMU's coach over Western last season, 35-28, in Kalamazoo. "It's one that is talked about all year long. There is hardware exchanged; (we're) playing for a tangible prize. It's the No. 1 goal for our football team every year."

The teams will play for the Victory Cannon, representative of the cannon that sits adjacent to both teams' home field. It is also a component of the Michigan MAC Trophy, which goes to the team that wins the head-to-head battles between CMU, Western and Eastern Michigan.

The Chippewas, who also beat Eastern last season, hold that trophy as well.

"Last year was my first time in my career beating Western," CMU senior defensive end Mitch Stanitzek said. "Winning two games (against Western) would mean everything for me. This game and this rivalry … My freshman year I learned a lot about this game and really cherish it. It's a crazy environment, and a special moment when you're holding up that Cannon Trophy."

CMU is coming off a 24-23 loss to Ball State, which rallied from a 20-7 fourth-quarter deficit to hand the Chippewas the latest in a series of frustrating losses.

The Chippewas could easily point to a number of fourth-quarter issues that ultimately led to their downfall against Ball State. Chief among them was penalties; CMU was flagged 11 times in the game with eight of those penalties coming in the second half.

"We do not have time to feel sorry for ourselves, we have to push forward and understand how close we are," Bonamego said. "But yet we cannot continue to make the same mistakes and expect the outcome to be different."

The Chippewas can certainly expect to get Western's best shot – just as the Broncos can expect the same from CMU. That's almost always the case in a rivalry game.

"It's a huge test for us," Bonamego said. "They are talented team, they are good at what they do. They will be a great test for us across the board. We are going to have to play a very clean football game. We are going to have to find a way to move the ball on the ground to keep our defense off the field."

IMPROVING GROUND GAME
The Chippewas rushed for a season-high 261 last week against Ball State. Running back Romello Ross ran for 111 yards and quarterback Tommy Lazzaro rushed for 110.

It was Lazaro's second-consecutive 100-yard game. He is the first CMU quarterback to accomplish that feat since Dan LeFevour in 2008.

SCOUTING
After falling to Syracuse and then Michigan to open the season, Western has won five consecutive games and is one of two unbeatens (3-0) in the MAC West.

Western leads the MAC in total offense (483 yards per game), rushing offense (208.1) and possession time. The Broncos rank second in the league in passing yards per game.

Quaterback John Wassink, who did not play because of injury last season in CMU's victory in Kalamazoo, ranks eighth nationally in passing yards and has thrown 16 touchdown passes against six interceptions.

Junior LeVante Bellamy leads the MAC in rushing at 676 yards and is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Senior Jamauri Bogan scored four touchdowns in Western's 42-35 victory over Bowling Green last week and was named the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week.

DEFENSE
The Chippewas continue to lead the MAC – and are ranked seven nationally -- in pass defense.

Linebacker Malik Fountain ranks second in the MAC in total tackles and leads the league in solo stops.

Fountain, a four-year starter and two-time All-MAC selection, has 329 career tackles and is poised to enter CMU's all-time top 10 list at some point this season. Mike Bevier, who played in 1980-84, and Shawn Williams (1995-98) are tied for ninth with 352 career stops.

TOUGH SLATE
The Western game is CMU's eighth of the season. Of the Chippewas' first seven opponents, five enter Saturday's action with winning records and two, Kentucky and Michigan State, are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Kentucky is 14^th and the Spartans are 24^th.

None of the Chippewas' final four opponents – Akron, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green and Toledo – has a winning record at this point in the season.

NEXT
CMU goes to Akron for a MAC game on Saturday, Oct. 27 (noon). The Zips, 2-3, 0-2, play at Kent State on Saturday.

GAME SPONSOR
Saturday's game is sponsored by Mercantile Bank.

Central Michigan University Athletics

Bonamego: No other game on our schedule that is more important than this one

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