Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan players practice on Thursday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, ahead of Saturday's New Mexico Bowl.
Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf
New Mexico Bowl: Chippewa Gameshow Win A Good Omen
12/19/2019 10:08:00 PM | Football
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Central Michigan Chippewas hit the practice field on Thursday in preparation for Saturday's New Mexico Bowl.
The Chippewas practiced at Milne Stadium, a high school venue in Albuquerque.
Then the fun started.
CMU closed the day with a dinner for both the Chippewas and their bowl-game opponents, the San Diego State Aztecs, at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The night concluded with a Family Feud-style competition, "Survey Says," between the Chippewas and the Aztecs.
The Chippewas won "Survey Says," which is, according to bowl-game organizers, a good omen: Since "Survey Says" has been a part of the New Mexico Bowl week festivities, its winner has gone on to win all but one of the games.
Friday's events are scheduled to begin with the official press conference in the morning, followed by the kickoff luncheon, and then a pep rally in Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza.
The Chippewas are scheduled for a walk-through at Dreamstyle Stadium, site of Saturday's game.
The CMU spirit squads and marching band arrived in Albuquerque on Thursday.
Big Challenge
The Chippewas will encounter an opponent, San Diego State, that ranks fifth in the nation in total defense and second against the run. The Aztecs, who are 9-3 and finished 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference, are fourth nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just 12.8 points per game.
"We're excited about our opportunity to go play an unbelievable team," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "You've seen their numbers, they play great team football. They play field position, they've got great special teams ... We've got our work cut out for us on offense."
Chippewa center Steve Eipper, a senior, said the Chippewas have embraced the challenge.
"It's a big challenge," he said, "but I kind of wouldn't have it any other way for my last game that I play here. It's going to be a huge challenge. The coaches have put together a good game plan for us and I have 100 percent trust in them, and we just have to go out there and execute it."
Turnaround
The Chippewas are 8-5 after finishing 1-11 last season. They won the Mid-American Conference West Division title, their first outright divisional crown since 2009, and earned a berth in the league title game.
The seven-win improvement is the most among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
"I'm really proud of this senior crew," McElwain said. "I'm proud of them in that they made the choice to be supportive of each other, to be supportive of their team, and invest in themselves. It was great to see the success. Their last year, they wanted to make it special and this has been special for them."
The Chippewas finished last in the preseason MAC poll. That was a motivator, Eipper said.
"I think that's what makes us a tight-knit team and what gave us the edge this year," he said. "That's a credit to our coaching staff, that's a credit to our strength coach, that's a credit to our players for buying in and being able to turn this program around.
"It's pretty special. Coming off of last year, we didn't get to do any of this that we've gotten to do this year. We got to go to the MAC Championship Game, which nobody saw coming after last season, and we're in a very special bowl game that nobody saw coming after last season."
The Chippewas practiced at Milne Stadium, a high school venue in Albuquerque.
Then the fun started.
CMU closed the day with a dinner for both the Chippewas and their bowl-game opponents, the San Diego State Aztecs, at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The night concluded with a Family Feud-style competition, "Survey Says," between the Chippewas and the Aztecs.
The Chippewas won "Survey Says," which is, according to bowl-game organizers, a good omen: Since "Survey Says" has been a part of the New Mexico Bowl week festivities, its winner has gone on to win all but one of the games.
Friday's events are scheduled to begin with the official press conference in the morning, followed by the kickoff luncheon, and then a pep rally in Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza.
The Chippewas are scheduled for a walk-through at Dreamstyle Stadium, site of Saturday's game.
The CMU spirit squads and marching band arrived in Albuquerque on Thursday.
Big Challenge
The Chippewas will encounter an opponent, San Diego State, that ranks fifth in the nation in total defense and second against the run. The Aztecs, who are 9-3 and finished 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference, are fourth nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just 12.8 points per game.
"We're excited about our opportunity to go play an unbelievable team," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "You've seen their numbers, they play great team football. They play field position, they've got great special teams ... We've got our work cut out for us on offense."
Chippewa center Steve Eipper, a senior, said the Chippewas have embraced the challenge.
"It's a big challenge," he said, "but I kind of wouldn't have it any other way for my last game that I play here. It's going to be a huge challenge. The coaches have put together a good game plan for us and I have 100 percent trust in them, and we just have to go out there and execute it."
Turnaround
The Chippewas are 8-5 after finishing 1-11 last season. They won the Mid-American Conference West Division title, their first outright divisional crown since 2009, and earned a berth in the league title game.
The seven-win improvement is the most among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
"I'm really proud of this senior crew," McElwain said. "I'm proud of them in that they made the choice to be supportive of each other, to be supportive of their team, and invest in themselves. It was great to see the success. Their last year, they wanted to make it special and this has been special for them."
The Chippewas finished last in the preseason MAC poll. That was a motivator, Eipper said.
"I think that's what makes us a tight-knit team and what gave us the edge this year," he said. "That's a credit to our coaching staff, that's a credit to our strength coach, that's a credit to our players for buying in and being able to turn this program around.
"It's pretty special. Coming off of last year, we didn't get to do any of this that we've gotten to do this year. We got to go to the MAC Championship Game, which nobody saw coming after last season, and we're in a very special bowl game that nobody saw coming after last season."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballJordan Kwiatkowski Press Conference vs Kent State
Friday, November 21
Michael Heldman Post-Game Interview at Kent State
Thursday, November 20
Matt Drinkall Post-Game Interview at Kent State
Thursday, November 20
Players Football Insider - 11.18.25
Tuesday, November 18