Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Showdown With Rival Western On Tap
11/2/2021 4:43:00 PM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Football coaches are known for laying it on a little thick, particularly in the leadup to a big game.
There might be a little hyperbole in coach Jim McElwain with regard to his Central Michigan football team's game with Western Michigan on Wednesday (7 p.m.) in Kalamazoo.
But there's some truth in there too.
"They beat the heck out of us the two years I've been here and (the games) haven't even been close," McElwain said. "We haven't stopped them in two years. I think they could have put 200 points on us if they wanted to the last couple years. (Western) has embarrassed us and me personally the last two years. … We've got to play a lot better."
The Broncos defeated the Chippewas, 52-44, last season at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. In 2019, the Broncos won, 31-15, in Kalamazoo. CMU's last win in the series came at Western's Waldo Stadium in 2017.
It is the game for both school every year, regardless of won-loss records and standings. In 2021, both are looking to remain relevant in the Mid-American Conference West Division race. The Chippewas are 4-4, while Western is 5-3. Both are 2-2 and among five teams tied for second place in the division.
Northern Illinois, which plays at Kent State on Wednesday night, holds a two-game lead at 4-0 in league play.
The Chippewas lost at home, 39-38, to Northern Illinois on Oct. 23. CMU lined up for a potential go-ahead 40-yard field goal with 7 seconds remaining. The Chippewas never got a chance to kick the field goal as they botched the snap. The loss ended CMU's win streak at two games.
Western Michigan lost at Toledo, 34-15, the same day.
The Matchup
The Chippewas lead the MAC in passing offense with 288 yards per game and are second in total offense with 447.6 yards per game. They rank 12th in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (272.4) and are second in rushing yards allowed per game (134.1).
Western ranks first in the league in total defense, time of possession and rushing defense. The Broncos rank in the top three in the conference in 11 statistical categories.
Good on Third Down
The Chippewas are holding opponents to a 28.6-percent conversion rate on third down, ranking first in the league and sixth nationally in that category. Western is holding opponents to a 29.2 percent success rate in such situations. The Broncos are second in league and eighth nationally.
Nichols on the Rise
CMU redshirt freshman running back Lew Nichols III has surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in each of his past three games, bringing his season total to a MAC-best 919 yards. He ranks ninth in the nation in total yardage and is sixth in the MAC and 45th nationally in yards per carry (5.54).
Nichols has scored seven touchdowns (five rushing, two receiving) and is tied for fourth in the MAC. He is averaging a league-best 141.3 all-purpose yards per game; he ranks 12th nationally in that category.
"He's become an every-down back because he's become a good pass protector as well," McElwain said. "We thought we had something special when we got him. He's built himself through his offseason training into a weapon and into a heck of a player."
Nichols ran for 192 yards against NIU, 132 against Toledo, and 186 against Ohio. He has five 100-yard games this season.
The Broncos are allowing a best-in-the-MAC 125.0 yards rushing per game. Only two opponents have reached the century mark against Western this season. They are Michigan's Blake Corum, who had 111 in the Wolverines' 47-14 victory in the season opener; and Toledo's Bryant Koback, who had 100.
Richardson Solid
Daniel Richardson has started CMU's last four games at quarterback and is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 1,513 yards and a MAC-high 14 touchdowns. He has been intercepted twice, which is tied for the second fewest among league signal callers. His efficiency rating is 148.6, which tops the MAC.
Scouting
While Nichols garners much of the attention when it comes to the CMU offense, The Broncos feature a productive one-two backfield punch in sophomore Sean Tyler and junior La'Darius Jefferson.
They have combined for 1,156 yards rushing for an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Tyler has run for 631 yards; Jefferson for 525.
Western quarterback Kaleb Eleby leads the MAC in passing with 247.1 yards per game. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes with two interceptions. He is second behind Richardson with a 145.0 efficiency.
There might be a little hyperbole in coach Jim McElwain with regard to his Central Michigan football team's game with Western Michigan on Wednesday (7 p.m.) in Kalamazoo.
But there's some truth in there too.
"They beat the heck out of us the two years I've been here and (the games) haven't even been close," McElwain said. "We haven't stopped them in two years. I think they could have put 200 points on us if they wanted to the last couple years. (Western) has embarrassed us and me personally the last two years. … We've got to play a lot better."
The Broncos defeated the Chippewas, 52-44, last season at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. In 2019, the Broncos won, 31-15, in Kalamazoo. CMU's last win in the series came at Western's Waldo Stadium in 2017.
It is the game for both school every year, regardless of won-loss records and standings. In 2021, both are looking to remain relevant in the Mid-American Conference West Division race. The Chippewas are 4-4, while Western is 5-3. Both are 2-2 and among five teams tied for second place in the division.
Northern Illinois, which plays at Kent State on Wednesday night, holds a two-game lead at 4-0 in league play.
The Chippewas lost at home, 39-38, to Northern Illinois on Oct. 23. CMU lined up for a potential go-ahead 40-yard field goal with 7 seconds remaining. The Chippewas never got a chance to kick the field goal as they botched the snap. The loss ended CMU's win streak at two games.
Western Michigan lost at Toledo, 34-15, the same day.
The Matchup
The Chippewas lead the MAC in passing offense with 288 yards per game and are second in total offense with 447.6 yards per game. They rank 12th in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (272.4) and are second in rushing yards allowed per game (134.1).
Western ranks first in the league in total defense, time of possession and rushing defense. The Broncos rank in the top three in the conference in 11 statistical categories.
Good on Third Down
The Chippewas are holding opponents to a 28.6-percent conversion rate on third down, ranking first in the league and sixth nationally in that category. Western is holding opponents to a 29.2 percent success rate in such situations. The Broncos are second in league and eighth nationally.
Nichols on the Rise
CMU redshirt freshman running back Lew Nichols III has surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in each of his past three games, bringing his season total to a MAC-best 919 yards. He ranks ninth in the nation in total yardage and is sixth in the MAC and 45th nationally in yards per carry (5.54).
Nichols has scored seven touchdowns (five rushing, two receiving) and is tied for fourth in the MAC. He is averaging a league-best 141.3 all-purpose yards per game; he ranks 12th nationally in that category.
"He's become an every-down back because he's become a good pass protector as well," McElwain said. "We thought we had something special when we got him. He's built himself through his offseason training into a weapon and into a heck of a player."
Nichols ran for 192 yards against NIU, 132 against Toledo, and 186 against Ohio. He has five 100-yard games this season.
The Broncos are allowing a best-in-the-MAC 125.0 yards rushing per game. Only two opponents have reached the century mark against Western this season. They are Michigan's Blake Corum, who had 111 in the Wolverines' 47-14 victory in the season opener; and Toledo's Bryant Koback, who had 100.
Richardson Solid
Daniel Richardson has started CMU's last four games at quarterback and is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 1,513 yards and a MAC-high 14 touchdowns. He has been intercepted twice, which is tied for the second fewest among league signal callers. His efficiency rating is 148.6, which tops the MAC.
Scouting
While Nichols garners much of the attention when it comes to the CMU offense, The Broncos feature a productive one-two backfield punch in sophomore Sean Tyler and junior La'Darius Jefferson.
They have combined for 1,156 yards rushing for an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Tyler has run for 631 yards; Jefferson for 525.
Western quarterback Kaleb Eleby leads the MAC in passing with 247.1 yards per game. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes with two interceptions. He is second behind Richardson with a 145.0 efficiency.
Players Mentioned
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