Football Preview: It's Back to the MAC on Homecoming

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Back to the MAC.

The Central Michigan football team entertains Ohio on Saturday (4 p.m.) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. There is plenty on the periphery: CMU is celebrating 100 years of homecoming and, among the many festivities in and around the stadium is the introduction of the 1974 NCAA Division II national championship team.

At the center of it, of course, is a football game, and it's an important one as both teams are 1-0 in Mid-American Conference play, two of seven such teams.

"It's all about going 1-0 every week," CMU defensive end Michael Heldman said. "We've got to prove ourselves every week. I've said this many times, especially after (wins): No matter who we play, it's going to be tough. We have to grind, we have to be very detailed. It starts with us going 1-0 every week."

The Chippewas, who were idle last week, have won two straight games, both in thrilling, come-from-behind fashion, both at home. They scored the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds remaining in a 37-34 win over Ball State in their MAC opener on Sept. 21, and then kicked the winning field goal with just 5 seconds left on Sept. 28 in a 22-21 nonconference win over San Diego State.

There appears to be a growing belief in this Chippewa team on both sides of the ball and on special teams.

Coach Jim McElwain pointed to CMU's 22-21 win over San Diego State. All 21 Aztec points came as a direct result of a Chippewa miscue.

"They do a really good job, in my opinion, of looking at it constructively and that goes back to, 'was it something the other team did or was it us?' McElwain said of his players. "We jumped offsides twice and (San Diego State) got two touchdowns and we dropped a punt and they got another touchdown. That's 21 points that we gave them that had nothing to do with what they did.

"For our guys, that's something that they can grasp, that we shut them down defensively. And offensively, they've got a good feel that however much time's left, we're always in it."

All of which, McElwain said, feeds into the aforementioned belief and the season-long mantra, Push Through Struggles.

"It's going to be about us, it's going to be about the things that we do and I think our guys are starting to understand that," McElwain said. "Really the opponent should be faceless. You're competing against all the things that you do personally and as a unit to go be successful."

And in order to be successful against the Bobcats, the Chippewas will have to stop the run. Ohio ranks second in the MAC with 190.2 rushing yards per game in an offense that ranks sixth overall.

Ohio, which was idle last week after a 30-10 MAC-opening win over Akron, is led on the ground by Anthony Tyus III, who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. The quarterback, Parker Navarro, is also dangerous in the option. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

Stopping the option game takes discipline, Heldman said.

"Whatever your job is, whatever your responsibility is, you've just got to go play it," he said. "We've always emphasized that, so it really doesn't change. But it is really crucial that we have (the discipline)."

The Chippewas have held their last three opponents – Illinois, Ball State and San Diego State – to 136.6 yards per game on the ground. Against Ball State, CMU ran for 335 yards, the Chippewas' highest total since 2019. Against San Diego State, the Chippewas finished with 154 on the ground.

The run game has been an outstanding complement to the passing of quarterback Joe Labas who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards which is not an eye-popping number, but the Chippewa offense has been quite efficient. CMU ranks third in total offense in the MAC.

The Chippewas are eyeing their first 4-2 start since 2016 and their third straight win. Ohio defeated the Chippewas, 34-20, last season in Athens, Ohio, ending CMU's six-game win streak in the series. The Chippewas hold a 27-6-2 overall record against the Bobcats in a series that began in 1972.

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Players Mentioned

Michael Heldman

Joe Labas