Chippewas Play Second Straight Road Game at Illinois on Saturday

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Chippewas Play Second Straight Road Game at Illinois on Saturday

9/11/2024 4:14:00 PM | Football

Watch Live on Peacock (NBC)Listen Live on the Chippewa Sports Radio Network Live Stats Game Day Page CMU Game Notes (PDF)Illinois Game Notes (PDF)

Kickoff is at Noon ET/11 a.m. CT for an NBC Peacock telecast.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 3: CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-1, 0-0 MAC) at ILLINOIS (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Second Road Game
Saturday, September 14 • Noon ET/11 a.m. CT • Champaign, Ill.
Memorial Stadium (60,670)

SATURDAY NIGHT MATCHUP

Television: NBC Peacock (Jac Collinsworth, play-by-play; Michael Robinson, analyst; Caroline Pineda, sideline reporter; Matthew Borzello, producer).

Chippewa Sports Radio Network: Adam Jaksa, play-by-play; Brock Gutierrez, color analyst; spotter: Steve Powers; sidelines/engineer: Nathan Arbaugh.

Live Stats: visit https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=ill

CMU Social Media: Twitter (@cmu_football); Facebook (@cmufootball); Instagram (cmufootball); Website: www.cmuchippewas.com.

Coaches: Central Michigan-Jim McElwain, 6th year at CMU (30-29), 12th year overall (74-56), 39th year in coaching. Illinois-Bret Bielema, 4th year at Illinois (20-19), 16th year overall (117-77), 30th year in coaching.
Series: Central Michigan and Illinois meet for the first time in college football. CMU has won six all-time games vs. Big Ten opponents, including two in the last 11 meetings.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

THE ESSENTIALS

Central Michigan (1-1) plays its second consecutive non conference road game of its 123rd season of college football when it travels to Champaign, Ill. to take on Illinois (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 14 at historic Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon ET/11 a.m. CT.

WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME

The game will be live televised on NBC Peacock with Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (color analyst), and Caroline Pineda (sidelines) calling action.

WHERE TO LISTEN TO THE GAME

Fans can also listen to the Chippewa Sports Radio Network broadcast presented by Fabiano Brothers. Adam Jaksa (play-by-play) and former Central Michigan/NFL player and CMU Athletic Hall of Famer Brock Gutierrez (color analyst) call action on the five-station network (Mount Pleasant, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon) and nationally on the Varsity Network app. Coverage begins with a one-hour pre-game show.

SATURDAY'S TOP STORYLINES

•Central Michigan plays the third game of its 123rd season of college football when it takes on Illinois on Saturday at noon ET/11 a.m. CT.

•Since 2009, CMU has won six games against FBS Power Five opponents.

•CMU and Illinois meet for the first time in college football. CMU has won six all-time games vs. Big Ten opponents. CMU's last win over a Big Ten team was at Purdue on Sept. 6, 2014 (38-17).

•Head Coach Jim McElwain is in search of his third bowl appearance and third winning season at Central Michigan in the last five full years (2019 New Mexico Bowl and 2021 Sun Bowl).

ABOUT THE CHIPPEWAS

Central Michigan (1-1) plays the third contest of its 123rd season of college football on Saturday, Sept. 14 when it travels to Champaign, Ill. to take on Illinois (2-0) at Memorial Stadium. The two schools meet for the first time in college football.

It was a tale of two very different games for Central Michigan, which is coming off a less than stellar 52-16 loss at Florida International. Saturday's contest saw the Chippewas turn the ball over six times (five interceptions and one fumble) and draw 10 penalties for 70 yards. FIU scored 39 of its 52 points off six CMU turnovers. Though Central Michigan outgained FIU 369-309 in total yards, totaled 22 first downs to FIU's 15, and dominated time of possession (34:18 to 25:42), it could not overcome its mistakes.

Chris Parker caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Joe Labas, Gavin Harris caught a 12-yard TD pass from Labas, Marion Lukes totaled a team-high 199 all-purpose yards (162 on kickoffs and 37 rushing), and Elijah Rikard led the Chippewas in tackles with a career-high tying seven. Labas completed a career-high 20 of his 39 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

In its season opener, Central Michigan registered a spectacular 66-10 victory over FCS foe Central Connecticut State on Aug. 29. The Chippewas amassed 491 yards of total offense, scored nine touchdowns, registered touchdowns on punt, interception and kickoff returns, and threw for 378 yards. CMU led 42-7 at halftime. In his CMU debut, Labas completed 75 percent of his passes (18-24) for 342 yards and three touchdowns of 47, 17, and 72 yards. Myles Bailey ran for two touchdowns, Solomon Davis caught two touchdown passes of 17 and 72 yards, Stephan Bracey, Jr. scored on an 87-yard kickoff return touchdown and led CMU with 166 all-purpose yards, Donte Kent tallied a 68-yard punt return touchdown and 132 punt return yards, and Aakeem Snell scored on a 46-yard interception return.

Central Michigan returned 17 players who started a significant number of games in 2023, including eight players on offense and nine on defense. Several transfers were added in who play significant roles in 2024, several players return from injury, and a variety of players have improved over the offseason and are ready to contribute. The Chippewas are a year older across the board with a majority of their talent returning.

Last year, CMU narrowly missed advancing to a bowl game as it entered its season finale against No. 23 Toledo needing one more win to become bowl eligible. CMU dropped a 32-17 decision.

Central Michigan enters its contest at Illinois looking to snap a five-game road losing streak. The Chippewas opened the 2024 season by snapping a three-game losing streak and won its first season opener since 2020. Combining the last three seasons (2022-24), CMU has accumulated a 10-16 record and the Chippewas have suffered back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2010 and 2011 when they went 3-9 in consecutive years. Central Michigan is hoping to erase the memory of those two seasons that saw it finish an identical 3-5 in Mid-American Conference play.

The last two seasons were a drastic change from the course that Head Coach Jim McElwain has put the Chippewas on since his arrival in 2019. In his first year guiding the program in 2019, he took over a team that finished 1-11 and 0-8 in MAC play and led the Chippewas to one of the nation's top turnarounds, an 8-6 record, 6-2 in the MAC with a berth in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl. After a COVID-shortened 2020 season, he led CMU to a 9-4 overall, 6-2 MAC record and berth in the 2021 Sun Bowl, where the Chippewas closed the year on a five-game win streak, including a 24-21 Sun Bowl win over Washington State.

CMU VERSUS THE POWER FIVE

Since 2009, Central Michigan has won six games against FBS Power Five opponents. CMU's last victory over a Power-Five opponent came on December 31, 2021, against Washington State (24-21) in the Sun Bowl. Those victories have come against Washington State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Iowa, and Michigan State. Three of those wins came against Big Ten Conference opponents.

Here is a list of those victories (most recent to least recent):

Date	Opponent	Score
Dec. 31, 2021	vs. Washington State	W, 24-21
Sept. 9, 2017	at Kansas	W, 45-27
Sept. 10, 2016	at Oklahoma State	W, 30-27
Sept. 6, 2014	at Purdue	W, 38-17
Sept. 22, 2012	at Iowa	W, 32-31
Sept. 14, 2009	at Michigan State	W, 29-27

CHIPPEWAS VS. THE BIG TEN

Central Michigan will play its 36th all-time game vs. a Big Ten opponent. The Chippewas are a combined 6-29 all-time vs. the Big Ten. Victories have come against Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State (three times) and Purdue. Consider the following:
•CMU's last victory over a Big Ten opponent was on Sept. 6, 2014, at Purdue (38-17). The Chippewas have lost each of their last six matchups against Big Ten opponents but have claimed two of their last 11.

•CMU records against Big Ten opponents: Indiana (1-3), Iowa (1-2), Michigan (0-4), Michigan State (3-9), Minnesota (0-2), Northwestern (0-1), Penn State (0-1), Purdue (1-5), Wisconsin (0-1).

FIU POST-GAME NOTES

The Central Michigan loss...

•Dropped Central Michigan to 1-1 overall on the year.

•Extended CMU's road losing streak to five consecutive games.

•Dropped CMU to 1-1 all-time vs. Florida International.

•Dropped CMU to 6-4 all-time vs. Conference USA opponents.

Team Notes

•FIU scored 39 of its 52 points off six CMU turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble). The turnover margin was 6-0 in favor of FIU.

•Central Michigan committed six turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble) and had 10 penalties for 70 yards. FIU finished with no turnovers and four penalties for 55 yards.

•Central Michigan's five interceptions fell one shy of the opponent school-record of six by a CMU opponent vs. Eastern Michigan in 1929.

•Central Michigan trailed 28-8 at halftime. The last time CMU trailed by 20 or more points at halftime was at Oklahoma State on Sept. 1, 2022 (44-15).

•In the first half alone, Central Michigan turned the ball over three times leading to 14 FIU points and registered eight penalties for 55 yards.

•The 52 points scored by FIU was the highest point total for a CMU opponent since Oklahoma State defeated the Chippewas 58-44 on Sept. 1, 2022.

•The 36-point loss was CMU's largest loss since a 37-point loss to San Diego State in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 21, 2019.

•Central Michigan outgained FIU 369-309, had 22 first downs to FIU's 15, and completed 23 passes to FIU's 10, The Chippewas also led the time of possession battle 34:18-25:42.

•Central Michigan trailed for the first time this year at 7-0 in the first quarter.

•FIU's Brian Blades picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter. The last time an opponent intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown was Shane Bonner, at Ohio on Nov. 15, 2023.

•CMU had 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack on the night, while FIU registered 4.0 tackles for losses, 2.0 sacks, and five interceptions for 122 return yards.

Player Notes

•Quarterback Joe Labas completed 20 of 39 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. The 20 completions and 39 attempts were both career-high. He threw five interceptions.

•Running back Marion Lukes saw his first action of the season. He finished with 37 yards rushing and 162 yards on nine kickoff returns with a long of 30 yards. He led CMU in all-purpose yardage with 199 yards.

•Tight end Gavin Harris caught his first career touchdown reception on a 12-yard pass from Joe Labas right before halftime. He concluded the evening with a career-high three receptions for 21 yards. It marked Harris' first career touchdown reception at CMU. He also followed with a two-point conversion catch in the third quarter.

•Wide receiver Evan Boyd registered his first career two-point conversion in the second quarter. The last time CMU tallied a two-point conversion was on Sept. 30, 2023, vs. Eastern Michigan when Dakota Cochran picked up a blocked PAT and returned it 89 yards for a PAT. Boyd caught two passes for eight yards.

•Wide receiver Chris Parker caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Joe Labas. It marked his fourth career touchdown reception and the last time he scored a touchdown was at Ohio in 2023. He finished with three receptions for 55 yards.

•Wide receiver Jordyn Williams registered a career-best three receptions for 34 yards on the night.

•Wide receiver Stephan Bracey, Jr. finished with a career-high tying three receptions for 27 yards.

•Tight end Nathan VanTimmeren and running back Nahree Biggins each registered their first career receptions.

•Defensive back Elijah Rikard led the Chippewas with a career-high tying seven tackles (four solo).

•Defensive lineman Jonah Pace made a career-high five tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss and 0.5 sack.

•Defensive lineman Michael Heldman finished with one quarterback hurry. He now has 14 career quarterback hurries and is now tied for third place on CMU's all-time list.

•Defensive back Donte Kent registered one pass breakup on the night. He now has 38 career pass breakups and is in third place on CMU's all-time career list. He also now has 40 career passes defended and remains in fourth place on CMU's all-time list in that category.

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

After two games, Central Michigan is ranked among the nation's top 35 national leaders in eight statistical categories. The Chippewas ranked:

•No. 6 in defensive touchdowns (1).
•No. 10 in punt returns (26.6).
•No. 10 in passing yards allowed (107.5).
•No. 11 in tackles for loss allowed (2.50).
•No. 12 in punt return defense (0.0).
•No. 31 in scoring offense (41.0).
•No. 32 in sacks allowed (1.00)
•No. 33 in kickoff returns (23.33).

In addition, several individuals were ranked among the nation's top 35 in a variety of statistics:

•Stephan Bracey, Jr., No. 1 in kickoff return touchdowns (1).
•Donte Kent, No. 1 in punt return touchdowns (1).
•Stephan Bracey, Jr., No. 3 in kickoff returns (39.3).
•Donte Kent, No. 5 in punt returns (26.6).
•Aakeem Snell, No. 12 in interceptions (1).
•Aakeem Snell, No. 15 in interceptions per game (0.5).
•Donte Kent, No. 18 in combined kick returns (133).
•Joe Labas, No. 19 in passing touchdowns (5).
•Solomon Davis, No. 24 in receiving touchdowns (2).
•Jonah Pace, No. 25 in tackles for loss (1.8).
•Stephan Bracey, Jr., No. 27 in combined kick returns (118).
•Joe Labas, No. 35 in points responsible for (34).

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Players Mentioned

Myles Bailey

Nahree Biggins

Evan Boyd

Stephan Bracey, Jr.

Dakota Cochran

Solomon Davis

Gavin Harris

Michael Heldman

Donte Kent

Joe Labas

Marion Lukes

Jonah Pace

Chris Parker

Elijah Rikard

Aakeem Snell

Nathan VanTimmeren

Jordyn Williams

Chippewas Play Second Straight Road Game at Illinois on Saturday

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