Central Michigan University Athletics
Saturday, September 7
Miami, Fla./FIU Pitbull Stadium
6:00 PM
Central Michigan University
at
Florida International
Solomon Davis, a transfer from Valparaiso, was among the players who turned in an outstanding debut last week in CMU's season-opening victory over Central Connecticut.
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Football Preview: Chippewas Eye 2-0 Start With Visit to Florida International
9/6/2024 10:35:00 AM | Football
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Kickoff is at 6 p.m. ET at FIU Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Pitbull, pickle juice and Panthers.
Plenty to unpack there but suffice to say the Central Michigan football team is focused solely on the game as it prepares to kick off on Saturday (6 p.m.) against Florida International in a nonconference game in Miami.
The Chippewas are 1-0 after a 66-10 romp over Central Connecticut last week at home. FIU lost, 31-7, in its opener at Indiana.
"I want them to feel good about themselves," CMU coach Jim McElwain said of his players in the wake of their 56-point win. "There's no reason not to and yet, are we satisfied? That's really the next big question."
First, the peripheral stuff:
• FIU plays in Pitbull FIU Stadium – South Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium, officially. Recording artist/businessman and Miami native Pitbull (real name Armando Christian Perez) purchased the naming rights to the stadium in August.
• FIU's nickname is the Panthers and, yes, they play in Miami. Which is not to be confused with the reigning Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers, who play about 30 miles to the north in Sunrise.
• Pickle juice. Yes, pickle juice. The Chippewas are drinking pickle juice to combat the potential of muscle cramps while playing a game in the Florida heat and humidity. Game time temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s with the standard South Florida humidity.
The taste?
"Not good," said junior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski, who last week tied his career high with 10 tackles against Central Connecticut. "I'll be honest, it's a sour taste … we pass it out every day after practice.
"Coaches have been preaching it, the trainers have been preaching it; just stay hydrated because the Florida heat is no joke and it really is different."
Now, to the important stuff: Football.
Game 2
The teams are meeting for the second time (CMU defeated FIU, 31-27, in Mount Pleasant in 2021). The Panthers, who play in Conference USA, have finished 4-8 in each of the past two seasons and haven't had a winning record since they went 9-4 in 2018.
"No matter who you play, you never take them lightly, and you never fear them," said McElwain, reciting a familiar refrain. "Which boils down to really we're playing ourselves damn near every week."
Didn't matter who was on the other side of the ball a week ago when the Chippewas rolled up 491 yards in total offense in posting their second-highest scoring total since moving up to Division I-A (now Football Bowl Subdivision in 1975) and winning by their largest margin since a 63-0 win over Eastern Illinois in 1972.
The win came against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent as the Chippewas improved to 16-1 all time against such foes. Still, it hasn't often been easy. CMU wen to three overtimes to defeated New Hampshire in 2023.
"We definitely didn't take it for granted but we also knew what was expected and we knew what we wanted to do and we went out and did it," Kwiatkowski said. "It's in the past now and it's stay focused on the next week that's coming
"It's under our belt and we use it as momentum and keep going forward."
Smashing Debut
Quarterback Joe Labas' first start as a Chippewa could not have gone much better. The Iowa transfer completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts (80 percent) for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
He spread the wealth, too, hitting 10 receivers. Eight of those receivers had at least two receptions. Solomon Davis, a senior transfer from Valparaiso had four for 109 yards and two scores in his CMU debut.
Strong 'D'
The Chippewa defense was solid. After surrendering a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on Central Connecticut's first possession, the Chippewas slammed the door. CCSU finished with 285 yards in total offense and CMU's defense posted two sacks among eight tackles-for-loss.
Run Game
The Chippewas didn't run the ball particularly well against the Blue Devils, but in fairness, Labas and the pass game was extremely efficient and successful. CMU's offense scored six touchdowns in just 52 plays.
The Chippewas ran for 113 yards, an average of 4.7 yards per carry. They were without injured Marion Lukes, one-half of their potent one-two running-back punch along with Myles Bailey.
Bailey led the Chippewas with 68 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. He also had two catches for 19 yards.
McElwain was noncommittal on whether Lukes, who is extremely dangerous as a runner, receiver and a kick returner, would play against FIU.
"Part of the (run-pass option) game is (the defense) loading the box so they're giving you some of those things," McElwain said. "Some of the (planned) runs, I felt like we were just a little off at times. We did a pretty good job when we got down to the red zone which was good to see, but especially as we get late in the year, we've got to be able to run the football.
"Myles, I thought, ran the ball hard and did a good job and caught the ball when he needed to. No disappointments out of that room."
Then, McElwain added, "I'm OK scoring fast."
Tough Road
As mentioned before, the Florida heat and humidity are concerns.
But simply playing on the road has been an uphill battle for CMU of late. The Chippewas went 1-6 on the road a year ago and are 10-18 in road games under McElwain, who is in his sixth year.
"For us it's going to be a huge challenge to play on the road and we've got to get better with that," McElwain said.
Battle of the 'Macs'
Mike MacIntyre is in his third season as FIU's coach and he and McElwain have a history. MacIntyre led Colorado to a 41-27 victory over McElwain-coached Colorado State in 2013.
As is quite common with veteran coaches with long resumés, the two have crossed paths at various times throughout their respective careers.
"I've known coach McIntyre from out west, both in the Mountain West and when we used to play him when he was at Colorado," McElwain said. "They're very sound in everything they do.
"They're very, very well coached. Defensively they give you looks and pressures that really can cause you problems and he's got some athletes to do it with."
The Panthers were held to 182 total yards last week by Indiana. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins, a sophomore, finished with 129 yards on 20-of-29 passing with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times.
"Their quarterback makes it go," McElwain said. "He can hurt you if you don't keep him contained."
Triple Play
The Chippewas scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, on a punt return, and on an interception return last week against Central Connecticut.
No one other team in the country can make that claim. Tulsa did get two out of the three, returning a kickoff and a punt for TDs in its 62-28 win over Northwestern State.
Next
CMU is scheduled to play at Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 14. The game carries a noon ET (11 a.m. CT) kickoff.
The Illini opened with a 45-0 win over Eastern Illinois and are slated to entertain No. 19 Kansas on Saturday (6 p.m. CT).
Plenty to unpack there but suffice to say the Central Michigan football team is focused solely on the game as it prepares to kick off on Saturday (6 p.m.) against Florida International in a nonconference game in Miami.
The Chippewas are 1-0 after a 66-10 romp over Central Connecticut last week at home. FIU lost, 31-7, in its opener at Indiana.
"I want them to feel good about themselves," CMU coach Jim McElwain said of his players in the wake of their 56-point win. "There's no reason not to and yet, are we satisfied? That's really the next big question."
First, the peripheral stuff:
• FIU plays in Pitbull FIU Stadium – South Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium, officially. Recording artist/businessman and Miami native Pitbull (real name Armando Christian Perez) purchased the naming rights to the stadium in August.
• FIU's nickname is the Panthers and, yes, they play in Miami. Which is not to be confused with the reigning Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers, who play about 30 miles to the north in Sunrise.
• Pickle juice. Yes, pickle juice. The Chippewas are drinking pickle juice to combat the potential of muscle cramps while playing a game in the Florida heat and humidity. Game time temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s with the standard South Florida humidity.
The taste?
"Not good," said junior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski, who last week tied his career high with 10 tackles against Central Connecticut. "I'll be honest, it's a sour taste … we pass it out every day after practice.
"Coaches have been preaching it, the trainers have been preaching it; just stay hydrated because the Florida heat is no joke and it really is different."
Now, to the important stuff: Football.
Game 2
The teams are meeting for the second time (CMU defeated FIU, 31-27, in Mount Pleasant in 2021). The Panthers, who play in Conference USA, have finished 4-8 in each of the past two seasons and haven't had a winning record since they went 9-4 in 2018.
"No matter who you play, you never take them lightly, and you never fear them," said McElwain, reciting a familiar refrain. "Which boils down to really we're playing ourselves damn near every week."
Didn't matter who was on the other side of the ball a week ago when the Chippewas rolled up 491 yards in total offense in posting their second-highest scoring total since moving up to Division I-A (now Football Bowl Subdivision in 1975) and winning by their largest margin since a 63-0 win over Eastern Illinois in 1972.
The win came against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent as the Chippewas improved to 16-1 all time against such foes. Still, it hasn't often been easy. CMU wen to three overtimes to defeated New Hampshire in 2023.
"We definitely didn't take it for granted but we also knew what was expected and we knew what we wanted to do and we went out and did it," Kwiatkowski said. "It's in the past now and it's stay focused on the next week that's coming
"It's under our belt and we use it as momentum and keep going forward."
Smashing Debut
Quarterback Joe Labas' first start as a Chippewa could not have gone much better. The Iowa transfer completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts (80 percent) for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
He spread the wealth, too, hitting 10 receivers. Eight of those receivers had at least two receptions. Solomon Davis, a senior transfer from Valparaiso had four for 109 yards and two scores in his CMU debut.
Strong 'D'
The Chippewa defense was solid. After surrendering a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on Central Connecticut's first possession, the Chippewas slammed the door. CCSU finished with 285 yards in total offense and CMU's defense posted two sacks among eight tackles-for-loss.
Run Game
The Chippewas didn't run the ball particularly well against the Blue Devils, but in fairness, Labas and the pass game was extremely efficient and successful. CMU's offense scored six touchdowns in just 52 plays.
The Chippewas ran for 113 yards, an average of 4.7 yards per carry. They were without injured Marion Lukes, one-half of their potent one-two running-back punch along with Myles Bailey.
Bailey led the Chippewas with 68 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. He also had two catches for 19 yards.
McElwain was noncommittal on whether Lukes, who is extremely dangerous as a runner, receiver and a kick returner, would play against FIU.
"Part of the (run-pass option) game is (the defense) loading the box so they're giving you some of those things," McElwain said. "Some of the (planned) runs, I felt like we were just a little off at times. We did a pretty good job when we got down to the red zone which was good to see, but especially as we get late in the year, we've got to be able to run the football.
"Myles, I thought, ran the ball hard and did a good job and caught the ball when he needed to. No disappointments out of that room."
Then, McElwain added, "I'm OK scoring fast."
Tough Road
As mentioned before, the Florida heat and humidity are concerns.
But simply playing on the road has been an uphill battle for CMU of late. The Chippewas went 1-6 on the road a year ago and are 10-18 in road games under McElwain, who is in his sixth year.
"For us it's going to be a huge challenge to play on the road and we've got to get better with that," McElwain said.
Battle of the 'Macs'
Mike MacIntyre is in his third season as FIU's coach and he and McElwain have a history. MacIntyre led Colorado to a 41-27 victory over McElwain-coached Colorado State in 2013.
As is quite common with veteran coaches with long resumés, the two have crossed paths at various times throughout their respective careers.
"I've known coach McIntyre from out west, both in the Mountain West and when we used to play him when he was at Colorado," McElwain said. "They're very sound in everything they do.
"They're very, very well coached. Defensively they give you looks and pressures that really can cause you problems and he's got some athletes to do it with."
The Panthers were held to 182 total yards last week by Indiana. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins, a sophomore, finished with 129 yards on 20-of-29 passing with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times.
"Their quarterback makes it go," McElwain said. "He can hurt you if you don't keep him contained."
Triple Play
The Chippewas scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, on a punt return, and on an interception return last week against Central Connecticut.
No one other team in the country can make that claim. Tulsa did get two out of the three, returning a kickoff and a punt for TDs in its 62-28 win over Northwestern State.
Next
CMU is scheduled to play at Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 14. The game carries a noon ET (11 a.m. CT) kickoff.
The Illini opened with a 45-0 win over Eastern Illinois and are slated to entertain No. 19 Kansas on Saturday (6 p.m. CT).
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballJordan Kwiatkowski Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Sunday, October 19
Angel Flores Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Sunday, October 19
Michael Heldman Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Saturday, October 18
Joe Labas Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Saturday, October 18