Chippewas Travel to Bowling Green for Pivotal Saturday Matchup at Noon

Saturday, October 18

Bowling Green, Ohio/Doyt L. Perry Stadium

Noon

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Chippewas Travel to Bowling Green for Pivotal Saturday Matchup at Noon

10/14/2025 5:16:00 PM | Football

Watch Live on CBS Sports Network Listen Live Live Stats GameDay Page CMU Game Notes (PDF)Bowling Green Game Notes (PDF)

Contest to be televised live on CBS Sports Network; Central looks to win third straight game in Bowling Green.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 7: CENTRAL MICHIGAN (3-3, 1-1 MAC) at BOWLING GREEN (3-3, 1-1 MAC)
Saturday, October 18, 2025 • 12:02 p.m. ET • Bowling Green, Ohio • Doyt L. Perry Stadium (24,000)

SATURDAY MATCHUP

Television: CBS Sports Network (Dave Ryan, play-by-play; Ryan Adam Breneman, analyst; Patrick Peterson, analyst; Debbie Boulac, producer).

Chippewa Sports Radio Network: Adam Jaksa, play-by-play; Brock Gutierrez, color analyst; spotter: Steve Powers; hosts: Nathan Arbaugh, Kyle Sandel.

Live Stats: visit https://bgsufalcons.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

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

Coaches: Central Michigan-Matt Drinkall, 1^st year at CMU (3-3), 6^th year as a head coach (45-20), 22^nd year in coaching. Bowling Green-Eddie George, 1^st year at BGSU, 5^th year overall (27-25).

Series: Central Michigan and Bowling Green meet for the 45^th time since the series began on Nov. 1, 1924. Bowling Green holds a 25-19 advantage in the series and has won four of the last five matchups. The visiting team has claimed each of the last six games.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.–Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC) plays its third MAC game and seventh overall contest when it travels to Bowling Green, Ohio to take on Bowling Green (3-3, 1-1 MAC) on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Doyt Perry Stadium. Kickoff is at Noon ET on CBS Sports Network.

WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME

The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network with Dave Ryan (p-by-p) and Adam Breneman and Patrick Peterson (color analysts) calling action. Debbie Boulac will produce.

WHERE TO LISTEN TO THE GAME

Fans can also listen to the CMU Chippewas Sports 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 the action on the network which can be accessed on www.cmuchippewas.com, on the 98.5-FM WUPS website, or on the Black Diamond broadcasting app. Coverage begins with a one-hour pre-game show.

SATURDAY'S TOP STORYLINES

*Central Michigan and Bowling Green meet for a pivotal Saturday matchup in Bowling Green, Ohio. Both teams have first-year head coaches and enter the weekend with identical 3-3 overall, 1-1 MAC records.

*The Chippewas and Falcons renew their rivalry for the 45th time. Ironically, the road team has claimed each of the last six games in the series. Central Michigan has won two straight games at Bowling Green. The last time CMU played at BGSU was in 2019, a 38-20 win.

*Central is looking to snap a 10-game losing streak in road MAC games.

GAME NOTES

Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC) plays its third Mid-American Conference game and seventh overall contest of the 2025 season when it travels to Bowling Green, Ohio to take on Bowling Green (3-3, 1-1 MAC) in a pivotal Saturday contest at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. Kickoff is at 12:02 p.m. ET for a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network.

As winners of two of its last three games, Central Michigan is coming off an off week following a 28-22 loss at Akron. Previously, the Chippewas claimed back-to-back home victories over Eastern Michigan (24-13) in the MAC opener and Wagner (49-10) in its home opener. In both games, the Chippewas got off to fast starts.

Central Michigan battled back but could not complete the comeback at Akron on October 4, falling 28-22. With the Chippewas trailing 14-10 at halftime, Akron scored touchdowns on its first two possesions of the second half to go up 28-10. The host Zips used an 84-yard, eight-play drive to score on a 1-yard touchdown run, then seven minutes later used an 83-yard, 10-play drive to score on a 2-yard pass. The Chippewas battled back, scoring the game's last 12 points, but ran out of time.

Akron was superb on third down as it converted 9-15 tries, outgained CMU 417-374 in total yardage and led time of possession, 32:18-27:42.

Central Michigan running back Brock Townsend rushed for a career-high 108 yards on eight carries (13.5 average), quarterback Angel Flores scored a career-high two rushing touchdowns and finished with 95 rushing yards on 16 carries, and quarterback Joe Labas completed 12 of 21 passes for 134 yards. Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski led the Chippewa defense with 10 tackles, while Caleb Spann intercepted a pass.

On September 27, Central Michigan won its MAC opener with a 24-13 win over in-state rival Eastern Michigan before 28,605 fans, the ninth largest crowd in Kelly/Shorts Stadium history.

The Chippewas rushed for 305 yards on 51 carries (6.0 average), outgained EMU 445-298 in total yardage, and controlled time of possession (35:46-23:36) in taking the win. Angel Flores (22-134 yards) and Nahree Biggins (14-113) both rushed for over 100 yards, Joe Labas completed 14 of 18 passes for 138 yards, Langston Lewis caught a career-high six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown and Central Michigan's defense accounted for an interception and 2.0 sacks.

Central Michigan got off to a fast start as it went 75 yards in nine plays on its opening possession ending in a 1-yard touchdown pass from Labas to Brock Townsend. The Chippewas went up 14-0 in the first quarter when Biggins burst up the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. After Eastern Michigan scored a field goal, Central Michigan responded with another 75-yard, 12-play scoring driving ending in a 2-yard pass from Flores to Lewis and 21-3 halftime lead.

Eastern Michigan battled back to a 21-13 deficit but Maddix Blackwell intercepted a pass and then Cade Graham converted a 22-yard field goal to put the game out of reach.

The previous week, it was a dominating 49-10 home victory over Wagner on Sept. 20, which saw the Chippewas rack up 506 yards of total offense, 233 yards rushing, 273 yards passing, and 24 first downs. CMU's defense also limited Wagner to 113 yards of total offense, six first downs, 72 yards rushing and only 41 yards passing.

It was defense that gave the Chippewas an early lead in the game's first six minutes. On Wagner's second offensive play of the game, Jordan Kwiatkowski tipped a pass into the waiting arms of Dakota Cochran, who gathered the ball and ran 30 yards for an interception return touchdown and 7-0 lead. Then on Wagner's second drive, Michael Heldman's sack forced a fumble that Cochran picked up. The play gave the ball back to Central Michigan, which drove 36 yards in six plays and ended in a 2-yard touchdown run by Flores and commanding 14-0 lead.

Then the Chippewas offense came to life led by quarterback Joe Labas, who threw three touchdown passes, 241 yards, and completed 85.7 percent (12 of 14) of his passes, which ranked as the fifth-best performance in school history. Labas' 301.02 passing efficiency rating ranked as the second-best all-time game performance in school history behind Dan LeFevour (303.7) at Buffalo on Nov. 24, 2006. His touchdown passes in the second quarter included an 88-yard screen pass to Biggins, a 33-yard pass to Tommy McIntosh, and a 33-yard pass to a wide open Tyson Davis and the Chippewas took a 35-3 lead into halftime.

CMU's quarterbacks combined for six of the Chippewas' seven touchdowns (Labas, three TD passes; Flores, 2 rushing scores, one passing).

Previously, Central Michigan opened its season with three straight road games for the first time since 1972. The Chippewas dropped a 63-3 loss at Michigan before 110,740 fans at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 13. It dropped a 45-17 decision at Pittsburgh on Sept. 6.

It won its season opener on Aug. 29 as it claimed a 16-14 come-from-behind victory at San Jose State,

The San Jose State win represented the first for coach Matt Drinkall as Central Michigan's football coach. Drinkall was named the 30th football coach at Central Michigan on Dec. 9, 2024 after serving the previous six seasons on staff at Army. His 2024 Army offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for top offensive line unit in the nation and helped guide the Black Knights to a 12-2 record, No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, and the American Athletic Conference title in the program's first year in the league.

In his first 10 months with the Central Michigan Football program, Drinkall has initiated a culture change with numerous improvements to the student-athlete experience. With a 3.2 grade point average, the Chippewas put together their best-ever academic semester in spring 2025. The Chippewas now have top-notch meals provided at their facility by CMU Dining Services, have turned rooms into areas for player use such as the VIP Lounge which was converted into a player lounge, the practice schedule has been revamped, and the team took a team-building trip to amusement park Cedar Point in the summer. Those are just a few of the many changes that he has made since his arrival.

Drinkall became the first coach at Central Michigan to win a debut game on the road since Bill Kelly won a 34-13 victory at Southern Illinois on Sept. 22, 1951. Drinkall also became the first coach at CMU since Herb Deromedi in 1978 to win his first road game and his first home game in his debut season.

Ranked as one of the nation's top-40 winningest FBS programs of all-time and with eight current players in the National Football League, Central Michigan is coming off three consecutive sub-.500 seasons for the first time since 2002-04. The Chippewas went 4-8 last season and 2-6 in the MAC.

FAST STARTING CHIPPEWAS

Fast starts have helped Central Michigan register victories in each of its three games this year. In each of the last two wins, both home victories, Central Michigan started fast and accumulated 14-0 first quarter leads in both games. Against Wagner, it was CMU's defense that made the plays early as Dakota Cochran picked off a pass and rambled 30 yards for touchdown. On Wagner's second possession, CMU's Michael Heldman forced a fumble that was picked up by Cochran and the Chippewa offense scored on a run for a 14-0 lead.

Against Eastern Michigan, it was Central Michigan's offense that helped give the Chippewas an early 14-0 first quarter lead. The Chippewas took their first drive 75 yards in nine plays and scored on a 1-yard TD pass from Angel Flores to Brock Townsend. On its next offensive drive, CMU went up 14-0 when running back Nahree Biggins burst through the middle of the field for a 49-yard touchdown run.

At San Jose State, Central Michigan used three turnovers to take an early 13-0 lead. San Jose State battled back to take a 14-13 lead, but CMU answered with a Cade Graham field goal and held off the hosts the rest of the way.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION

Central Michigan has turned the offense on in each of last three games, including victories over Wagner and Eastern Michigan. Combining all three games, the Chippewas are averaging 31.7 points, 442.7 yards of total offense, 258.7 yards rushing, and 183.0 yards passing per game. The Chippewas also have totaled 22.0 first downs per game.

In the last three games, three rushers and one receiver have eclipsed the 100-yard mark and Central Michigan quarterbacks have completed an incredible 70.7 percent (41 of 58) of passes for 549 yards and six touchdowns. CMU's offense has generated 17 plays of over 20 yards in the last three games.

In the last three games, quarterback Joe Labas has completed 38 of 51 passes (74.5 percent) for 513 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions. Quarterback Angel Flores has rushed for 260 yards and four touchdowns.

CMU Offensive Production (Last 3 games)

Game	Pts.	TotOff.	Rush.	Pass.	1stD
Wagner	49	506	233	273	24
EMU	24	445	305	140	22
at Akron	22	374	238	136	20
Average	31.7	442.7	258.7	183.0	22.0

A WIN OVER BOWLING GREEN WOULD…

•  Give Central Michigan a 4-3 overall record.
•  Give CMU a 2-1 start to league play for the first time since 2023.
•  End Central Michigan's 10-game losing streak in road MAC games. The Chippewas' last road victory over MAC opponent on the road was at Northern Illinois on Nov. 2, 2022 (35-22).
•  End Bowling Green's two-game win streak in the series.
•  Give Central Michigan its third consecutive victory over Bowling Green on the road and would represent the seventh consecutive win by the visiting team in the series.

SERIES VS. BOWLING GREEN

•  Central Michigan and Bowling Green meet for the 45th time in the series. Bowling Green holds a 25-19 advantage in the series.
•  The road teams have claimed each of the last six games in the series.
•  Central Michigan has won each of the last two games played at Doyt Perry Stadium and is 7-8 overall in Bowling Green vs. the Falcons.
•  The last time Central Michigan played at Bowling Green in 2019, the Chippewas claimed a 38-20 victory.

OHIO CHIPPEWAS

Nine Central Michigan players are from the state of Ohio including Jakivion Calip (Lewis Center), Tysen Campbell (Akron), Dakota Cochran (Shaker Heights), Trey Cornist (Cincinnati), Malik Denkins (Cincinnati), Dylan Fisher (Toledo), Joe Labas (Brecksville), Trey Liebhardt (Chardon), and Jacob Saurbeck (Oregon). Campbell is the only player from Akron.

RUN THE BALL

Central Michigan has run the ball in 68.4 percent of its total offensive plays, (264 of 386) this season.

The Chippewas rushed for a season-high 305 yards on 51 carries vs. Eastern Michigan on Sept. 27. CMU rushed for 238 yards on 40 carries for a 6.0 average at Akron on Oct. 4. They rushed for 236 yards on 51 carries in the season opener at San Jose State (Aug. 29) and for 233 yards on 48 carries vs. Wagner.

CMU is averaging 188.5 yards rushing per game, which ranks No. 3 in the MAC and No. 39 in FBS, and 4.3 yards per carry.

TURNOVER MARGIN TURNAROUND

In its first six games of the 2025 season, Central Michigan has a +4 turnover margin, which ranks No. 1 in the MAC and No. 29 in FBS (9 turnovers gained/5 turnovers lost). The Chippewas also rank No. 40 nationally in turnovers gained (9). CMU has scored 43 of its 131 points off turnovers and has outscored its opponents 43-21 in points off turnovers. Last year, CMU was ranked No. 133 in turnover margin (-17) and tied a school record for worst turnover margin in a season.

The Chippewas have registered at least one turnover in each of its first six games.

At San Jose State, Central Michigan forced three first half turnovers including two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Chippewas scored their first 13 points off those turnovers. CMU also limited San Jose State to just 74 yards rushing on 17 carries. The two interceptions by Brenden Deasfernandes and Elijah Rikard equaled Central Michigan's interception total from the entire 2024 season. Last year, CMU totaled just five turnovers (2 interceptions/3 fumble recoveries), the Chippewas already have registered nine through six games in 2025.

At Pitt, Central Michigan registered one interception as Jordan Kwiatkowski stepped in front a pass and returned it 18 yards.

At Michigan, Brenden Deasfernandes registered an interception in the second quarter and turned it into three points.

Versus Wagner, Central Michigan turned two turnovers into a 14-0 lead in the first few minutes of the game. On Wagner's first possession, Dakota Cochran intercepted a tipped pass by Jordan Kwiatkowski and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. On the next drive, Michael Heldman forced a fumble which was picked up by Cochran. The Chippewas scored on a 2-yard run by Angel Flores.

Central Michigan's Maddix Blackwell snatched an interception in the fourth quarter which ended an EMU drive.

At Akron, Caleb Spann intercepted a pass.

TURNOVER FREE CMU

Central Michigan has turned the ball over just five times in six games this season. Upon entering Saturday's game, the Chippewas currently have not committed a turnover in each of the last eight quarters.

Of the five turnovers, all five were committed with the game already decided. Not one of CMU's turnovers have come with the game on the line.

Central has gone through three games (at San Jose State, Eastern Michigan, and at Akron) without committing a turnover.

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

Following its first six games, Central Michigan is ranked among the nation's top 35 national leaders in eight statistical categories. The Chippewas rank:

•  No. 4, passes had intercepted (1).
•  No. 21, turnovers lost (5).
•  No. 23, passes intercepted (7).
•  No. 25, punt returns (12.60).
•  No. 26, time of possession (32:06).
•  No. 26, defensive touchdowns (1).
•  No. 29, turnover margin (0.67).
•  No. 30, completion percentage (67.2).

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

•  Michael Heldman, No. 13 in forced fumbles (0.33).
•  Brenden Deasfernandes, No. 20 in interceptions (2).
•  Dakota Cochran, No. 22 in fumbles recovered (1).
•  Fernando Sanchez III, No. 22 in fumbles recovered (1).
•  Michael Heldman, No. 23 in sacks (0.75).
•  Cade Graham, No. 31 in field goals made per game (1.50).
•  Brenden Deasfernandes, No. 32 in interceptions per game (0.33).

Coach Drinkall Press Conf.

Sunday, October 05

Brock Townsend Press Conference

Sunday, October 05

Jordan Kwiatkowski Press Conference

Saturday, October 04

Football Insider - 10.2.25

Thursday, October 02

Central Michigan University Athletics

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Nahree Biggins

Maddix Blackwell

Jakivion Calip

Tysen Campbell

Dakota Cochran

Trey Cornist

Tyson Davis

Brenden Deasfernandes

Malik Denkins

Dylan Fisher

Angel Flores

Cade Graham

Michael Heldman

Jordan Kwiatkowski

Joe Labas

Langston Lewis

Trey Liebhardt

Tommy McIntosh

Elijah Rikard

Fernando Sanchez III

Jacob Saurbeck

Caleb Spann

Brock Townsend

Chippewas Travel to Bowling Green for Pivotal Saturday Matchup at Noon

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