Chippewas Host Buffalo on Wednesday Night in First MACtion Game

Wednesday, November 12

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Chippewas Host Buffalo on Wednesday Night in First MACtion Game

11/10/2025 4:09:00 PM | Football

Watch Live on CBS Sports Network Listen Live Live Stats Buy Tickets GameDay Page Flip Card (PDF)CMU Game Notes (PDF)Buffalo Game Notes (PDF)

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET for a nationally televised broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 10: BUFFALO (5-4, 4-1 MAC) at CENTRAL MICHIGAN (5-4, 3-2 MAC)
MACtion Wednesday/Community Night sponsored by Army National Guard
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • 7:02 p.m. ET • Mount Pleasant, Mich • Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MATCHUP

Television: CBS Sports Network (Dave Ryan play-by-play; Adam Breneman, analyst; Brian Seeling, 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://cmuchippewas.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 (5-4), 6^th year as a head coach (47-21), 22^nd year in coaching. Buffalo-Pete Lembo, 2^ndyear at Buffalo (14-8), 17^th year overall (126-73).

Series: Central Michigan and Buffalo meet for the 13th time in a series which began on Oct. 9, 1999. Central Michigan is 3-1 vs. Buffalo in games played in Mount Pleasant. The teams last met on Oct. 7, 2023 in Buffalo, a 37-13 UB win. The last time the two teams met in Mount Pleasant, CMU claimed a 31-27 win.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.–Central Michigan (5-4, 3-2 MAC) plays its first weeknight MACtion game when it hosts Buffalo (5-4, 4-1 MAC) for Community Night on Wednesday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET for a nationally televised contest on CBS Sports Network.

WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME

The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network with Dave Ryan (play-by-play) and Adam Breneman (color analyst) calling action. Brian Seeling 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.

WEDNESDAY'S TOP STORYLINES

*Central Michigan (3-2) and Buffalo (4-1) meet for a pivotal MAC game. The Bulls enter the contest in a four-way tie for first place in the MAC standings, while the Chippewas are still in the hunt, one game behind in fifth place.

*A win would make Central Michigan bowl eligible for the first time in four years and since the 2021 season.

*Central Michigan has won four straight home games, is a perfect 3-0 at home this year, and has won seven of its last nine and 11 of its last 14 matchups at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

*The two schools play their first weeknight MACtion game in Mt. Pleasant.

GAME NOTES

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—As winners of four of its last six games, Central Michigan (5-4, 3-2 MAC) plays its first weeknight MACtion game, sixth Mid-American Conference game and 10th overall contest of the 2025 season when it hosts first place Buffalo (5-4, 4-1 MAC) on Wednesday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET for a CBS Sports Network national broadcast.

The contest is important as Buffalo enters the game in a four-way tie for first place in the MAC, while Central Michigan is in fifth place. With a victory on Wednesday night, Central Michigan would become bowl eligible with its sixth win of the year. It is attempting to become bowl eligible for the first time in four seasons. Central Michigan has made 15 bowl game appearances. With five victories, the Chippewas have won more games than they did last season (4 wins in 2024).

In all five wins this year, Central Michigan has limited opponents to 14 points or less. CMU is 5-1 when leading at halftime, 4-2 when leading at the end of the first quarter, 4-1 when leading time of possession, and an undefeated 3-0 in home games.

Sponsored by Army National Guard, the game is dubbed Community Night.

Central Michigan is vying for its fourth home win of the season after it dropped a close 24-21 decision at rival Western Michigan on Nov. 1. The Chippewas led most of the game and took a 21-14 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on a 33-yard pass from quarterback Marcus Beamon to Tyson Davis. But Western Michigan scored the game's final 10 points on a 46-yard field goal and 7-yard touchdown pass after an 11-play, 70-yard drive with 2:08 to go. WMU outgained CMU 327-240 in total offense, CMU finished with just 55 yards rushing on 35 carries, and Western won the time of possession (33:42-26:18) and turnover battle (2-1). CMU was led by wide receiver Langston Lewis, who totaled a career-high 111 yards receiving on four receptions, including a 77-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Labas, and Labas, who completed 8-11 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. On defense, the Chippewas were led by Dakota Cochran (career-high 11 tackles, 2.5 TFL), Jordan Kwiatkowski (9 tackles), and Lawai'a Brown (8 tackles), and Jaion Jackson, who recorded a career-high eight tackles, 1.0 sack, and forced a fumble.

In its last home game, Central Michigan registered a dominating 38-13 homecoming victory over Massachusetts on Oct. 25. The Chippewas amassed 502 yards of total offense, 279 rushing and 223 passing in its third league victory. CMU's defense had 12 quarterback hurries, eight pass breakups, 7.0 tackles for loss and an interception in limiting the Minutemen to 13 points. Running back Brock Townsend scored a career-high three touchdowns (two rushing and a 51-yard reception), Labas tied a school-record for game completion percentage (10-11) and threw for two touchdowns and 148 yards, running back Nahree Biggins rushed for 94 yards on 10 carries, and quarterback Angel Flores ran for 63 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Central Michigan grabbed an early lead as it built a 21-7 first quarter advantage, then coasted to the victory. Townsend scored on two short runs, then Flores added a 9-yard touchdown. The Chippewas added two touchdown passes in the second half as Labas hit Townsend for a 51-yard reception and Nasir Williams for a 19-yarder.

Prior to the UMass win, Central Michigan registered a decisive 27-6 win at Bowling Green. The win came after an off week and followed a 28-22 loss at Akron on Oct. 4. 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 held Bowling Green without a touchdown and to only six points on the road, the fewest touchdowns and points allowed in a game since it shut out Bucknell 41-0 on Sept. 17, 2022. With the victory, Central Michigan ended a 10-game MAC road losing streak. Quarterback Angel Flores scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns and linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski led the defense with a season-high 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a key second quarter interception. Kwiatkowski was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week. It was Kwiatkowski who started the Chippewas off as he intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards to the BG 1-yard line where Flores scored and gave the Chippewas a 7-3 lead. It was a lead CMU would not relinquish as the Chippewas scored again five minutes later when Labas connected with Collin Payne for a 63-yard pass, then Flores scored his second touchdown of the day, this time on a 6-yard run. A 38-yard field goal by Cade Graham gave the Chippewas a commanding 17-3 lead. Central Michigan took the opening possession of the second half marched 75 yards in seven plays, ending in Flores' third touchdown. Graham converted his second field goal, a 47-yarder in the third quarter and CMU led 27-6.

Central Michigan's Matt Drinkall is in his first year as the school's head 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 lead 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 11 months with Central Michigan, 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.

In defeating San Jose State 16-14 on Aug. 29, Drinkall became the first coach at Central Michigan to win a debut game on the road since Bill Kelly led CMU to 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 players currently 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 and early leads have helped Central Michigan in each of its five games this year. When Central Michigan leads at halftime, it is 5-1 on the year. Western Michigan handed Central its first loss when leading at halftime.

Against UMass, the Chippewas jumped on top 7-0, then 21-7 with three rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. It led 24-10 at halftime, then tacked on two Joe Labas touchdown passes.

At Bowling Green, Central Michigan scored 17 straight points to take a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. It used a Jordan Kwiatkowski interception and 26-yard return to set up its first touchdown, used a 63-yard pass from Joe Labas to Collin Payne to set up its second touchdown, then stopped a fake punt by BGSU on fourth down to set up a field goal.

In each of its other two home wins (Wagner, EMU), Central Michigan started fast and accumulated 14-0 first quarter leads. 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 gave 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 pass from Angel Flores to Brock Townsend. On its next drive, CMU went up 14-0 when running back Nahree Biggins burst through the middle 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.

Game	Key Lead	Final Score
at SJSU	13-0 lead in 1st Q	W, 16-14
Wagner	14-0 lead in 1st Q	W, 49-10
EMU	14-0 lead in 1st Q	W, 24-13
at BGSU	17-3 lead in 2nd Q	W, 27-6
UMass	21-7 lead in 1st Q	W, 38-13

HOME, SWEET, HOME

On a four-game home win streak and with a 3-0 record this year, Central Michigan enjoys a tremendous home field advantage at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Since 2019, the Chippewas are a combined 25-10 (.714 win percentage) within the confines of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas have won seven of their last nine and 11 of its last 14 home contests.

Two home games remain for CMU this year: Buffalo (Nov. 12) and Toledo (Nov. 29).

The last time CMU completed a season with an undefeated home record was when the Chippewas went 6-0 in 2019 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The last several seasons, CMU went 1-2 in 2020, 5-1 in 2021, 2-4 in 2022, 4-1 in 2023, 3-2 in 2024, and 3-0 in 2025.

Since 1950, CMU has registered 13 undefeated seasons at home: 1953 (4-0), 1954 (4-0), 1955 (4-0), 1956 (4-0), 1967 (4-0), 1970 (4-0), 1977 (5-0), 1979 (5-0), 1980 (6-0), 1994 (5-0), 1998 (5-0), 2009 (5-0), and 2019 (6-0).

Since Kelly/Shorts Stadium opened in 1972, Central Michigan is 187-89-4 in 280 games played for a .667 win percentage. In MAC games, the Chippewas are 142-69-4.

TURNOVER MARGIN TURNAROUND

In its first nine games of the 2025 season, Central Michigan has a +5 turnover margin, which ranks No. 1 in the MAC and No. 28 in FBS (13 turnovers gained/8 turnovers lost). The Chippewas also rank No. 33 nationally and No. 2 in the MAC in turnovers gained (13) and No. 23 nationally and No. 2 in the MAC in turnovers lost (8). The +5 turnover margin ranks as the best at Central Michigan since 2009 when the Chippewas registered a +5 (20 gained/15 lost).

CMU has scored 57 of its 217 points off turnovers and has outscored its opponents 57-28 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 their nine games this season.

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).

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. At Bowling Green, Jordan Kwiatkowski and Jaion Jackson both intercepted passes. Kalen Carroll intercepted CMU's 10th pass of the year vs. UMass.

The Chippewas recovered a fumble right before halftime at Western Michigan.

TURNOVER FREE CMU

Central Michigan has turned the ball over just eight times in nine games this season. It has surrendered just three turnovers in five MAC games. Previously, Central Michigan went 15 quarters without turning the ball over from the Eastern Michigan game through the fourth quarter of the UMass game.

Of the eight turnovers, six have been committed with the game already decided.

Central has had four games this season where it did not turn the ball over (at San Jose State, Eastern Michigan, at Akron, and at Bowling Green).

DEFENSE WINS GAMES

In all five wins this season, Central Michigan has limited its opponents to 14 points or less. In four MAC games, opponents are averaging just 15.0 points per game, which ranks No. 3 in the league in conference only games.

The last time Central Michigan held as many teams under 20 points in a season was in 2009, when the Chippewas held seven of their 14 opponents to 20 points or less.

Here is a look at the best defensive stretches in the last 25 years of Central Michigan football:

Year	Opp. held under 20 points	PPG
2025	5 of 9	24.1
2009	7 of 14	18.9
2006	6 of 14	22.3
2005	5 of 11	23.6

A WIN OVER BUFFALO WOULD…

*Give Central Michigan a 6-4 record. The six wins would be the most since the 2021 season when the Chippewas went 9-4 and won the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl with a victory over Washington State.

*Give CMU four wins in MAC play for the first time since 2021 when it won six games.

*Give Central Michigan its fifth consecutive home win and improve the Chippewas to 4-0 at home with one remaining.

*Give Central Michigan its second straight victory over Buffalo at home and improve the Chippewas to 9-4 vs. Buffalo.

CMU-BUFFALO SERIES

Central Michigan and Buffalo meet for the first time since 2023. Consider the following:

*Central Michigan is 8-4 all-time vs. Buffalo in a series dating to Oct. 9, 1999.

*The Chippewas are 3-1 vs. the Bulls in Mount Pleasant. CMU defeated Buffalo 31-27 in its last matchup played in Mount Pleasant.

*Buffalo won the last meeting on Oct. 7, 2023, 37-13 victory in Buffalo.

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

Following its first nine games, Central Michigan is ranked among the nation's top 35 in 12 statistical categories. The Chippewas rank:

•  No. 4, passes had intercepted (4).
•  No. 7, passing efficiency (167.36).
•  No. 10, completion percentage (69.70).
•  No. 16, passes intercepted (10).
•  No. 23, time of possession (32:01).
•  No. 23, turnovers lost (8)
•  No. 25, passing yards per completion (13.04).
•  No. 26, fourth down conversion defense (41.20).
•  No. 28, turnover margin (0.56).
•  No. 28, red zone defense (78.10).
•  No. 33, fourth down conversions (64.47).
•  No. 33, turnovers gained (13).

   In addition, two individuals were ranked among the nation's top 35 in several statistics:
•  Cade Graham, No. 30, field goal percentage (85.70).
•  Angel Flores, No. 32, rushing touchdowns (8).

THE CENTRAL MICHIGAN LOSS AT WESTERN MICHIGAN...

*Dropped Central Michigan to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the MAC.

*Snapped Central Michigan's two game win streak.

*Dropped Central Michigan to 5-1 when leading at halftime.

TEAM NOTES

*Central Michigan's 240 total offensive yards were the fewest of its five MAC games.

*Central Michigan's first touchdown drive of the game marked its longest drive in terms of plays (13) and time of possession (8:55) on the year. It ranked as the fifth longest scoring drive in terms of time of possession in school history.

*With a second quarter fumble recovery, Central Michigan has gained at least one turnover in every game this season.

*Central Michigan rushed for 55 yards on 35 carries and one touchdown. The 55 yards marked the second fewest of the year as the Chippewas rushed for just 40 yards at Pitt on Sept. 6.

*For the first time in six games, Central Michigan lost the turnover battle as it turned the ball over two times and gained one turnover.

PLAYER NOTES

*Quarterback Joe Labas completed eight of 11 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown. He found Langston Lewis for a 77-yard touchdown pass, CMU's second longest of the season.

*Quarterback Marcus Beamon saw his first game action of the season. He threw a 33-yard touchdown on his first career pass to Tyson Davis on the first play of the fourth quarter. The play was made on a third down and 10. He finished 1-1 passing for 33 yards and a touchdown and rushed seven times for 11 yards.

*Running back Nahree Biggins scored his second rushing touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. He finished with 11 yards rushing on seven carries.

*Wide receiver Langston Lewis posted his first career 100-yard receiving game as he finished with four receptions for 111 yards. He scored on a career-long 77-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter off a pass from Joe Labas. It marked the second longest pass play of the year for Central Michigan.

*Wide receiver Tyson Davis scored the second touchdown of his career on a 33-yard pass from Marcus Beamon in the fourth quarter. It marked his seventh career touchdown reception. He caught two passes for 45 yards.

*Linebacker Dakota Cochran led Central Michigan with a career-high 11 tackles and a career-high nine solo. He also added 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

*Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski finished with nine tackles (five solo).

*Linebacker Lawai'a Brown registered a career-high eight tackles (three solo) with 0.5 sack.

*Defensive back Jaion Jackson notched his second career sack in the second quarter. The play resulted in a 15-yard loss for Western Michigan. He also had a forced fumble.

*Linebacker Korver Demma registered his second sack of the year in the first quarter.

*Defensive lineman Jonathan Decker recovered the first fumble of his career in the second quarter.

Football Insider - 11.10.25

Monday, November 10

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Players Mentioned

Marcus Beamon

Nahree Biggins

Maddix Blackwell

Lawai'a Brown

Kalen Carroll

Dakota Cochran

Tyson Davis

Brenden Deasfernandes

Jonathan Decker

Korver Demma

Angel Flores

Cade Graham

Michael Heldman

Jaion Jackson

Jordan Kwiatkowski

Joe Labas

Langston Lewis

Collin Payne

Elijah Rikard

Caleb Spann

Brock Townsend

Nasir Williams

Chippewas Host Buffalo on Wednesday Night in First MACtion Game

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