Chippewas Open Spring Ball

Caleb Spann

/ Football

Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw

3/18/2025 5:19:00 PM | Football

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Chippewas complete first spring ball practice on Tuesday morning at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—The Central Michigan Football program completed a spirited first spring ball practice on Tuesday morning at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

The one hour and 45-minute practice included a variety of position-specific drills. Central Michigan began practice with stretching, individual position drills, and open field blocking drills. The team went to 7-on-7 offense vs. defense drills, wide receivers vs. defensive backs and offensive line vs. defensive line, then back to more position drills. The Chippewas also went through special teams drills.

Excitement was at an all-time high as the Chippewas hit the field at 8:45 a.m. under the morning lights of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

"This is the most excited I've seen these guys," senior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski said. "Not only have we not practiced in awhile, but we've got a new staff, new feel, new culture. We are all excited for this new revamp of Central Michigan Football."

"Day one, we were juiced today," senior quarterback Joe Labas, said. "We've got a lot of work to do obviously, but we're happy to be back on the field and getting back to football. We've got a new offense, new playbook, new transfers. Just getting everyone together and on the same page, I think we did a good job of that today."

New head coach Matt Drinkall and staff welcomed a total of 101 players to spring practice, including 17 newcomers. Central Michigan returns a total of 13 starters (five on offense and eight on defense) and a host of players who saw extensive action during the 2024 season. Eighty-four players return to the squad from 2024.

Central Michigan Football: Spring Practice 1#FireUpChips pic.twitter.com/7rRBSUKL9e
— CMU Football (@CMU_Football) March 18, 2025

It also marked the first of 12 practices as the Chippewas will practice a total of 12 times and host a Spring Football Game on Saturday, April 12. Central Michigan will announce Spring Game details in the coming days. It was the first Central Michigan football practice since November.

"We came out with a lot of energy today," senior defensive back Caleb Spann said. "It is a new feel for everything. Everyone is getting a fresh start and we're building a new identity here at Central Michigan. Everyone feels good."

"It was great to be back on the field with the guys again," senior offensive lineman Davis Heinzen said. "We've got a lot of work to do and things to improve on, along with learning new terminology. The basis is similar to what we've done in the past, we just have to lock in on the details."

Felt good to be back on the turf pic.twitter.com/wpm90tFKyo
— CMU Football (@CMU_Football) March 18, 2025

Central Michigan's 2025 football schedule was announced on March 5. Click here to access the 2025 schedule.

2025 Central Michigan Football season tickets went on sale on Monday, March 10. Tickets can be purchased or renewed through online at Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com at this link, or by calling the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045. Lock in your tickets for the best seats at the best value. More details on season ticket renewals will be e-mailed out to season ticket holders in the coming days.

Tickets for Central Michigan's 2025 non conference games, including the Saturday, Sept. 13 contest at Michigan are on sale now. Chippewa Athletic Fund members will have the ability to purchase a limited number of tickets based on donation levels shown below until June 10^th. Seating allocation at all games will be based on current CAF donation level. Tickets are $60.00 each for CMU's game at Michigan and are $30.00 for the San Jose State game. Pittsburgh ticket prices have yet to be set. Tickets for these three games can be purchased online at www.cmuchippewas.com or by calling the Chippewa Athletic Fund at (989) 774-6680.

CMU opens its 2025 football season at San Jose State on Thursday, August 28. The Chippewas will play five home games, including four on Saturdays and play seven in-state games including at Michigan (Sept. 13) and at Western Michigan (Nov. 1).

UPCOMING 2025 CENTRAL MICHIGAN SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE

No.: Day, Date, Time
Practice 2: Thursday, March 20
Practice 3: Friday, March 21.
Practice 4: Monday, March 24
Practice 5: Tuesday, March 25
Practice 6: Wednesday, March 26
Practice 7: Monday, March 31
Practice 8: Wednesday, April 2
Practice 9: Friday, April 4
Practice 10: TBA
Practice 11: TBA
Practice 12: TBA
Spring Game: Saturday, April 12, TBA

All practice dates are tentative and could be moved or changed

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—CMU—