Quarterback Joe Labas, now a senior, led CMU to a 3-3 record in his six starts in 2024.
Photo by: Joe Grogan '25 - @leazier.media
Veteran Labas Brings Stabilizing Presence Among Chippewa Quarterbacks
8/27/2025 9:06:00 AM | Football, Our Stories
Senior quarterback Joe Labas earns start in season opener at San Jose State after battling back from a season-ending injury.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – New coach, new system.
New quarterback?
First-year Central Michigan football coach Matt Drinkall is playing it close to the vest with regard to who will start under center when the Chippewas open the season Friday (10:30 p.m. ET/FS1) at San Jose State.
"We'll see three different kids appear in games throughout the season for us in various roles," Drinkall said this week. "We love our quarterback room right now from top to bottom. Out of every position group that is the one that we are maybe blessed the most."
Senior Joe Labas started the first six games last season, leading the Chippewas to a 3-3 record when an injury ended his season. Without Labas, CMU went 1-5.
And while Drinkall refused to tip his hand as to whom will take the first snap for his Chippewas on Friday, Labas unquestionably is a leading candidate.
With seven collegiate starts under his belt, Labas is the most experienced of the six quarterbacks on CMU's roster.
"He's heady and has tremendous attention to detail," CMU offensive coordinator Jim Chapin said during fall practice. "The guys respect him. Joe Labas is a really polished passer; he's efficient with a quick release and is accurate."
CMU recruited Labas when he was a standout at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in suburban Cleveland. He went to Iowa, where he spent three seasons with the Hawkeyes, drawing the start as a redshirt freshman and throwing for 139 yards and a touchdown in a 21-0 win over Kentucky in the 2022 Music City Bowl.
Last season, he found his footing as CMU's starter, completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 1,114 yards and seven touchdowns.
He showed plenty of poise in leading final-minute game-winning drives against both Ball State and San Diego State.
Labas, for his part, would rather it not come down to that – whether he's taking the snaps or he isn't. It's all about preparation and precision, putting the game plan into practice.
And that game plan, at least at this point under Drinkall, is strictly old school: run the ball effectively to set up the pass, chew up the clock, and keep the opposing offense on its sideline.
"Run the football effectively, obviously, that's every offense in the country," Labas said of the plan heading into Friday's opener. "That's our goal; stay on the field as long as possible and obviously get points as well. Time of possession is huge, especially in this day and age in football. Coach Drinkall has a good mindset with that."
New quarterback?
First-year Central Michigan football coach Matt Drinkall is playing it close to the vest with regard to who will start under center when the Chippewas open the season Friday (10:30 p.m. ET/FS1) at San Jose State.
"We'll see three different kids appear in games throughout the season for us in various roles," Drinkall said this week. "We love our quarterback room right now from top to bottom. Out of every position group that is the one that we are maybe blessed the most."
Senior Joe Labas started the first six games last season, leading the Chippewas to a 3-3 record when an injury ended his season. Without Labas, CMU went 1-5.
And while Drinkall refused to tip his hand as to whom will take the first snap for his Chippewas on Friday, Labas unquestionably is a leading candidate.
With seven collegiate starts under his belt, Labas is the most experienced of the six quarterbacks on CMU's roster.
"He's heady and has tremendous attention to detail," CMU offensive coordinator Jim Chapin said during fall practice. "The guys respect him. Joe Labas is a really polished passer; he's efficient with a quick release and is accurate."
CMU recruited Labas when he was a standout at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in suburban Cleveland. He went to Iowa, where he spent three seasons with the Hawkeyes, drawing the start as a redshirt freshman and throwing for 139 yards and a touchdown in a 21-0 win over Kentucky in the 2022 Music City Bowl.
Last season, he found his footing as CMU's starter, completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 1,114 yards and seven touchdowns.
He showed plenty of poise in leading final-minute game-winning drives against both Ball State and San Diego State.
Labas, for his part, would rather it not come down to that – whether he's taking the snaps or he isn't. It's all about preparation and precision, putting the game plan into practice.
And that game plan, at least at this point under Drinkall, is strictly old school: run the ball effectively to set up the pass, chew up the clock, and keep the opposing offense on its sideline.
"Run the football effectively, obviously, that's every offense in the country," Labas said of the plan heading into Friday's opener. "That's our goal; stay on the field as long as possible and obviously get points as well. Time of possession is huge, especially in this day and age in football. Coach Drinkall has a good mindset with that."
Coach Matt Drinkall Post-Game Press Conference Vs. Wagner
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Joe Labas Post-Game Press Conference Vs. Wagner
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FB v. Wagner Broadcast Melt
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