News & Notes: Motor City MACtion Wednesday Night Versus Eastern Michigan at Ford Field

Wednesday, November 4

Detroit, Mich./Ford Field

7:30 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Eastern Michigan

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10/31/2026 12:21:00 PM | Football

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104th football meeting between Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday for an ESPN2 national broadcast

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 9: CENTRAL MICHIGAN (3-5, 1-3 MAC) VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN (4-5, 3-2 MAC)
MOTOR CITY MACTION
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 • 7:30 p.m. ET • Detroit, Mich. • Ford Field (65,000)

MACTION WEDNESDAY NIGHT MATCHUP

Television: ESPN2 (Ted Emrick, play-by-play; Fozzy Whitaker, color analyst; Aaron Owens, 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, 2^nd year at CMU (10-11) 7^th year overall (52-28), 23^rd year in coaching. Eastern Michigan: Chris Creighton, 13^th year at EMU (65-89), 30^th year overall (204-134).

Series: Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan meet for the 55^th consecutive season and 104^th time since Nov. 1, 1902 with the Chippewas holding a 64-32-6 advantage. CMU won last year's meeting and has won five of the last seven overall matchups. This is the second neutral contest in the series played at Ford Field since Nov. 6, 2004, a 61-58 EMU win in four overtimes.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

DETROIT, Mich.– Central Michigan (3-5, 1-3 MAC) takes on Eastern Michigan (4-5, 3-2 MAC) in Motor City MACtion on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET for an ESPN2 national broadcast.

The Chippewas and Eagles will meet for the 104th time in history and the 55th consecutive year. The series represents the longest running series in the MAC. The two schools play for the second time at a neutral site and at Ford Field.

Central Michigan has enjoyed a rich tradition of playing games in Detroit as the Chippewas will play at Ford Field for the 12th time in its footbal history. At its "Home away from home," CMU recently played Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26, 2025. The Chippewas are 5-6 at Ford Field and have played in six bowl games (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2025), four MAC Championship games (2006, 2007, 2009, 2019), and one neutral site MAC game against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 6, 2004.

In MAC play, the Chippewas enter the weekend with one win (41-17 vs. Akron) and three losses (31-14 at Ohio, 21-14 vs. Western Michigan, and 28-27 to Miami, Ohio). CMU is coming off three straight losses to MAC teams with a combined 10-2 league record.

Last Saturday, Miami (Ohio) scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:41 remaining to defeat Central Michigan 28-27. The Chippewas battled back several times as the lead changed seven times in the contest. Making his first start of the season in place of the injured Angel Flores, quarterback Jadyn Glasser set career-highs for completions (18), attempts (31) and passing yards (221) and threw one touchdown pass in leading the Chippewas to their best passing game of the season. Wide receiver Langston Lewis was Glasser's favorite target as he had a career day with 10 receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown catch. Lewis became the first player to finish with over 150 yards receiving in 148 games and since Titus Davis achieved it vs. Ohio on Oct. 4, 2014.

The Chippewas won the turnover battle 2-0, registered a season-high four sacks, defensive back Justin Taylor scored CMU's first defensive touchdown of the year on a 46-yard interception return, Mayson Hitchens made a career-high 11 tackles, and Jaion Jackson broke up a career-high three passes.

The Chippewas battled back from a 21-0 deficit and made it interesting in the fourth quarter on Oct. 17 against rival Western Michigan. CMU scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a 32-yard pass from Angel Flores to Jaden Allen and a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Glasser with 44 seconds to play. The Chippewas recovered an onside kick, threatened to score in the closing seconds, but could not complete the comeback.
The Chippewas outgained WMU 337-272 in total yardage and finished with 20 first downs to WMU's 15. Flores led the Chippewas with a career-high 279 total yards (117 rushing/162 passing). He rushed a career-high 31 times for 117 yards and completed a career-high 14-25 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. On defense, Central Michigan was led by Xavier White (11 tackles), Mayson Hitchens (10 tackles, fumble recovery), Jaion Jackson (nine tackles), Brett McCalla (nine tackles), and JJ Douglas (career-high nine tackles).

At Ohio, the Bobcats outgained CMU 403-275 in yardage, finished with 23 first downs to CMU's 14 and scored on five of its first six possessions to take a 31-0 lead at halftime. Quarterback Nick Poulos threw for 158 yards and three touchdowns while completing 11-18 passes and Duncan Brune rushed 16 times for 91 yards. After trailing 31-0 at halftime, the Chippewas played much better in the second half and shut out the Bobcats 14-0 with touchdowns runs by Jayden Clerveaux (15 yards) and Nick Woodford (20 yards). Brett McCalla led the Chippewa defense with a career-high 10 tackles, while Darrell Bryant, Jr. and Mayson Hitchens each contributed eight tackles.

On Oct. 3, CMU claimed a dominant 41-17 Homecoming decision over Akron in its MAC opener on Oct. 3. The Chippewas rolled up a season-high 481 yards of total offense, rushed for 332 yards and held Akron to just 17 points. Quarterback Angel Flores totaled a career-high 232 total yards, rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and completed 7-14 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. His career-long 55-yard touchdown run in the second quarter tied the score at 7-7, then he hit Shawn Foster II for a 48-yard touchdown pass to give the Chippewas a 14-7 lead and the lead for good. CMU would go on to score 28 unanswered points as six different players would go on to score touchdowns including Flores (55-yard TD run), Foster (48-yard TD reception), Brock Townsend (5-yard TD run), Nick Woodford (27-yard TD run), Jayden Clerveaux (23-yard TD run), and Langston Lewis (71-yard TD reception). The defense kept the Chippewas in the game early with several key plays, registered two interceptions, and limited Akron to 6-15 conversions on third downs. CMU improved to 3-0 at home this year and the victory marked CMU's fourth straight victory in a MAC opener.

Central Michigan concluded nonconference play with a 2-2 record for the fourth consecutive season.

With seven wins in 2025, Central Michigan advanced to a bowl game for the first time in four seasons (since the 2021 season). The Chippewas made their 16th all-time bowl game appearance at the GameAbove Sports Bowl against Northwestern at Ford Field in Detroit. With seven victories, the Chippewas won more games than they did in each of the previous three seasons (4 in 2022, 5 in 2023, and 4 in 2024). CMU's seven wins were its most since it went 9-4 in 2021. In all seven wins, Central Michigan limited its opponents to 20 points or less. CMU was 7-2 when leading at halftime, 6-3 when leading at the end of the first quarter, 6-2 when leading time of possession, and 4-1 in home games.

Ranked as one of the nation's top-40 winningest FBS programs of all time, Central Michigan placed 12 players on preseason 2026 National Football League rosters.

WEDNESDAY'S TOP STORYLINES

Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan face each other in Motor City MACtion at Ford Field on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
CMU will play its 12th game at Ford Field. It recently faced Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26, 2025. Its first-ever game at Ford Field was against EMU on Nov. 6, 2004, a four-overtime thriller.
CMU and EMU meet for the 104th time, the longest running series between any two MAC schools. The two schools meet for the 55th consecutive year.
Central Michigan is coming off a 2025 campaign in which it finished 7-6 overall, 5-3 in the MAC, and advanced to a bowl game for the first time in four years (since 2021).

TOUGH SCHEDULE

Central Michigan's five losses are to teams who are a combined 29-9. Miami, Fla. is the consensus No. 1 ranked team in America, New Mexico is the top team in the Mountain West, and Ohio, Miami (Ohio), and Western Michigan are three of top five teams in the MAC.

Rank	Opponent	W-L
No. 1	Miami, Fla.	7-0
ARV	New Mexico	6-1
	Ohio	4-0 MAC, 6-2
	Western Michigan	3-1 MAC, 5-3
	Miami (Ohio)	3-1 MAC, 5-3

MOTOR CITY MACTION

Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan announced that for the next two years, beginning with the 2026 season, the in-state foes will meet in a midweek November game at Ford Field. EMU will serve as the home team in 2026, and CMU in 2027.

WINNING TRENDS

Over the first two seasons under coach Matt Drinkall (2025 and 2026), Central Michigan has won 10 of its 21 games. Here are some statistical trends during that time:

In all 10 wins, Central Michigan has held all of its opponents under 20 points.
In nine of the 10 wins, Central Michigan jumped out to early first half leads. The Chippewas have registered one come-from-behind victory as they rallied from a 10-0 halftime deficit vs. Colgate (Sept. 12, 2026).
In nine of the 10 wins, Central Michigan outrushed its opponent.
In all 10 wins, Central Michigan won the turnover battle or was at least even with its opponent. It has not won a game where it lost the turnover battle.
When leading at halftime, Central Michigan is 9-2 under Drinkall.

SERIES VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN

Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan meet for the 104th time since 1902. It is the longest standing football series in the Mid-American Conference. The two schools have also met each year for 55 consecutive seasons.

CMU and EMU play at Ford Field for the second time. The first time the two teams met in Detroit was on Nov. 6, 2004, a 61-58 Eastern Michigan in four overtimes. The contest was one of the most thrilling games played in both teams' histories.
Central Michigan has won five of the series' last seven games. The Chippewas have won seven straight home games in the series since 2011.
In last year's game on Sept. 27, 2025, Central Michigan claimed a 24-13 victory at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Since 1975, Central Michigan owns a 33-15-2 record vs. Eastern Michigan. The Chippewas are 20-3 vs. EMU in Kelly/Shorts Stadium since joining the MAC.
The series has been characterized by closely contested, exciting games as 18 matchups have been decided by three points or less and 48 have been decided by 10 points or less.

A WIN OVER EASTERN MICHIGAN WOULD…

Give Central Michigan a 4-5 overall record and 2-3 MAC record after nine overall games.
Snap a three-game losing streak for Central Michigan.
Give Central Michigan its second straight victory over Eastern Michigan.
Give Central Michigan a 6-6 record in games played in Detroit and Ford Field. It would also snap a three-game losing streak for Central Michigan at Ford Field.

CMU, WINNINGEST G5 TEAMS

Central Michigan currently ranks No. 7 nationally among the winningest Group of Five teams in the all-time wins rankings category (source: CFB Home). Here is where CMU currently ranks on the list:

Rk.	Team (2026 W-L)	Wins
1.	Navy (2-5)	761 wins
2.	Army (5-2)	750 wins
3.	Miami (Ohio) (5-3)	745 wins
4.	Delaware (3-4)	742 wins
5.	Appalachian State (5-2)	680 wins
6.	Fresno State (4-3)	664 wins
7.	Central Michigan (3-5)	661 wins
8.	Louisiana Tech (5-2)	660 wins
9.	Tulsa (4-4)	659 wins
10.	Marshall (4-3)	647 wins
11.	Jacksonville State (5-2)	636 wins
12.	Western Kentucky (3-4)	635 wins

CMU AMONG TOP 50 PROGRAMS

Historically, Central Michigan has been ranked among the nation's top 50 all-time college football programs by a variety of organizations. The Pro Football Hall of Fame and ESPN both rated Central Michigan No. 41 on their respective lists of all time most successful college football programs.

Of MAC schools, the two highest-rated college football programs of all time are Miami (Ohio) and Central Michigan.

Also on display at the College Football Hall of Fame is Central Michigan-Western Michigan, one of the top rivalries in all of college football.

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

Through eight games, Central Michigan is ranked among the nation's top 35 in seven statistical categories:

•   No. 15 in turnovers gained (13).
•   No. 16 in interceptions (8).
•   No. 22 in fumbles recovered (5).
•   No. 23 in passing yards allowed (180.1).
•   No. 28 in kickoff returns (24.25).
•   No. 31 in blocked kicks (1).
•   No. 31 in defensive touchdowns (1).

In addition, several individuals were ranked among the nation's top 35 in a variety of statistical categories:

•   Justin Taylor, No. 12 in interceptions (3).
•   Angel Flores, No. 27 in rushing yards per game (88.3).
•   Justin Taylor, No. 32 in interceptions per game (0.38).
•   Angel Flores, No. 32 in rushing yards (618).
•   Declan Duley, No. 36 in punting (43.8).

MIAMI (OHIO) POST GAME NOTES

The Central Michigan loss...

Dropped the Chippewas to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the Mid-American Conference.\
Dropped Central Michigan to 5-9-1 in games played vs. Miami (Ohio) in Mount Pleasant.
Dropped Central Michigan to 14-18-1 all-time vs. Miami (Ohio).
Dropped Central Michigan to 7-3 at home in the last two seasons, 29-13 in the last seven seasons at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Team Notes

Central Michigan threw for a season-high 221 yards, completed 18 of 31 passes and one touchdown.
Miami (Ohio) outgained CMU 360-285 in total yardage, finished with 25 first downs to CMU's 16.
Central Michigan intercepted two passes on the day and finished with 84 interception return yards on the day. The 84 interception return yards ranks as the No. 8 team total in school history.
Central Michigan won the turnover battle 2-0.
Central Michigan was called for a season-high 10 penalties for 83 yards, while Miami (Ohio) was penalized seven times for 69 yards.
In the first half alone, Central Michigan threw for 158 yards while completing 10 of 17 passes.
Central Michigan scored its first defensive touchdown of the season on a 46-yard interception return touchdown by Justin Taylor in the third quarter.
The Chippewas' defense finished the game with season-highs for sacks (4.0-22), tackles for loss (6.0-24), three pass breakups, two interceptions (84 yards), and nine quarterback hurries.

Player Notes

Quarterback Jadyn Glasser made his first start of the 2026 season. It marked his fourth career start and first in two seasons since his freshman year. He finished with career-highs for passing yards (221), completions (18), and attempts (31). He also rushed five times for -13 yards. Glasser finished with a career-high 208 total yards. He threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Langston Lewis, his second touchdown pass of the year.
Running back Nick Woodford scored his third touchdown of the season on a 5-yard carry in the second quarter. He finished with four carries for 19 yards.
Wide receiver Langston Lewis finished with career-highs for receptions (10), receiving yards (163), and touchdown receptions (1, six times). The contest marked his third career 100-yard receiving game. In the first half alone, Lewis had six receptions for 128 yards. The last time CMU had a 150-yard receiving game was 148 games ago on Oct. 4, 2014 when Titus Davis had 181 vs. Ohio. The last time CMU had a 10-reception game was Jesse Prewitt (10) at South Alabama on Sept. 23, 2023, 41 games ago. His 10 receptions rank No. tied for the 18th highest total in a game and his 163 receiving yards rank No. 22 in school history.
Defensive back Justin Taylor intercepted a pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was the first defensive touchdown scored by Central Michigan on the year and first interception return for touchdown since Jordan Kwiatkowski returned an interception for TD 10 games ago on Nov. 12, 2025. It marked the 72nd all-time interception return for touchdown in school history. He also registered six tackles and had his team-leading third interception.
Linebacker Brett McCalla intercepted the first pass of his career. He returned it for 38 yards. McCalla finished with six tackles (one solo), a quarterback hurry, and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Linebacker Mayson Hitchens registered a team and career-high 11 tackles (one solo) and a career-high three quarterback hurries. He also had 0.5 sacks for three yards.
Defensive back Jaion Jackson registered a career-high three pass breakups. The three pass breakups tied for the No. 15 total in school history. Jackson also finished with three tackles.
Defensive back Darrell Bryant, Jr. finished with seven tackles (four solo).
Defensive lineman JJ Douglas registered six tackles (a career-high four solo) with 1.0 sack for four yards, 2.0 tackles for loss for five yards.
Defensive back JaJuan Jones finished with a career-high five tackles.
Linebacker Antonio Cherry finished with a career-high five tackles and his first-ever sack for six yards.
Defensive lineman James Reinbold made a career-high four tackles, 0.5 sack for four yards, and had a quarterback hurry.
Defensive lineman Nathan VanTimmeren tied a career-high with four tackles, registered a career-high two quarterback hurries and had a sack for five yards.
Making their first starts of the season were Jadyn Glasser (quarterback) and Jaden Allen (tight end).
Placekicker Caden VanHuis connected on a career-high 2-2 field goals of 23 and 22 yards. He finished 3-3 on PATs, registered three touchbacks in six kickoffs and scored nine points on the day.

Miscellaneous

The game marked the 32nd all-time meeting between Miami (Ohio) and Central Michigan.
It was the first Miami (Ohio)-Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant in nine years and since Nov. 15, 2017.