News & Notes: Chippewas Attempt to Snap Ohio's 15-Game Home Win Streak on Saturday

Saturday, October 10

Athens, Ohio/Peden Stadium

3:30 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Ohio

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News & Notes: Chippewas Attempt to Snap Ohio's 15-Game Home Win Streak on Saturday

10/6/2026 6:15:00 PM | Football

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Central Michigan's first MAC road game features a matchup of two unbeatens in league play; Chippewas attempt to improve to 2-0 in MAC play for the first time since 2009.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 6: CENTRAL MICHIGAN (3-2, 1-0 MAC) AT OHIO (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
FIRST ROAD GAME IN MAC PLAY
Saturday, October 10, 2026 • 3:32 p.m. ET • Athens, Ohio • Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium (24,000)

SATURDAY MATCHUP

Television: ESPN+ (Jason Ross, play-by-play; Tyoka Jackson, color analyst; Gene Winters, 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 (10-8), 7^th year overall (52-25), 23^rd year in coaching. Ohio: John Hauser, 1^st year at Ohio (3-2), 1^st year overall (3-2).

Series: Central Michigan and Ohio meet for the 37^th time in series history. Central Michigan owns a 27-7-2 record vs. Ohio and is 12-4-1 all-time in games played in Athens. Ohio has claimed each of the last two meetings in 2023 and 2024, which ties for the longest win streak against Chippewas in series history. CMU has won four of the last five played in Athens.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

ATHENS, Ohio–Central Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC) plays its second MAC contest when it travels to Athens, Ohio to take on Ohio (3-2, 1-0 MAC) on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET for an ESPN+ broadcast.

On Saturday, Central Michigan will attempt to snap Ohio's 15-game home win streak. The Bobcats have also won 25 of their last 26 home games and 15 straight dating back to a 30-16 loss to Miami, Ohio on Oct. 28, 2023.

Central Michigan enters the weekend after winning a dominant 41-17 Homecoming decision over Akron in its MAC opener Saturday. 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 a 52-3 loss at No. 6/5 Miami, Fla. CMU jumped out a 3-0 lead on a career-long 49-yard field goal by Caden VanHuis, but the national runner-up Hurricanes totaled 572 yards of offense and quarterback Darian Mensah threw three touchdown passes and 338 yards, and completed 23 of 27 passes. The Chippewas completed 80.7 percent (21-26) of their passes for 137 yards. The 80.7 completion percentage ranks as the third highest completion percentage in Central Michigan's game history. Jadyn Glasser completed 13-15 passes for 88 yards, 11 Chippewas caught passes, and Darrell Bryant, Jr. (seven tackles), Jaxon Cherry (six tackles, 1.0 sack), and Brett McCalla (six tackles) led the defense. Miami was the highest ranked team CMU has played since it was at No. 2/2 Michigan State on Sept. 26, 2015.

Central Michigan claimed a 24-10 win over Wyoming at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Sept. 19. Flores led Central Michigan to its 24-10 victory over Wyoming as he set career-highs for rushing yards (163), attempts 28), all-purpose yards (163), and total yards (195). Flores keyed the Chippewas' rushing attack that accumulated 339 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns on 59 carries (5.7 average per carry). The 339 rushing yards represented the most for CMU since it rushed for 352 yards vs. New Mexico State on Oct. 12, 2019. As they did in all seven wins last year, Central Michigan jumped out to an early lead, taking a 17-0 halftime advantage and coasting to the win. The Chippewas took advantage of mistake-free football and dominated time of possession (35:48). CMU's defense also tallied two turnovers and limited the Cowboys to only 113 yards in the first half.

Central Michigan registered a 13-10 come-from-behind victory over Colgate on Sept. 12. It marked head coach Matt Drinkall's first come-from-behind win at Central Michigan. Playing in their second contest of the 2026 season, the Chippewas trailed 10-0 at halftime, but gained 180 of their 276 total yards and put together scoring drives of 87 and 65 yards in the second half. CMU's defense shut out the Raiders through the second half. Flores tallied his second career 100-yard rushing game, scored on a career-long 50-yard run, and rushed for 122 yards on 22 carries. Running back Vaughn Blue scored the game-winning touchdown, the first of his CMU career, on a 6-yard run with 7:29 to play. The Chippewas defense intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter, one by Darrell Bryant, Jr., and the other by Mayson Hitchens, and finished the day with four turnovers gained (two interceptions/two forced fumbles/fumble recoveries). Hunter Zirkle led the Chippewas with 1.0 sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the same play, made four tackles and finished with four quarterback hurries.

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.

Central Michigan returned a total of 13 starters from last year's team, 10 on offense and three on defense. The Chippewas added 36 transfers to their roster.

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.

TODAY'S TOP STORYLINES
•With a 3-2 overall and 1-0 MAC record, Central Michigan plays a pivotal contest at Ohio (3-2, 1-0 MAC) on Saturday.

•With a win on Saturday, Central Michigan would start MAC play with a 2-0 record for the first time since 2009 (not counting COVID-year 2020). The Chippewas have won four of the last five series games played in Athens and are 12-4-1 on the road vs. Ohio. CMU plays at Ohio for the first time in three years.

•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).

PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS

Central Michigan entered its 2026 season with lofty expectations. Preseason magazines picked the Chippewas to finish somewhere between the No. 3 and No. 6 spots in the 13-team Mid-American Conference. All of the publications have CMU listed as "bowl bound."

Mid-American Conference coaches picked Central Michigan to finish fifth in their annual preseason poll. Here is a look at where each preseason publication picked the Chippewas to finish:

3rd place • Athlon Magazine
4th place • Lindy's Magazine
5th place • MAC coaches
5th place • ESPN.com
5th place • The Sporting News Magazine
6th place • Phil Steele Magazine

WINNING TRENDS

Over the first two seasons under coach Matt Drinkall (2025 and 2026), Central Michigan has won 10 of its 18 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. OHIO

Central Michigan and Ohio meet for the 37th time in college football. Central Michigan holds a 27-7-2 advantage in the series and has won six out of the series' last eight games.

Central Michigan travels to Athens for the first time since Nov. 15, 2023. Ohio has defeated the Chippewas in each of the last two meetings (34-20 in Athens on Nov. 15, 2023 and 27-25 on Oct. 12, 2024 in Mount Pleasant). Ohio's two-game win streak ties for its longest win streak in the series which dates back to 1972.

In road games, Central Michigan is 12-4-1 vs. Ohio and has defeated the Bobcats in four of the last five games played in Athens.

The game marks Ohio's Homecoming Game.

A WIN OVER OHIO WOULD…

•Give Central Michigan a 4-2 overall record and 2-0 start in MAC play. It would be Central Michigan's first 2-0 start in MAC play since 2009 (not counting the 2020 COVID year) and give the Chippewas two straight MAC wins for the first time since they defeated Buffalo and Kent State back-to-back in 2025.

•Snap Ohio's two-game win streak in the series.

•Snap Ohio's 15-game home win streak.

•Give Central Michigan its seventh victory in nine games against Ohio overall and its fifth victory out of the last six meetings played in Athens.

•Improve CMU to 28-7-2 all-time vs. Ohio and 13-4-1 vs. Ohio in games played in Athens.

FOURTH DOWN FRENZY

Central Michigan has converted 10 of its 11 fourth down conversions on the season. That percentage ranks No. 1 in the MAC and tied for No. 2 in national statistics.

In addition, the Chippewas have converted nine consecutive fourth down conversions dating back to the fourth quarter of the New Mexico game. Some have been clutch plays to keep drives alive, but four of those conversions have gone for touchdowns, including a 23-yard run by Nasir Williams at New Mexico, a 50-yard run by Angel Flores vs. Colgate, a 1-yard run before halftime vs. Wyoming, and a 55-yard touchdown run by Angel Flores.

Four of Central Michigan's 12 touchdowns this season have been scored on fourth down plays.

FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS BY GAME

Game	A-C	Touchdowns
New Mexico	2-3	1 TD (23 yd run)
Colgate	3-3	1 TD (50 yd run)
Wyoming	3-3	1 TD (1 yd run)
Miami, Fla.	0-0	--
Akron	2-2	1 TD (55 yd run)
Totals	10-11	4 TDs

FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY

Central Michigan has converted 10 of its 11 fourth down attempts for a 91 percent efficiency. Here is where the 2026 season currently ranks among all-time CMU best seasons:

FOURTH DOWN PERCENTAGE

Pct.	Conversions-Attempts	Year
91%	10-11	2026
70%	16-23	2023
69%	9-13	1998
62%	10-16	2015
59%	17-29	2021
59%	16-27	2010

MOST FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS-SEASON

No.	Conversions-Attempts	Year
18	18-34 (53%)	2022
17	17-29 (58%)	2021
17	17-30 (57%)	2019
16	16-23 (70%)	2023
16	16-27 (59%)	2010
15	15-26 (58%)	2025
15	15-26 (58%)	2014
10	10-11 (91%)	2026

FLORES AMONG TOP QB RUSHERS

Central Michigan's Angel Flores enters the sixth week of the 2026 season ranked No. 20 nationally in rushing yards, No. 24 in rushing yards per game, and No. 33 in rushing yards per carry (5.85). He leads the MAC in both rushing yards and rushing yards per game. Among national quarterbacks, Flores is No. 5 in rushing yards and No. 7 in rushing yards per game. Here is where he stands among national quarterbacks:

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS

Rk.	Player, School	Att.-Yards	TD
10.	Michael Hawkins, West Virginia	92-574	11
16.	Jacurri Brown, Rice	88-495	4
20.	Angel Flores, Central Michigan	81-474	4
26.	Mason McKenzie, Boston College	95-437	3
38.	LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina	53-391	1
38.	Liam Szarka, Air Force	92-391	7

RUSHING YARDS PER GAME

Rk.	Player, School	Avg.	GP
10.	Michael Hawkins, West Virginia	114.8	5
18.	Jacurri Brown, Rice	99.0	5
20.	Liam Szarka, Air Force	97.8	4
24.	Angel Flores, Central Michigan	94.8	5
28.	Mason McKenzie, Boston College	87.4	5
45.	LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina	78.2	5

Note: rank refers to overall national rank

FLORES THROUGH FIVE GAMES

In five games this year, Central Michigan quarterback Angel Flores has three 100-yard rushing games. Through the first five games he has gained more yards than Lew Nichols III in 2021, who led the nation in rushing yards that season. Nichols concluded the year with eight consecutive 100 yard games and ended up leading the nation with 1,848 yards on 30 carries in 13 games. Here is where Flores compares with Nichols through the first five games:

5 GP	Angel Flores 2026	Lew Nichols, 2021
Att-Yds	81-474	85-405
Avg/Carry	5.9	4.76
Touchdowns	4	2

RECORD VS. NON POWER 5 TEAMS

Under head coach Matt Drinkall, Central Michigan has compiled a 10-4 record vs. non-Power 5 opponents. The Chippewas have won three straight games vs. non-Power 5 opponents: 13-10 vs. Colgate, 24-10 vs. Wyoming, and 41-17 vs. Akron.

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

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

•No. 2 in fourth down conversion percentage (90.9).
•No. 11 in passes intercepted (6).
•No. 19 in turnovers gained (8).
•No. 22 in blocked kicks (1).
•No. 27 in kickoff returns (25.0).
•No. 28 in tackles for losses allowed (3.80).
•No. 33 in rushing offense (202.2).

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

•Justin Taylor, No. 14 in total interceptions (2).
•Justin Taylor, No. 19 in passes defended (1.20).
•Korver Demma, No. 19 in fumbles recovered (1).
•Hunter Zirkle, No. 19 in fumbles recovered (1).
•Angel Flores, No. 20 in rushing yards (474).
•Justin Taylor, No. 23 in interceptions per game (0.40).
•Angel Flores, No. 24 in rushing yards per game (94.8).
•Declan Duley, No. 31 in punting (43.4).
•Angel Flores, No. 33 in rushing yards per carry (5.85).

AKRON POST-GAME NOTES

The Central Michigan win...
•Improves the Chippewa to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference.
•Gives Central Michigan its fourth consecutive win in a MAC opener (2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026).
•Gives Central Michigan its fourth victory over Akron in five games and its 11th win in the last 13 meetings.
•Improves Central Michigan to 20-11-1 all-time vs. Akron and 12-4 vs. Akron in home games.
•Gives Central Michigan its sixth consecutive home win over Akron.
•Improves CMU to 7-1 under Matt Drinkall in home games, 29-11 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium since 2019.

Team Notes
•Central Michigan scored a season-high 41 points. It marked the most points scored by Central Michigan since it scored 49 vs. Wagner on Sept. 20, 2025. The Chippewas scored 28 unanswered points to take a 28-7 lead before Akron scored on a field goal in the third quarter.
•Central Michigan limited Akron to just 17 points. In all 10 wins in the last two seasons (2025 and 2026), Central Michigan has held all of its opponents under 20 points.
•Central Michigan totaled season-highs for offensive yards (481), passing yards (149), and tied a season-high for first downs (20). CMU averaged 7.8 yards per play.
•The 481 total offensive yards were the highest total for Central Michigan since it gained 502 vs. Massachusetts on Oct. 25, 2025.
•Central Michigan's 332 rushing yards on 45 carries rank as the second-highest total this season. The 332 yards rank as the No. 62 highest total in a game in school history. CMU previously rushed for 339 yards vs. Wyoming. The Chippewas averaged 7.4 yards per run, which ranks tied for No. 9 among CMU game records.
•Central Michigan scored six touchdowns in the game (four rushing/two passing). The last time CMU scored six touchdowns in a game was vs. Wagner (7) on Sept. 20, 2025. CMU also rushed for four touchdowns in the game. The last time it rushed for four or more touchdowns was 40 games ago, at South Alabama (4) on Sept. 23, 2023.
•Six Chippewas scored touchdowns in the game (four rushing and two passing). The Chippewas scored touchdowns on five straight possessions.
•With its touchdown before halftime, Central Michigan scored its most points in a half this season (21). It followed it up with a 20-point half in the second half.
•In the first half, Central Michigan amassed 231 total offensive yards, finished with 10 first downs, and rushed 24 times for 153 yards and led 21-7.
•In the first quarter, Central Michigan blocked its first field goal of the season. The last time CMU blocked a field goal was on Nov. 29, 2025, when Dakota Cochran got his hand on a field goal attempt, five games ago.
•Central Michigan won the turnover battle 2-1. It gained two interceptions and lost one fumble.
•Central Michigan converted its ninth consecutive fourth down on a 55-yard touchdown run by Angel Flores and a 1-yard run in by Flores in the second quarter. It is now 10-11 on the season on fourth down (90.9).
•The Chippewas registered their first touchdown pass of the season when Angel Flores hit Shawn Foster II over the middle for a 48-yard touchdown. They scored on another in the fourth quarter on a 71-yard pass to Langston Lewis from Jadyn Glasser.
•Central Michigan finished the day with 3.0 sacks for 32 yards and 4.0 tackles for loss for 33 yards.

Player Notes
•Quarterback Angel Flores finished with a career-high 232 total yards, completed a career-high tying seven passes on a career-high 14 attempts, threw his first touchdown pass of the year, and rushed for 154 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. He was responsible for two touchdowns. It was his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and fourth of his career. He scored a touchdown on a career-long 55-yard run in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7. Flores now has two 50-yard runs on the year. Flores also completed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Foster II in the second quarter. It was the first touchdown pass of the season for Flores. Flores also crossed the 1000-yard rushing mark for a career and now is one of only two quarterbacks in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards (Dan LeFevour is the other with 2,948 yards). Flores has 1,001 rushing yards on 188 carries and 12 rushing touchdowns. Among CMU quarterbacks, he currently ranks No. 2 in school history in rushing yards (1001), No. 13 in rushing attempts (188), and tied for No. 7 in rushing touchdowns (12). In the first half alone, Flores rushed for 98 yards and a 55-yard touchdown on 13 carries, completed 7-12 passes for 78 yards and a 48-yard touchdown and finished with 176 total yards.
•Quarterback Jadyn Glasser threw a career-long 71-yard touchdown pass to Langston Lewis in the fourth quarter. He was 1-3 passing for 71 yards.
•Running back Jayden Clerveaux rushed for his first career touchdown on a 23-yard run in the third quarter. He finished the day with a career-high 82 yards rushing on a career-high tying 12 carries.
•Wide receiver Shawn Foster II scored his first career touchdown at Central Michigan on a 48-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Angel Flores. Foster set or tied career highs for receptions (two), receiving yards (53), and receiving touchdowns (1).
•Running back Brock Townsend scored his second touchdown of the season on a 5-yard run in the second quarter. He finished with three carries for 12 yards.
•Running back Nick Woodford rushed for his first career touchdown on a career-long 27-yard run in the third quarter. It marked his career-long run. He finished with a career-high 42 yards rushing on five attempts.
•Wide receiver Langston Lewis scored on a 71-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. It tied for the 43rd longest reception in school history. It marked his third career 70-yard reception, including a 77-yard reception at Western Michigan in 2025 and a 75-yard reception vs. Buffalo in 2025.
•Defensive lineman Jaxon Cherry registered a career-high 1.5 sacks for 17 yards and three tackles on the day.
•Linebacker Mayson Hitchens led the Chippewas with seven tackles (four solo).
•Linebacker Brett McCalla finished with six tackles (four solo).
•Defensive lineman JJ Douglas had a career-high two quarterback hurries and one tackle.
•Defensive lineman Max VanFleet blocked his first career field goal in the first quarter. Van Fleet finished the game with a career-high 1.0 sack for eight yards and two tackles.
•Defensive lineman DJ Bennett batted down a pass in the second quarter. He finished with one tackle.
•Defensive back Coen Ali registered his first career interception. Ali finished with three tackles on the afternoon.
•Defensive back Justin Taylor intercepted his second pass of the season. He finished with six tackles and a career-high two pass breakups.
•Punter Declan Duley kicked a season-long 66-yard punt that was downed on the 1-yard line. It was the third time he surpassed his career-long on the year. It marked the second longest punt of his career. He averaged 46.0 yards per punt (4-184).
•Placekicker Braxton Doak saw his first game action of the season on the opening kickoff. Doak completed the game with seven kickoffs for 418 yards (59.7 average).
•Making their first career starts for Central Michigan included defensive back Kameran Hayward and tight end Gavin Spillers.

Miscellaneous
•Central Michigan improved to 63-35-2 all-time in Homecoming games. The Chippewas have now won five of their last seven Homecoming games.
•The game marked Central Michigan's 100th all-time Homecoming Game dating back to 1924.