Football Notebook: As Good As They've Been? Maybe - Central Michigan University Athletics

CMU vs Eastern Michigan, November 4th, 2026

Photo by: Kailey Hill '26 - @rahsignz

Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia

11/5/2026 1:17:00 PM | Football

Matt Drinkall Post Game Press Conference CMU Players Post Game Press Conference (Jadyn Glasser, Jaion Jackson, Nick Woodford)CMU Highlights (Eastern Michigan)Chippewas Roll Past Eastern Michigan in Motor City MACtion

Glasser triggers fast start; Chippewa defense comes within 10 seconds of pitching the shutout

By: Andy Sneddon

DETROIT – The question brought a pause to Central Michigan football coach Matt Drinkall.

The question? In the 22 games that Drinkall has coached at CMU, was his team's 35-7 demolition of Eastern Michigan on Wednesday in Motor City MACtion at Ford Field the most complete that his team has played.

"I don't know about most complete, but it was the best we have framed (a) game for sure, where it's just like, taking the ball, getting out in front, (and) forcing (the opponent) to play one dimensionally," Drinkall said, spreading the credit to his three coordinators, Jim Chapin (offensive), Sean Cronin (defensive), and Keith Murphy (special teams). "(They) put together an incredible game plan."

The 28-point victory was the largest spread for the Chippewas against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent under Drinkall, and the 35 points was the second-highest point total of the season.

Drinkall, now 11-11 (7-6 MAC) as the Chippewas' coach, likened his team's performance to that of New Mexico, which handed the Chippewas a 38-7 loss in the season opener.

In that game, it happened to the Chippewas; on Wednesday, it was CMU administering the beatdown.

"It was eerily similar to what happened to us in game one, to be honest with you," Drinkall said, pointing to the number of offensive plays that the Chippewas ran at New Mexico and the number they ran against the Eagles on Wednesday. "At halftime (against New Mexico), if I remember right, New Mexico had out-snapped us like 41-9. I think at halftime today it was 41-13, but some of (EMU's) came on the one-minute possession right before halftime."

CMU ran 75 offensive plays to the Eagles' 44, had 26 first downs to the Eagles' nine, and held the ball for 40 minutes, 56 seconds – the third-highest total of possession time in program history.

The Chippewas did not surrender a first down until under 2 minutes remained in the first half, and they didn't allow another until the fourth quarter.

Eastern finished with nine first downs and 74 rushing yards. Both were season lows for a CMU opponent.

Fast Start
Jadyn Glasser made his second consecutive start at quarterback for the Chippewas. He was ultra efficient in completing 14 of his 19 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown.

In his first start of the season, he was 18 for 31 for 221 yards and one TD in a 28-27 loss to Miami (Ohio).

Glasser completed all four of his pass attempts for 57 yards in the Chippewas' opening drive, which covered 75 yards in 10 plays and ended in an 8-yard TD pass from Glasser to Nasir Williams.

Drinkell compared Glasser's week-to-week performance to that of a team, and the adage that most teams make their biggest measure of improvement from the opening game of the season to the second.

"Well," Drinkall said, "that was Jadyn's second game. That was our offense with Jadyn. That was the week one to week two (improvement). I thought Jadyn played really well. The whole offense did."

Glasser's first three completions, for 49 yards, went to wide receiver Justin Ruffin, Jr. Ruffing finished the game with four receptions for 51 yards, both career highs. His second catch of the game, a 34-yard gain to the EMU 23-yard line, was a career long.

Striving for the Shutout
The Chippewas led 28-0 and then scored on their first possession of the fourth quarter to make it 35-0.

The only drama remaining was whether CMU would post its first shutout since 2022.

The Eagles spoiled the shutout bid when they scored on a 6-yard pass with 10 seconds remaining.

The TD came two plays after it appeared that the Eagles scored on a 20-yard pass. The play was overturned after video review when the falling EMU receiver did not clearly possess the ball going out of bounds. Drinkall challenged the ruling of a TD and the play was overturned.

Drinkall admitted in the postgame press conference that he did, in fact, challenge the call to preserve the shutout, which is the ultimate point of pride for any defense.

"Our kids are out there playing, and they deserve it," Drinkall said. "Whether that happened in the first series or the last series, they deserve to have it coached the same. (We) wanted the shutout, but the win is more important."

Staunch Defense
The Chippewa defense was stifling, albeit against an EMU offense that was without its starter, Noah Kim, who is in his seventh year of college football.

CMU held Eastern to 177 total yards, 103 through the air. The vast majority of that yardage came in the fourth quarter, long after the outcome was decided.

Mayson Hitchens led the Chippewas with six tackles, while Brett McCalla and Jeremiah Alston added five apiece.

Jaion Jackson made a second quarter interception that gave the Chippewas possession at their own 49. Thirteen plays and 51 yards later, the Chippewas were in the end zone again and led, 21-0.

It was Jackson's first interception of the season and the second of his two-year career.

Conversions
The Chippewas converted all five of their fourth-down opportunities and were a combined 12-for-20 in third- and fourth-down changes.

CMU has converted 18 of its 26 fourth-down tries this season. The 18 successful attempts tie for the most in a season in program history.

Honored Visitors
The Chippewas welcomed several alums to the game who played in the NFL, including defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins who played a combined 13 years from 2004-16 with Green Bay, Philadelphia, New York and Washington.

The Chippewas also were visited by Frank Zombo, Tyler Conklin and Eric Fisher. All four of those alums are Detroit-area natives and Conklin is currently on the Detroit Lions roster.

"Just the whole event was fantastic and it to me sparks the alumni and the engagement and the fostering of people being here that you want," Drinkall said. "Motor City Matchup is a grand slam. This is a cool, unbelievable event. The venue, the fact that it's on Wednesday night and you're the only show in town. Ford Field is obviously first class. Everybody who runs it, the whole event was incredible. So that was great to see.

Ford Field History
The Chippewas are 6-6 at Ford Field and they snapped a three-game losing streak at the home of the Detroit Lions. The Chippewas' last win before Wednesday at Ford Field came in the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, a 24-21 victory over Western Kentucky.

The Chippewas lost in the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl (Minnesota), the 2019 MAC Championship Game (Miami), and the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl (Northwestern).

Next
The Chippewas are set to return to Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (7:30 p.m.) when they will take on MAC newcomer Sacramento State.

The Hornets are 2-8, 1-6 MAC. They dropped a 20-17 decision at home to Toledo on Wednesday. They captured their first league victory one week earlier, 31-10, over Kent State. Next week's game will be the first meeting between CMU and Sacramento State.

At 4-5, the Chippewas are very much alive in the chase for bowl eligibility. They finish the regular season with back-to-back road MAC games, the first at Buffalo and the second at Ball State.

"We went 1-0 today and it's back to 0-0," Drinkall said after the win over Eastern. "So we'll get back late tonight. (Our players) have to be in class tomorrow by conference rules. So we'll be checking on that We're back at it. (Sacramento State) got a conference win last week and then just played maybe the best team in the league down to three (points). No rest for the wicked man."