Chippewas Host Sacramento State for MACtion Wednesday Night at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 11

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

7:30 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Sacramento State

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11/8/2026 8:23:00 PM | Football

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Final home game will be nationally televised on ESPNU; Chippewas vying for second straight win.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 10: SACRAMENTO STATE (2-8, 1-6 MAC) AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (4-5, 2-3 MAC)

FINAL HOME GAME/VETERANS DAY/COMMUNITY NIGHT
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 • 7:32 p.m. ET • Mount Pleasant, Mich. • Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255)

WEDNESDAY MATCHUP

Television: ESPNU (Shawn Kenney, p-by-p; Ryan Cavanaugh, analyst; Ross Miller, producer)

CMU Chippewas Sports Network: Adam Jaksa, play-by-play; Brock Gutierrez, color analyst; spotter: Steve Powers; hosts: Kyle Sandel and Nathan Arbaugh.

Live Stats: https://cmuchippewas.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

CMU Social Media: Twitter (@cmu_football); Facebook (@cmufootball); Instagram (cmufootball); Website: www.cmuchippewas.com.

Coaches: CMU- Matt Drinkall, 2nd year at CMU (11-11), 7th year overall (53-28), 23rd year in coaching. Sac State- Alonzo Carter, 1st year at Sac State (2-8), 1st year overall (2-8).

Series: Central Michigan and Sacramento State meet for the first time in college football and for the first time at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant. The contest represents CMU's final home game on Veteran's Day and will host a Community Night promotion. CMU will announce a prominent national individual award for one of its players this week.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.–Central Michigan (4-5, 2-3 MAC) plays its final home game of the 2026 season on Veterans Day when it hosts first-year MAC member Sacramento State (2-8, 1-6 MAC) on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET for an ESPNU national broadcast.

With three games remaining, Central Michigan needs two victories to secure a postseason bowl berth for a second consecutive season under Head Coach Matt Drinkall. The Chippewas close the 2026 season by hosting Sacramento State, then travel to both Buffalo (Nov. 18) and Ball State (Nov. 28).

In MAC play, the Chippewas enter Wednesday night's contest with two wins (35-7 vs. Eastern Michigan and 41-17 vs. Akron) and three losses (31-14 at Ohio, 21-14 vs. Western Michigan, and 28-27 to Miami, Ohio). CMU's three MAC losses are to teams with a combined 12-3 MAC league record and comprise three of the league's top 5 teams in the standings.

Central Michigan plays its final three games without several of its starters including Angel Flores, Xavier White, Langston Lewis, Korver Demma, James Reinbold, Hunter Zirkle, and Max VanFleet. The Chippewas have stepped up in a variety of positions.

Central Michigan is coming off a dominating 35-7 victory over Eastern Michigan last Wednesday at Ford Field. CMU dominated and led 35-0 before the Eagles finally scored with 10 seconds left. Central Michigan held advantages in total yardage (418-177), first downs (26-9), rushing yards (235-74), turnovers (1-0), and time of possession (40:56-19:04). All five CMU touchdown drives went 10 or more plays and 50 or more yards. The Chippewas also converted all five of their fourth down conversions and threw for 183 yards. Running back Nick Woodford was the star as he scored three rushing touchdowns of 11, 2, and 1 yard and finished with career-highs of 123 yards on 21 attempts. Quarterback Jadyn Glasser completed 14 of 19 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. Glasser gave CMU a 7-0 when he found Nasir Williams for an 8-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Woodford scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter to give the Chippewas a 21-0 halftime lead. From there, the Chippewas coasted to the win. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Chippewas.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, 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).

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 needs two more wins to become bowl eligible for a second straight season under head coach Matt Drinkall. Three games remain.
CMU plays its final home game of the 2026 season on Veterans Day. At home, CMU has won eight of its last 11, is 29-13 since 2019, and 7-3 under Drinkall.
Central Michigan plays new MAC football member Sacramento State for the first time in Mount Pleasant.
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 34-10. Miami, Fla. is ranked No. 5/6 in America and New Mexico is the top team in the Mountain West with a No. 23/25 national ranking. Ohio, Miami (Ohio), and Western Michigan are three of top five teams in the MAC.

Rank	Opponent	W-L
No. 5/6	Miami, Fla.	8-0
No. 23/25	New Mexico	8-1
	Ohio	5-0 MAC, 7-2
	Western Michigan	4-1 MAC, 6-3
	Miami (Ohio)	3-2 MAC, 5-4

HOME, SWEET HOME

Central Michigan enjoys a tremendous home field advantage on Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. CMU is 3-2 at home this season and 7-3 under head coach Matt Drinkall.

The Chippewas finished 4-1 in 2025 and have won eight of their last 11 contests. Since 2019, the Chippewas are a combined 29-13 (.690 win percentage) within the confines of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas have also won 11 of their last 16 and 15 of their last 21 home contests.

The last time CMU completed a season with an undefeated home record was when it went 6-0 in 2019 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The last several seasons, CMU went 1-2 in 2020, 5-1 in 2021, 2-4 in 2022, 4-1 in 2023, 3-2 in 2024, 4-1 in 2025, and now 3-1 in 2026.

Since 1950, CMU has registered 13 undefeated seasons at home: 1953 (4-0), 1954 (4-0), 1955 (4-0), 1956 (4-0), 1967 (4-0), 1970 (4-0), 1977 (5-0), 1979 (5-0), 1980 (6-0), 1994 (5-0), 1998 (5-0), 2009 (5-0), and 2019 (6-0).

Since Kelly/Shorts Stadium opened in 1972, Central Michigan is 191-92-4 in 287 games. In MAC games, the Chippewas are 144-72-4 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

WINNING TRENDS

Over the first two seasons under coach Matt Drinkall (2025 and 2026), Central Michigan has won 11 of its 22 games. Here are some statistical trends during that time:

In all 11 wins, Central Michigan has held all of its opponents under 20 points.
In 10 of the 11 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 10 of the 11 wins, Central Michigan outrushed its opponent.
In all 11 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 10-2 under Drinkall.

CMU-SACRAMENTO STATE SERIES

Central Michigan and Sacramento State meet for the first time overall and first time in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

A WIN OVER SACRAMENTO STATE WOULD…

Give Central Michigan a 5-5 overall record and 3-3 MAC record after 10 overall games.
Put Central Michigan in position to earn a postseason bowl berth as it would need just one more victory to get to six overall wins.
Give Central Michigan a second consecutive victory for the second time this season. The Chippewas defeated both Colgate (Spet. 12) and Wyoming (Sept. 19) in back-to-back games earlier this season.
Conclude Central Michigan's season with a 4-2 record in six home games.
Give Central Michigan its first-ever victory over Sacramento State.

FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY

Central Michigan has converted 18 of its 26 fourth down attempts for a 69 percent efficiency. The Chippewas need to convert just one more first down to set a new school record for most fourth down conversions in a season. It currently has tied the record with 18. The 69 percent efficiency rate currently ranks No. 2 in school history.

Here is where the 2026 season currently ranks among all-time CMU best seasons:

FOURTH DOWN PERCENTAGE

Pct.	Conversions-Attempts	Year
70%	16-23	2023
69%	18-26	2026
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	18-26 (69%)	2026
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

CMU AMONG ALL-TIME WINNINGEST GROUP OF 5 PROGRAMS

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 (3-6)	762 wins
2.	Army (5-4)	750 wins
3.	Miami (Ohio) (5-4)	745 wins
4.	Delaware (4-5)	743 wins
5.	Appalachian State (5-4)	680 wins
6.	Fresno State (5-4)	665 wins
7.	Central Michigan (4-5)	662 wins
	Louisiana Tech (7-2)	662 wins
9.	Tulsa (5-4)	660 wins
10.	Marshall (5-4)	648 wins
11.	Jacksonville State (7-2)	638 wins
12.	Western Kentucky (3-6)	635 wins

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

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

No. 13 in interceptions (9).
No. 14 in passing yards allowed (171.6).
No. 14 in turnovers gained (14).
No. 22 in fourth down conversion percentage (69.2).
No. 26 in kickoff returns (24.25).
No. 26 in tackles for loss allowed (3.89).

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

Justin Taylor, No. 17 in interceptions (3).
Angel Flores, No. 26 in rushing yards per game (88.3).

CENTRAL MICHIGAN NOTES VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN

The Central Michigan win...

Improves the Chippewas to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the MAC after nine overall games.
Snaps a three-game losing streak.
Snaps a three-game losing streak in games played at Ford Field.
Gives Central Michigan its second straight victory over Eastern Michigan. Head coach Matt Drinkall improves to 2-0 vs. Eastern Michigan.
Gives Central Michigan a 6-6 overall record in games played in Detroit and Ford Field.
Improves Central Michigan to 66-32-6 overall in 104 matchups against Eastern Michigan. The Chippewas have now won six of the last eight overall matchups vs. Eastern Michigan. CMU is also 1-1 vs. EMU in neutral site games.

Team Notes

Central Michigan shut out Eastern Michigan 21-0 in the first half. It marked the second time this season that the Chippewas shut out an opponent at halftime. The Chippewas led 35-0 before Eastern Michigan scored with 10 seconds to play.
Central Michigan scored 35 consecutive points vs. Eastern Michigan. That mark ranks tied for No. 31 all-time in most consecutive points scored vs. an opponent.
Central Michigan won the time of possession battle, keeping the ball for a season-best 40:56 total. The 40:56 time of possession ranks as the No. 3 highest total in school history for a game. All five scoring drives went for 10 or more plays, 50 or more yards and took 5:43 or more time.
Central Michigan outgained Eastern Michigan 418-177 in total yards, registered 26 first downs to EMU's nine, and outrushed the Eagles 235-74. CMU also passed for 183 yards to EMU's 103.
Central Michigan won the turnover battle 1-0, registering an interception in the first quarter.
Central Michigan converted a perfect 5-5 on fourth downs in the game. On the year, CMU is 18-26 on fourth downs this year. The 18 fourth down conversions rank tied for the No. 1 for most fourth downs converted in a season.
Central Michigan improved to 11-0 under head coach Matt Drinkall when holding opponents under 20 points.
Central Michigan finished with a season-high 26 first downs and its defense held Eastern Michigan to nine first downs, its lowest total yielded by its defense.
Eastern Michigan finished with opponent season lows vs. Central Michigan for rushing yards (74), total offensive yards (177) and first downs (9).
Nine receivers made receptions for Central Michigan.
Central Michigan registered nine quarterback hurries.

Player Notes

Quarterback Jadyn Glasser completed 74 percent of his passes (14-19) for 175 yards and one touchdown with a long pass of 38 yards. It was his second consecutive start and second start of the 2026 season. It marked the fifth start of his career.
Running back Nick Woodford registered career-highs for rushing touchdowns (three), rushing attempts (21), rushing yards (123) and all-purpose yards (141), and also caught one pass for 18 yards. The last time a CMU player rushed for three or more touchdowns was Angel Flores at Bowling Green on Oct. 18, 2025, 13 games ago. He rushed for his fourth career touchdown on an 11-yard run in the second quarter and scored touchdowns on runs of 11, 2, and 3 yards. Woodford has now scored at least one touchdown in four of his last five games. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry. He now has a team-high six rushing touchdowns.
Running back Brock Townsend busted loose for a 30-yard gain and finished with six carries for 64 yards and an average yards per carry of 10.7.
Running back Vaughn Blue scored his second career touchdown on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. He finished with 19 yards rushing on seven carries and one reception for three yards.
Wide receiver Nasir Williams caught his second career touchdown reception on an 8-yard catch on the first drive of the game. He finished the game with a career-high three receptions for a career-high 57 yards with a long reception of 38 yards. The 38 yard reception also represents a career-long for Williams.
Wide receiver Justin Ruffin, Jr. registered career-highs for receptions (tied with four), receiving yards (51) and a career-long 34-yard reception. He led the Chippewas in receptions and receiving yards.
Defensive back Jaion Jackson intercepted the second pass of his career in the second quarter.
Linebacker Mayson Hitchens led the Chippewas with six tackles.
Defensive lineman Jaxon Cherry registered a career-high three quarterback hurries, 1.5 tackles for loss, and three total tackles.
Linebacker Jeremiah Alston tied a career-high with five tackles.
Linebacker Antonio Cherry, Jr. finished with four tackles and a career-high two quarterback hurries.
Defensive back Darrell Bryant, Jr. totaled a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss with two tackles.
Placekicker Caden VanHuis attempted the longest field goal of his career, a 51-yarder in the first quarter, which he barely missed.
Making his first career start for Central Michigan tonight was defensive end Nathan VanTimmeren.

Miscellaneous

The game marked the 104th all-time meeting and 55th consecutive meeting between Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.
It was the first time Eastern and Central played at Ford Field since 2004. The series is the longest-running MAC series.
Central Michigan wore white jerseys and gold pants.