News & Notes: Chippewas Travel to South Florida to Play No. 6/5 Miami, Fla. on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 26

Miami Gardens, Fla./Hard Rock Stadium

6:30 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Miami (Fla.)

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News & Notes: Chippewas Travel to South Florida to Play No. 6/5 Miami, Fla. on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

9/23/2026 5:17:00 AM | Football

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In final nonconference game, Chippewas (2-1) face highest ranked opponent since 2015.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 4: CENTRAL MICHIGAN (2-1, 0-0 MAC) AT MIAMI, FLA. (3-0, 2-0 ACC)
FINAL NONCONFERENCE GAME
Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 6:30 p.m. ET • Miami Gardens, Fla. • Hard Rock Stadium (64,767)

SATURDAY MATCHUP

Television: The CW (Thom Brennaman, play-by-play; Jason Cabinda, analyst; Wes Bryant, sideline reporter; Rob Reichley, 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 (9-7), 7^th year overall (51-24), 23^rd year in coaching. Miami, Fla.: Mario Cristobal, 5^th year at UM (38-19), 15^th year overall (100-79).

Series: Central Michigan and Miami, Fla. meet for the second time. Miami previously claimed a 17-12 win over the Chippewas on Sept. 21, 2019 in Miami. The last time CMU played an ACC team was on Sept. 6, 2025 at Pittsburgh, a 45-17 loss.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.–Central Michigan (2-1, 0-0 MAC) plays its final nonconference game when it travels to South Florida to play No. 6/5 ranked Miami, Fla. (3-0, 2-0 ACC) on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET for a nationally televised game on The CW.

In No. 6/5 Miami, Central Michigan plays its highest ranked team since it played at No. 2/2 Michigan State on Sept. 26, 2015. In its history, it has won two games against nationally ranked opponents: 20-3 at No. 18/19 Michigan State on Sept. 14, 1991 and 30-27 at No. 22/17 Oklahoma State on Sept. 10, 2016.

Central Michigan claimed its second straight contest and second straight home game with a 24-10 win over Wyoming at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. With that victory, Central Michigan has now won at least two non conference games in each of its last four consecutive seasons.

Next Saturday, Central Michigan opens Mid-American Conference play when it hosts Akron for its 100th Homecoming Game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Oct. 3. Kickoff time is 3:30 p.m.

Quarterback Angel 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. Quarterback Angel 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 2-1 record, Central Michigan plays its final nonconference game when it takes on No. 6/5 Miami on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami is the highest ranked team CMU will play since it played at No. 2/2 Michigan State on Sept. 26, 2015. The Chippewas' last win over a ranked team was a 30-27 victory at No. 22/17 Oklahoma State on Sept. 10, 2016.
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). Head coach Matt Drinkall is in his second year at CMU.

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

CMU WINS OVER POWER 5 TEAMS

Central Michigan has a history of winning games against Power 5 opponents. In its history, CMU has won 10 games against current Power 5 schools. Since 2009, Central Michigan has won six games against FBS Power 5 opponents. CMU's last victory over a Power 5 opponent came on December 31, 2021 against Washington State (24-21) in the Sun Bowl. Those victories have come against Washington State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan State. Six of those wins have come against Big Ten opponents.

Here is a list of CMU's all-time wins over Power 5 opponents:

Date	Opponent	Score
Sept. 8, 1990	Cincinnati	W, 34-0
Sept. 14, 1991	at 18/19 Michigan State	W, 20-3
Sept. 12, 1992	at Michigan State	W, 24-20
Nov. 1, 2008	at Indiana	W, 37-34
Sept. 12, 2009	at Michigan State	W, 29-27
Sept. 22, 2012	at Iowa	W, 32-31
Sept. 6, 2014	at Purdue	W, 38-17
Sept. 10, 2016	at 22/17 Oklahoma State	W, 30-27
Sept. 9, 2017	at Kansas	W, 45-27
Dec. 31, 2021	vs. Washington State	W, 24-21

NATIONALLY RANKED OPPONENTS

No. 6/5 ranked Miami, Fla. represents the sixth nationally ranked opponent for Central Michigan in the last six years. Central Michigan's last victory over a nationally ranked team was at No. 22/17 Oklahoma State, a 30-27 win on Sept. 10, 2016. Since then, CMU has dropped seven straight games vs. nationally ranked teams.

Here is a list of the last eight games that CMU has played against nationally ranked teams (chronological order):

Date	Opponent	Score
Sept. 10, 2016	at 22/17 Oklahoma State	W, 30-27
Sept. 29, 2018	at 20/18 Michigan State	L, 31-20
Sept. 7, 2019	at 17/16 Wisconsin	L, 61-0
Sept. 1, 2022	at 12/11 Oklahoma State	L, 58-44
Sept. 24, 2022	at 14/15 Penn State	L, 33-14
Sept. 16, 2023	at 9/11 Notre Dame	L, 41-17
Nov. 25, 2023	23/nr Toledo	L, 32-17
Sept. 13, 2025	at 23/22 Michigan	L, 63-3

FLORES AMONG TOP QUARTERBACK RUSHERS

Central Michigan's Angel Flores enters the fourth week of the 2026 season ranked No. 14 nationally in rushing yards per game and No. 15 in total rushing yards. But among national quarterbacks, Flores is No. 2 in rushing yards and No. 3 in rushing yards per game. Here is where he stands among national quarterbacks:

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS

Rk.	Player, School	Att.-Yards	TD
12.	Michael Hawkins, West Virginia	44-322	6
15.	Angel Flores, Central Mich.	60-312	3
22.	Braxton Woodson, Navy	35-296	4
33.	Lunch Winfield, Louisiana	42-267	5
35.	Jacurri Brown, Rice	52-258	1
36.	Caden Creel, Jacksonville State	64-256	2
38.	Avery Jackson, Kansas State	24-253	3

RUSHING YARDS PER GAME

Rk.	Player, School	Avg.	GP
4.	Braxton Woodson, Navy	148.0	2
11.	Michael Hawkins, West Virginia	107.3	3
14.	Angel Flores, Central Michigan	104.0	3
32.	Lunch Winfield, Louisiana	89.0	3
34.	Jacurri Brown, Rice	86.0	3

Note: rank refers to overall national rank

SERIES VS. MIAMI, FLA.

Central Michigan and Miami meet for the second time in college football.

The two teams previously met on Sept. 21, 2019, a hard-fought 17-12 Miami victory at Hard Rock Stadium. The Chippewas trailed the entire game but were in the contest until the end. Central Michigan outgained Miami 301-248 in total yardage, quarterback David Moore threw for 217 yards on 23 completions and scored a touchdown, Kalil Pimpleton caught 11 passes for 73 yards, while Troy Brown and Andrew Ward both finished with a team-high seven tackles.

Miami is Central Michigan's 19th all-time ACC opponent. The last time the Chippewas played an ACC team was on Sept. 6, 2025 at Pittsburgh, a 45-17 loss.

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 (1-1)	760 wins
2.	Army (1-1)	746 wins
3.	Miami (Ohio) (1-2)	741 wins
	Delaware (2-1)	741 wins
5.	Appalachian State (3-0)	678 wins
6.	Fresno State (2-1)	662 wins
7.	Central Michigan (2-1)	660 wins
8.	Tulsa (3-0)	658 wins
9.	Louisiana Tech (1-2)	656 wins
10.	Marshall (2-1)	645 wins
11.	Jacksonville State (2-2)	633 wins
12.	Western Kentucky (0-3)	632 wins

A WIN OVER MIAMI WOULD….

•   Give Central Michigan its first-ever victory over a top-5 nationally ranked team.
•   Give Central Michigan its first win over a nationally ranked opponent since Sept. 10, 2016 (at No. 22/17 Oklahoma State, 30-27).
•   Give Central Michigan a 3-1 overall record.
•   Give the Chippewas a third consecutive victory for the first time since the 2021 season when they won five straight.
•   Give the Chippewas a third nonconference win for the first time since the 2016 when they finished 3-1.
•   Improve Central Michigan to 1-1 vs. Miami.
•   Give Central Michigan its first-ever victory over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent and improve the Chippewas to 1-18 all-time vs. ACC schools.

DRINKALL AND 50 WINS

Central Michigan's come-from-behind 13-10 win over Colgate on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 gave coach Matt Drinkall his 50th career victory. Following a win over Wyoming, Drinkall is now 9-7 at Central Michigan. He previously served as the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan (2014-19), where he compiled a 42-17 record. He owns a 51-24 career record (.680).

FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS

In 2025, Matt Drinkall became the fifth coach to lead Central Michigan to bowl eligibility in his first season as coach. Butch Jones (2007) and Jim McElwain (2019) both had the unique distinction of leading their first teams at CMU to the MAC Championship Game.

Here is a list of first-year coaches to lead the Chippewas to bowl eligibility in their first year as head coach:

Year	Coach	W-L	Bowl
1994	Dick Flynn	9-3	Las Vegas
2007	Butch Jones	8-6	Motor City
2015	John Bonamego	7-6	Quick Lane
2019	Jim McElwain	8-6	New Mexico
2025	Matt Drinkall	7-6	GameAbove

LEADING THE MAC

Through three games, Central Michigan is leading the Mid-American Conference in three categories including passing yards allowed (154.3), rushing offense (219.3), and team passing efficiency defense (94.47). It is ranked No. 2 in fourth down conversion percentage (88.9), interceptions (4), red zone defense (77.8), tackles for loss allowed (3.33), total defense (307.7), and turnovers gained (6).

FOURTH DOWN FRENZY

Central Michigan has converted 8 of its 9 fourth down conversions on the season. That percentage ranks No. 2 in the MAC and No. 14 in national statistics.

In addition, the Chippewas have converted seven 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 three 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, and a 1-yard run before halftime vs. Wyoming.

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)
Totals	8-9	3 TDs

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

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

•   No. 9 in team passing efficiency defense (94.47).
•   No. 13 in turnovers gained (6).
•   No. 14 in fourth down conversion percentage (88.9).
•   No. 16 in passes had intercepted (4).
•   No. 22 in passing yards allowed (154.3).
•   No. 24 in tackles for loss allowed (3.33).
•   No. 30 in kickoff returns (24.50).
•   No. 33 in fumbles recovered (2).
•   No. 33 in rushing offense (219.3).

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

•   Korver Demma, No. 7 in fumbles recovered (1).
•   Hunter Zirkle, No. 7 in fumbles recovered (1).
•   Angel Flores, No. 14 in rushing yards per game (104.0).
•   Angel Flores, No. 15 in rushing yards (312).
•   Xavier White, No. 18 in total tackles (9.3).
•   Darrell Bryant, Jr., No. 23 in forced fumbles (0.33).
•   Jaxon Cherry, No. 23 in forced fumbles (0.33).
•   Xavier White, No. 23 in forced fumbles (0.33).
•   Hunter Zirkle, No. 23 in forced fumbles (0.33).
•   Angel Flores, No. 36 in rushing touchdowns (3).

WYOMING POST-GAME NOTES

The Central Michigan win...
•   Gave the Chippewas a 2-1 record.
•   Gave the Chippewas their second straight victory and second straight home win. CMU is now 2-0 at home this year.
•   Gave the Chippewas their second nonconference victory. It marks the fourth consecutive season that CMU has won at least two nonconference games.
•   Gave Central Michigan its seventh home victory in its last eight attempts.
•   Improved Central Michigan to 2-2 all-time vs. Wyoming and 2-0 vs. Wyoming in games played in Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas play at Wyoming on Sept. 25, 2027.
•   Improved Central Michigan to 39-33-1 all-time vs. Mountain West opponents. That number includes results against Northern Illinois, which joined the Mountain West in 2026.

Team Notes
•   Central Michigan rushed for a season-high 339 yards and three touchdowns on 59 attempts. It represented the top single-game rushing under Matt Drinkall and ranks as the No. 55 highest total in school history. It is the most yards rushing since Oct. 12, 2019 when Central Michigan rushed for 352 yards vs. New Mexico State. The last time CMU rushed for over 300 yards in a game was on Sept. 27, 2025 vs. Eastern Michigan (305).
•   In the first half alone, Central Michigan outgained Wyoming 246-113, had 13 first downs to the Cowboys' four, had possession of the ball for 21:12 out of the 30 minutes, and outrushed the Cowboys 214-63. The Chippewas led 17-0 at halftime.
•   In the first half alone, Central Michigan rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries (5.9 yards per carry). It marked CMU's second straight 200-yard rushing game.
•   CMU totaled a season-high 371 yards of total offense (339 rushing, 32 passing).
•   Central Michigan's 17-play, 90-yard drive in the second quarter ranks tied for the seventh longest scoring drive in terms of plays (17) in school history.
•   Central Michigan converted all three fourth down attempts in the game. The Chippewas have converted six consecutive fourth downs and are 8-9 on fourth down this year. The Chippewas came in ranked No. 24 in the nation in fourth down conversion percentage.
•   The Chippewas did not attempt a pass in the second half.
•   Central Michigan dominated time of possession and had the ball for 35:48 of the game.
•   Central Michigan registered two interceptions on the game (Justin Taylor, Kameran Hayward). The Chippewas have now gained six turnovers on the season.

Player Notes
•   Quarterback Angel Flores finished with 163 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 28 carries. It was his third career 100-yard rushing game. He surpassed career-highs for rushing attempts (28), rushing yards (163), all-purpose yards (163), and total yards (195). Flores' 163 yards rushing rank as the third highest rushing total for a quarterback in a single game in school history behind No. 1 Bert Emanuel, Jr., 293 yards vs. Buffalo, Nov. 9, 2022, and No. 2 Dan LeFevour, 170 yards vs. Miami, Ohio on Dec. 1, 2007. In the first half alone, Flores surpassed his career-highs for yardage (144), tied his career-high for attempts (22), and scored two touchdowns on runs of 25 and 1 yard. The last time a CMU quarterback rushed for over 100 yards and attempted as many runs was Dan LeFevour on Nov. 12, 2008 at Northern Illinois (29 carries for 121 yards). Flores moved into sixth place on CMU's career rushing yards for a quarterback list (839 yards) and moved into a tie for ninth place on CMU's career rushing touchdowns for a quarterbacks list (11). He also completed 4-7 passes for 32 yards with a long of 13. Flores became the first Central Michigan player to rush for over 150 yards and the first player to do it since Sept. 21, 2024 when B.J. Harris ran for 151 yards. With his 122 yards rushing vs. Colgate and 163 yards rushing vs. Wyoming, Flores also becomes the first player to rush for over 100 yards in consecutive games since Marion Lukes (110 vs. Ohio, 118 at EMU) in 2024. That last occurred 20 games ago.
•   Running back Jayden Clerveaux rushed for a career-high 81 yards on 12 carries (6.8 yards per carry). Clerveaux finished with 89 all-purpose yards (one eight-yard catch).
•   Running back Brock Townsend scored his ninth career touchdown on a 38-yard run in the third quarter. The score sealed the game for Central Michigan. Townsend rushed two times for 41 yards.
•   Running back Vaughn Blue rushed a career-high 15 times for 55 yards.
•   Tight end Myles Peters hauled in his first career catch.
•   Linebacker Xavier White registered a career-high 11 tackles (five solo). He also had a forced fumble.
•   Defensive back Justin Taylor finished with a career-high nine tackles (four solo) and intercepted his first pass for an 18 yard return. Taylor, who transferred to CMU in January, was playing against his former teammates and team in Wyoming.
•   Defensive back Kameran Hayward intercepted the first pass of his career.
•   Linebacker Brett McCalla tied a career-high with seven tackles in the game. He also had a quarterback hurry.
•   Defensive lineman JJ Douglas finished with a career-best two pass breakups.
•   Placekicker Caden VanHuis converted his first career field goal in the first quarter on a 35-yarder. Van Huis finished the day 1-1 on field goals, 3-3 on PATs, handled kickoffs, and scored six points.
•   Punter Declan Duley placed two punts inside the 20-yard line and one inside the 5-yard line. He booted four punts for 147 yards (36.8 average).
•   Making their first career start for Central Michigan include fullback Landon Swanson, and linebacker Drew Esper.

Miscellaneous Notes
•   Even with the rain, today's attendance was 15,552.
•   The contest marked the fourth meeting between Central Michigan and Wyoming. It was Central Michigan's second game against Wyoming in Mount Pleasant and the Chippewas improved to 2-0 vs. Wyoming in Mount Pleasant.
•   Central Michigan wore maroon jerseys and white pants.