Central Michigan University Athletics
125 Years of CMU Football: Wins Over Power 5 Schools
9/24/2026 10:10:00 AM | Football
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Since it joined NCAA Division I FBS football in 1975, Central Michigan has won 10 games over current Power 5 schools.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan Football has a history of winning games against Power 5 opponents. Since 1990, the Chippewas have won 10 games against current Power 5 schools.
Since 2009, Central Michigan has claimed six wins over 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.
Other victories have come against Kansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan State. Six of those wins have come against Big Ten opponents.
Here is a list of Central Michigan's 10 Power 5 victories over the years:
Central Michigan 34, Cincinnati 0
Sept. 8, 1990, Mount Pleasant, Mich., Kelly/Shorts Stadium
CMU's defense dominated and outmanned the Bearcats in this 34-0 shutout. Central Michigan forced four turnovers and limited the visiting Bearcats to just 106 yards against the likes of Rich Curtiss (nine tackles) and David Johnson (seven tackles). The shutout was CMU's first since blanking Kent State 38-0 the year earlier. Quarterback Jeff Bender led the Chippewas' offense to 436 yards, including 178 through the air. He connected with tight end Eric Stockford and wide receiver Ken Ealy for a pair of 17 yard touchdowns in the second quarter. Tailback Billy Smith rushed for 103 yards, while tailback Darnell Rush carried for touchdown runs on two and five yards. It also was a good day for freshman placekicker Chuck Selinger, who booted a pair of 33-yard field goals and was 4-4 on extra points.
Central Michigan 20, No. 18/19 Michigan State 3
Sept. 14, 1991, East Lansing, Mich., Spartan Stadium
In the greatest gridiron triumph in CMU history, the Chippewas stunned the No. 18-ranked Spartans, controlling all facets of the game. The Chippewas outgained MSU, 346-281, led by tailback Billy Smith's 162 yards and a fierce rush that sacked MSU quarterbacks four times. Smith's high school classmate at Detroit Henry Ford, Lamar Sally, registered three sacks as both players would later capture MAC Player of the Week honors. CMU's defense set the tone on the first series when Doug Adler stuffed Tico Duckett on fourth-and-goal at the CMU 1-yard line. Smith opened the scoring with a 15-yard TD run just before halftime, and the Chippewas made it 14-0 on a 57-yard pass from Jeff Bender to Ken Ealy in the third quarter. From there, the Chippewa defense took over.
Central Michigan 24, Michigan State 20
Sept. 12, 1992, East Lansing, Mich., Spartan Stadium
A great moment in CMU football history occurred when the Chippewas accomplished what few people thought they could do – repeat 1991's startling victory over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. Outstanding performances on both sides of the ball helped the Chippewas stun Michigan State 24-20 for CMU's second consecutive win over the Big Ten school. Safety Darrall Stinson paced the CMU defense with 14 tackles, including a jarring hit that forced a fumble at the Central goal line in the second quarter. Quarterback Joe Youngblood connected with split end Bryan Tice for touchdown passes of 6 and 15 yards to give CMU a 14-7 halftime lead. Youngblood would earn Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors for his performance which included 163 yards passing and two TDs on 17-of-22 attempts and a pass reception for 29 yards. Youngblood also led CMU on a crucial 69-yard drive in the second half which took 6:33 off the clock and ended with a 7-yard TD scamper by Brian Pruitt to put the game out of reach. Junior tailback Leo Griffin gained 90 of CMU's 141 rushing yards.
Central Michigan 37, Indiana 34
Nov. 1, 2008, Bloomington, Ind., Memorial Stadium
Making just his fourth career start, senior quarterback Brian Brunner completed 35 of 53 passes for a school record 485 yards and four touchdowns, and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run in the Chippewas' first win over a Big Ten opponent since 1992. Each of Brunner's four touchdown passes tied the score, including a 79-yard toss to Antonio Brown that evened the score at 28-28 in the third quarter. Andrew Aguila converted a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to draw the Chippewas within 34-31, and a Kirkston Edwards interception on the ensuing possession set up Brunner's 1-yard keeper for the go-ahead score. The CMU defense held the Hoosiers to just two first downs on their final two possessions to help seal the win.
Central Michigan 29, Michigan State 27
Sept. 12, 2009, East Lansing, Mich., Spartan Stadium
Andrew Aguila's 42-yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining, in front of a national television audience on ESPN2, gave the Chippewas their third victory in seven all-time meetings with the Spartans. Dan LeFevour's touchdown pass to Paris Cotton with 32 seconds remaining drew the Chippewas within a point, 27-26. A two-point conversion pass to Antonio Brown was incomplete. But Bryan Anderson recovered a perfectly executed onside kick, and LeFevour completed three straight passes to move the Chippewas into field goal range and set up Aguila's game-winner.
Central Michigan 32, Iowa 31
Sept. 22, 2012, Iowa City, Iowa, Kinnick Stadium
The Chippewas garnered the national spotlight by upsetting Iowa in Iowa City, 32-31, to secure the program's fifth win over a Big Ten opponent. CMU used a furious late-game rally to stun a capacity Kinnick Stadium crowd, scoring nine points in the final 45 seconds, capped by a go-ahead 47-yard field goal from senior kicker David Harman in the contest's waning moments. Senior quarterback Ryan Radcliff was instrumental in the win, driving the Chippewas twice for scores in the fourth quarter and completing 26-35 passes (74 percent) for 282 yards. Sophomore Titus Davis caught two touchdown passes, including a clutch 13-yarder with under a minute to play to pull CMU within two points. Harman had a career day, connecting on all four of his field goal attempts and executing a perfect onside kick, which CMU recovered to set the stage for his game-winning heroics.
Central Michigan 38, Purdue 17
Sept. 6, 2014, West Lafayette, Ind., Ross-Ade Stadium
The Chippewas built an early 14-0 lead behind two big plays -- one from the defense, the other from the offense -- then took command behind another big rushing day from Thomas Rawls in beating Purdue, 38-17, before 36,410 at Ross-Ade Stadium. Cornerback Brandon Greer returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown to give CMU a 7-0 lead before the game was five minutes old, then quarterback Cooper Rush connected with Anthony Rice on a 65-yard touchdown pass play to extend CMU's lead to 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Rawls continued his early season surge with 155 yards and two TDs on 31 carries. Rush completed 11-of-16 pass attempts for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Central Michigan's defense surrendered 326 yards, but it forced three turnovers -- cornerback Jason Wilson also had an interception -- and never allowed speedy Purdue running back Raheem Mostert to get on track. The Chippewas were also credited with six pass breakups, and they recorded two sacks.
Central Michigan 30, No. 22/17 Oklahoma State 27
Sept. 10, 2016, Stillwater, Okla., Boone Pickens Stadium
In one of the wildest finishes in CMU history, the Chippewas stunned Big 12 power Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 30-27. Oklahoma State led 27-24 with four seconds remaining in the game. Rather than punt on fourth down, OSU elected to have quarterback Mason Rudolph run out the clock before throwing the ball out of bounds. A controversial intentional grounding penalty gave the ball back to the Chippewas for one untimed down from the CMU 49-yard line. Senior quarterback Cooper Rush connected downfield with receiver Jesse Kroll, who then lateraled the ball in mid-air to a waiting Corey Willis, who ran the final 9 yards to the end zone. After two first quarter Cowboy touchdowns put CMU in an early hole, Rush found junior tight end Tyler Conklin for a touchdown in the second quarter and again in the third quarter, which tied the game at 17. The Chippewas would take the lead for the first time, 24-20, on a 31-yard Rush-to-Devon Spalding TD pass. The Cowboys took a 27-24 lead with 5:12 remaining on their only touchdown of the second half. Rush turned in an outstanding performance, completing 31 of 43 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Conklin had seven receptions for 96 yards to go with his two scores, while Kroll amassed 98 yards on seven catches of his own.
Central Michigan 45, Kansas 27
Sept. 9, 2017, Lawrence, Kansas, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
CMU's second straight victory over a Big 12 Conference opponent following the 30-27 win at Oklahoma State in 2016, came a week after a lackluster performance in a triple overtime season-opening win over Rhode Island. The Chippewas piled up 590 yards of total offense, while quarterback and Michigan transfer Shane Morris threw five touchdown passes and 467 yards while completing 28 of 37 attempts in his second game as a Chippewa. He threw three touchdown passes to Mark Chapman, and one each to Corey Willis and Logan Hessbrook. The Chippewas were nearly flawless in the first half, seizing a 24-6 lead, but Kansas drew to 24-20 with two scores in the first 6 minutes, 10 seconds of the third quarter. Then it was CMU's turn to respond. Morris drove the Chippewas 73 yards in seven plays and Devon Spalding danced in from a yard out to again make it a two-score game, 31-20. CMU extended its lead to 38-20 when Morris found Chapman for a 7-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 13:28 remaining, capping an 11-play, 91 yard drive.
Central Michigan 24, Washington State 21
Dec. 31, 2021, Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
Lew Nichols III ran for 138 yards and a touchdown, Marshall Meeder kicked three field goals, and the Central Michigan defense delivered in the clutch as the Chippewas held off Washington State, 24-21, to win the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. It was CMU's first bowl victory since the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and its first win over a Power 5 opponent since it won at Kansas in 2017. CMU built a 21-0 halftime lead and then dug in in the second half when Washington State drew to 21-14. Meeder booted a 43-yard field goal with just over nine minutes remaining to extend CMU's lead to 24-14. The Cougars scored a touchdown with just over three minutes to play to draw to 24-21, and then, after a CMU punt, started their final drive from their own 14-yard line with 2:41 to play. CMU linebacker Troy Brown stopped a Cougar receiver inches short on fourth down at the Washington State 23. CMU took over and kneeled out the remainder of the clock. Meeder kicked field goals of 49 and 52 yards in the first quarter and then Nichols scored on a 1-yard plunge to give CMU a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Meeder's 52-yarder is a CMU bowl record.The Chippewas extended their lead to 21-0 when quarterback Daniel Richardson connected with tight end Joel Wilson for a 15-yard TD pass with 1:48 to play in the first half and then hit Kalil Pimpleton for the two-point conversion. Pimpleton set up the TD with a 45-yard punt return to the Cougar 9-yard line. CMU's defense recorded six sacks and held Washington State to a combined 2-for-21 on third and fourth down. Richardson threw for 209 yards on 18-34 passing. JaCorey Sullivan led the CMU receiving corps with seven catches for 83 yards.
Since 2009, Central Michigan has claimed six wins over 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.
Other victories have come against Kansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan State. Six of those wins have come against Big Ten opponents.
Here is a list of Central Michigan's 10 Power 5 victories over the years:
Central Michigan 34, Cincinnati 0
Sept. 8, 1990, Mount Pleasant, Mich., Kelly/Shorts Stadium
CMU's defense dominated and outmanned the Bearcats in this 34-0 shutout. Central Michigan forced four turnovers and limited the visiting Bearcats to just 106 yards against the likes of Rich Curtiss (nine tackles) and David Johnson (seven tackles). The shutout was CMU's first since blanking Kent State 38-0 the year earlier. Quarterback Jeff Bender led the Chippewas' offense to 436 yards, including 178 through the air. He connected with tight end Eric Stockford and wide receiver Ken Ealy for a pair of 17 yard touchdowns in the second quarter. Tailback Billy Smith rushed for 103 yards, while tailback Darnell Rush carried for touchdown runs on two and five yards. It also was a good day for freshman placekicker Chuck Selinger, who booted a pair of 33-yard field goals and was 4-4 on extra points.
Central Michigan 20, No. 18/19 Michigan State 3
Sept. 14, 1991, East Lansing, Mich., Spartan Stadium
In the greatest gridiron triumph in CMU history, the Chippewas stunned the No. 18-ranked Spartans, controlling all facets of the game. The Chippewas outgained MSU, 346-281, led by tailback Billy Smith's 162 yards and a fierce rush that sacked MSU quarterbacks four times. Smith's high school classmate at Detroit Henry Ford, Lamar Sally, registered three sacks as both players would later capture MAC Player of the Week honors. CMU's defense set the tone on the first series when Doug Adler stuffed Tico Duckett on fourth-and-goal at the CMU 1-yard line. Smith opened the scoring with a 15-yard TD run just before halftime, and the Chippewas made it 14-0 on a 57-yard pass from Jeff Bender to Ken Ealy in the third quarter. From there, the Chippewa defense took over.
Central Michigan 24, Michigan State 20
Sept. 12, 1992, East Lansing, Mich., Spartan Stadium
A great moment in CMU football history occurred when the Chippewas accomplished what few people thought they could do – repeat 1991's startling victory over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. Outstanding performances on both sides of the ball helped the Chippewas stun Michigan State 24-20 for CMU's second consecutive win over the Big Ten school. Safety Darrall Stinson paced the CMU defense with 14 tackles, including a jarring hit that forced a fumble at the Central goal line in the second quarter. Quarterback Joe Youngblood connected with split end Bryan Tice for touchdown passes of 6 and 15 yards to give CMU a 14-7 halftime lead. Youngblood would earn Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors for his performance which included 163 yards passing and two TDs on 17-of-22 attempts and a pass reception for 29 yards. Youngblood also led CMU on a crucial 69-yard drive in the second half which took 6:33 off the clock and ended with a 7-yard TD scamper by Brian Pruitt to put the game out of reach. Junior tailback Leo Griffin gained 90 of CMU's 141 rushing yards.
Central Michigan 37, Indiana 34
Nov. 1, 2008, Bloomington, Ind., Memorial Stadium
Making just his fourth career start, senior quarterback Brian Brunner completed 35 of 53 passes for a school record 485 yards and four touchdowns, and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run in the Chippewas' first win over a Big Ten opponent since 1992. Each of Brunner's four touchdown passes tied the score, including a 79-yard toss to Antonio Brown that evened the score at 28-28 in the third quarter. Andrew Aguila converted a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to draw the Chippewas within 34-31, and a Kirkston Edwards interception on the ensuing possession set up Brunner's 1-yard keeper for the go-ahead score. The CMU defense held the Hoosiers to just two first downs on their final two possessions to help seal the win.
Central Michigan 29, Michigan State 27
Sept. 12, 2009, East Lansing, Mich., Spartan Stadium
Andrew Aguila's 42-yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining, in front of a national television audience on ESPN2, gave the Chippewas their third victory in seven all-time meetings with the Spartans. Dan LeFevour's touchdown pass to Paris Cotton with 32 seconds remaining drew the Chippewas within a point, 27-26. A two-point conversion pass to Antonio Brown was incomplete. But Bryan Anderson recovered a perfectly executed onside kick, and LeFevour completed three straight passes to move the Chippewas into field goal range and set up Aguila's game-winner.
Central Michigan 32, Iowa 31
Sept. 22, 2012, Iowa City, Iowa, Kinnick Stadium
The Chippewas garnered the national spotlight by upsetting Iowa in Iowa City, 32-31, to secure the program's fifth win over a Big Ten opponent. CMU used a furious late-game rally to stun a capacity Kinnick Stadium crowd, scoring nine points in the final 45 seconds, capped by a go-ahead 47-yard field goal from senior kicker David Harman in the contest's waning moments. Senior quarterback Ryan Radcliff was instrumental in the win, driving the Chippewas twice for scores in the fourth quarter and completing 26-35 passes (74 percent) for 282 yards. Sophomore Titus Davis caught two touchdown passes, including a clutch 13-yarder with under a minute to play to pull CMU within two points. Harman had a career day, connecting on all four of his field goal attempts and executing a perfect onside kick, which CMU recovered to set the stage for his game-winning heroics.
Central Michigan 38, Purdue 17
Sept. 6, 2014, West Lafayette, Ind., Ross-Ade Stadium
The Chippewas built an early 14-0 lead behind two big plays -- one from the defense, the other from the offense -- then took command behind another big rushing day from Thomas Rawls in beating Purdue, 38-17, before 36,410 at Ross-Ade Stadium. Cornerback Brandon Greer returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown to give CMU a 7-0 lead before the game was five minutes old, then quarterback Cooper Rush connected with Anthony Rice on a 65-yard touchdown pass play to extend CMU's lead to 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Rawls continued his early season surge with 155 yards and two TDs on 31 carries. Rush completed 11-of-16 pass attempts for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Central Michigan's defense surrendered 326 yards, but it forced three turnovers -- cornerback Jason Wilson also had an interception -- and never allowed speedy Purdue running back Raheem Mostert to get on track. The Chippewas were also credited with six pass breakups, and they recorded two sacks.
Central Michigan 30, No. 22/17 Oklahoma State 27
Sept. 10, 2016, Stillwater, Okla., Boone Pickens Stadium
In one of the wildest finishes in CMU history, the Chippewas stunned Big 12 power Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 30-27. Oklahoma State led 27-24 with four seconds remaining in the game. Rather than punt on fourth down, OSU elected to have quarterback Mason Rudolph run out the clock before throwing the ball out of bounds. A controversial intentional grounding penalty gave the ball back to the Chippewas for one untimed down from the CMU 49-yard line. Senior quarterback Cooper Rush connected downfield with receiver Jesse Kroll, who then lateraled the ball in mid-air to a waiting Corey Willis, who ran the final 9 yards to the end zone. After two first quarter Cowboy touchdowns put CMU in an early hole, Rush found junior tight end Tyler Conklin for a touchdown in the second quarter and again in the third quarter, which tied the game at 17. The Chippewas would take the lead for the first time, 24-20, on a 31-yard Rush-to-Devon Spalding TD pass. The Cowboys took a 27-24 lead with 5:12 remaining on their only touchdown of the second half. Rush turned in an outstanding performance, completing 31 of 43 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Conklin had seven receptions for 96 yards to go with his two scores, while Kroll amassed 98 yards on seven catches of his own.
Central Michigan 45, Kansas 27
Sept. 9, 2017, Lawrence, Kansas, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
CMU's second straight victory over a Big 12 Conference opponent following the 30-27 win at Oklahoma State in 2016, came a week after a lackluster performance in a triple overtime season-opening win over Rhode Island. The Chippewas piled up 590 yards of total offense, while quarterback and Michigan transfer Shane Morris threw five touchdown passes and 467 yards while completing 28 of 37 attempts in his second game as a Chippewa. He threw three touchdown passes to Mark Chapman, and one each to Corey Willis and Logan Hessbrook. The Chippewas were nearly flawless in the first half, seizing a 24-6 lead, but Kansas drew to 24-20 with two scores in the first 6 minutes, 10 seconds of the third quarter. Then it was CMU's turn to respond. Morris drove the Chippewas 73 yards in seven plays and Devon Spalding danced in from a yard out to again make it a two-score game, 31-20. CMU extended its lead to 38-20 when Morris found Chapman for a 7-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 13:28 remaining, capping an 11-play, 91 yard drive.
Central Michigan 24, Washington State 21
Dec. 31, 2021, Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
Lew Nichols III ran for 138 yards and a touchdown, Marshall Meeder kicked three field goals, and the Central Michigan defense delivered in the clutch as the Chippewas held off Washington State, 24-21, to win the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. It was CMU's first bowl victory since the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and its first win over a Power 5 opponent since it won at Kansas in 2017. CMU built a 21-0 halftime lead and then dug in in the second half when Washington State drew to 21-14. Meeder booted a 43-yard field goal with just over nine minutes remaining to extend CMU's lead to 24-14. The Cougars scored a touchdown with just over three minutes to play to draw to 24-21, and then, after a CMU punt, started their final drive from their own 14-yard line with 2:41 to play. CMU linebacker Troy Brown stopped a Cougar receiver inches short on fourth down at the Washington State 23. CMU took over and kneeled out the remainder of the clock. Meeder kicked field goals of 49 and 52 yards in the first quarter and then Nichols scored on a 1-yard plunge to give CMU a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Meeder's 52-yarder is a CMU bowl record.The Chippewas extended their lead to 21-0 when quarterback Daniel Richardson connected with tight end Joel Wilson for a 15-yard TD pass with 1:48 to play in the first half and then hit Kalil Pimpleton for the two-point conversion. Pimpleton set up the TD with a 45-yard punt return to the Cougar 9-yard line. CMU's defense recorded six sacks and held Washington State to a combined 2-for-21 on third and fourth down. Richardson threw for 209 yards on 18-34 passing. JaCorey Sullivan led the CMU receiving corps with seven catches for 83 yards.
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