Dec. 26
Motor City Bowl
Central Michigan 31 .... Middle Tennessee 14
Central Michigan controlled the game from the start with an
early 14-0 lead with Ontario Sneed running for a one-yard score and
catching a pass on the sidelines for a 29-yard touchdown. Middle
Tennessee went on a 12-play, 80-yard drive to get within seven, but
the Chippewas quickly answered with a :35 drive ending with a
nine-yard Dan LeFevour scramble for a score. The defense got in the
act in the second half with linebacker Doug Kress picking off a pass
for a 56-yard touchdown. The Blue Raiders never quit with a DeMarco
McNair touchdown run, but couldn't get any closer.
Player of the game ... Central Michigan DE Dan Bazuin made eight
tackles, two sacks, broke up a pass and made 2.5 tackles for loss
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing:
Dan LeFevour, 16-26, 162 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 15-69, 1 TD. Receiving:
Bryan Anderson, 6-51
Middle Tennessee - Passing: Clint Marks,
25-37, 251 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Eugene Gross, 12-37, 1 TD. Receiving:
Desmond Gee, 9-63
Notes and Thoughts ... Did Jeff Quinn do enough in the
interim to take over for Jeff Kelly as the Central Michigan head
coach? The players seem to want him, and he's fired up to be the
head man, but the school should at least look around a little bit
first just to see who else is out there and who might be a good fit.
Beating Middle Tennessee isn't enough to ensure the gig. ... The
Blue Raiders had several chances to quit, but didn't. The offense
wasn't working, the receivers weren't making plays, and the ground
game only cranked out 61 yards, but give credit to the coaching
staff and the players for fighting. ... The CMU defensive front,
particularly Dan Bazuin, took over the game. His stats don't do him
justice. He registered two sacks, but he hit and hurried the Middle
Tennessee quarterbacks countless times. He disrupted everything.
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
5-7
2006 Record:
10-4
Preview
2006 predicted wins
|
|
8/31 |
Boston College L 31-24 |
| 9/9 |
at Michigan L 41-17 |
| 9/16 |
Akron W 24-21 |
| 9/23 |
at East Mich
W 24-17 OT |
|
9/30 |
at Kentucky L 45-36 |
| 10/7 |
at Toledo W 42-20 |
| 10/14 |
Ball State
W 18-7 |
| 10/19 |
Bowling Green
W 31-14 |
| 11/4 |
at Temple
W 42-26 |
| 11/10 |
Western Mich W 31-7 |
| 11/17 |
at No. Illinois L 31-10 |
| 11/24 |
at Buffalo
W 55-28 |
| 11/30 |
MAC Championship
Ohio W 31-10 |
| 12/26 |
Motor City Bowl
Middle Tenn. W 13-14 |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction: 2-9
2005 Record: 6-5
Preview
2005 predicted wins |
| 9/2 |
Indiana L 20-13 |
| 9/10 |
at Miami Univ. W 38-37 |
| 9/17 |
at Penn State L 40-3 |
|
9/24 |
Eastern Mich
L 23-20 OT |
| 10/1 |
at Akron W 31-17 |
| 10/8 |
at Army W 14-10 |
| 10/15 |
Ohio W 37-10 |
| 10/29 |
Toledo W 21-17 |
|
11/5 |
Northern Illinois L 31-28 |
| 11/12 |
at Western Mich
L 31-24 |
| 11/19 |
at Ball State W 31-24 OT |
|
Nov. 30
MAC Championship
Central Michigan 31 .... Ohio 10
Central Michigan held Ohio State 224 yards and forced three
key turnovers on the way to the MAC Championship. Damien Linson set
a MAC title game record with 191 yards helped by a 71-yard
touchdown, helping get the Chippewas off to a 17-7 halftime lead.
Ohio stayed in the hunt by starting off the second half with a 16
play, 76-yard drive culminating in a 33-yard Matt Lasher field goal
to pull within seven, but Central Michigan controlled the rest of
the game with Ontario Sneed catching a four-yard touchdown pass and
ending the game with a 96-yard scoring dash.
Player of the game ... Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 22
of 30 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing:
Dan LeFevour, 22-30, 314 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 9-130, 1 TD. Receiving:
Damien Linson, 7-191, 1 TD
Ohio - Passing: Brad Bower, 13-19, 122
yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 20-76, 1 TD. Receiving: Rudy
Sylvan, 4-11
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Head
coach Brian Kelly said he'd bring the MAC championship to Central
Michigan, and he did it. The team played one of its best all-around
games of the season with QB Dan LeFevour and WR Damien Linson
unstoppable early on against Ohio, and Ontario Sneed putting the
game away late while the defense, outside of allowing one long
drive, was great throughout. Casey Droscha and Mike Ogle were in the
backfield all game long getting great pressure on Ohio QB Brad
Bower. LeFevour was fantastic making great throw after great throw
showing fearlessness in forcing his passes between Bobcat defenders
time and again.
Nov. 24
Central Michigan 55 ... Buffalo 28
Central Michigan exploded for 48 first half points starting
off with Tim Brazzel returning the opening kickoff for a score.
Marcel Archer ran for two short scores, Dan LeFevour threw three
touchdown passes and ran for a score. Bryan Anderson caught tow
touchdown passes and Justin Gardner caught a 66-yard score. Buffalo
cranked out 21 second half points, but it wasn't nearly enough with
CMU pouring it on a bit with backup QB Brian Brunner connecting with
Jean Pitts for a 50-yard score.
Player of the game ... Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 14
of 16 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns and ran five times
for 18 yards and a score all in the first half
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing:
Dan LeFevour, 14-16, 294 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Marcel Archer, 9-23, 2 TD. Receiving:
Justin Gardner, 3-95, 1 TD
Buffalo - Passing: Stewart Sampsel,
15-28, 161 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jared Patterson, 10-55, 1 TD. Receiving:
Chad Upshaw, 6-83, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Coming off the loss to Northern
Illinois, Central Michigan played the perfect game against Buffalo
going into the MAC title game against Ohio. QB Dan LeFevour couldn't
have been sharper, the offense was frightfully explosive, and the
starters got to rest in the second half thanks to the 48-point first
half. It would've been nice if CMU had been able to pound the ball
with the running game in the second half just get the game over
with, but who cares? Eight wins is eight wins as the CMU established
itself as the division's best team by far.
Nov. 17
Northern Illinois 31 ... Central Michigan 10
Garrett Wolfe ran for three touchdowns scoring from ten, two
and 13 yards out and Dan Nicholson threw a 20-yard scoring pass as
Northern Illinois blew past the MAC West champions. The Chippewas
managed a one-yard Ontario Sneed touchdown catch and a 25-yard field
goal from Rick Albreski, but the defense couldn't handle Wolfe and a NIU
running game that helped the Huskies hold on to the ball for 33:42.
Player of the game ... Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe ran 33
times for 203 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing:
Dan LeFevour, 25-42, 217 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 10-88. Receiving:
Bryan Anderson, 8-82
Northern Illinois - Passing: Dan
Nicholson, 11-18, 116, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Garrett Wolfe, 33-203, 3 TD. Receiving:
Jarret Carter, 4-39
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Central
Michigan was understandably flat against NIU with the West already won
and with the Huskies battling for its bowl life. While this game might
not have meant anything, the team had better get it fire and its
sharpness back against Buffalo next week so it doesn't have to turn it
on against Ohio in the MAC title game. The running game has to get back
on track, while the passing game which threw for 217 yards on the woeful
Huskie secondary, has to be more effective downfield if the running game
wasn't working, like it wasn't against NIU.
Nov. 10
Central Michigan 31 ... Western Michigan 7
Central Michigan clinched the MAC West title taking three
Western Michigan second-half turnovers to score 21 points on three
Marcel Archer touchdown runs from two, 24 and 16 yards out. The
Chippewas started off the scoring with a 53-yard Damien Linson touchdown
grab, but the Broncos came back with a five-yard touchdown pass to Nic
Saad for its only points of the game. CMU outgained WMU 305 to 234.
Player of the game
... Central
Michigan RB Marcel Archer ran 14 times for 70 yards and three
touchdowns and caught two passes for 16 yards
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing: Dan
LeFevour, 17-27, 163 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Marcel Archer, 14-70, 3 TD Receiving:
Obed Cetoute, 6-57
Western Michigan - Passing: Ryan Cubit, 12-23, 59
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Bandon West, 22-117 Receiving: Brian
Ledbetter, 5-33
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Central Michigan is on a five-game winning streak, but the real
excitement is over clinching the West title after beating Western
Michigan and being all but assured of a bowl bid for the first time
since 1994. An opportunistic offense that capitalized on every Bronco
mistake, while the defense tit a fantastic job of limiting the WMU
passing game not letting anything happen deep. Marcel Archer did a
fantastic job of taking over the running game in the second half. Even
with things wrapped up, the team, wanting to go into the title game on a
hot streak, can't let down with road games at NIU and Buffalo.
Nov. 4
Central Michigan 42 ... Temple 26
Central Michigan jumped out to a 38-0 lead on three Ontario
Sneed touchdown passes from Dan LeFevour and a 30-yard Obed Cetoute
scoring grab. Temple got on the board with six seconds to play in
the first half on a ten-yard Bruce Francis catch, but the Chippewas
answered in the third quarter with a six-yard LeFevour scoring run.
Sneed put it well out of reach with a 65-yard touchdown dash late in
the third. Temple made the final score look good with a trick play
Tim Brown scoring pass to Adam DiMichele and a second Francis
scoring grab.
Player of the game
... Central
Michigan RB Ontario Sneed ran ten times for 140 yards and a
touchdown and caught five passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing: Dan
LeFevour, 18-22, 268 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 10-140, 1 TD Receiving:
Ontario Sneed, 5-93, 3 TD
Temple - Passing: Adam DiMichele, 24-35, 228 yds, 3
TD
Rushing: Tim Brown, 23-101 Receiving: Travis Shelton,
8-76
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Welcome back to the party, Ontario
Sneed. The coaching staff obviously saw something in the Temple
defense that they were able to exploit by getting the ball to Sneed
on the move. He made plays all over the field as a runner and a
receiver, while Dan LeFevour, outside of an interception, was
tremendous from the start against the Owls. One a four game winning
streak, now the team needs to step up over the final three games to
force its way into the MAC title. A win over Western Michigan next
week should do it.
Oct. 19
Central Michigan 31 ... Bowling Green 14
Ontario Sneed tore off a 44-yard run on CMU's first play from
scrimmage and pulled away in the fourth with an 88-yard touchdown
catch from Obed Cetoute and a 15-yard scoring grab from Justin
Gardner. The Falcons were held to 130 rushing yards, but got two
Freddie Barnes touchdown runs in the second quarter. The Chippewa
defense got in the act with a 47-yard interception return for a
score from Eric Fraser.
Player of the game
... Central
Michigan RB Ontario Sneed ran ten times for 121 yards and a
touchdown and caught five passes for 34 yards
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing: Dan
LeFevour, 15-25, 212 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 10-121, 1 TD Receiving:
Ontario Sneed, 5-34
Bowling Green - Passing: Anthony Turner, 16-29, 187
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Bullock, 20-91 Receiving: Corey
Partridge, 5-63
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Central
Michigan established
itself as the class of the MAC, or at least even with Kent State,
with a solid win over Bowling Green. The offense turned it up when
it had to helped by RB Ontario Sneed, who had one of his best games
of the year. QB Dan LeFevour continues to be tremendous, while
tackling machines Rod Keith and Doug Kress continue to be among the
league's best defenders combining for 23 stops.
Oct. 14
Central Michigan 18 ... Ball State 7
Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour ran for two touchdowns for a
12-0 lead and Marcel Archer put the game out of reach on a one-yard run,
while the defense held Ball State to just 213 yards of total offense and
forced five turnovers. Ball State scored on a one-yard Brad Salyer run
to cap off a 13-play, 69-yard drive, but couldn't handle the CMU running
game in the second half.
Player of
the game ...
Central Michigan QB
Dan LeFevour was 18-of-31 for 171 yards and an interception, while
adding 75 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Stat Leaders: Ball State- Passing: Nate Davis,
23-29, 160 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Larry Bostic, 9-22 Receiving: Dante Love, 7-33
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan Lefevour, 18-31,
171 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 18-75, 2 TDs Receiving: Bryan
Anderson, 8-81
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... It wasn't
a perfect win over Ball State, but Dan LeFevour managed the game well
and the defense made big play after big play. Ontario Sneed still hasn't
been able to get his season going only rushing for 55 yards on 14
carries, which means it's LeFevour's attack to run. Bryan Anderson
continues to have an All-MAC caliber season as LeFevour's main weapon,
but he's hardly the only receiver contributing. The MAC title is still
there for the taking, but the offense has to get a bit more consistent.
Oct. 7
Central Michigan 42 ... Toledo 20
Central Michigan got three touchdown passes from Dan LeFevour
and a 31-yard interception return for a score from Doug Kress to
overcome a 14-0 deficit. Toledo got up early on two Aaron Opelt
touchdown passes, but couldn't get back on the board until 38
seconds left on a four-yard Opelt pass to Chris Hopkins. Toledo lost
two fumbles with Dan Bazuin taking one 32 yards for a score with 20
second left in the first half.
Player of the game ... Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour
completed 21 of 29 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Toledo - Passing: Aaron
Opelt, 21-52, 288 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Jalen Parmele, 10-79. Receiving:
Chris Hopkins, 11-84, 2 TD
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour,
21-29, 295 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 14-68. Receiving: Bryan
Anderson, 6-109, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Give Central Michigan credit for not
panicking after getting down on the road early to Toledo and then
getting the offense humming. Dan LeFevour had a fantastic game and
Ontario Sneed and the ground game worked extremely well, while the
defense came up with several big plays and played at a MAC title
level. If both sides of the ball play like this over the next two
weeks, it'll be hard to consider anyone else as the MAC favorite.
Sept. 30
Kentucky 45 ... Central Michigan 36
Kentucky survived 558 yards of total Central Michigan offense
thanks to a quick 21-0 lead on three of Andre Woodson's four
touchdown passes and a three-yard Rafael Little scoring run with
4:30 to play to finally put the game away. With backup quarterback
Dan LeFevour leading the way, CMU mounted a tremendous comeback with
four touchdown passes including two to Damien Linson and a 23-yard
play to Bryan Anderson to pull within two with just under seven
minutes to play, but the two-point conversion failed and UK went on
a 65-yard scoring drive culminating in the Little run. CMU fumbled
eight times and lost three to go along with an interception.
Player of the game ... Kentucky WR Keenan Burton caught
nine passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Kentucky - Passing: Andre
Woodson, 20-32, 266 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Rafael Little, 12-70, 1 TD Receiving:
Keenan Burton, 9-124, 2 TD
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour,
22-38, 360 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Marcel Archer, 16-69 . Receiving: Bryan
Anderson, 8-137, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Central Michigan might have
lost to Kentucky, but it knows the offense can blow up. Putting up
558 yards was amazing, and QB Dan LeFevour was unreal, but there
were way too many mistakes with problems holding on to the ball and
turnovers. Had the offense been sharper, CMU would've come away with
the win. Give the team credit for battling back after getting down
21-0; know it knows there's no situation it can't get out of just by
bombing away. The pass D didn't do anything, but the run defense did
a great job.
Sept. 23
Central Michigan 24 ... Eastern Michigan 17 OT
For the third straight year these two went to overtime, but
this time, Central Michigan came out on the right side as Bryan
Anderson caught a ten-yard touchdown pass from Brian Brunner on the
first possession, and then got a good hold from the D stopping EMU's
Dontayo Gage one yard short of the first down on fourth and eight.
The Eagles had to fight just to get to the extra time needing a
four-yard touchdown pass to Jacory Stone with 13 seconds to play to
tie it at 17. Central Michigan got two touchdown runs from Brunner
including a three-yard dash with 1:44 to play, but EMU went 70 yards
in seven plays to force OT.
Player of the
game ...
Central Michigan
QB Brian Brunner completed 20 of 29 passes for 214 yards and a
touchdown and ran 11 times for 72 yards and two scores.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy
Schmitt, 20-27, 129 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: 23-95, 1 TD Receiving: Trumaine Riley,
6-48
Central Michigan - Passing: Brian Brunner,
20-29, 214 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Brian Brunner, 11-72, 2 TD Receiving: Bryan Anderson,
8-125, 1 TD
Rushing: Toney Baker, 17-58. Receiving: Anthony
Hill, 7-82
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... It's good
to know that CMU has several quarterbacks who can play. Dan LeFevour
had problems with back spasms against Central Michigan, and then
Duane Brooks got hit with a sprained ankle. In came Brian Brunner to
his old starting spot, and he was brilliant engineering the win over
the Eagles with his legs as well as his arm. Eventually, the offense
has to figure out how to get Ontario Sneed rolling. He's been held
in check all season long and he needs to start producing if CMU is
to have any shot at beating teams like Toledo, Western Michigan and
Northern Illinois and winning the MAC.
Sept. 16
Central Michigan 24 ... Akron 21
Akron QB Luke Getsy threw for 375 yards and three second half
touchdowns, including two to David Harvey, but he also threw three
interceptions with a 100-yard return for a score by Josh Gordy on
the last play of the first half. The Chippewas took a 21-0 lead late
into the fourth quarter before the Zips went on a run with Getsy
bombing away. A 28-yard Rick Albreski field goal with 2:21 to play
sealed the win for CMU.
Player of the
game ...
Central Michigan
QB Dan LeFevour completed 16 of 23 passes for 162 yards and a
touchdown with an interception and led the Chippewas with 67 yards
rushing and also threw a touchdown pass.
Stat Leaders: Akron - Passing: Luke Getsy,
25-46, 375 yds, 3 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: Andre Walker, 16-42 Receiving: Jabari
Arthur, 8-137, 1 TD
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour,
16-23, 162 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 10-67 Receiving: Bryan Anderson,
7-95
Rushing: Toney Baker, 17-58. Receiving: Anthony
Hill, 7-82
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
defense might have gotten bombed on by Akron, but it came through
early with three interceptions and was great for three quarters.
Eventually, Ontario Sneed has to get going on offense after only
rushing for 49 yards on 20 carries. Dan LeFevour is a good do-it-all
quarterback who needs as much help as possible to take the pressure
off him. Eventually, LeFevour will make several rookie mistakes
that'll cost a game or two. Also needing to get going in DE Dan
Bazuin, who hasn't done anything so far this year. He made only four
tackles and a tackle for loss.
Sept. 9
Michigan 41 ... Central Michigan 17
The only thing that stopped Michigan was an hour delay thanks
to some lousy weather early in the first half. The Michigan running
game rumbled for 263 yards helping the offense control the clock for
36:45. Mike Hart ran for touchdowns from four and 18 yards out in
the first quarter and added a two-yard scoring run in the third.
Kevin Grady ran for a three-yard score, and Garrett Rivas connected
on field goals from 38 and 40 yards out. The defense closed out the
Wolverine scoring with a 12-yard interception for a score from Max
Pollock in the fourth. CMU got two touchdown passes from freshman QB
Dan LeFevour.
Player of the game ... Michigan RB Mike Hart ran 19
times for 116 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Michigan - Passing: Chad
Henne, 11-19, 113 yds
Rushing: Mike Hart, 19-116, 3 TD. Receiving:
Carson Butler, 3-26
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour,
17-36, 153 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 11-33. Receiving: Damien
Linson, 6-87, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The run defense couldn't hold up against
Michigan after doing a great job against Boston College, and now
it'll have to figure out how to slow down Dennis Kennedy and Akron
next week in the MAC opener. Dan LeFevour was held in check running
the ball against the Wolverines, but he threw it relatively well and
didn't appear to be all that out of place against a top team.
Slowing down the turnovers and penalties would be a plus after
giving it away three times. Eventually, Ontario Sneed will get a
little room to run.
Aug. 31
Boston College 31 ... Central Michigan 24
Boston College survived a late scare when Brian Toal
intercepted CMU QB Dan LeFevour, who forced a pass out of a strange
swinging gate formation, to close out a closer-than-expected battle.
BC took a 17-3 halftime lead helped by short touchdown runs from
Brian Toal and Ryan Purvis and was up 31-10 in the fourth quarter on
two Matt Ryan touchdown passes, but CMU kept fighting back with
several trick plays and chances. LeFevour, who was in for injured
starter Brian Brunner, ran for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Player of the game ... Boston College QB Matt Ryan
completed 32 of 48 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Boston College - Passing:
Matt Ryan, 32-48, 321 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: L.V. Whitworth, 13-51. Receiving:
Kevin Challenger, 6-62, 1 TD
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour,
22-37, 223 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 14-71, 2 TD. Receiving: Obed
Cetoute, 6-103
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The coaching staff wanted to
get freshman QB Dan LeFevour into the game, but it didn't want to
throw him to the wolves so early with Brian Brunner going down right
off the bat against Boston College. After getting behind so early,
RB Ontario Sneed was effectively taken out of the gameplan, so it
was up to LeFevour to sink or swim, and he did a fantastic job of
holding up under the pressure. With his mobility and poise, he
appears to be the perfect fit for the CMU offense, but he'll likely
have a much harder time next week at Michigan.
2006 Central Michig an Preview
Central Michigan Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart |
Further Analysis
Enjoy head coach Brian Kelly now, because he isn't going to be
around for long.
One of
the rising stars of the coaching ranks after putting together CMU's
first winning season since 1998, Kelly will soon attract plenty of
interest from the big boys if he can keep CMU on track and become
even more of a player in the West race. First things first, the team
has a chance to take another step up and be this year's Akron.
CMU got blown out by Penn State, lost in an opening day
heartbreaker to Indiana, and lost three MAC games by a total of 13
points. Eight of the team's 11 games were decided by a touchdown or
less, and CMU should be on the right side of more of those battles
this season with 33 lettermen and 16 starters returning.
There's reason to worry about a porous secondary that isn't going to
be any better, and the loss of steady QB Kent Smith isn't going to help
the offense, but everything else is in place from four returning
starters on a rock of an offensive line to an improved receiving corps
to one of the MAC's best linebacking corps. And there's also star power
to rally around.
Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe will likely be everyone's MAC
preseason offensive player of the year, but CMU RB Ontario Sneed will be
in the discussion with his workhorse ability and great hands as a
receiver. CMU DE Dan Bazuin should be a serious threat for 20 sacks on
his way to being every NFL scouts' hidden gem.
It's all there for the Chippewas to have a fantastic season and even
hope for their first bowl bid since 1994 while shooting for back-to-back
winning seasons for the first time since 1990 and 1991. There's reason
to get excited around Mount Pleasant, but it might still be a rough
start because of ...
The
Schedule: The good news: CMU gets four of its final seven games at
home with two of those road trips at Temple and Buffalo. Akron has to
come to Kelly/Shorts Stadium, as does Bowling Green and Western
Michigan. The bad news: CMU plays four of its first six games on the
road including a nasty three-game road swing at Eastern Michigan,
Kentucky and Toledo. Things do start off interesting with Boston College
coming to town followed up by a road trip to Michigan.
Best
Offensive Player:
Sophomore RB Ontario
Sneed. Sneed filled in as a true freshman after all the off-the-field
problems of Jerry Seymour. Now Sneed has to make sure he can hold up for
a full season after handling the ball over 20 times a game over the last
eight. He's a 1,000-yard rusher who's also one of the MAC's top
receiving backs making 51 grabs last year.
Best
Defensive Player:
Senior DE Daniel Bazuin. The senior is known for being one of the
nation's dominant pass rushers with 16 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss
last year, but he's also a tremendous run defender finishing second on
the team in tackles. Watch his profile skyrocket if he has big games
early against Boston College and Michigan.
Key player
to a successful season: Senior CB Terrance Robinson. The secondary
was the team's weak link last year and it doesn't look like a prize
going into 2006. The corner situation is so rocky that starting safety
Pacino Horne will move to one spot, while the 5-6 Robinson will get the
first look on the other side.
The season
will be a success if ... Central Michigan wins seven games. The schedule might be a wee
bit too demanding to win the MAC West, but there's too much experience
and too many good things happening on both sides of the ball to shoot
for anything fewer than seven wins.
Key game:
Sept. 16 vs. Akron. The Chippewas will desperately need a win over
the defending MAC champions to get the conference season off to a good
start. This is the only home oasis in the with three road games to
follow and the Michigan game the week before.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- CMU opponent second quarter scoring: 119 - CMU opponent fourth quarter
scoring: 31
- Penalties: Central Michigan 92 for 857 yards - Opponents 63 for 483
yards
- Rushing touchdowns: Central Michigan 15 - Opponents 6
The Last Time Central Michigan…
…played in a bowl game…1994 (Las Vegas Bowl vs. UNLV)
…missed a bowl game…2005
…pitched a shutout…1996 (Akron)
…was shutout…2002 (Northern Illinois)
…scored 50 points…2004 (Eastern Michigan)
…went undefeated…1979
…won a conference title…1994 (MAC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…never
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2005 (Ontario Sneed)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…1999 (Jammarl O’neal)
…had a first-round draft choice…never
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