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2007 Schedule/Results
September
Sept. 1 Kansas 52, Cent. Michigan 7
Sept. 8 Cent. Michigan 52, Toledo 31
Sept. 15 Purdue 45, Cent. Michigan 22
Sept. 22 N. Dakota St. 44, Cent. Michigan 14
Sept. 29 Cent. Michigan 35, N. Illinois 10
October
Oct. 6 Cent. Michigan 58, Ball St. 38
Oct. 13 Cent. Michigan 47, Army 23
Oct. 20 Clemson 70, Cent. Michigan 14
Oct. 27 Cent. Michigan 41, Kent St. 32
November
Nov. 6 Cent. Michigan 34, W. Michigan 31
Nov. 16 E. Michigan 48, Cent. Michigan 45
Nov. 23 at Akron
11:00 a.m.
December
Dec. 1 at Miami (Ohio)
11:00 a.m.
All Times Eastern
INSIDE SLANT
Just a couple of short weeks ago it appeared that Central Michigan's season finale, a morning-after-Thanksgiving crossover game against Akron, would be nothing more than a possible tune-up heading into the postseason. Now, however, following the Chippewas' 48-45 loss to Eastern Michigan November 16, the game takes on significant meaning.
The Chippewas (6-5, 5-1 MAC) could find themselves sitting home following their date with Miami in the MAC Championship Game should they lose to both the Zips on November 23 and then again to the RedHawks in the championship game on December 1 in Detroit.
Such a scenario would leave Central Michigan with a 6-7 overall mark and the NCAA would have to issue a waiver to allow the Chips to accept a bowl bid, something that the NCAA has done only once, and that was to allow a conference champion (North Texas) to play in its conference's sole bowl game (at the time, the New Orleans Bowl).
The MAC does not anticipate such a waiver being granted for a runner-up. Additionally, with Ball State (6-5) and Bowling Green (7-4) both bowl eligible, the MAC would have enough teams to fill its three guaranteed bowl slots.
Therefore, CMU's visit to Akron (4-7, 3-4 MAC) is potentially the biggest game of the year for the Chippewas and it won't be easy, despite Akron's record. The Zips are coming off a 7-0 loss to MAC East champion Miami which followed on the heels of their 48-37 win over Ohio. The Zips defense gives Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones some serious concerns.
"They play an odd stack defense," noted Jones discussing this week's game. "They can rush 4-6 players at any time and you don't know where they are coming from. It's a defense our players have not seen."
But if the Chippewas are to have any success against the Zips, they are going to have to focus on their own defense. Even though the Zips are struggling offensively and own the MAC's lowest ranked offensive unit, averaging 310.6 yards per game, Central Michigan cannot take any team's offense for granted.
Following their 48-45 loss to Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan has now given up an average of 37 points per game in its last four conference games and ranks last in the MAC, giving up 475 yards of offense per game.
Injuries continue to decimate the Chippewas defense and in particular their secondary. Three starters have been lost for the season and two more players may be unavailable for Friday's game against Akron. Therefore expect the Zips to look to exploit CMU's undermanned secondary with possibly the MAC's most dangerous receiver in Jabari Arthur. Arthur ranks third in the MAC in receiving yards, tops all MAC receivers with ten touchdowns this season and holds the Akron record for receptions in a season (76 and counting).
"Arthur is really strong and may be the most physical receiver we will face all season," noted Jones.
As has been the case all season, the burden will likely fall on the shoulders of quarterback Dan LeFevour to light up the scoreboard (CMU is averaging 45 points per game in conference play) to offset the Chips' sieve-like defense but the Chips have gone to that well frequently this season and found it was finally empty in their loss to Eastern Michigan.
A similar performance against Akron and the Chips could find themselves teetering precariously on the precipice of sitting home during bowl season; a nearly unthinkable circumstance just two shorts weeks ago.
NOTES, QUOTES
?PR/KR Antonio Brown, a true freshman, has set two records this season. Brown owns the MAC record for all-purpose yards in a season by a freshman and last week added his name to the CMU record books as the single-season record holder in pass receptions. Brown has 77 receptions on the season, breaking the record set last year by WR Bryan Anderson who finished the 2006 campaign with 73 catches.
?RB Justin Hoskins recorded the Chippewas' longest play from scrimmage when rushed he 76-yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of CMU's 48-45 loss to Eastern Michigan November 16.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Chippewas offense continues to click, even in defeat. QB Dan LeFevour accounted for four touchdowns against Eastern Michigan, rushing for three and passing for another. LeFevour continues to top the MAC with 33 total touchdowns (13 rushing; 20 passing). Overall the Chips rank third in the MAC in total offense and top the MAC in protecting the quarterback, allowing only 11 sacks for 88 yards through 11 games.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Conversely, CMU's defense continues to give up reams of yardage and simply could not get off the field last week against EMU, allowing the Eagles to convert on an incredible 6-6 fourth down opportunities. CMU ranks 113th nationally in total defense, allowing 475 yards per game and with injuries to their secondary, have been especially deficient in defending the pass, ranking 114th nationally by allowing 294 yards passing per game. Their 29 aerial scores allowed this season places them 117th in that category.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have unbelievable team chemistry on this team. Our kids play for each other and they really hurt after our loss to Eastern Michigan. I am confident that we will come back and have a strong effort against Akron." ? Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
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THIS WEEK'S GAME: Central Michigan (6-5, 5-1 MAC) at Akron (4-7, 3-4 MAC), Nov 23 ? Central Michigan enters its game at Akron needing a victory to ensure they will be bowling following their game against Miami in the MAC Championship December 1. A loss to the Zips would leave the Chips at 6-6 on the season and, combined with a loss in the MAC Championship Game on December 1, would knock the Chips out of a bowl game. A win, however, gets CMU to 7-5 and would likely secure a berth in the Motor City Bowl regardless of the outcome of their game against Miami in the MAC title tilt.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Dan LeFevour ? Has carried the Chips' offense all season long. LeFevour, still only a redshirt sophomore, owns the Central Michigan season and school records for pass completions. He also is getting done on the ground and is the MAC's eighth-leading rusher with 706 yards.
LB Red Keith ? Has 442 career tackles and needs one more tackle to move into second place all-time at Central Michigan.
RB Justin Hoskins ? Has averaged 108 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns over his last four games.
ROSTER REPORT: RB Marcel Archer is expected to miss his fourth straight game.
WR Taylor Bradley continues to be hampered by a sore hip and is doubtful.
DB Josh Gordy has been ruled out for Friday's contest against Akron with an ankle injury.
DB Curtis Cutts is out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle.
DB Calvin Hissong continues to nurse a shoulder injury and is not expected to play against Akron.
LB Baron Miles left Friday's game with an undisclosed injury and has been ruled out against Akron.
I'm an NIU grad without a clue on these conference games the last couple of years. Only games I approach are the Huskies and because Novak is such a terrible coach he's a good go-against. I've won a few on the Chips and Rockets this year but other than that kurby kurby kurby
