Central Michigan’s Chippewas struggled at the start of the 2015 season, winning only one of its first four games before regrouping and then surging to a 7-5 regular season record and a share of the MAC West Division title. The team was rewarded with an appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl, where they fell to Minnesota, 21-14.
Leading the way in his second year as head coach is former NFL assistant and Central Michigan alum John Bonamego, who proclaims his current gig to be his “dream job.” Four months into the position, Bonamego announced he had been diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Thankfully, on November 21 he announced he was cancer free.
Although the team returns a significant amount of starters, Bonamego’s group was voted by writers who cover the MAC to finish fourth in the West in 2016. The Chippewas open this season with a home game against Presbyterian before playing at Oklahoma State the following week. A home game against UNLV will take place before Central Michigan heads to Charlottesville.
Central Michigan Peek
- Head Coach (record at school): John Bonamego (7-6)
- 2015 Record: 7-6
- Offense 2015 Total Yards Game (National Rank Among FBS Teams): 401.7 (63)
- Offense 2015 Points/Game: 25.8 (88)
- Defense 2015 Total Yards/Game: 332.2 (16)
- Defense 2015 Points/Game: 22 (Tied 28)
What To Expect On Game Day
Offense:
Central Michigan leaned heavily on its passing attack last season. Utilizing wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends, the Chippewas averaged 300.4 yards passing per game. Quarterback Cooper Rush threw for 3,848 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior in 2015, completing 66% of his passes on his way to Second Team All-MAC honors.
Up front, Central Michigan will have to replace 2-time All-MAC performer Nick Beamish at center. Starters return at both guard positions as well as right tackle; however, the stability Beamish provided at such an important position could be tough to replace.
Central Michigan returns depth, experience, and production in the receiving corps. Sixth-year senior wideout Jesse Kroll tops the group of returnees. Rush’s go-to receiver in 2015, Kroll finished the year with 61 receptions for 866 yards and four scores. Juniors Mark Chapman (43 catches, 12 starts last season) and Corey Willis (37 receptions and the team’s Newcomer of the Year last season) return as well. Tight end Ben McCord, who was a big part of the passing attack with 39 catches a year ago, graduated.
The Chippewas’ rushing game struggled last season, finishing fourth worst among FBS schools. The team’s leading rusher, Martez Walker, is gone. It’s third-leading rusher, Romello Ross, suffered a torn ACL this preseason and is out for the year, leaving senior Jahray Hayes and junior Devon Spalding as two of the top returners at the running back position. The 5’11”, 215-pound Hayes rushed for 304 yards and four scores in 2015, but he averaged only 3.4 yards per carry. The versatile Spalding rushed for 182 yards and had 14 catches for 125 yards last season.
Defense:
A unit that was rock solid season should be effective this season, too.
Central Michigan had only modest numbers in terms of turnovers created (ranked no. 78 among FBS schools in 2015) and sacks (only five FBS schools had fewer total sacks), but the team finished no. 16 in the nation in overall defense and tied for 22nd overall in points allowed per game. Central Michigan was no. 24 against the pass and no. 29 against the run, allowing 193 yards and 139.2 yards per contest in those areas.
Junior Joe Ostman, who played in only three games last season but earned a Preseason Fourth Team All-MAC nod from Athlon Sports, starter Mitch Stanitzek, and starter Jabari Dean are three defensive linemen to keep an eye on when the Chippewas come to Scott Stadium. Additionally, all three linebacker starters — Central Michigan runs a 4-3 set — return from a year ago.
Safety Kavon Frazier was a 6th Round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft and is the key loss for a secondary that returns three starters from last season. Senior safety Tony Annese is back following a junior season in which he racked up 84 tackles, two-and-a-half sacks, and two interceptions. Amari Coleman (43 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception) and Josh Cox (team leader in passes defensed) bring experience and quality play to the cornerback position.
Special Teams:
Preseason Third Team All-MAC pick Brian Eavey turned in a solid 2015 season, making 16 of 24 field goals and all 38 of his extra points. One of those field goal makes was from 48 yards.
Central Michigan was dealt a significant special teams loss this offseason when Ron Coluzzi, who served as the team’s punter and kickoff specialist in 2015, transferred to Iowa. Coluzzi averaged 39.2 yards per punt last season.
Emmett Thomas, a defensive back, was the team’s primary return man last year. He averaged 20.5 yards per kickoff return in 28 tries and 3.9 yards per punt return in 10 tries.
