Central Michigan Controls Their Own Destiny After Western Michigan Loss
After a Western Michigan loss on Tuesday, Central Michigan has a chance to punch their ticket to the MAC Championship with a win on Friday against the Toledo Rockets.
Central Michigan finished 1-11 last season, which led to the firing of John Bonamego. Bonamego led the Chippewas to three straight bowl games from 2015 to 2017. However, after an embarrassing 2018 season and their first losing record since 2011, there was no other choice, except to fire him.
On December 2nd, 2018, Central Michigan University hired Jim McElwain. McElwain has an impressive coaching resume. As head coach of Colorado State, McElwain led the Rams to two bowl games and finished with an overall record of 22-15 before he departed for the University of Florida in 2015.
His tenure at the University of Florida only lasted two and a half years. McElwain was fired during his 3rd year after starting the season 3-4. During his first two years at the University of Florida, he led the Gators to two SEC Championships and a 1-1 record in bowl games.
Central Michigan hasn’t won a MAC Championship since 2009. However, in Jim McElwain’s first season as head coach, he has the chance to do something nobody expected. Bring a MAC Championship home to Mount Pleasant.
Talent on the Chippewas
Not all the success from this season can be credited to Jim McElwain. There is a lot of talent on this Chippewa’s team, and it begins with double graduate transfer quarterback Quinten Dormady. Dormady has performed superbly all season long. Despite only playing seven games because of an early-season injury against Wisconsin, Dormady ranks in the top 100 for total TD passes.
The Chippewa’s have two astounding running backs that they are utilizing as much as possible. Senior Jonathan Ward and Sophomore Kobe Lewis have accumulated 1,790 total rushing yards together this season. Not to mention, they have racked up a total of 23 touchdowns over the course of this season.
The running game has been an enormous part of CMU’s success this season, and they will look to utilize their two stud running backs Friday against Toledo whos rushing defense is ranked 117th in the country.
Next. Eastern Michigan Bowl Eligible for Second Straight Season. dark
MAC Championship in Sight
Central Michigan has a golden opportunity to punch their ticket into the MAC Championship. The Chips are favored by 10.5 points against Toledo, and it would undoubtedly be a disappointment if they didn’t come out on top in front of their home crowd.