Just six days ago, the football team made the hour trip down US-127 for its matchup against in-state opponent Michigan State.

The Chippewas came back with one of the biggest wins the program ever had. The 2009 team solidified its place in the storied history of the entire athletic program.

But it refuses to talk about it.

“It’s in the past,” said senior quarterback Dan LeFevour. “And we’re not going to let it beat us this week.”

As the Chippewas come off the win in East Lansing, the team collectively expressed what lies ahead is more important than what is in the past.

That notion will be put into action as the team looks to Alcorn State, a Football Championship Subdivision school. The game against the Braves represents what is traditionally called a “trap game.”

Alcorn State is 4-18 in its past two seasons, but matching the emotional level needed against MSU will be hard to duplicate. Coach Butch Jones said the focus is taking one game at a time, regardless of the opponent.

“In college football, you have 12 opportunities,” Jones said. “Every game’s a playoff — there is not a tournament at the end, so every game counts — and this is another game towards our goal.”

A Storied History

A hangover game can be looked at as a game following a big win or an emotional loss — a game that might stick with a team and follow it through the week.

This is not an unfamiliar situation for CMU the last couple years.

Last season, following an emotional 31-24 loss against nationally ranked Ball State, the Chippewas suffered a 56-52 loss to an Eastern Michigan team, which was 2-6 in conference play, to close the regular season.

And the season before that, Central Michigan again was defeated by the Eagles a week after a last-minute win over rival Western Michigan on the road to clinch the MAC West. Even in 1991 and ’92 — the last time CMU defeated MSU — the Chippewas went on to losing records and failed to bring back a Mid-American Conference title.

“I think you always look back,” Jones said. “But I think if you’re competitive by nature and passionate in what you do and you get to step out on that field, I think that’s all you want.”

Hangover Cure

Jones quickly counted off the number of home games his players have remaining. The seniors have just five games remaining in Kelly/Shorts Stadium. He said the there are not many games left at Kelly/Shorts Stadium for any of his players.

“That’s powerful stuff,” he said.

After Saturday’s win, Jones imposed the 24-hour rule, in which the team has a day to celebrate and take in its second Big Ten win in two seasons.
After that, it is time to move on.

“I know you have to fight human nature,” Jones said. “But one poor decision can take away all the hard work you put into it for a full year.”
He stressed that point to his players, but said the team’’s leaders will hammer it home.

“We make them realize that every opportunity is special,” said LeFevour, a team captain. “We can’t take anything for granted.”

Jones said preparation does not change based on the opponent.

“You look on the film and Alcorn State speaks for themselves,” Jones said.
“You see athletes running all over the place and (the players) better know that we’re going to be challenged and, if they watch enough film, they can see that for themselves.”

Just two weeks ago, to open the college football season, Oklahoma State defeated a top five team in Georgia. Last week, the team was defeated by an inferior Houston team, 45-35.

It only goes to show the hangover is there if a team lets it be. The Michigan State game can still have an effect on CMU.

“We can’t let Michigan State beat us by a hangover,” Jones said. “And I don’t anticipate that happening.”

E-mail the author: Dave Jones