Football fighting for bowl eligibility after Kent State loss


footballkentstate_rd_17
Rich Drummond | Assistant Photo Editor

Following Saturday's 27-24 loss to Kent State, John Bonamego said he was unable to speak to the confidence level of his football team moving forward.

"I challenged them to have some inner reflection and figure out where each man can get better," he said. "I don't believe (the losses) are a function of effort. There's a difference between playing hard and playing well."

Central Michigan is now one Western Michigan win away from being mathematically eliminated from Mid-American Conference title contention.

The loss dropped CMU’s record to 5-4 and 2-3 in conference play. They are tied for third place in the MAC West Division with Eastern Michigan.

In order for CMU to qualify for the MAC Championship Game, it would need to win the rest of its games and have WMU and Toledo lose every remaining game.

Although CMU is unlikely to win the MAC this season, the team can still finish with eight wins — something no CMU team has done since 2009. The Chippewas can become bowl eligible with one more victory this season.

"It's football. You play to win games," Bonamego said. "(Kent State) is out of it, but that didn't stop them from coming in here and competing hard to get a win."

The Chippewas remaining opponents are Miami (OH), Eastern Michigan and Ohio. The three teams have a combined record of 15-14 (9-5 MAC).

To improve upon its 7-6 record from last season, CMU will have to win each of its final three games.

"We have to focus on moving on to the next game and see what we're really made of," said senior defensive lineman Jabari Dean. "The seniors and captains have to make sure the team keeps its focus."

Prior to this weekend, ESPN college football beat writers projected CMU to appear in either the Idaho Potato Bowl or the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Although the Chippewas would become bowl eligible with six wins, there isn't a guarantee they would be selected for a bowl game with a 6-6 record, especially if enough teams finish with a better record.

The Chippewas went 6-6 in 2013, but did not received a bowl game invitation.  

CMU hasn't won a bowl game since defeating Western Kentucky in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in 2012.

The Chippewas have lost in their last two bowl game appearances including a 21-14 loss to Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl last season.

CMU will look to end its two-game losing streak at 6 p.m. on Friday against the RedHawks.

Share: