Report Card: Chippewas average through first five games
After getting off to an 3-0 start, the Central Michigan football team lost its last two games by a combined score of 98-45.
During the first three games, CMU was ranked in the nation's Top 25 teams in offensive and defensive categories.
In order to achieve its goal of winning a Mid-American Conference Championship, CMU needs improvement at multiple position groups.
Here's my grades for each position group after the first five games.
Passing Game: B+
Senior quarterback Cooper Rush is chasing multiple CMU all-time records.
Rush has passed for 307 yards per game and has totaled 14 touchdowns as the signal caller for the MAC's second-best passing offense.
Rush is also on pace to become the career leader in interceptions, a problem that has come up this season late in games.
During the 49-10 rout against Western Michigan, Rush threw a red zone interception during the third quarter that was returned for a touchdown. He also threw a late-game interception against Oklahoma State which appeared to seal CMU's fate before the improbable Hail Mary victory.
Running Game: C-
Coming in to this season, the ability to run the ball was CMU's biggest concern after finishing last year as the worst rushing team in the MAC.
The team made it a priority to improve on it over the offseason and have had mixed results. After a strong start against Presbyterian, the running game has struggled.
CMU ranks second worst in the conference in rushing at 3.9 yards per carry. Without being able to keep defenses honest, the Chippewas will be leaving Rush vulnerable to a constant pass rush.
Offensive Line: C-
The offensive line played its worst game of the season against WMU, allowing Rush to be sacked eight times. It was also the first time the team failed to eclipse 100 yards rushing this season.
Junior Derek Edwards will be out with an injury for a couple of weeks, leaving redshirt freshman Steve Eipper starting at right tackle.
Passing Defense: B
The defensive backfield has been solid in preventing big plays down field and has excelled in creating turnovers with six interceptions, tied for best in the MAC.
Against Virginia, the Chippewas were gashed for 421 yards and five touchdowns. Annese's presence was missed against WMU, as the Broncos compiled an efficient 15-of-21 attempts for 170 yards and three touchdowns.
CMU will need Tony Annese to return to the field as soon as possible and keep preventing offenses from breaking off big plays down the field.
Rushing Defense: B
After allowing 254 rushing yards to WMU in Saturday's blowout loss, the Chippewas' defense is ranked fourth in the MAC in defending the run, allowing 135 yards per game.
Sophomore Malik Fountain has been a run stopper at linebacker, leading the team with 30 tackles, three of which were for losses.
Senior defensive lineman Joe Ostman has also helped fill gaps throughout the season, compiling 22 tackles and four for loss.
Although the defense's performance against WMU was poor, it appears to be an outlier in what has been a consistently difficult defense to run against.
