Central Michigan names four captains for 2018 season


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Senior running back Devon Spalding is tackled during the game against Rhode Island on Aug. 31 in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Central Michigan football coach John Bonamego said he would be astonished if linebacker Malik Fountain and defensive end Mitch Stanitzek were not named captains at Aug. 19 at Media Day. 

With Fountain and Stanitzek as locks for the two captain spots, the Chippewas also added offensive lineman Shakir Carr and wide receiver Devon Spalding to the group of leaders. 

Fountain is a 6-foot-2, 230-pound fifth-year senior. After taking a redshirt in 2014, Fountain started all 13 games throughout the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. 

Last campaign, Fountain was a Second Team All-Mid American Conference member. He was first on the team with 89 tackles, contributing 2.5 tackles for a loss. 

From West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids, Stanitzek is in his fifth season with the Chippewas. He played seven games in 2014, 13 games in 2015, two games in 2016 and 13 games in 2017. 

Stanitzek, in the most recent season, made 12 starts. He logged 39 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He made a career-high seven tackles in a victory at Western Michigan on Nov. 1. 

Carr took a redshirt in 2014 and, like Fountain, has been active for the previous three seasons. Last year, the 6-foot-4, 308-pound offensive lineman saw action in nine games, making eight starts. He started four games at right guard, three at left guard and one at right tackle for the Chippewas in 2017. 

At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Spalding nearly quit the CMU football team this spring but decided to return. In addition to coming back, he switched from running back to wide receiver for the 2018 season. 

In 2017, Spalding only contended in four games before going down with a season-ending injury. He has run the ball 298 times for 1,412 yards and 13 touchdowns in his CMU career. He's added 53 receptions for 378 yards and one score.

With all four captains being fifth-year seniors on the team, the Chippewas are primed to strut their stuff with profit in the season-opener on the road against Kentucky on Sept. 1. 

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