1.CMU falls 31-24 to Ball State in home finale

The CMU football team was one win away from three-peating the MAC West Division. All it had to do was beat its first ranked opponent to come to Kelly/Shorts Stadium -No. 14 Ball State. The two teams, with the Chippewas donning gold for the first time, exchanged blows throughout the game. But the Cardinals, behind a 177-yard performance by running back MiQuale Lewis, survived their toughest game of the year. CMU’s final drive fell short when junior quarterback Dan LeFevour uncharacteristically threw an interception to safety Sean Baker. BSU would solidify the MAC West one week later in a 45-22 win against Western Michigan, ending CMU’s MAC dominance.

2. Backup QB Brunner leads CMU to Big Ten win

Starting in place of injured LeFevour, senior quarterback Brian Brunner threw for 485 passing yards and four touchdowns as CMU defeated its first Big Ten opponent in 16 years. Brunner’s passing yards were the most by any Division I quarterback that week and the most by any player in school history. Brunner accounted for all five of CMU’s touchdowns, including running in the eventual game winner with 8:52 to play. That touchdown gave CMU its first lead of the game, yet unlike when the Chippewas played Purdue, the defense was able to maintain the lead and the 37-34 win. Following the win, the Chippewas received votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

3. CMU beats WMU for third consecutive year

CMU was without stars LeFevour and senior running back Ontario Sneed for its rivalry game against Western Michigan. It did not matter, however, with Brunner and freshman running back Bryan Schroeder running the show. Despite a career day from WMU quarterback Tim Hiller, who threw for a Kelly/Shorts Stadium record 471 yards, the Chippewas outlasted the Broncos thanks to Brunner’s 346 passing yards and Schroeder’s 106 rushing yards to win 38-28. It was CMU’s third consecutive victory in the rivalry in one of the most critical games of the early season.

4. Tempers flare at EMU

Tempers were flying and so was the football as CMU and EMU competed at Rynearson Stadium in the final game of the regular season for both teams Nov. 28. The Eagles played inspired football for their outgoing head coach Jeff Genyk, but occasionally let their emotions get the best of them. EMU had nine penalties for 97 yards and could often be seen dancing on the sidelines and taunting the CMU bench throughout the game, usually following Genyk’s lead. However, it did not slow down the EMU passing attack. Eastern quarterback Andy Schmitt set an NCAA record with 58 completions as the Eagles beat the Chippewas, 56-52, for the fourth time in five years, retaining the Michigan MAC trophy.

5. Aguila kicks overtime winner

CMU had the game in hand, up 30-6 in the middle of the third quarter inside the foggy Huskie Stadium at NIU. But behind the arm and legs of quarterback Chandler Harnish, the Huskies came back with 24 unanswered points to end the game and force overtime. CMU’s late-game heroics shined yet again in the extra period, with junior cornerback Josh Gordy intercepting his first pass of the season on NIU’s second play. The Chippewas would secure the 33-30 win on kicker Andrew Aguila’s 40-yard field goal. The win was the team’s sixth consecutive and set the stage for the Ball State showdown the following week.

6. Jones makes call of year; shock follows

Sneed caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from LeFevour with 1:18 to go in the game to cut the Boilermaker lead to one. Coach Butch Jones said after the game that his team had practiced for the exact situation all week, and it paid off as LeFevour connected with sophomore wide receiver Antonio Brown for a two-point conversion and CMU took its first lead of the game, 25-24. However, a 46-yard touchdown run from Purdue running back Kory Sheets on the very next play from scrimmage made the score 32-25 and gave Purdue the win.

7. Brunner replaces LeFevour, leads Chippewas to Homecoming win

Since 2006, Brunner had not played extensively in a college football game. But when LeFevour had to leave the game because of a right ankle injury, he stepped up and led the team to victory, a 24-14 win over Temple on Homecoming. Although his numbers – 7-for-13 for 136 yards and a touchdown – did not pop, he was critical in keeping the flow of the game in CMU’s favor. He even got the chance to perform the “Kelly/Shorts leap” following the game, joining the jubilant student section after the win.

8. Buffalo hits upright, CMU escapes

CMU’s MAC Championship aspirations might not have made it to November had it not been for the right goal post in the north end zone on Sept. 27 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium against Buffalo. After Buffalo scored a touchdown to cut CMU’s lead to 27-25 with less than two minutes to play, the Bulls recovered an onside kick at their own 42-yard line. Buffalo then drove to the CMU 29 and called timeout with three seconds remaining. UB kicker A.J. Principe had a chance to complete the late comeback with a 46-yard field goal, but his kick bounced off the right upright and CMU held on for its second MAC win.

9. Ohio fumbles

Frank Zombo jarred the ball loose from Ohio quarterback Boo Jackson at the 1-yard line and linebacker Matt Berning recovered for a touchback. Ohio would have one more chance to tie or win, but another fumble recovery – this time by defensive tackle Sean Murnane – would seal CMU’s 31-28 win.

10. The return of LeFevour

LeFevour suffered his second ankle injury of the season on the fifth play of scrimmage at Toledo. After sitting out for two drives, he returned and ensured the Chippewas left the Glass Bowl with a 24-23 win. He finished 24-of-31 for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chippewas will not face last year’s Hiller on Saturday. The junior quarterback leads the Mid-American Conference with 2,046 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 68.2 percent of his passes. Despite little running ability – 35 total rushing yards thus far – Hiller averages more yards of total offense (297.3) than any other player in the conference. Expect Hiller to showcase his ability to take over games when he tries to snap CMU’s two-game winning streak in the rivalry.

Will he play?

LeFevour still is an offensive machine, leading the team in rushing yards and passing yards with 304 and 1,377 yards respectively. Plus, he ranks fourth in the conference with a pass efficiency of 135.7. But his right ankle injury last could affect his play Saturday. His ability to win games is no question, however; he is 16-2 in MAC play, including 2-0 against Western Michigan. He accounted for three of CMU’s four touchdowns in last year’s 34-31 victory in Kalamazoo.

All-purpose runner

West was second team All-MAC last season after setting the school record with 2,119 all-purpose yards, and leading the Broncos with 848 yards rushing and 906 kick return yards in 2007. The junior running back leads the Broncos with 666 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. West also is a threat in the receiving game with three receiving touchdowns, and is the conference leader in all-purpose yards with 1175. West had 72 yards rushing, including a 15-yard touchdown, against the Chippewas last season.

Lightning in a bottle

Brown leads the Chippewas with 854 all-purpose yards and 33 receptions. He is tied for the team lead with two receiving touchdowns and is averaging 22.5 yards per punt return. Last season Brown was named MAC Freshman of the Year, earned Freshman All-America honors from six different media outlets, and was All-MAC first team as a kick returner and was All-MAC second team as a receiver. In 2007 Brown was also the first player to catch 100 passes in school history. Brown had five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown last season versus the Broncos.

Looking for redemption

Simmons had to watch most of CMU’s 34-31 victory at Waldo Stadium last season on the sideline. He was ejected early for kicking former CMU linebacker Red Keith. But the senior wide receiver is back with vengeance this season, catching 53 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns – all MAC highs. Simmons strives on moderate gains rather than deep balls, his longest catch going for 28 yards, but will give defenders headaches with his ability to grab easy first downs.

Catching on quickly

It took a few games for Anderson to get going this season. He has amassed just 382 yards and two touchdowns on 28 catches. A shoulder injury also bothered him, keeping him out of CMU’s 27-25 win against Buffalo on Sept. 27. But after last weekend’s breakout performance against Temple (149 yards on eight catches), there is no reason to doubt the junior isn’t one of the MAC’s top receivers. His height and speed make him CMU’s biggest deep threat, something he showcased last season at WMU when he caught a 40-yard pass at the 1-yard line to set up the game-winning touchdown.

Secondary senior captain

Delmas has a team-leading 56 tackles and four interceptions and six passes defended. He has also recovered one fumble this season. The senior free safety’s four interceptions are tied for the conference lead as well. Delmas was a Second Team All-MAC selection last season as well as in 2005, and was named a team captain this season. He was also a second team Freshman All-American in 2005 as well. His 12 career interceptions is best among all active WMU players. Last season Delmas had eight tackles against the Chippewas.

Durable tackling machine

Bellore is first on the team with 57 tackles and tied for the conference lead with two forced fumbles. The youngest season captain for the Chippewas, Bellore has started every game he has played since his arrival at CMU. Last season Bellore was third on the team in tackles with 102. This season, he leads the Chippewas with 57 tackles in six games, and has also forced two fumbles this year, and has had two pass break-ups. His 9.5 tackles-per-game is fourth in the MAC, while his 30 tackles in conference games is tied for third in the conference.

Homecoming is not an exclusive tradition – thousands of schools and institutions around the nation celebrate it every year.

But for CMU students and faculty, past and present, the annual event holds a distinct meaning.

It is a day that brings together alumni from across the nation and from every walk of life, all to don the maroon and gold one more time and reflect on their college years once again.

But they all come back for one more common purpose – to watch Central Michigan football at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“That’s what means so much to everybody,” said Herb Deromedi, CMU’s all-time winningest football coach and former athletic director. “You look around and see all that maroon and gold in the stands from people who came here long ago.

“There’s really an effort by alumni and former football letterwinners to come back and identify themselves with this year’s football program.”

The football team enters its 4 p.m. Saturday game against Temple with three consecutive Homecoming wins and a 53-27-1 all-time record in Homecoming games.

But between the winning and losing, from the emotional escapes to the heartbreakers, Central Michigan Life narrowed down the top five Homecoming games of all time, with help from former coaches and players who were involved.

Oct. 29, 1977

CMU 35, Bowling Green 28 (below, left)

In CMU’s first regular season appearance on ABC-TV’s regional game of the week, CMU came from behind to beat Bowling Green when Ron Rummel threw his third touchdown pass to Mike Ball with just 23 seconds left.

“I remember it was a tremendous comeback,” Ball said. “We were trailing in the game, and then behind Ron Rummel, we ended up tying the game on a touchdown reception by my good friend Brian Blank. Late in the game, I was just lucky enough to catch the last pass that he completed. I think Ron was 10-for-11 that day passing the ball. Not a lot of attempts, but he had only one incompletion.”

In days before ESPN, Ball said getting to play on television was a rare experience for Central, which finished 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the MAC, coming in second.

“At that time our program was a fledgling Division I program” he said. “To get exposure on ABC television at the time, there weren’t all the cable companies like there are today, that was a pretty big thing for our program. So that was an exciting thing to be a part of that, the first regionally televised game for Central at home.”

Oct. 14, 2006

CMU 18, Ball State 7 (below, right)

In a game to determine first place in the MAC West division, CMU came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cardinals. Redshirt freshman Dan LeFevour had 75 rushing yards and 171 passing. CMU would finish the year with its first MAC Championship since 1994.

“I think Ball State was ranked one of the highest teams in the conference at the time, so winning that game gave us a lot of momentum going throughout the season, knowing that we were going to the championship,” said junior Josh Gordy, who was a redshirt freshman on the 2006 team. “I just remember making good plays in that game and just having everybody come up after the game and congratulating me and everything.”

Gordy had an interception and fumble recovery in a defensive struggle in windy conditions. The defense stopped the Cardinals on fourth down in at the goal line early in the fourth quarter with CMU ahead 18-7.

Gordy said each year the Homecoming game has a unique significance to him.

OCT. 22, 1983

MIAMI 12, CMU 7 (left, top)

While the Chippewas lost their Homecoming game in 1983, the game marked a first on several levels.

CMU had not lost on Homecoming since 1965 prior to Miami’s 12-7 win that season. It also snapped a five-game winning streak in 1983, when CMU finished 8-3 (7-2 MAC).

“We played that game in the rain,” Deromedi said. “It was one of those games where it wasn’t very comfortable to watch.

“Not a lot of things went right for us in that game. We had far too many turnovers … We still had a chance to win late, but didn’t.”

Central lost the following week, 15-14 to Bowling Green, and fell just short of the conference championship.

OCT. 20, 1990

CMU 13, TOLEDO 12 (left, middle)

All it took was two long passing touchdowns for CMU to defeat coach Nick Saban’s Toledo squad in 1990.

Still, it was a game that came down to the final seconds, when UT kicker Rusty Hanna’s 51-yard try came up short and wide to the delight of more than 20,000 fans.

“(Toledo) had some outstanding defensive players,” said Deromedi, who led the team to an 8-3-1 record and a Mid-American Conference Championship that season. “Those who watched it knew it was a hard-fought game. We did a lot of things to get the players motivated.”

CMU quarterback Jeff Bender threw a 53-yard touchdown to Ken Ealy to give the team a 7-6 halftime lead. In the third quarter, he threw a 38-yard scoring strike to Bob Kench to erase a 12-7 Toledo lead.

Defenses kept the fourth quarter scoreless up until the final kick. Toledo went on to finish the season 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the MAC, tying CMU for the championship.

“We hadn’t beaten that team in about five years,” Deromedi said. “They were a great football team at that time.”

Oct. 22, 1994

CMU 32, Miami 30 (left, bottom)

CMU narrowly escaped Miami en route to its first Mid-American Conference title in four years. It was the last conference championship CMU would win until 2006.

A late touchdown pass from quarterback Eric Timpf gave the Chippewas the victory.

“That game set us up for success. You start getting that feeling like you’re a team of destiny,” said Brian Pruitt, the starting tailback on the ’94 team. “You feel like you’re the team that’s supposed to win this game – it’s just tough to beat a team that’s convinced that they are going to be the champions.”

Pruitt, who was a first team All-American that season, leading the conference in rushing yards, all-purpose yards and scoring, recalls the game being a war of attrition before CMU’s depth paid off. The Chippewas won their final three games after the Homecoming win, finishing 9-3 overall and 8-1 in the MAC.

“A lot of guys got hurt in that game, including myself. I didn’t finish that game. It was a big battle,” Pruitt said. “With so many guys off the field second-string and third-string players came in and they stepped it up and they filled in where we needed them to. I remember Erik Timpf marching our team down the field and the crowd was going absolutely crazy. It was a wonderful game.”