2008 Woodie Awards
Seniors face WMU for final time
By: Brian Manzullo
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Tuesday's game at Western Michigan will bear a more significant meaning to the football team's seniors.
It will be their last chance to beat CMU's biggest rival - on its home field at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.
"I definitely don't want to leave here losing to Western Michigan," said senior linebacker Ike Brown.
Neither did last year's seniors in the Chippewas' 31-7 rout of the Broncos on Nov. 10, 2006.
Defensive end Dan Bazuin recorded two sacks, offensive tackle Joe Staley helped control the line of scrimmage and receivers Obed Cetoute and Damien Linson combined for 125 yards to lead Central last season.
Coach Butch Jones said this year's rivalry game is the next stage to winning a championship - but it has more meaning to the seniors.
"It's their last rival game," he said. "Our fifth-year seniors are 2-2 against Western. When you leave here and you graduate, you always remember your rival games and especially your last rivalry game."
Road rules
Ending their college career with a win against WMU, however, will be difficult for this year's seniors.
Central has not beaten the Broncos on the road since 1993, when it won 23-18. WMU won 31-24 in the last rivalry game at Waldo Stadium in 2005. The home team is 15-2 since 1990.
Senior wide receiver Justin Gardner said the home team usually brings its best game entering the rivalry matchup.
"They're hyped up and they got the crowd," he said. "And when they come here, it's the same thing. You've just got to match their intensity when you go into someone else's house."
Last year's win against Western propelled CMU to the Mid-American Conference West Division championship. A win against WMU this year could do the same if Toledo beats Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Gardner said his last rivalry game bears just as much importance as the remainder of the schedule.
"Every game from now on - Western, Eastern and Akron - is important to me," Gardner said. "This game is another step closer to a ring."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
It will be their last chance to beat CMU's biggest rival - on its home field at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.
"I definitely don't want to leave here losing to Western Michigan," said senior linebacker Ike Brown.
Neither did last year's seniors in the Chippewas' 31-7 rout of the Broncos on Nov. 10, 2006.
Defensive end Dan Bazuin recorded two sacks, offensive tackle Joe Staley helped control the line of scrimmage and receivers Obed Cetoute and Damien Linson combined for 125 yards to lead Central last season.
Coach Butch Jones said this year's rivalry game is the next stage to winning a championship - but it has more meaning to the seniors.
"It's their last rival game," he said. "Our fifth-year seniors are 2-2 against Western. When you leave here and you graduate, you always remember your rival games and especially your last rivalry game."
Road rules
Ending their college career with a win against WMU, however, will be difficult for this year's seniors.
Central has not beaten the Broncos on the road since 1993, when it won 23-18. WMU won 31-24 in the last rivalry game at Waldo Stadium in 2005. The home team is 15-2 since 1990.
Senior wide receiver Justin Gardner said the home team usually brings its best game entering the rivalry matchup.
"They're hyped up and they got the crowd," he said. "And when they come here, it's the same thing. You've just got to match their intensity when you go into someone else's house."
Last year's win against Western propelled CMU to the Mid-American Conference West Division championship. A win against WMU this year could do the same if Toledo beats Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Gardner said his last rivalry game bears just as much importance as the remainder of the schedule.
"Every game from now on - Western, Eastern and Akron - is important to me," Gardner said. "This game is another step closer to a ring."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
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