2008 Woodie Awards
Regulation not typical in rivalry
Overtime needed for last three games against Eastern
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Regulation football has become hard to come by in the Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan rivalry.
In the last three meetings, the schools have needed overtime to decide a winner, with EMU winning twice.
CMU faces EMU at 7 p.m. tonight at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"The last time they came into Kelly/Shorts, they won," said CMU coach Butch Jones. "They've been great games - they've been typical rival games."
Last season in Ypsilanti, EMU scored with 13 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Junior quarterback Brian Brunner, who played the majority of the game for an injured Dan LeFevour, connected with sophomore receiver Bryan Anderson in overtime for the winning touchdown in CMU's 24-17 win.
As far as the Mid-American Conference title goes, this season's game is virtually meaningless. CMU clinched its spot in the MAC championship game Nov. 6 at Western Michigan, while Eastern (3-8 overall, 2-4 MAC) is out of the race.
But Central is using other means of motivation for its last game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium this season.
"It's another opportunity to compete," Jones said. "Anybody that's a true competitor loves competition. And it's senior night."
With a win, CMU (6-4 overall, 5-0 MAC) would be unbeaten in its division for the first time. It also would win the Michigan MAC Trophy for the second consecutive year.
"I'm just trying to get this win. We want to be the first (Central) team to go undefeated in the MAC," said senior receiver Justin Gardner. "I'm just trying to play hard and help my team win."
After clinching the MAC West Division last season, CMU traveled to Northern Illinois and was dismantled, 35-7.
"We're looking at it as another football game," said senior linebacker Red Keith. "We want to continue to go out and add onto what we can do this year. We don't want to go out and lay an egg like we did last year after we clinched."
Senior running back Pierre Walker accelerates Eastern's offensive attack. He had a career-high 155 yards last week in EMU's 52-28 loss to Bowling Green.
Senior Jason Jones anchors the Eagles' defense at defensive tackle. He is 11th in the nation in tackles for loss per game.
"I've actually seen Jones dominate and take over games," (Butch) Jones said. "A lot people think he'll be a high-round draft pick."
For the seniors, the game is one more showcase for the Mount Pleasant faithful.
"They need to enjoy the opportunity they have to compete," Jones said. "They get a chance to represent the maroon and gold amongst their peers, the student body, their family, their fans, and I want them to enjoy it."
sports@cm-life.com
In the last three meetings, the schools have needed overtime to decide a winner, with EMU winning twice.
CMU faces EMU at 7 p.m. tonight at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"The last time they came into Kelly/Shorts, they won," said CMU coach Butch Jones. "They've been great games - they've been typical rival games."
Last season in Ypsilanti, EMU scored with 13 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Junior quarterback Brian Brunner, who played the majority of the game for an injured Dan LeFevour, connected with sophomore receiver Bryan Anderson in overtime for the winning touchdown in CMU's 24-17 win.
As far as the Mid-American Conference title goes, this season's game is virtually meaningless. CMU clinched its spot in the MAC championship game Nov. 6 at Western Michigan, while Eastern (3-8 overall, 2-4 MAC) is out of the race.
But Central is using other means of motivation for its last game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium this season.
"It's another opportunity to compete," Jones said. "Anybody that's a true competitor loves competition. And it's senior night."
With a win, CMU (6-4 overall, 5-0 MAC) would be unbeaten in its division for the first time. It also would win the Michigan MAC Trophy for the second consecutive year.
"I'm just trying to get this win. We want to be the first (Central) team to go undefeated in the MAC," said senior receiver Justin Gardner. "I'm just trying to play hard and help my team win."
After clinching the MAC West Division last season, CMU traveled to Northern Illinois and was dismantled, 35-7.
"We're looking at it as another football game," said senior linebacker Red Keith. "We want to continue to go out and add onto what we can do this year. We don't want to go out and lay an egg like we did last year after we clinched."
Senior running back Pierre Walker accelerates Eastern's offensive attack. He had a career-high 155 yards last week in EMU's 52-28 loss to Bowling Green.
Senior Jason Jones anchors the Eagles' defense at defensive tackle. He is 11th in the nation in tackles for loss per game.
"I've actually seen Jones dominate and take over games," (Butch) Jones said. "A lot people think he'll be a high-round draft pick."
For the seniors, the game is one more showcase for the Mount Pleasant faithful.
"They need to enjoy the opportunity they have to compete," Jones said. "They get a chance to represent the maroon and gold amongst their peers, the student body, their family, their fans, and I want them to enjoy it."
sports@cm-life.com
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