The state of the team
Nonconference play has been an absolute roller coaster mentally, physically and emotionally for the Central Michigan University football team.
With the sour taste of a 24-10 loss to Kansas still lingering, the Chippewas will reflect on the gratifying highs and destitute-ridden lows that have come with the first four weeks of play.
CMU began the season a 16-point comeback victory in front of students and supporters. It was the ideal way to start the 2014 campaign.
A week later, senior running back Thomas Rawls made a name for himself on the field earning Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors during CMU’s 38-17 thrashing of Purdue.
For a few brief moments, an undefeated nonconference schedule seemed a legitimate possibility in fans’ hearts and minds.
Then the morning of the Syracuse game dawned.
It was announced Rawls would not play in what eventually became a 40-3 blowout loss to the Orange. Two days later, it became public that Rawls is being charged with three felonies after he allegedly stole a women's purse at the Soaring Eagle Casino. His indefinite suspension was announced immediately.
It was a sucker punch to the gut. The Chippewas had suddenly lost their most productive offensive asset.
Kansas is a dreadfully bad team. Outside of a fluke touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage, KU was almost as uninspiring in all three phases of the game as CMU was.
The Chippewas had multiple chances to grab the lead in the fourth quarter, but without injured wide receiver Titus Davis and Rawls, never really showed the ability to do so.
After Saturday's loss, Head coach Dan Enos called the nonconference schedule the “exhibition season.” It begs the question: Would coach still characterize this exciting subcategory of the season the same way had his team gone 4-0 heading into MAC play this year?
The Chippewas nonconference schedule was extremely favorable.
Losing to Syracuse the way the team did two weeks ago might be understandable, given the circumstances of that day.
But losing to Kansas after tying the Jayhawks through three quarters is simply unacceptable.
It is time to get it together. The “real” season starts now.
Just ask Coach Enos.
