CMU football dominates Wagner in home opener
Central Michigan moves to 2-2 on the season heading into conference play
Central Michigan redshirt freshman running back Kadenn Ross runs through a tackle from Wagner sophomore defensive back Vincent Bertone at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2025. Ross had four carries for 21 yards. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
Central Michigan football wasted no time in taking control of its first home game of the season. Just two plays into the game, Wagner's sophomore quarterback Jack Stevens threw a pass that was picked off by redshirt-senior linebacker Dakota Cochran and returned for a pick six, grabbing early momentum for the Chippewas.
Central Michigan began its 2025 homestand with a convincing 49-10 win against the Wagner Seahawks, dominating on both sides of the ball. The team is now 2-2 on the season.
Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time this season was a special experience for staff and players alike.
"They've (the players) been looking forward to this since we got here,” head coach Matt Drinkall said. “Playing at home in Kelly/Shorts (Stadium) in front of our people is like the most rewarding experience for our kids, and they talk about it all the time.”
The Chippewa defense came out strong early and the offense followed suit. The team finished with 506 total yards on offense and seven touchdowns in the contest.
Unlike in previous weeks, Central Michigan's offense was able to stay balanced throughout the game, ending with 233 yards on the ground and 273 through the air.
“ I was very happy to see us be balanced today, which was nice, and be able to go to the well as far as running and throwing,” Drinkall said.
After the pick six to open the game, Central Michigan’s defense continued to shine. On Wagner’s second drive of the game, Stevens fumbled the ball trying to escape pressure and Cochran came up with the ball for his second takeaway of the game, giving the Chippewas prime field position on offense.
Central Michigan's defense ended the game with three sacks, one pick six, one forced fumble and five pass breakups.
“The emphasis always, like these last three, four weeks, always been on us,” Cochran said. “It was never about our opponent. It was always about us and I feel like with that mindset, we just go out there and play our game and no one can beat us if we play our game and do our jobs and not have missed assignments and self-inflicted wounds. I feel like we came out here today and did that for the most part.”
Just six plays later, the Chippewas found themselves in pay dirt again. On the Wagner 2-yard line, junior quarterback Angel Flores took the ball on a quarterback keeper, waltzing into the end zone basically untouched for CMU’s second touchdown of the game.
At the end of the first quarter, CMU held a 14-0 advantage. The Chippewas limited the Seahawks to only 19 yards total in the opening frame while racking up 67 of their own.
Wagner began to find its legs with its first drive of the second quarter. The Seahawks executed an 11 play, five-minute drive covering 55 yards to put up a field goal for their first points of the game.
Central Michigan responded immediately with an 88-yard touchdown as redshirt-senior Joe Labas found redshirt-senior Nahree Biggins with a short swing pass. Biggins found an opening and took it to the house, increasing the CMU lead to 21-3 with about eight minutes left in the half.
The Chippewas added to their lead with a 62-yard drive ending in a 33-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Tommy McIntosh, his first career receiving touchdown.
“Tommy, I mean, he's been dynamite ever since we got here in the spring,” Drinkall said. “He is long, he's powerful. He can play the ball in the air. He plays the ball on the perimeter great.”
Central Michigan capped off the first half with another touchdown, again from 33 yards out, from Labas to redshirt-junior Tyson Davis, giving the Chippewas a 35-3 lead heading into halftime.
Central Michigan continued to control the game throughout the second half and never let the Seahawks get close, coasting to its second victory of the season.
Labas played an efficient game, leading the team in passing, racking up 241 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-14 attempts. With his performance, Labas tied his career-high in most passing touchdowns scored in a game.
“Huge win, we needed this one,” Labas said. “Glad it kind of happened the way it did too. You know, like last year with CCSU (Central Connecticut State University), I thought that kind of let us know that we can be that dynamic. So, just like today, I thought the same thing.”
Biggins led the team in receiving yards, racking up 106 and a touchdown. Redshirt-sophomore Trey Cornist led the team on the ground, rushing for 52 yards.
With non-conference play finished, Central Michigan looks ahead to next Saturday as the team hosts in-state rivals Eastern Michigan in the first Mid-American Conference matchup of the season for both squads.
“It's an in-state rival,” Drinkall said. “It's a home game, it's a conference opener. This is what we’ve been preparing ourselves for. “This is the fun part. If you don't like this part of it, you're in the wrong place. It'll be exciting, but we have a ton of work to do.”
