Preview: CMU football gears up for in-state rivalry
Central Michigan University junior quarterback Angel Flores, left, bumps heads with Central Michigan University redshirt junior offensive lineman Martin Koivisto, right, during the home opener against Wagner College at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Flores made a touchdown and was celebrating with his teammate. (CM-Life | Zoey Morse)
Central Michigan football looks to begin its Mid-American Conference slate this weekend with in-state rivals Eastern Michigan. The Chippewas, who are 2-2, will host the Eagles, who are 1-3, on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
CMU leads the all-time series 64-32-6 and has won 37 of those matchups at home. Saturday is also the first of the Michigan-MAC Trophy games, a three-way battle between CMU, EMU and Western Michigan that stretches across the season.
The Chippewas enter the contest coming off a dominant 49-10 win over Wagner. The offense piled up 506 offensive yards, 233 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while the defense held the Seahawks scoreless until the fourth quarter.
Meet the opponent
Eastern Michigan is led by veteran head coach Chris Creighton, who is entering Mount Pleasant with just one win in their first four games. The Eagles are coming off a 34-31 win against Louisiana and previously off a 48-48-23 loss to Kentucky.
Offensively, EMU is quarterbacked by Noah Kim, a transfer who has brought experience under center. The front line is also run by running back Dontae McMillan, who has already surpassed 300 yards rushing on the year, and wide receiver Terry Lockett Jr.
Defensively, the Eagles have faced major issues stopping the run. Opponents are averaging 269 yards per game on the ground and scoring almost 40 points per outing. If there is a bright spot, it’s that EMU has been efficient when it gets opportunities inside the 20, the Eagles are 100 percent in red-zone scoring this season.
Keys to victory
For Central Michigan, the path to success starts with the run game. The Chippewas so far this season are averaging 147 rushing yard per game. Establishing the ground attack early would help control the clock and wear down a struggling EMU front.
Complementing that with passing is another necessity. Mixing both components will keep Eastern from loading the box and make third-down conversions more manageable.
Defensively, the Chippewas will need to keep EMU quarterback Noah Kim uncomfortable. Forcing the Eagles into long drives increases the chance of mistakes. Winning the turnover battle and capitalizing on those opportunities could swing momentum quickly.
Finally, finishing drives matters. CMU can’t afford to settle for field goals when inside the red zone. Against a team that has scored consistently in those situations, the Chippewas will need to score any chance they get.
Saturday’s game not only opens MAC play but also gives CMU an opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the season. With an in-state rivalry, home-field advantage and a chance to start the conference slate strong, the Chippewas look to start on a high.
Central Michigan (2-2) vs. Eastern Michigan (1-3)
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Date: Saturday, Sep. 27
Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
TV: ESPN+
