Central Michigan football finally returns home after three weeks of out-of-conference road games to take on Wagner, entering on a two game losing streak.

CMU looks to bounce back after a 63-3 loss against the 23 ranked Michigan Wolverines in which the offense struggled, putting up only 142 yards in the Big House.

"Our kids are hungry to preform better," head coach Matt Drinkall said. "To me there are some things we took away in-game but afterward you see first hand, when you play a really quality opponent who is well coached and well prepared, if you are not buttoned up and ready to go, they will expose you."

This weeks matchup against Wagner marks the first of five home games for the Chippewas this season, notably being the first home game under Drinkall.

Meet the opponent

Wagner hails from the Football Championship Subdivision and enters its match with Central Michigan 0-3, coming off of a 21-10 loss to the Marist Red Foxes.

The Seahawks have already faced off against one Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, taking on Kansas in which the squad lost 46-7 to the Jayhawks.

"We expect to win every game, but you know what, that happened, it is in the past," defensive lineman Michael Heldman said. "All we can focus now on is being at home, being in front of a good crowd and just playing our best ball, it does not really matter who we play."

Wagner's offense has gotten off to a slow start this season, throwing seven interceptions through the first three games and totaling just 283 yards through the air.

The Seahawks are led by Boston College running back transfer Andre Hines Jr. who has been the bright spot on a struggling Wagner offense. Hines Jr. has racked up 170 yards and two touchdowns on the ground so far this season.

Keys to victory

Wagner has proven to be prone to turnovers early this season, coughing up the ball nine times total in three games giving the Chippewas a clear advantage as CMU has taken a conservative approach centered around taking care of the football.

Wagner quarterback Jack Stevens has struggled under pressure, turning the ball over six times by himself already this season as his offensive line has struggled with pass protection. The defensive line could be key factor to controlling the pace of the game defensively for the Chippewas.

"It is really about going out there and executing the best we can, not jumping offsides and being the best d-line we can be," Heldman said.

The Central Michigan offensive line will likely be another notch in favor of CMU, as Wagner has struggled to defend both the run and get pressure in the passing game, allowing 200.7 yards per game on the ground and 219 yards per game through the air.

However, the burden of the offense for CMU will now rely on the tandem of Joe Labas and Angel Flores, as Jadyn Glasser, the third quarterback in Drinkalls offensive system, has struggled with injury dating back to Sept. 6 contest with Pittsburgh.

"The reason we ended up on the three quarterback rotation is because we came out of camp thinking we had three starters, so now we are just in a situation where we have two," Drinkall said. "You will see a two man attack the rest of the way for sure."

As long as Glasser's absence is not felt on the field and Central Michigan is able to dominate the trenches, CMU should exit its first home game of the year with a victory.

Central Michigan (1-2) vs. Wagner (0-3)

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Date: Saturday, Sep. 20

Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium

Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan

TV: ESPN+