With 10:48 left in the game, Central Michigan football held a 24-13 lead when quarterback Joe Labas threw an interception to the Buffalo defense, giving the Bulls excellent field position on the CMU 12-yard line.

Instead of allowing Buffalo to score and close the gap on the scoreboard, Central Michigan’s defense came up with a huge play. On the first snap of the Bulls’ drive, defensive lineman Korver Demma sacked Buffalo quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson and forced a fumble.

The ball was picked up by linebacker Dakota Cochran and returned 85 yards for a scoop-and-score touchdown, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Cochran’s return touchdown was one of five turnovers that the CMU defense forced on Wednesday night as the unit led the way in the 38-19 victory. The performance marked the first time since 2020 that the defense came away with five turnovers in a game. On this occasion, the turnovers led to 17 extra points for the Chippewas

“I cannot say enough good things about our (defensive) players, led by our senior leaders you saw on defense today,” head coach Matt Drinkall said. “Those guys show up over and over again and Sean Cronin (defensive coordinator) and his defensive staff did an unbelievable job.”

The win marks the sixth of the season for Central Michigan, meaning it is currently tied for second place in the Mid-American Conference and officially eligible to play in a bowl game for the first time since 2021.

As he has done in the past, Drinkall credited the seniors and veterans on this team for acting as a foundation and staying with the program after the changes this offseason.

“ I cannot put into words how happy I am for these guys to be rewarded for all their hard work, all their commitment and discipline,” Drinkall said.

“ It (making a bowl game) means everything,” defensive lineman Michael Heldman said. “When you work so hard to be great as a defense, or just as a team, and then you just come up short, you just have losing seasons, it sucks. … Just seeing this tonight, it's a great accomplishment and it's really awesome to see that, but we got more goals to go accomplish.”

After losing the toss and receiving the ball to start the game, CMU’s offense began its first drive completing a couple of passes downfield. On just the fourth play of the game, however, a pass from Labas was picked off and returned by the Bulls to the CMU nine-yard line.

Despite surrendering good field position, Central Michigan was able to hold the Bulls to a field goal.

With about four minutes left in the first quarter, the CMU defense came up with its first takeaway of the game. On Buffalo’s first-and-ten, a pass from Roberson was broken up by Heldman, picked off by linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski and returned for a 48-yard pick-six to get the Chippewas their first points of the game.

Central Michigan’s defense made its presence felt once again on the Bulls’ next drive. After Buffalo's receiver caught a pass that would have resulted in a first down, Central Michigan’s defensive back Aakeem Snell forced a fumble that was consequently picked up by defenisve back Jaion Jackson for a second turnover in as many drives.

CMU was unable to turn the takeaway into points, however, as both offenses struggled throughout the first half. The two teams combined for seven punts and three turnovers throughout the first thirty minutes of play.

With under three minutes to go in the half, Buffalo finally found a break. On their own 45-yard line, Roberson found his receiver for a 55 yard-touchdown pass, giving the Bulls the lead once again.

The Chippewas promptly answered with a touchdown of their own. With 48 seconds on the clock, quarterback Marcus Beamon punched the ball into the endzone to put the Chippewas up 14-10 going into halftime.

“He (Beamon) just does such a great job in every phase and even when he is not in, he is coaching and helping us win,” Drinkall said. “He continues to do a great job, and to play like that in a big game like that, very impressive.”

The offensive blunders continued into the second half for the Bulls. Just seven plays into the third quarter, Kwiatkowski caused another turnover by stripping the ball from the Buffalo running back, allowing defensive back Elijah Gordon to scoop the ball up.

This time, the Chippewas converted the turnover into points as kicker Cade Graham hit a 32-yard field goal to give Central Michigan a seven-point lead.

Buffalo answered the field goal with one of its own before the Chippewas broke a big play to open their next offensive possession.

Following up his 111-yard performance from last week against Western Michigan, which included a 77-yard catch, wide receiver Langston Lewis found himself with another huge reception, this time a 75-yard touchdown bomb, to add to the Chippewa lead.

“To be honest, I just go out there and get open,” Lewis said. “I just felt comfortable in the route. As soon as I seen them line up, I did the first move and I got past him, (and) I knew it was over. So when the ball's in the air, it’s always mine.”

Wednesday’s performance marked the first time since 2016 that a Central Michigan receiver had back-to-back games with 100 yards.

After Cochran’s touchdown return to open the fourth quarter, the game was never in doubt, as the Chippewas finished off the Bulls for the win.

Labas led the team in passing by going 18-24 for 247 yards. Labas did end the game with two interceptions, but the defense largely nullified the impact.

For Labas, having a defense that can back up the offense when it makes mistakes allows them to play more confidently.

“It frees us up a little bit to play more free,” Labas said. “Just knowing they have our back is really special.”

The rushing game was led by running back Trey Cornist, who ended the game with 62 yards on the ground. Lewis led the way in receiving with 118 yards.

Up next, the team heads back down to Ohio to play Kent State on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

CMU football earns bowl eligibility with win against Buffalo

CMU's defense forces five turnovers on the way to a 38-19 win

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