CMU Football looks to 'Own The Ugly' in 2026 season
Since November 2025, Kelly/Shorts Stadium has sat dormant, awaiting the arrival of the 2026 college football season after a year that has breathed life into the Central Michigan Football program.
In his first year as head coach at CMU, Matt Drinkall led the Chippewas to a winning record for the first time since 2021, finishing 7-6 after a post season loss to Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
With a solid foundation going into year two under Drinkall, the team's motto coming into the season is that sometimes you have to 'Own The Ugly.'
"You realize that those other great teams all have really talented players, really smart coaches, they all practice, they all lift weights, they all eat pretty good, they've all got cool gear, so what is it that actually separates people?" Drinkall said. "We want to take ownership of every ugly part of our jobs that we have to do, we want to embrace that, talk about it, live in it..."
The ugly
The success that the Chippewas achieved last season may prove to be a double-edged sword with the new era of college athletics and the transfer portal as many key contributors to last years feats transferred out of the program searching for new opportunity.
With key defensive backs Brenden Deasfernandes and Kalen Carroll exiting the program alongside the large senior class, the coaching staff was forced to replace eight out of its eleven defensive starters.
"We prepared for this, the transition and the loss of that senior class on defense really before we got here," Drinkall said. "One of the things that is really unique, credit to our staff especially our recruiting staff, most of our staff has a lot of history with division two, NAIA, FCS. We are pretty good at finding guys that are going to develop."
With Korver Demma, Quavion Bird and Jaion Jackson the only returners on defense, how the unit will fare is largely unknown, but will be tested quickly as the Chippewas look to take on New Mexico in week one.
The offense
Last season coach Drinkall debuted a unique offense headlined by a three quarterback rotation. However, even with senior Joe Labas graduating out of the program, a multi-quarterback system may still be the answer for CMU.
"There's six quarterbacks on the roster and they are all doing a tremendous job and if I'm being 100 percent transparent there's really kind of two groups," Drinkall said. "There's three guys who are veteran, game-tested, ready to go compete for the starting job right now and then three guys that are developmental right now in their process.
"You don't want rule out anything if it helps you win you just do it," Drinkall said.
With Labas' departure, Angel Flores and Jadyn Glasser will look to grow their roles from last season as the quarterback battle continues with Glasser only recently recovering from an injury that left him sidelined for most of the 2025 season.
"Being in this offense for a year now I am way more comfortable with the scheme and everything," Flores said. "Having done it in games I feel like I am extremely confident in my abilities, so I definitely feel confident in my position this year."
With strong continuity on the offense, the running back position stands out as both Nahree Biggins and Trey Cornist who started for the Chippewas last year will not be returning.
Brock Townsend is expected to take the reins as the primary carrier as he looks to expand on last season
"I don't want to say this in a disparaging way but I think when we first got here he [Townsend] was kind of like happy to be here and wasn't really forcing the issue and halfway through camp I grabbed him and I told him 'you know you're one of the best players on the whole team, right?' Drinkall said. "He obviously had a very good year last year but he is really starting to grow, you see him now the way his body moves and functions... he is kind of the jack-of-all-trades master of none, he is just very good at everything."
With the continuity Townsend provides, Drinkall and the coaching staff have bolstered the running back position with Liberty transfer Vaughn Blue and Holy Cross transfer Jayden Clerveaux.
"Vaughn Blue joined us, he is a veteran guy who is just exactly like Brock as far as operation, just a total professional, he was on our leadership council immediately, really good at everything and a very good compliment to Brock," Drinkall said.
What to look for this season
The Chippewas will be tested right away as the squad heads to New Mexico to take on the Lobos in week one, a team that has high expectations to compete in the Mountain West Conference.
"If you look back over probably the last ten years this is probably the most premier schedule Central Michigan has had during that time, highlighted by our opening trip out to New Mexico who I think is picked to win the Mountain West in several publications," Drinkall said.
The three-game stretch including Ohio, Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio) is one to watch as the Chippewas will get the chance to play three of the best programs in the Mid-American Conference back-to-back-to-back.
However, it is the rivalry match with Western Michigan last year that leaves the Central Michigan players wanting revenge as CMU looks to host the Broncos on Oct. 17.
"I think about that game all the time," Flores said. "I got hurt last season the game before that game and I was looking forward to that all season. I don't know why but I have always had the sense that I want to play in that rivalry game and its crazy that I came to Central, I have always had that game circled on my calendar and now since I didn't get to play in it last year I am really looking forward to it."
With the close finish the game yielded last season and the imposing atmosphere the maroon and gold faced in Kalamazoo, coach Drinkall reflected on his thoughts about the rivalry.
"One of the coolest opportunities for Central Michigan right now has been Western Michigan's success," Drinkall said. "I am glad they won the conference last year, what a great bar for us, because who benefits more from having to raise their level of anything than Central Michigan if Western Michigan does well?"
With a lot of continuity on offense, the most notable change will be the scheme as coach Drinkall looks to play to the strengths of his players.
"One thing you will see, is you will see us be a little bit more gun and pistol based this year than more under center," Drinkall said.
Finally, with such a rigorous schedule, all eyes will be on how the defense is able to adapt throughout the course of the season as so many new faces will get the chance to make a name for themselves.
