2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

Last updated

2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football
Central Michigan Chippewas logo.svg
MAC West Division co-champion
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 24–21 vs. Washington State
Conference Mid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record9–4 (6–2 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay (1st season)
Offensive scheme Pro spread
Defensive coordinator Robb Akey (3rd season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Seasons
  2020
2022  
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Kent State xy  6 2   7 7  
Miami (OH)  5 3   7 6  
Ohio  3 5   3 9  
Bowling Green  2 6   4 8  
Buffalo  2 6   4 8  
Akron  1 7   2 10  
West Division
Northern Illinois xy$  6 2   9 5  
Central Michigan x  6 2   9 4  
Toledo  5 3   7 6  
Ball State  4 4   6 7  
Eastern Michigan  4 4   7 6  
Western Michigan  4 4   8 5  
Championship: Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant

The 2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Jim McElwain and played their home games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.

Contents

The Chippewas completed their regular season with an 8–4 record and accepted a bid to the Arizona Bowl, where they were due to face the Boise State Broncos. On December 27, Barstool Sports (the title sponsor of the bowl) founder David Portnoy announced the withdrawal of the Broncos from the bowl due to COVID-19 issues within the program; organizers stated that they would attempt to secure a replacement team to face the Chippewas. [1] Later in the day, the Arizona Bowl was canceled, [2] and Central Michigan was named as a replacement team for the Sun Bowl to face the Washington State Cougars. [3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 4 4:00 p.m. at Missouri * SECN L 24–34 46,327
September 11 3:00 p.m. Robert Morris * ESPN3 W 45–0 16,128
September 18 7:30 p.m. at LSU * SECN L 21–49 92,547
September 25 12:00 p.m. FIU *
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPN+ W 31–27 18,382
October 2 3:30 p.m. at Miami (OH) ESPN+ L 17–28 15,065
October 9 3:30 p.m. at Ohio ESPN+ W 30–27 20,928
October 16 3:30 p.m. Toledo Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
CBSSN W 26–23 OT 20,112
October 23 12:00 p.m. Northern Illinois
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPNU L 38–39 15,232
November 3 7:00 p.m. at Western Michigan ESPNU W 42–30 13,137
November 10 8:00 p.m. Kent State
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPNU W 54–30 9,213
November 17 7:00 p.m. at Ball State ESPNU W 37–175,602
November 26 12:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry
ESPNU W 31–10 7,708
December 31 12:00 p.m. vs. Washington State CBS W 24–21 34,540
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[4]

Game summaries

At Missouri

Central Michigan at Missouri
Team1234Total
Central Michigan7701024
Missouri71071034
StatisticsCentral MichiganMissouri
First downs2726
Total yards475468
Rushing yards174211
Passing yards301257
Turnovers20
Time of possession31:5928:01
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassing Jacob Sirmon 23/45, 295 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 19 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJaCorey Sullivan8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TDs
MissouriPassing Connor Bazelak 21/32, 257 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Tyler Badie 25 carries, 203 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingD'ionte Smith2 receptions, 69 yards

Robert Morris

Robert Morris at Central Michigan
Team1234Total
Robert Morris00000
Central Michigan72114345
StatisticsRobert MorrisCentral Michigan
First downs328
Total yards109515
Rushing yards96287
Passing yards13228
Turnovers10
Time of possession23:2136:45
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Robert MorrisPassingGeorge Martin5/8, 13 yards
RushingJaylon Brown3 carries, 37 yards
ReceivingBryce Bevins1 reception, 12 yards
Central MichiganPassingJacob Sirmon12/16, 110 yards, 3 TDs
RushingDe'Javion Stepney9 carries, 81 yards
ReceivingDallas Dixon5 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs

At LSU

Central Michigan at LSU
Team1234Total
Central Michigan707721
LSU21147749
StatisticsCentral MichiganLSU
First downs1723
Total yards284484
Rushing yards5684
Passing yards228400
Turnovers21
Time of possession33:0226:58
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingJacob Sirmon17/24, 156 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingMyles Bailey7 carries, 29 yards
ReceivingJaCorey Sullivan5 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD
LSUPassing Max Johnson 26/35, 372 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
RushingCorey Kiner12 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDeion Smith5 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TDs

FIU

FIU at Central Michigan
Team1234Total
FIU01413027
Central Michigan01002131
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 18,382
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Jon Noli
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jim Barber and Randy Buffington
     
StatisticsFIUCentral Michigan
First downs1829
Total yards437599
Rushing yards42202
Passing yards395397
Turnovers22
Time of possession26:4033:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FIUPassingMax Bortenschlager20/38, 395 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing D'Vonte Price 17 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTyrese Chambers6 receptions, 175 yards, 1 TD
Central MichiganPassing Daniel Richardson 16/23, 276 yards, 3 TDs
RushingLew Nichols III25 carries, 152 yards
ReceivingDallas Dixon8 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TDs

At Miami (OH)

Central Michigan at Miami (OH)
Team1234Total
Central Michigan073717
Miami (OH)14001428
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Yager Stadium
    Oxford, OH
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 15,065
  • Television network: ESPN+
StatisticsCentral MichiganMiami
First downs2526
Total yards430514
Rushing yards52164
Passing yards378350
Turnovers01
Time of possession26:4533:15
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson22/41, 326 yards, 2 TDs
RushingMyles Bailey8 carries, 29 yards
ReceivingDallas Dixon7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD
MiamiPassingAJ Mayer13/18, 179 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingKeyon Mozee13 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Mac Hippenhammer 8 receptions, 170 yards

At Ohio

Central Michigan at Ohio
Team1234Total
Central Michigan7671030
Ohio379827
  • Date: October 9, 2021
  • Location: Peden Stadium
    Athens, OH
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 20,928
  • Television network: ESPN+
StatisticsCentral MichiganOhio
First downs2322
Total yards461369
Rushing yards204179
Passing yards257190
Turnovers21
Time of possession26:3333:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson16/30, 257 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingLew Nichols III30 carries, 186 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDallas Dixon4 receptions, 91 yards
OhioPassing Armani Rogers 13/18, 190 yards
Rushing De'Montre Tuggle 19 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCameron Odom4 receptions, 88 yards

Toledo

Toledo at Central Michigan
Team1234OTTotal
Toledo03713023
Central Michigan71033326
  • Date: October 16, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 20,112
  • Television network: CBSSN
StatisticsToledoCentral Michigan
First downs2013
Total yards350332
Rushing yards142128
Passing yards208204
Turnovers00
Time of possession31:3328:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ToledoPassing Dequan Finn 15/32, 208 yards
Rushing Bryant Koback 15 carries, 87 yards
Receiving Isaiah Winstead 4 receptions, 108 yards
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson21/35, 204 yards, 2 TDs
RushingLew Nichols III29 carries, 136 yards
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 6 receptions, 103 yards

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois at Central Michigan
Team1234Total
Northern Illinois711111039
Central Michigan14147338
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 15,232
  • Television network: ESPNU
StatisticsNorthern IllinoisCentral Michigan
First downs2525
Total yards548500
Rushing yards197189
Passing yards351311
Turnovers01
Time of possession36:0923:51
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IllinoisPassing Rocky Lombardi 17/27, 348 yards, 3 TDs
RushingJay Ducker31 carries, 183 yards
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph6 receptions, 160 yards, 2 TDs
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson23/36, 289 yards, 3 TDs
RushingLew Nichols III22 carries, 192 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingKalil Pimpleton6 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD

At Western Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)

Michigan MAC Trophy
Team1234Total
Central Michigan02171442
Western Michigan7710630
StatisticsCentral MichiganWestern Michigan
First downs1725
Total yards389445
Rushing yards148169
Passing yards241276
Turnovers03
Time of possession25:1434:46
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson10/18, 230 yards, 1 TD
RushingLew Nichols III26 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingKalil Pimpleton5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
Western MichiganPassing Kaleb Eleby 22/36, 276 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingSean Tyler15 carries, 59 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingCorey Crooms7 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD

Kent State

Kent State at Central Michigan
Team1234Total
Kent State14313030
Central Michigan026141454
  • Date: November 10, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 9,213
  • Television network: ESPNU
StatisticsKent StateCentral Michigan
First downs2333
Total yards456505
Rushing yards134221
Passing yards322284
Turnovers30
Time of possession23:0336:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent StatePassing Dustin Crum 28/38, 322, 2 TDs
Rushing Marquez Cooper 21 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dante Cephas 5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson21/27, 268 yards, 4 TDs
RushingLew Nichols III43 carries, 215 yards, 4 TDs
ReceivingJaCorey Sullivan5 receptions, 61 yards

At Ball State

Central Michigan at Ball State
Team1234Total
Central Michigan7216337
Ball State7100017
StatisticsCentral MichiganBall State
First downs2618
Total yards567329
Rushing yards285159
Passing yards282170
Turnovers21
Time of possession32:4727:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson20/25, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
RushingLew Nichols III32 carries, 219 yards, 3 TDs
ReceivingKalil Pimpleton7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD
Ball StatePassing Drew Plitt 21/39, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Carson Steele 20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson6 receptions, 61 yards

Eastern Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)

Michigan MAC Trophy
Team1234Total
Eastern Michigan037010
Central Michigan7371431
  • Date: November 26, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 7,708
  • Television network: ESPNU
StatisticsEastern MichiganCentral Michigan
First downs1522
Total yards226366
Rushing yards5236
Passing yards221130
Turnovers11
Time of possession27:1732:43
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern MichiganPassing Ben Bryant 24/35, 221 yards
RushingBryson Moss5 carries, 26 yards
ReceivingTanner Knue7 receptions, 70 yards
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson12/24, 130 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingLew Nichols III44 carries, 194 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJaCorey Sullivan4 receptions, 46 yards, 2 TDs

Vs. Washington State (Sun Bowl)

Sun Bowl
Team1234Total
Washington State0014721
Central Michigan1380324
    
StatisticsWashington StateCentral Michigan
First downs1115
Total yards243338
Rushing yards18145
Passing yards225193
Turnovers12
Time of possession24:4335:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Washington StatePassingVictor Gabalis11/23, 180 yards, 2 TDs
RushingNakia Watson15 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Lincoln Victor 4 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
Central MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson16/29, 193 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingLew Nichols III28 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJaCorey Sullivan6 receptions, 73 yards

References

  1. Glasspiegel, Ryan (December 27, 2021). "Dave Portnoy announces Boise State out of Barstool Bowl due to COVID-19". New York Post . Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  2. "UPDATE: Arizona Bowl canceled for 2021". KOLD-TV . December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021 via MSN.com.
  3. Sallee, Barrett (December 27, 2021). "Central Michigan to play Washington State in Sun Bowl after Miami pulls out due to COVID-19 issues". CBS Sports . Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  4. "2021 Central Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.