2025 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

Last updated

2025 Central Michigan Chippewas football
Central Michigan Chippewas logo.svg
Conference Mid-American Conference
Record4–3 (2–1 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJim Chapin (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorDerek Fulton (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorSean Cronin (1st season)
Home stadium Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Buffalo  3 0   4 3  
Miami (OH)  3 0   4 3  
Western Michigan  3 0   4 3  
Ball State  2 1   3 4  
Central Michigan  2 1   4 3  
Ohio  2 1   4 3  
Toledo  2 2   4 3  
Bowling Green  1 2   3 4  
Kent State  1 2   2 5  
Akron*  1 3   2 6  
Eastern Michigan  1 3   2 6  
Northern Illinois  0 3   1 6  
UMass  0 3   0 7  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • * Ineligible for postseason play due to low APR score
As of October 20, 2025

The 2025 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represent Central Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Chippewas are led by Matt Drinkall in his first year as the head coach. The Chippewas play their home games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. [1]

Contents

Preseason

The MAC Football Kickoff was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan from 9:00 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT. [2]

Preseason polls

Coaches Poll

On July 24 the MAC announced the preseason coaches' poll. [3]

MAC Coaches poll
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Toledo135 (7)
2Miami131 (3)
3Ohio123 (3)
4Buffalo115
5Northern Illinois94
6Bowling Green81
7Western Michigan71
8Eastern Michigan68
9Central Michigan65
10Ball State41
T11Akron39
T11Massachusetts39
13Kent State12
Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
Predicted finishTeamVotes
1Toledo6
2Miami4
3Ohio3

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 2910:30 p.m.at San Jose State * FS1 W 16–1414,877
September 612:00 p.m.at Pittsburgh * ESPNU L 17–4548,424
September 1312:00 p.m.at No. 23 Michigan * BTN L 3–63110,740
September 201:00 p.m. Wagner * ESPN+ W 49–1018,787
September 271:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry)
ESPN+W 24–1328,605
October 43:30 p.m.at Akron ESPN+L 22–288,995
October 1812:00 p.m.at Bowling Green CBSSN W 27–623,105
October 253:30 p.m. UMass
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPN+
November 14:00 p.m.at Western Michigan ESPNU
November 127:00 p.m. Buffalo
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN
November 197:00 p.m.at Kent State ESPN2/ESPNU
November 29 Toledo
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI

[4]

Game summaries

at San Jose State

Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) at San Jose State Spartans (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas1030316
Spartans077014

at CEFCU StadiumSan Jose, California

  • Date: August 29
  • Game time: 6:30 PM PDT
  • Game attendance: 14,877
  • Referee: Cal McNeill
  • TV announcers (FS1): Trent Rush and Will Blackmon
Game information
First quarter
  • CMU – Trey Cornist 29-yard run (Cade Graham kick), 3:14. Chippewas 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:28.
  • CMU – Cade Graham 34-yard field goal, 0:10. Chippewas 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:56.
Second quarter
  • CMU – Cade Graham 28-yard field goal, 8:26. Chippewas 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:37.
  • SJSU – Leland Smith 11-yard pass from Walker Eget (Denis Lynch kick), 4:20. Chippewas 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:58.
Third quarter
  • SJSU – Danny Scudero 45-yard pass from Walker Eget (Denis Lynch kick), 12:01. Spartans 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:59.
Fourth quarter
  • CMU – Cade Graham 28-yard field goal, 4:13. Chippewas 16–14. Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 7:16.
StatisticsCMUSJSU
First downs2019
Total yards340383
Rushing yards22575
Passing yards115308
Passing: Comp–Att–Int8–13–024–45–2
Time of possession33:4526:15
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingAngel H. Flores3/3, 59 yards
RushingNahree Biggins18 carries, 102 yards
ReceivingTommy McIntosh2 receptions, 61 yards
San Jose StatePassing Walker Eget 24/43, 308 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RushingFloyd Chalk IV11 carries, 44 yards
ReceivingDaniel Scudero9 receptions, 189 yards, TD

at Pittsburgh

Central Michigan Chippewas (1–0) at Pittsburgh Panthers (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas0107017
Panthers71771445

at Acrisure StadiumPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind: SW at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 48,424
  • Referee: Justin Elliott
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Brian Custer and Max Starks
Game information
First quarter
  • PITT – Raphael Williams Jr. 3-yard pass from Eli Holstein (Trey Butkowski kick), 11:56. Panthers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 2:58.
Second quarter
  • CMU – Cade Graham 41-yard field goal, 12:28. Panthers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 6:42.
  • PITT – Justin Holmes 12-yard pass from Eli Holstein (Trey Butkowski kick), 11:03. Panthers 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:20.
  • PITT – Josh Altsman 2-yard pass from Eli Holstein (Trey Butkowski kick), 6:40. Panthers 21–3. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:20.
  • PITT – Trey Butkowski 43-yard field goal, 2:08. Panthers 24–3. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 2:51.
  • CMU – Jadyn Glasser 2-yard run (Cade Graham kick), 11:03. Panthers 24–10. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 0:44.
Third quarter
  • CMU – DeCorion Temple 2-yard pass from Joe Labas (Cade Graham kick), 3:01. Panthers 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 7:18.
  • PITT – Raphael Williams Jr. 48-yard pass from Eli Holstein (Trey Butkowski kick), 2:15. Panthers 31–17. Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 5:06.
Fourth quarter
  • PITT – Juelz Goff Jr. 2-yard run (Trey Butkowski kick), 2:15. Panthers 38–17. Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 7:29.
  • PITT – Ja'Kyrian Turner 2-yard run (Trey Butkowski kick), 0:45. Panthers 45–17. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 2:20.
StatisticsCMUPITT
First downs1322
Total yards217465
Rushing yards40124
Passing yards177340
Passing: Comp–Att–Int27–20–032–24–1
Time of possession36:4323:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingJoe Labas11/14, 89 yards, TD
RushingAngel H. Flores9 carries, 18 yards
ReceivingCamden Kruisenga1 reception, 26 yards
PittsburghPassing Eli Holstein 21/28, 304 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Desmond Reid 10 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingRaphael Williams Jr.6 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD

at No. 23 Michigan

Central Michigan Chippewas (1–1) vs. No. 23 Michigan Wolverines (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas03003
No. 23 Wolverines1421141463

at Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, Michigan

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: SW at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 110,740
  • Referee: Matthew Richards
  • TV announcers (BTN): Jeff Levering, Jake Butt, and Brooke Fletcher
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • (12:09) MICH – Bryce Underwood 20-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 2:04; Michigan 21–0)
  • (9:23) MICH – Andrew Marsh 23-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:48; Michigan 28–0)
  • (1:51) CMU – Cade Graham 22-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 81 yards, 5:52; Michigan 28–3)
  • (0:09) MICH – Jordan Marshall 1-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 1:36; Michigan 35–3)
Third quarter
  • (8:27) MICH – Jordan Marshall 4-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:29; Michigan 42–3)
  • (3:12) MICH – Bryce Underwood 18-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 4:17; Michigan 49–3)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:01) MICH – Bryson Kuzdzal 1-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:25; Michigan 56–3)
  • (9:00) MICH – Jasper Parker 1-yard run, Dominic Zvada kick (Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:50; Michigan 63–3)
StatisticsCMUMICH
First downs835
Total yards139616
Rushing yards79381
Passing yards60235
Passing: Comp–Att–Int11–20–116–25–1
Time of possession26:5333:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingJoe Labas4/8, 36 yards, INT
RushingAngel H. Flores9 carries, 76 yards
ReceivingJustin Ruffin Jr.2 receptions, 23 yards
MichiganPassing Bryce Underwood 16/25, 235 yards, TD, INT
RushingBryce Underwood9 carries, 117 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Semaj Morgan 4 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Wagner (FCS)

Wagner Seahawks (FCS) (0–3) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks (FCS)030710
Chippewas142114049

at Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 73°F, Northwest wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 18,787
  • Referee: Chris La Mange
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Evan Stockton (play-by-play), Doc Holliday (analyst) and Sam Ramos (sidelines)
Game information
First quarter
  • CMU – Dakota Cochran 30-yard interception return (Cade Graham kick), 14:20. Chippewas 7–0. Drive: , 0:40.
  • CMU – Angel Flores 2-yard run (Cade Graham kick), 08:15. Chippewas 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 3:34.
Second quarter
  • WAG – Nicholas Romero 33-yard field goal, 08:34. Chippewas 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 5:07.
  • CMU – Nahree Biggins 88-yard pass from Joe Labas (Cade Graham kick), 08:22. Chippewas 21–3. Drive: 1 play, 88 yards, 0:12.
  • CMU – Tommy McIntosh 33-yard pass from Joe Labas (Cade Graham kick), 01:41. Chippewas 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 2:59.
  • CMU – Tyson Davis 33-yard pass from Joe Labas (Cade Graham kick), 00:16. Chippewas 35–3. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 0:59.
Third quarter
  • CMU – Brock Townsend 22-yard pass from Angel Flores (Cade Graham kick), 05:43. Chippewas 42–3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:45.
  • CMU – Angel Flores 3-yard run (Cade Graham kick), 02:54. Chippewas 49–3. Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards, 1:15.
Fourth quarter
  • WAG – A. Bailey 75-yard fumble return (Nicholas Romero kick), 13:56. Chippewas 49–10. Drive: , 1:44.
StatisticsWAGCMU
First downs724
Plays–yards55–11366–506
Rushes–yards35–7248–233
Passing yards41273
Passing: comp–att–int12–20–114–18–0
Turnovers22
Time of possession27:3732:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
WagnerPassingJordan Barton7/12, 18 yards
RushingMatt Morad9 carries, 35 yards
ReceivingRichard Perkins Jr.3 receptions, 9 yards
Central MichiganPassingJoe Labas12/14, 241 yards, 3 TD
RushingTrey Cornist11 carries, 52 yards
ReceivingNahree Biggins3 receptions, 106 yards, TD

Eastern Michigan (rivalry)

Eastern Michigan Eagles (1–3) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles337013
Chippewas1470324

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), sunny, S 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 28,605
  • Referee: Marcel Kerr
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Doug Sherman (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)
  • [5]
Game information
First quarter
  • CMU – Brock Townsend 1-yard pass from Joe Labas (Cade Graham kick), 9:36. Chippewas 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:24.
  • CMU – Nahree Biggins 49-yard run (Cade Graham kick), 5:03. Chippewas 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:51.
  • EMU – Rudy Kessinger 41-yard field goal, 1:25. Chippewas 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 3:39.
Second quarter
  • CMU – Langston Lewis 2-yard pass from Angel Flores (Cade Graham kick), 10:46. Chippewas 21–3. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:39.
  • EMU – Rudy Kessinger 38-yard field goal, 5:57. Chippewas 21–6. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 4:43.
Third quarter
  • EMU – Noah Kim 14-yard run (Rudy Kessinger kick), 10:45. Chippewas 21–13. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:09.
Fourth quarter
  • CMU – Cade Graham 22-yard field goal, 7:08. Chippewas 24–13. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:59.

On September 27, 2025, Central Michigan University (CMU) defeated Eastern Michigan University (EMU) 24–13 in their Mid-American Conference opener at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, before 28,605 fans—the ninth-largest crowd in stadium history. CMU, led by first-year coach Matt Drinkall, improved to 3–2, while EMU fell to 1–4.

CMU jumped to a 21–3 lead with touchdowns on their first three possessions: a 1-yard pass from Joe Labas to Brock Townsend, a 49-yard run by Nahree Biggins, and a 2-yard pass from Angel Flores to Langston Lewis. EMU responded with two field goals and a 14-yard touchdown run by Noah Kim, narrowing the score to 21–13 in the third quarter. A crucial interception by CMU's Maddix Blackwell and a 14-play, 72-yard drive, capped by a 22-yard field goal from Cade Graham, sealed the 24–13 victory. CMU dominated possession, holding the ball for over 11 minutes in the fourth quarter.

Flores and Biggins led CMU with career-high rushing totals of 134 and 113 yards, respectively, contributing to a season-high 305 rushing yards. Labas completed 14 of 16 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. For EMU, Noah Kim threw for 175 yards but had one interception. [6]

StatisticsEMUCMU
First downs1922
Plays–yards52–29866–451
Rushes–yards24–12350–313
Passing yards175138
Passing: comp–att–int17–28–114–16–0
Turnovers10
Time of possession23:3635:46
Key Player Statistics
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
EMUPassing Noah Kim 17/28, 175 yards, INT
RushingDeion McMillan13 carries, 71 yards
ReceivingBen Prosper3 receptions, 37 yards
CMUPassingJoe Labas14/16, 138 yards, TD
RushingAngel Flores22 carries, 134 yards
ReceivingTommy McIntosh2 receptions, 59 yards

at Akron

Central Michigan Chippewas (3–2) vs. Akron Zips (1–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas373922
Zips01414028

at InfoCision Stadium–Summa FieldAkron, Ohio

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 8,995
  • Referee: Billy Williams
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)
  • [7]
Game information
First Quarter
  • (5:46) CMU – Cade Graham 46-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:45; Central Michigan 3–0)
Second Quarter
  • (12:15) AKR – Kyan Mason 22-yard pass from Ben Finley, Owen Wiley kick (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:23; Akron 7–3)
  • (8:34) CMU – Angel Flores 28-yard run, Cade Graham kick (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 1:30; Central Michigan 10–7)
  • (3:13) AKR – Jordan Gant 16-yard pass from Ben Finley, Owen Wiley kick (Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:12; Akron 14–10)
Third Quarter
  • (10:38) AKR – Max Whisner 1-yard pass from Michael Johnson Jr., Owen Wiley kick (Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:16; Akron 21–10)
  • (3:35) AKR – Conner Cravaack 2-yard pass from Ben Finley, Owen Wiley kick (Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 4:47; Akron 28–10)
  • (0:02) CMU – Cade Graham 35-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:33; Akron 28–13)
Fourth Quarter
  • (11:35) CMU – Angel Flores 2-yard run (Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 2:04; Akron 28–19)
  • (1:33) CMU – Cade Graham 47-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 2:34; Akron 28–22)
StatisticsCMUAKR
First downs2020
Total yards374417
Rushing yards238162
Passing yards136255
Passing: Comp–Att–Int14–25–020–31–1
Time of possession27:4232:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassingJoe Labas12/21, 134 yards
RushingBrock Townsend8 carries, 108 yards
ReceivingTyson Davis3 receptions, 51 yards
AkronPassing Ben Finley 18/29, 252 yards, 3 TD, INT
RushingJordan Gant32 carries, 176 yards
ReceivingKyan Mason5 receptions, 125 yards, TD

at Bowling Green

Central Michigan Chippewas (3–3) vs. Bowling Green Falcons (3–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas----0
Falcons----0

at Doyt Perry StadiumBowling Green, Ohio

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Adam Breneman (analyst) and Patrick Peterson (sideline)
StatisticsCMUBGSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Bowling GreenPassing
Rushing
Receiving

UMass

UMass Minutemen (0–7) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (4–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Minutemen----0
Chippewas----0

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsMASSCMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UMassPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Western Michigan (rivalry)

Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas----0
Broncos----0

at Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: November 1
StatisticsCMUWMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Buffalo

Buffalo Bulls (0–0) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulls----0
Chippewas----0

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 7:00 PM EST
StatisticsBUFFCMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
BuffaloPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Kent State

Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas----0
Golden Flashes----0

at Dix StadiumKent, Ohio

  • Date: November 19
  • Game time: 7:00 PM EST
StatisticsCMUKENT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Kent StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Toledo

Toledo Rockets (0–0) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rockets----0
Chippewas----0

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Date: November 29
StatisticsTOLCMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ToledoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. "2025 Football Coaching Staff". Central Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  2. "2025 Division I FBS Media Days". www.sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  3. "Toledo Selected as Favorite in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  4. "2025 Central Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  5. https://cmuchippewas.com/sports/football/stats/2025/eastern-michigan/boxscore/9551
  6. https://cmuchippewas.com/news/2025/9/27/football-chippewas-strike-early-snuff-out-eastern-michigan-23-14-in-mac-opener
  7. https://dxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net/sidearm.nextgen.sites/cmuchippewas.com/stats/football/2025/pdf/20251004061139-40654.pdf