CMU football meets its toughest opponent

The program’s 2008 schedule
features new rivals, challenges

By: Dan Schultz

Edited by: Alexis Kowaleski and Trisha VanKoughnett

With an impressive 2007-08 season under their belt, the Central Michigan University Chippewas find a greater obstacle in the 2008—their schedule.

The Mid-American Conference announced March 11 the 2008 schedule for Central Michigan University, including opponents such as Purdue, Temple and defending Sugar Bowl champion Georgia.

But with larger opponents come larger rewards.

CMU will host a pair of appearances on the ESPN networks. ESPN2 or ESPN 360 will televise the game Nov. 12 against Northern Illinois, a team which finished last in the conference last season. The following Wednesday, Nov. 19, CMU will match up with Ball State in a televised bout on ESPN2.

“Our program has benefited greatly from the exposure we receive on ESPN,” said CMU head coach Butch Jones in an interview on cmuchippewas.com.

“Everywhere we go, people recognize the flying ‘C’ and know about Central Michigan football.”

The CMU football program has certainly earned recognition.

The two-time defending MAC champion boasts an offensive package backed by quarterback Dan LeFevour, the second player in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

“2008 has a lot of potential for CMU,” Tamra Fletcher said. Fletcher, an avid supporter of CMU football and recent alumna, was surprised with the performance of CMU over the last two seasons.

“We had our tough times… but it seems like each game we (the fans) know CMU can compete on any level,” Fletcher, a Mount Pleasant resident, explains. “It’s a relatively new feeling.”

The new schedule excites some, and worries others, like Cory Richards.

“It’s definitely a whole new playing field, with teams like Georgia and Buffalo thrown into the mix,” the Lapeer senior said.

CMU is 3-1 all-time against Buffalo, which will be making its first trek to CMU’s Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27. Georgia, a team touted to possibly reach No. 1 this year, plays CMU on Saturday, Sept. 6.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited,” Richards said. “But it’s not going to be easy.”