Central Michigan Chippewas football

The Central Michigan Chippewas football team (also referred to as the CMU Chippewas) is a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University. They are a top 25 program in terms of all-time winning percentage and top five amongst all teams from non-BCS automatic qualifying conferences. The Chippewas currently compete in the Mid-American Conference.

National Championships
The Chippewas won the 1974 NCAA Division II National Championship by defeating Delaware 54-14.

Western Michigan Broncos
These arch rivals first met in 1907 and have faced one another annually since 1943. Since the two schools are separated by just a 2 hour drive, the visiting team typically has a strong fan and student presence at the game. The winner of the game receives the Cannon Trophy. The outcome also helps determine the winner of the Michigan MAC Trophy, a trophy fought over between Michigan's three MAC football teams: the Chippewas, the Broncos, and the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

1975: Central Michigan 34, Western Michigan 0

In the Chippewas' first MAC game, they shutout the Broncos 34-0 at the then Perry Shorts Stadium.

2000: Central Michigan 21, Western Michigan 17

The Broncos entered this game with an 8-1 record, atop the conference standings, and on the brink of a top 25 ranking. Conversely, the Chippewas entered the game with a 1-8 record. However, the Chippewas shocked the Broncos, defeating them 21-17.

2004: Central Michigan 24, Western Michigan 21 (OT)

Trailing 21-7 with 2 minutes remaining, Chippewa quarterback Kent Smith rushed for a touchdown. The Broncos secured the ensuing kickoff, but would fumble to CMU. Several plays later, Smith threw a touchdown pass to tie the game and force overtime. The Chippewas went on to win the game 24-21 on a 25-yard field goal. After the kick, the CMU students rushed the field.

2007: Central Michigan 34, Western Michigan 31

Western Michigan scored 14 points within 33 seconds to take a 31-27 lead with less than two minutes remaining. But, on the Chippewas' following drive, quarterback Dan LeFevour threw a 39 yard pass to Bryan Anderson at the 1-yard line. LeFevour then rushed for the winning touchdown.

2008: Central Michigan 38, Western Michigan 28

Senior quarterback Brian Brunner got the nod over injured Dan LeFevour in a matchup of two MAC undefeateds. It was also the first game that would be played for the newly minted "Cannon Trophy." The Chippewas, led by Brunner's 341 yards passing and freshman running back Bryan Schroeder's 141 yards rushing downed the Broncos.

Eastern Michigan Eagles
The Chippewas and Eagles maintain a less prominent, but steady rivalry. These opponents know each other well as they have faced each other over 80 times.

Michigan State Spartans
These two teams only first met in 1991, but a rivalry quickly developed. The two schools are separated by just 68 miles of U.S. Route 127. Michigan State leads the rivalry 6-3.

1991: Central Michigan 20, Michigan State 3

The defending Big Ten Co-Champion Spartans entered the game ranked 19th in the nation. They were thought of as such a high favorite that odds-makers did not release point spreads for the game. Yet, the underdog Chippewas never trailed, beating the Spartans by a score of 20-3.

1992: Central Michigan 24, Michigan State 20

CMU went back into Spartan stadium a year later and won a hard fought battle to stun the surging Spartans. After beating the Spartans two straight years, the rivalry was born.

2009: Central Michigan 29, Michigan State 27

With 32 seconds remaining, Chippewa quarterback Dan LeFevour threw a touchdown pass to Paris Cotton to put the Chippewas within one point. After a failed two-point conversion, Bryan Anderson recovered the ensuing onside kick to set up a field goal attempt. After an offside penalty negated a missed attempt, Andrew Aguila hit the game winning 42-yard field goal.

Current NFL players

 * Nick Bellore - Linebacker, New York Jets
 * Antonio Brown - Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Josh Gordy - Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts
 * Cullen Jenkins – Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles
 * Joe Staley – Offensive Tackle, San Francisco 49ers
 * Frank Zombo - Outside Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
 * Tory Humphrey - Tight End, Oakland Raiders
 * Colin Miller - Center, Oakland Raiders
 * Rocky Weaver - Offensive Tackle, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Vince Agnew - Cornerback, Dallas Cowboys
 * Matt Berning - Linebacker, New York Jets

Current CFL players

 * Dan LeFevour – Quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
 * Isaac Brown - Linebacker, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
 * Obed Cétoute - Wide Receiver, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * Eric Fraser - Safety, Calgary Stampeders
 * Greg Wojt - Offensive Tackle, Edmonton Eskimos
 * Kito Poblah - Wide Receiver, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
 * Carl Volny - Running Back, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
 * Pacino Horne - Cornerback, Toronto Argonauts

Notable former players

 * Curtis Adams - Retired NFL running back.
 * Walter Beach - Retired NFL safety.
 * Ray Bentley – Sports radio personality, former ABC College Football and NFL on Fox broadcaster, former Arena Football League head coach, retired NFL linebacker.
 * Novo Bojovic - Retired NFL kicker.
 * Jim Bowman - Retired NFL safety.
 * Mike Franckowiak – Retired NFL quarterback.
 * Brock Gutierrez - Retired NFL offensive tackle.
 * Gary Hogeboom – Survivor contestant, retired NFL quarterback.
 * Robert Jackson – Retired NFL safety.
 * Adam Kieft - Retired NFL offensive tackle.
 * Drew Mormino - Former NFL center
 * Jim Podoley - Retired NFL halfback.
 * Brian Pruitt - First ever AP All-American in school history (running back).
 * Scott Rehberg - Retired NFL offensive guard.

Radio
The CMU Sports Network broadcasts all games live throughout Michigan and online for free.

CMU Sports Network Affiliates:
 * 1270 AM WXYT, Detroit
 * 1340 AM WJRW, Grand Rapids
 * 98.5 FM WUPS, Houghton Lake
 * 730 AM WVFN, Lansing
 * 95.3 FM WCFX, Mount Pleasant
 * 97.5 FM WWSN, Muskegon
 * 1110 AM WJML, Petoskey

Television
The ESPN family of channels and Fox Sports affiliates have provided national and local television coverage.

CMU Sports Zone provides live and archive Internet video-feed of games, gameday coverage, and coaches shows.