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Central Michigan, meanwhile, has won two of its last three, but that loss was to Western Michigan last week. Owning just four victories on the campaign, CMU cannot reach a bowl this year. Friday is about beating a rival and finishing on a winning note.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS (3-4 MAC, 4-7 OVERALL)
~~ It's been a frustrating season for CMU, which posted a 9-4 record and won a bowl game in 2021. The Chippewas got off to a rough start, winning just one of their first six contests this season. They then won three-of-four before falling to Western Michigan 12-10 in snowy Mount Pleasant.
~~ Both teams scored just one touchdown in the wintery conditions. WMU's Sean Tyler put Western Michigan on the board early with a 53-yard run. Central Michigan then matched that with Bert Emanuel Jr.'s 60-yard TD burst.
The Chippewas moved in front 10-7 with Marshall Meeder's 24-yard third quarter field goal. However, WMU's defense forced a safety and Palmer Domschke kicked a game-winning 25-yard field goal on the following possession.
~~ Central Michigan attempted 11 passes, completing 11 for a total of 62 yards with one interception. That came on the Chippewas final possession.
~~ CMU managed 159 yards rushing. Emanuel Jr. led the way with 21 carries for 98 yards and a TD.
~~ The Chippewas defense surrendered 255 yards rushing and another 102 through the air.
~~ Sophomore Lew Nichols III has been the Chippewas leading rusher this year, carrying 170 times for a total of 596 yards and six scores. Emanuel Jr., a freshman quarterback, is next, with 51 trips totaling 421 yards with four scores.
~~ Central Michigan is ranked seventh among MAC teams in scoring (25.3), seventh in total offense (381.2 ypg), fourth in rushing (160.4 ypg), eighth in passing (220.8 ypg) and 10th in pass offense efficiency.
~~ The Chippewas are third in scoring defense (27.3 ppg), third in total defense (368. ypg), fifth in rushing defense (149.2 ypg), fifth in pass defense (219.3 ypg) and fourth in pass defense efficiency.
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (4-3 MAC, 7-4 OVERALL)
~~ A loss Friday would leave EMU with the same record as it had last year through 12 games. The Eagles went to a bowl game and lost to Liberty at the Lending Tree Bowl.
~~ Eastern Michigan is coming off a 31-24 win at Kent State.
The Eagles trailed 17-7 at the half but scored the game's next 24 points. That was more enough to offset a final KSU TD with 24 seconds left.
~~ Eastern Michigan outgained the hosts 459-357, registered nine more first downs and held the ball for 39.19.
~~ Senior Taylor Powell completed 30-of-39 passes, good for 315 yards with three touchdowns.
~~ Nine different Eagles caught passes, with four players catching at least four passes. Dylan Drummond led the way with seven catches for 97 yards, while Tanner Knue grabbed five balls for 77 yards and two TDs.
~~ EMU totaled 144 yards rushing. Samson Evans led the way with 33 carries for 94 yards and a score.
~~ Jose Ramirez is third among MAC defenders in tackles for loss (15). He is second in sacks (9).
~~ Eastern Michigan ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (28.0 ppg), ninth in total offense (353.5 ypg), eighth in rushing (140.1 ypg), ninth in passing (213.4 ypg) and fourth in pass efficiency.
~~ The Eagles' defense ranks eighth among MAC teams in scoring defense (29.3 ppg), fifth in total defense(379.5 ypg), seventh in rushing defense (157.8 ypg), sixth in passing defense (221.6 ypg) and sixth in pass defense efficiency.