Kelly/Shorts Stadium -- Mount Pleasant, MI
CBSSN
Central Michigan has gone half of its 2021 season without a winning or losing streak. After edging Ohio 30-27 last week, the Chippewas can make it two straight with a home win over Toledo Saturday.
The Rockets are trying to rebound from a damaging 22-20 home loss to Northern Illinois last Saturday. Any loss to another MAC West contender would be a heavy blow.
Toledo leads the series with Central Michigan, 27-19-3. Toledo won at the Glass Bowl last year, 24-23, and has won 10 of the last 11 meetings in the series. Sophomore quarterback Carter Bradley hit redshirt freshman wide receiver Jerjuan Newton for a game-winning 28-yard TD pass with 1:33 left, and Toledo’s defense forced a fumble on the Chippewas’ final drive.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
TOLEDO ROCKETS (3-3, 1-1 MAC)
>> UT trailed 16-14 at intermission last week but grabbed a 20-19 edge with on Devin Maddox's 11-yard reception with 3:35 remaining. A two-point try failed, setting the stage for NIU to win on a field goal. John Richardson's 29-yard boot with 26 ticks left provided the game's final points and a Huskie win.
>> Toledo held NIU to just one touchdown, but Richardson kicked five field goals.
>> Northern illinois had 30 more yards and eight more first downs that Rockets. That helped the visiting Huskies hold the ball for 40:47 despite committing the game's only turnover.
>> Dequan Finn and Carter Bradley combined to complete 16-of-31 passes for 229 yards and two TDs -- both by Finn.
>> Ten Rocket players caught passes. RB Bryant Koback had two catches for 77 yards and a TD, in addition to his rushing total of 12 carries for 91 yards and a score. The junior is averaging 5.2 ypc on the year, running 88 times for 455 yards and five scores.
>> Devin Maddock leads receivers with 23 receptions for 375 yards and three TDs. Koback follows with 15 grabs for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
>> UT ranks fifth (MAC) is passing (234 ypg) and seventh in rushing (141.7 ypg). The Rockets are also seventh in total offense (357.7 ypg) and scoring (25.3 ppg).
>> The Rocket also rank second in the MAC in turnover margin (+1.2) and first in fewest turnovers (three in six games).
>> Toledo’s defense registered eight tackles for loss on Saturday, the fourth time this season they have had at least eight TFL in a game. Junior nickelback Chris McDonald grabbed his second interception of the season in the first quarter.
>> Junior outside linebacker Dyontae Johnson and freshman safety Maxen Hook both had a game-high 13 tackles, a new career best for both players. Senior linebacker Jonathan Jones (12 tackles), junior defensive end Desjuan Johnson (11 tackles) and outside linebacker Jamal Hines (10 tackles) all had double-digit stops as well.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS (3-3, 1-1 MAC)
>> After holding a 13-10 lead at intermission, the Chippewas trailed at Ohio 27-20 early in the fourth quarter last Saturday. Marshall Meeder closed the gap with his third field goal of the game -- a 40-yarder at 10:06. After forcing a punt, CMU drove 83 yards in seven plays. Daniel Richardson found Kalil Pimpleton for the final 28 yards and a score to finish the drive. Up 30-27, Central Michigan's defense forced a three-and-out punt before running out the clock.
>> CMU out-gained the 'Cats 461-369 overall. The Chippewas owned 257 passing yards and another 204 rushing (5.0 ypc). Lew Nichols III was Central's workhorse, carrying 30 times for 186 yards (6.2 ypc) and a score.
>> Richardson completed 16-of-30 attempts for 257 yards and one TD with two interceptions.
>> Dallas Dixon and Pimpleton combined for nine catches, 169 yards and a score.
>> Devonni Reed led the defense with 11 tackles (9 solo) with a sack. Central Michigan registered 10 tackles for loss, including two sacks.
>> Meeder made all eight of his field goal attempts and 16 of his 17 extra point tries in the 2020 season, ranking second on the team with 40 points. He made four field goals from 40 yards or more and two of 50 plus, including a career-best 53-yarder at Toledo. That kick was the longest by a MAC placekicker in 2020 and it ties for the fourth longest in CMU history.
>> The Chippewas have been strong with their third down defense this season, allowing opponents to convert just 22 of 76 opportunities (29%). That is first in the MAC and ranks 11th in the nation. Last year, CMU allowed opposing teams to convert 45% (40-89) of their third-down opportunities.
>> CMU is 8-0 at home under coach McElwain with fans in the stands. The squad went 6-0 in 2019 and is 2-0 this year.
>> Central Michigan possesses a 59-33-1 record all-time in homecoming games. Last season the Chippewas had to cancel homecoming and the previous year was a 42-28 victory over New Mexico State.
>> Central Michigan has 52 newcomers on the squad this season, a combination of transfers, greyshirts and recently enrolled freshman. CMU added eight transfers during the offseason