Thursday, July 21, 2011
The first quarter was marred by incomplete passes and stifling pass defense from both the Huskies and my Chips. Sacks became a theme early on. Mid way through the first quarter Shamari Benton forced a fumble inside the Huskies's 10 yard line, leading to an easy 2 yard TD rush by Paris Cotton.
The rest of the first half scoring summary included a trade for scores. NIU scored on a redzone TD pass and with time expiring in the half Cedric Fraser caught his 4th TD pass of the year to take a 14-7 lead.
The third quarter opened with a huge fumble returned for a TD by John Carr for CMU, but then NIU's passing attack would take control of the game and turn the momentum. The next three scores were all passes of over 50 yards (50, 72, and 87) as their wide receiver's continually got behind our defense and the CMU offense stalled as none of my play calls seemed to work.
In an effort to tie the game at 28 with under two minutes left in the game, the NIU defense stuffed our goal line offense from inside the five yard line on four straight plays. We thought the game was over, but the very next play our defense made another play to keep us in the game with a safety!
Admittedly, with Ryan Radcliffe's injury still apparent I should have taken him out to rest it, but he claimed he was fine. This was shown to be true on the next possession as we received the kickoff for the safety. After a couple of positive plays, Ryan threw into double coverage, throwing a game ending interception, his fourth of the game.
| Northern Illinois (3-2) at Central Michigan (3-2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Next up is the Eastern Michigan Eagles. They are just below .500 with their only wins coming against FCS teams. It is the first game we have been favored in all year and I expect to come out victorious after a tough loss at home.
Monday, July 18, 2011
It was surreal walking back into the old Spartan Stadium to get ready for another game. What was strange was being in the visitor locker room. We had a lot going against us in this game. We were up against an undefeated Big Ten team that boasts one of the best running games in America, DC Joe Tumpkins probably had nightmares of Edwin Baker before the game. Let's not forget unquestioned leader and QB Kirk Cousins that can pick you apart if you don't pressure him. But this is why you don't play the games on paper.
The game was so close every minute of the game. You could tell that every inch was going to be important from the opening kick off. The CMU pass rush was relentless all game forcing 5 sacks and a fumble deep in MSU's own territory. They never let Cousins get into a rhythm, but that didn't stop their ground game. Baker and Co. broke off big gain after big gain.
Our offense had moderate success early. We moved the ball up until about the MSU 30 where we stalled and were forced into three 1st half FGs. MSU took the lead into half with a Dan Conroy boot, but I thought that play really game us momentum because the defense stopped a potential TD at the goal line.
We were finally able to get into the end zone half way through the 3rd with a 86 deep pass from Radcliffe to Fraser. Back and forth the see-saw went as we traded FGs until MSU took the lead with four minutes left in the 4th 19-20. We got the ball and judiciously marched down the field on the back of Paris Cotton and ate up clock on the way. Eventually we got it deep into the red zone and ran down the clock. One last run play centered our position at the 7 yard line and Dan Harman lined up the last second field-goal to stun the Spartans!
| Central Michigan (2-2) at Michigan State (3-0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It's been two days and I'm still on the high of that victory. But it's time to focus because we have another MAC conference game against Northern Illinois and they are always tough. Until next time!
Offensively, it was a shoot out. Not much of a running game was shown from the Broncos or ourselves, but the air game was sure working. Each team tossed 3 TDs and Robert Arnheim and Cody Wilson seemed to have a personal vendetta going about who would rack up more receiving yards. In the end, our D held up and WMU's late strike wasn't enough to pull even. That's two straight! Side note: Brandon is doing really great in his role since Ryan was injured. No question Ryan will resume his starting job at QB when he returns in a week or two, but if he struggles he might not hold onto it
| Central Michigan (1-2) at Western Michigan (1-1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Next week, I finally go home to East Lansing. MSU is undefeated and climbing up in the AP rankings. I'm going to prepare all week like we are going to win, but secretly I hope we don't get blown out.
We had to throw virtually every down to catch up. And we certainly tried to no avail. Brandon Fricke tossed it 43 times! It did amount to over 350 yards passing, but it pains me to see that lack of balance in an offense. It wasn't until mid way through the fourth quarter that we got the ball in the end zone and obviously it was much too late then.
| Cincinnati (1-0) at Central Michigan (1-1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Head Coach, Dan Enos held a private meeting with all of the defensive staff including coordinator Joe Tumpkins after the game. Now I wasn't in the room during the meeting, but there was plenty of cursing and it didn't sound too friendly. I know coach doesn't want to lose to our biggest rival at Kalamazoo next weekend. I hope Tumpkins can turn it around, I don't wanna see him get fired!
Offensively, we were in it early. The score was 10-17 early in the second and Radcliffe went down. Our passing game really struggled from that point forward. Ryan will be out 3 to 5 weeks with a torn pectoral. Brandon Fricke (SR) will step in and he will do a good job, he just doesn't possess the arm strength Ryan does. It was also hard to establish the run because we fell behind so early. Everything was stuffed from the get go.
| Central Michigan (1-0) at Great Lakes State (0-0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Well, at 1-1 we will finally have our home opener against a stingy Cincinnati team that will really test our mettle.
The first game of the year did not disappoint! Our Chippewas went up against the newly formed Great Lakes Dragons. This team had a ton of young talent featuring their starting tailback Sam Webber, who ran all over us. I hope that doesn't become a trend this year.
On my side of the ball, we struggled with the ground game but pulled off two redzone rushing TDs when it counted. Our passing game was on all night. Radcliffe posted 267 passing yeards, solid start. It was neck and neck the whole way and GLU early into the 4th until Radcliffe and Harry connected on a 10 yard fade. Our defense came up big and we iced the game away!
| Central Michigan (0-0) at Great Lakes (0-0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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With victory number one under our belt, we are heading into Lansing to face Great Lakes State. Hope to see ya in the stands!
| Central Michigan Chippewas 2011-12 Schedule | ||||
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | ||
| Aug 27 | at Great Lakes University Dragons | |||
| Sep 3 | at Great Lakes State Golden Lions | |||
| Sep 10 | vs Cincinnati Bearcats | |||
| Sep 17 | at Western Michigan Broncos | |||
| Sep 24 | at Michigan State Spartans | |||
| Oct 1 | vs Northern Illinois Huskies | |||
| Oct 15 | at Eastern Michigan Eagles | |||
| Oct 22 | vs Ball State Cardinals | |||
| Oct 29 | at Miami University Redhawks | |||
| Nov 5 | vs Kent State Golden Flashes | |||
| Nov 12 | at Bowling Green Falcons | |||
| Nov 26 | at Louisville Cardinals | |||
We got a really tough draw only getting 4 home games (I did that on purpose), but I hope it will make us stronger! The MAC is improved this year with the arrival of Cincinnati and Louisville, at least only one is in my division (West). Really looking forward to match up with my Alma Mater MSU! Should be a tough one, but a memorable trip to East Lansing. Now just the anticipation before the season starts!
Difficulty: All-American for gameplay and recruiting
Quarters: 9 minutes
Sliders: Started 5 games with SN's sliders, now going to try SECElite's (http://www.operationsports.com/forum...set-enjoy.html)
Custom Conferences: I did some major realigning to say the least. My basic template is Pogo27's (http://www.operationsports.com/forum...es-ncaa12.html) with some flair of my own. I added two TB teams (Great Lakes Dragons and Great Lakes State Golden Lions) that went to the Big Ten and kept NIU and Ball State in the MAC as well
Miscellaneous: I do exclusively coaching on this mode, no running plays. I also do all recruiting.
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