125 Years of CMU Football: Rivalry Against Western Michigan

-Since 1907, the Central Michigan-Western Michigan rivalry is one of the most intense and storied in college athletics. The two schools face off annually in football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, and in various other sports, such as gymnastics and volleyball, often with Mid-American Conference championships at stake.

The campuses in Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo are separated by a mere 135 miles, and many students can claim lifelong friendships with those from "that other school." The annual winner of the CMU-WMU football game takes home the Victory Cannon Trophy, modeled after the game-day cannons at each stadium. The Trophy stays with the winner until the next game.

RIVALRY HISTORY Each year's winner earns the rights to the Victory Cannon Trophy, a tradition that has seen Western Michigan lead the series 11-7 since the trophy's inception in 2008. The game also involves contention for the Michigan MAC Trophy (shared with Eastern Michigan).

The rivalry is on display at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. as one of college football's fiercest and historic rivalries.

The two schools are separated by 135 miles. The rivalry has been characterized by closely contested, tight games.

First meeting in the series was on Oct. The two teams have played in 96 games with Western Michigan holding a 54-40-2 advantage.

In MAC play (since 1975) and 51 games in MAC play, Central Michigan holds the advantage with a 29-21-1 record with a 17-7-1 record in home games. TOP CENTRAL MICHIGAN WINS OVER WESTERN MICHIGAN CMU 34, WMU 0, Sept.

6, 1975 In the first meeting as NCAA Division I schools, Central Michigan blanks the Broncos 34-0 in front of a sellout crowd at Perry Shorts Stadium. It was the first time the Broncos had gone scoreless against CMU in 22 years.

Four running backs scored for Central, while Western failed to complete a pass in four attempts.