Football Notebook: As Good As They've Been? Maybe
DETROIT - The question brought a pause to Central Michigan football coach Matt Drinkall. In the 22 games that Drinkall has coached at CMU, was his team's 35-7 demolition of Eastern Michigan on Wednesday in Motor City MACtion at Ford Field the most complete that his team has played.
"I don't know about most complete, but it was the best we have framed (a) game for sure, where it's just like, taking the ball, getting out in front, (and) forcing (the opponent) to play one dimensionally," Drinkall said, spreading the credit to his three coordinators, Jim Chapin (offensive), Sean Cronin (defensive), and Keith Murphy (special teams). "(They) put together an incredible game plan.
The 28-point victory was the largest spread for the Chippewas against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent under Drinkall, and the 35 points was the second-highest point total of the season. Drinkall, now 11-11 (7-6 MAC) as the Chippewas' coach, likened his team's performance to that of New Mexico, which handed the Chippewas a 38-7 loss in the season opener.
In that game, it happenedtothe Chippewas; on Wednesday, it was CMU administering the beatdown. It was eerily similar to what happened to us in game one, to be honest with you," Drinkall said, pointing to the number of offensive plays that the Chippewas ran at New Mexico and the number they ran against the Eagles on Wednesday.
"At halftime (against New Mexico), if I remember right, New Mexico had out-snapped us like 41-9. I think at halftime today it was 41-13, but some of (EMU's) came on the one-minute possession right before halftime.
CMU ran 75 offensive plays to the Eagles' 44, had 26 first downs to the Eagles' nine, and held the ball for 40 minutes, 56 seconds - the third-highest total of possession time in program history. The Chippewas did not surrender a first down until under 2 minutes remained in the first half, and they didn't allow another until the fourth quarter.
Eastern finished with nine first downs and 74 rushing yards. Both were season lows for a CMU opponent.
Fast Start Jadyn Glasser made his second consecutive start at quarterback for the Chippewas. He was ultra efficient in completing 14 of his 19 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown.
In his first start of the season, he was 18 for 31 for 221 yards and one TD in a 28-27 loss to Miami (Ohio). Glasser completed all four of his pass attempts for 57 yards in the Chippewas' opening drive, which covered 75 yards in 10 plays and ended in an 8-yard TD pass from Glasser to Nasir Williams."