The Wolverine Now

AUG. 28, 2013 Back On The Once Again Compete For A MAC Title Upswing Central Michigan Is Confident It Can N By Michael Spath orthern Illinois has changed expectations for the Mid-American Conference. A year ago, the Huskies earned an Orange Bowl bid opposite Florida State — they would fall 31-10 — and their conference brethren are now dreaming of the opportunity to play in the top-tier postseason contests that were previously unattainable. For Central Michigan, 7-6 a year ago and 3-9 in the back-to-back campaigns of 2010-11, there is a more pressing concern than a Jan. 1 bowl game. The Chippewas were once consistent MAC title contenders, winning three championships in a four-year span from 2006-09, but they haven't played for the league crown since 2009. Northern Illinois is the favorite to come out of the West Division and Toledo and Ball State list second and third, with Central fourth, but the Chippewas feel they're on the brink of something special this fall. "We have the makings of a very good football team," said fourth-year head coach Dan Enos, who was an assistant coach at Michigan State from 2006-09. "Every team at this time of the year is optimistic, but we really like our roster more than any time I've been here." "I think they're a dark horse," ChippewaCountry.com publisher Steve Livingston said. "I think the only reason Central wasn't voted higher is because they don't Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos has posted a 13-24 record in his first three seasons leading the Chippewas, but hopes are high for an improved showing in 2013. photo courtesy CMU MEDIA RELATIONS have a returning starter at quarterback and those other three teams have well-established guys at that position. "If Central can get that type of consistent play, offensively they could have a great season because there is All-MAC talent everywhere else. The defense has to step up, too, for this team to be a contender." CMU enjoys a proud quarterback tradition, highlighted by the efforts of Dan LeFevour (2006-09). He owns just about every Central Michigan record, including touchdown passes (102) and total offense (15,853 yards). His replacement, Ryan Radcliffe, sits second in both categories and threw for 9,917 yards and 63 touchdowns from 2010-12, keeping the bar elevated for junior Cody Kater, this season's starter. A 6-3, 220-pound transfer from Grand Rapids Community College, Kater was waging a battle with redshirt sophomore Alex Niznak and redshirt freshman Cooper Rush during fall camp. "We had three guys that were competing for the position, and we like all three, believe they have bright futures and are confident the competition made them all better," Enos said. "It was fun to watch them leave spring practice and be challenged with different things they had to work on, whether it was fundamentally or schematically, and then watch them come into camp and you could tell all three had very been diligent in their commitment over the summer. "Ultimately, we went with Cody Kater. He's athletic, he can run and make all the throws we're going to ask him to make." Kater led GRCC to an 11-0 record in Game Facts What: Michigan vs. Central Michigan. When: Aug. 31 • 3:42 p.m. Radio-TV: Big Ten Network will televise the game nationally. The game can be heard on the Michigan Sports Network (950 AM in the Detroit area and on SiriusXM) with longtime partners Frank Beckmann and Jim Brandstatter, and sideline reporter Doug Karsch. Coaches: Michigan: Brady Hoke (197, third season). Central Michigan: Dan Enos (13-24, fourth season). History: Michigan leads the series with Central Michigan 3-0, last beating the Chippewas 41-17 in 2006. Central Michigan Notes: Dan Enos is one of four active coaches in college football to win a bowl game as a starting quarterback (Michigan State, 1989 and 1990) and head coach (Central Michigan, 2012) … A total of 71 players, or 67 percent of its roster, hail from the state of Michigan … The Chippewas are 1-6 against BCS conference programs during Enos' three previous seasons … In the six seasons since Michigan and Central last played, CMU has gone 3-6 against the Big Ten, beating Indiana in 2008, Michigan State in 2009 and Iowa in 2012.

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