Central Michigan Chippewas
Mid-American Conference
The Chips had a season of mixed emotions. They were thumped 41-7 by a not-so-good Michigan State squad yet turned around the next week and defeated Iowa on a last-second field goal. Yes, the Hawkeyes weren’t that good either, but any time a MAC school beats a Big Ten program, right?
2012 Record: 6-6, 4-4
Coach: Dan Enos
Coach Bowl Record: 0-0
Big Wins: 9/22 at Iowa (32-31), 11/17 Miami (OH) (30-16)
Bad Losses: 10/20 Ball State (30-41), 11/3 Western Michigan (31-42)
Strengths:
Although CMU struggled most of the season, fans in Mount Pleasant still got a treat as running back Zurlon Tipton put on a clinic. He raced for 1,391 yards and 19 touchdowns, accounting for all but three of the rushing scores. The Chippewas’ passing game was also strong. Sure, Ryan Radcliff won’t make fans forget Dan LeFevour, but he still threw for over 2,900 yards and 20 touchdowns. Detroit-area standouts Justin Cherocci and Shamari Benton each had over 100 tackles on defense.
Weaknesses:
Like with other MAC schools that rely on a single rusher, Tipton puts CMU in trouble if he gets injured. Because he scored so many touchdowns, the running game is effectively dead if Tipton is unable to play. Central Michigan’s defense does have 13 interceptions and two pick-6 plays, but it surrendered over 33 points per game to place it down by the bottom of the MAC schools. It also gave up over 442 yards of total offense.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Zurlon Tipton, RB, 1,391 yards
Passing: Ryan Radcliff, QB, 2,905 yards
Receiving: Titus Davis, WR, 860 yards
Tackles: Justin Cherocci, LB, 124
Sacks: Caesar Rodriguez, DE, 4.0
Interceptions: Jahleel Addae, S, 4
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 151.42 (73rd in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 243.50 (53, 6)
Total Offense: 394.92 (68, 8)
Scoring Offense: 29.25 (62, 7)
Rushing Defense: 198.25 (98, 8)
Pass Defense: 244.58 (73, 9)
Total Defense: 442.83 (93, 7)
Scoring Defense: 33.33 (97, 9)
Turnover Margin: .17 (53, 6)
Sacks: 1.42 (97, 9)
Sacks Allowed: 1.17 (20, 4)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2009 GMAC Bowl Troy (44-41)
2008 Motor City Bowl Florida Atlantic (21-24)
2007 Motor City Bowl Purdue (48-51)
2006 Motor City Bowl Middle Tennessee State (31-14)
1994 Las Vegas Bowl UNLV (24-52)
*all team stats through 11/24
