2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

The 2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Jim McElwain and played their home games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.

2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football
MAC West Division co-champion
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 24–21 vs. Washington State
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record9–4 (6–2 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKevin Barbay (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorRobb Akey (3rd season)
Home stadiumKelly/Shorts Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Kent State xy   6 2     7 7  
Miami (OH)   5 3     7 6  
Ohio   3 5     3 9  
Bowling Green   2 6     4 8  
Buffalo   2 6     4 8  
Akron   1 7     2 10  
West Division
Northern Illinois xy$   6 2     9 5  
Central Michigan x   6 2     9 4  
Toledo   5 3     7 6  
Ball State   4 4     6 7  
Eastern Michigan   4 4     7 6  
Western Michigan   4 4     8 5  
Championship: Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

The Chippewas completed their regular season with an 8–4 record and accepted a bid to the Arizona Bowl, where they were due to face the Boise State Broncos. On December 27, Barstool Sports (the title sponsor of the bowl) founder David Portnoy announced the withdrawal of the Broncos from the bowl due to COVID-19 issues within the program; organizers stated that they would attempt to secure a replacement team to face the Chippewas.[1] Later in the day, the Arizona Bowl was canceled,[2] and Central Michigan was named as a replacement team for the Sun Bowl to face the Washington State Cougars.[3]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 4 4:00 p.m. at Missouri* SECN L 24–34 46,327
September 11 3:00 p.m. Robert Morris* ESPN3 W 45–0 16,128
September 18 7:30 p.m. at LSU* SECN L 21–49 92,547
September 25 12:00 p.m. FIU*
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPN+ W 31–27 18,382
October 2 3:30 p.m. at Miami (OH) ESPN+ L 17–28 15,065
October 9 3:30 p.m. at Ohio ESPN+ W 30–27 20,928
October 16 3:30 p.m. Toledo 
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
CBSSN W 26–23 OT 20,112
October 23 12:00 p.m. Northern Illinois
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPNU L 38–39 15,232
November 3 7:00 p.m. at Western Michigan ESPNU W 42–30 13,137
November 10 8:00 p.m. Kent State
  • Kelly/Shorts Stadium
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPNU W 54–30 9,213
November 17 7:00 p.m. at Ball State ESPNU W 37–175,602
November 26 12:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan
ESPNU W 31–10 7,708
December 31 12:00 p.m. vs. Washington State CBS W 24–21 34,540
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[4]

Game summaries

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At Missouri

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Central Michigan at Missouri
1 234Total
Central Michigan 7 7010 24
Missouri 7 10710 34
Pregame line Over/under
MIZ –14.0 59.0
Statistics Central Michigan Missouri
First downs 27 26
Total yards 475 468
Rushing yards 174 211
Passing yards 301 257
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 31:59 28:01
Team Category Player Statistics
Central Michigan Passing Jacob Sirmon 23/45, 295 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 19 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD
Receiving JaCorey Sullivan 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TDs
Missouri Passing Connor Bazelak 21/32, 257 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Tyler Badie 25 carries, 203 yards, 1 TD
Receiving D'ionte Smith 2 receptions, 69 yards

Robert Morris

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Robert Morris at Central Michigan
1 234Total
Robert Morris 0 000 0
Central Michigan 7 21143 45
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –37.0 53.5
Statistics Robert Morris Central Michigan
First downs 3 28
Total yards 109 515
Rushing yards 96 287
Passing yards 13 228
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 23:21 36:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Robert Morris Passing George Martin 5/8, 13 yards
Rushing Jaylon Brown 3 carries, 37 yards
Receiving Bryce Bevins 1 reception, 12 yards
Central Michigan Passing Jacob Sirmon 12/16, 110 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing De'Javion Stepney 9 carries, 81 yards
Receiving Dallas Dixon 5 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs

At LSU

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Central Michigan at LSU
1 234Total
Central Michigan 7 077 21
LSU 21 1477 49
Pregame line Over/under
LSU –19.5 60.5
Statistics Central Michigan LSU
First downs 17 23
Total yards 284 484
Rushing yards 56 84
Passing yards 228 400
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 33:02 26:58
Team Category Player Statistics
Central Michigan Passing Jacob Sirmon 17/24, 156 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Myles Bailey 7 carries, 29 yards
Receiving JaCorey Sullivan 5 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD
LSU Passing Max Johnson 26/35, 372 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Corey Kiner 12 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Deion Smith 5 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TDs
FIU at Central Michigan
1 234Total
FIU 0 14130 27
Central Michigan 0 10021 31
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 18,382
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Jon Noli
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jim Barber and Randy Buffington
     
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –12.0 55.5
Statistics FIU Central Michigan
First downs 18 29
Total yards 437 599
Rushing yards 42 202
Passing yards 395 397
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 26:40 33:20
Team Category Player Statistics
FIU Passing Max Bortenschlager 20/38, 395 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing D'Vonte Price 17 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tyrese Chambers 6 receptions, 175 yards, 1 TD
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 16/23, 276 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 25 carries, 152 yards
Receiving Dallas Dixon 8 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TDs

At Miami (OH)

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Central Michigan at Miami (OH)
1 234Total
Central Michigan 0 737 17
Miami (OH) 14 0014 28
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –2.0 56.0
Statistics Central Michigan Miami
First downs 25 26
Total yards 430 514
Rushing yards 52 164
Passing yards 378 350
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 26:45 33:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 22/41, 326 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Myles Bailey 8 carries, 29 yards
Receiving Dallas Dixon 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD
Miami Passing AJ Mayer 13/18, 179 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Keyon Mozee 13 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Mac Hippenhammer 8 receptions, 170 yards

At Ohio

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Central Michigan at Ohio
1 234Total
Central Michigan 7 6710 30
Ohio 3 798 27
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –5.0 57.5
Statistics Central Michigan Ohio
First downs 23 22
Total yards 461 369
Rushing yards 204 179
Passing yards 257 190
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 26:33 33:27
Team Category Player Statistics
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 16/30, 257 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 30 carries, 186 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Dallas Dixon 4 receptions, 91 yards
Ohio Passing Armani Rogers 13/18, 190 yards
Rushing De'Montre Tuggle 19 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Cameron Odom 4 receptions, 88 yards

Toledo

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Toledo at Central Michigan
1 234OTTotal
Toledo 0 37130 23
Central Michigan 7 10333 26
  • Date: October 16, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 20,112
  • Television network: CBSSN
Pregame line Over/under
TOL –5.0 53.0
Statistics Toledo Central Michigan
First downs 20 13
Total yards 350 332
Rushing yards 142 128
Passing yards 208 204
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 31:33 28:27
Team Category Player Statistics
Toledo Passing Dequan Finn 15/32, 208 yards
Rushing Bryant Koback 15 carries, 87 yards
Receiving Isaiah Winstead 4 receptions, 108 yards
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 21/35, 204 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 29 carries, 136 yards
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 6 receptions, 103 yards

Northern Illinois

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Northern Illinois at Central Michigan
1 234Total
Northern Illinois 7 111110 39
Central Michigan 14 1473 38
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 15,232
  • Television network: ESPNU
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –6.0 56.0
Statistics Northern Illinois Central Michigan
First downs 25 25
Total yards 548 500
Rushing yards 197 189
Passing yards 351 311
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 36:09 23:51
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Illinois Passing Rocky Lombardi 17/27, 348 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Jay Ducker 31 carries, 183 yards
Receiving Trayvon Rudolph 6 receptions, 160 yards, 2 TDs
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 23/36, 289 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 22 carries, 192 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 6 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD

At Western Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)

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Michigan MAC Trophy
1 234Total
Central Michigan 0 21714 42
Western Michigan 7 7106 30
Pregame line Over/under
WMU –9.0 64.5
Statistics Central Michigan Western Michigan
First downs 17 25
Total yards 389 445
Rushing yards 148 169
Passing yards 241 276
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 25:14 34:46
Team Category Player Statistics
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 10/18, 230 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Lew Nichols III 26 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
Western Michigan Passing Kaleb Eleby 22/36, 276 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Sean Tyler 15 carries, 59 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Corey Crooms 7 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD

Kent State

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Kent State at Central Michigan
1 234Total
Kent State 14 3130 30
Central Michigan 0 261414 54
  • Date: November 10, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 9,213
  • Television network: ESPNU
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –2.5 76.5
Statistics Kent State Central Michigan
First downs 23 33
Total yards 456 505
Rushing yards 134 221
Passing yards 322 284
Turnovers 3 0
Time of possession 23:03 36:57
Team Category Player Statistics
Kent State Passing Dustin Crum 28/38, 322, 2 TDs
Rushing Marquez Cooper 21 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dante Cephas 5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 21/27, 268 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 43 carries, 215 yards, 4 TDs
Receiving JaCorey Sullivan 5 receptions, 61 yards

At Ball State

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Central Michigan at Ball State
1 234Total
Central Michigan 7 2163 37
Ball State 7 1000 17
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –2.5 57.0
Statistics Central Michigan Ball State
First downs 26 18
Total yards 567 329
Rushing yards 285 159
Passing yards 282 170
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 32:47 27:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 20/25, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 32 carries, 219 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD
Ball State Passing Drew Plitt 21/39, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Carson Steele 20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jayshon Jackson 6 receptions, 61 yards

Eastern Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)

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Michigan MAC Trophy
1 234Total
Eastern Michigan 0 370 10
Central Michigan 7 3714 31
  • Date: November 26, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 7,708
  • Television network: ESPNU
Pregame line Over/under
CMU –8.5 63.5
Statistics Eastern Michigan Central Michigan
First downs 15 22
Total yards 226 366
Rushing yards 5 236
Passing yards 221 130
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 27:17 32:43
Team Category Player Statistics
Eastern Michigan Passing Ben Bryant 24/35, 221 yards
Rushing Bryson Moss 5 carries, 26 yards
Receiving Tanner Knue 7 receptions, 70 yards
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 12/24, 130 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Lew Nichols III 44 carries, 194 yards, 1 TD
Receiving JaCorey Sullivan 4 receptions, 46 yards, 2 TDs

Vs. Washington State (Sun Bowl)

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Sun Bowl
1 234Total
Washington State 0 0147 21
Central Michigan 13 803 24
    
Pregame line Over/under
WSU –5.5 56.0
Statistics Washington State Central Michigan
First downs 11 15
Total yards 243 338
Rushing yards 18 145
Passing yards 225 193
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 24:43 35:17
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington State Passing Victor Gabalis 11/23, 180 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Nakia Watson 15 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Lincoln Victor 4 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
Central Michigan Passing Daniel Richardson 16/29, 193 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Lew Nichols III 28 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
Receiving JaCorey Sullivan 6 receptions, 73 yards

References

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  1. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (December 27, 2021). "Dave Portnoy announces Boise State out of Barstool Bowl due to COVID-19". New York Post. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "UPDATE: Arizona Bowl canceled for 2021". KOLD-TV. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via MSN.com.
  3. ^ Sallee, Barrett (December 27, 2021). "Central Michigan to play Washington State in Sun Bowl after Miami pulls out due to COVID-19 issues". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "2021 Central Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.