# 2019 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

The 2019 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-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.

## Offseason
### Coaching changes

The 2018 team finished the season going 1–11, the worst season in program history; head coach John Bonamego was fired on November 23 following the team's regular season finale. On December 2, the university announced that Michigan wide receivers coach Jim McElwain had been hired as the program's 29th head coach. Prior to his time at Michigan, McElwain also served as the head coach for Colorado State and Florida.

## Preseason
### MAC media poll

The MAC released their preseason media poll on July 23, 2019, with the Chippewas predicted to finish in sixth place in the West Division.
West Division :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Toledo | 127 (15) |
| 2 | Western Michigan | 112 (5) |
| 3 | Northern Illinois | 103 (3) |
| 4 | Eastern Michigan | 83 |
| 5 | Ball State | 43 |
| 6 | Central Michigan | 36 (1) |
MAC Championship Game :
| Rank | Team | Votes |
| 1 | Ohio | 13 |
| 2 | Toledo | 7 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 2 |
| 4 | Northern Illinois | 1 |
| 4 | Central Michigan | 1 |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 29 | 7:00 p.m. | Albany* | Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | ESPN3 | W 38–21 | 12,207 |
| September 7 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 17 Wisconsin* | Camp Randall StadiumMadison, WI | BTN | L 0–61 | 74,437 |
| September 14 | 3:00 p.m. | Akron | Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | ESPN+ | W 45–24 | 18,641 |
| September 21 | 4:00 p.m. | at Miami (FL)* | Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FL | ACCN | L 12–17 | 49,997 |
| September 28 | 12:00 p.m. | at Western Michigan | Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI (rivalry) | CBSSN | L 15–31 | 20,476 |
| October 5 | 3:30 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI (rivalry) | ESPN+ | W 42–16 | 15,235 |
| October 12 | 3:00 p.m. | New Mexico State* | Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | ESPN3 | W 42–28 | 15,764 |
| October 19 | 3:00 p.m. | at Bowling Green | Doyt Perry StadiumBowling Green, OH | ESPN3 | W 38–20 | 15,000 |
| October 26 | 3:30 p.m. | at Buffalo | University at Buffalo StadiumAmherst, NY | ESPN+ | L 20–43 | 14,850 |
| November 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | CBSSN | W 48–10 | 10,438 |
| November 16 | 3:30 p.m. | at Ball State | Scheumann StadiumMuncie, IN | CBSSN | W 45–44 | 7,249 |
| November 29 | 12:00 p.m. | Toledo | Kelly/Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | ESPNU | W 49–7 | 9,101 |
| December 7 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. Miami (OH) | Ford FieldDetroit, MI (MAC Championship Game) | ESPN2 | L 21–26 | 22,427 |
| December 21 | 2:00 p.m. | vs. San Diego State* | Dreamstyle StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (New Mexico Bowl) | ESPN | L 11–48 | 18,823 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 5 released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Albany

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Great Danes | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Chippewas | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Statistics | ALB | CMU |
| First downs | 13 | 31 |
| Total yards | 244 | 529 |
| Rushing yards | 45 | 244 |
| Passing yards | 199 | 285 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 23:22 | 36:38 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Albany | Passing | Jeff Undercuffer Jr. | 15/28, 199 yards, 2 TD |
| Albany | Rushing | Karl Mofor | 16 rushes, 45 yards |
| Albany | Receiving | Juwan Green | 5 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Passing | Quinten Dormady | 27/37, 285 yards, 3 TD |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Jonathan Ward | 22 rushes, 158 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Ty Scott | 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD |

### At No. 17 Wisconsin

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 17 Badgers | 16 | 28 | 10 | 7 | 61 |
| Statistics | CMU | WIS |
| First downs | 3 | 37 |
| Total yards | 58 | 599 |
| Rushing yards | 15 | 199 |
| Passing yards | 43 | 400 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 20:33 | 39:27 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Michigan | Passing | Quinten Dormady | 5/12, 36 yards, INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Tommy Lazzaro | 4 rushes, 11 yards |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 3 receptions, 18 yards |
| Wisconsin | Passing | Jack Coan | 26/33, 363 yards, 3 TD |
| Wisconsin | Rushing | Jonathan Taylor | 19 rushes, 102 yards, 3 TD |
| Wisconsin | Receiving | Quintez Cephus | 6 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD |

### Akron

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Zips | 0 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Chippewas | 3 | 24 | 3 | 15 | 45 |
| Statistics | AKR | CMU |
| First downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total yards | 326 | 533 |
| Rushing yards | 42 | 189 |
| Passing yards | 284 | 344 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:10 | 28:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Akron Zips | Passing | Kato Nelson | 25/41, 243 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Akron Zips | Rushing | Kato Nelson | 16 rushes, 28 yards |
| Akron Zips | Receiving | Nate Stewart | 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD |
| Central Michigan | Passing | David Moore | 20/31, 316 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Kobe Lewis | 27 rushes, 146 yards, 3 TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 7 receptions, 116 yards, TD |

### At Miami (FL)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 12 |
| Hurricanes | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Statistics | CMU | MIA |
| First downs | 21 | 16 |
| Total yards | 248 | 301 |
| Rushing yards | 31 | 51 |
| Passing yards | 217 | 250 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 32:46 | 27:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Michigan | Passing | David Moore | 23/50, 217 yards, INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Kobe Lewis | 15 rushes, 45 yards |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 11 receptions, 73 yards |
| Miami (FL) | Passing | Jarren Williams | 17/24, 250 yards, TD |
| Miami (FL) | Rushing | DeeJay Dallas | 14 rushes, 34 yards, TD |
| Miami (FL) | Receiving | Brevin Jordan | 3 receptions, 70 yards |

### At Western Michigan

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Broncos | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Statistics | CMU | WMU |
| First downs | 31 | 22 |
| Total yards | 437 | 432 |
| Rushing yards | 107 | 188 |
| Passing yards | 330 | 244 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:30 | 31:30 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Michigan | Passing | David Moore | 33/48, 330 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Jonathan Ward | 19 rushes, 107 yards |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Ty Scott | 6 receptions, 81 yards |
| Western Michigan | Passing | Jon Wassink | 18/29, 244 yards, TD, INT |
| Western Michigan | Rushing | LeVante Bellamy | 25 rushes, 105 yards, TD |
| Western Michigan | Receiving | Skyy Moore | 4 receptions, 67 yards |

### Eastern Michigan

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
| Chippewas | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Statistics | EMU | CMU |
| First downs | 22 | 24 |
| Total yards | 285 | 587 |
| Rushing yards | 63 | 308 |
| Passing yards | 222 | 279 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:48 | 32:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Eastern Michigan | Passing | Mike Glass III | 20/34, 207 yards, TD, INT |
| Eastern Michigan | Rushing | Willie Parker | 8 rushes, 29 yards |
| Eastern Michigan | Receiving | Mathew Sexton | 5 receptions, 56 yards, TD |
| Central Michigan | Passing | David Moore | 15/24, 279 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Jonathan Ward | 12 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 5 receptions, 112 yards, TD |

### New Mexico State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Aggies | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
| Chippewas | 14 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 42 |
| Statistics | NMSU | CMU |
| First downs | 18 | 22 |
| Total yards | 384 | 486 |
| Rushing yards | 121 | 352 |
| Passing yards | 263 | 134 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 24:59 | 35:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico State | Passing | Josh Adkins | 24/40, 263 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| New Mexico State | Rushing | Jason Huntley | 10 rushes, 67 yards, TD |
| New Mexico State | Receiving | Tony Nicholson | 7 receptions, 86 yards |
| Central Michigan | Passing | Quinten Dormady | 14/24, 134 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Kobe Lewis | 23 rushes, 161 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 6 receptions, 59 yards, TD |

### At Bowling Green

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 7 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
| Falcons | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| Statistics | CMU | BGSU |
| First downs | 26 | 19 |
| Total yards | 553 | 344 |
| Rushing yards | 254 | 178 |
| Passing yards | 299 | 166 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 35:25 | 24:35 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Michigan | Passing | Quinten Dormady | 22/36, 295 yards, TD, INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Jonathan Ward | 21 rushes, 130 yards, 3 TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | JaCorey Sullivan | 8 receptions, 126 yards, TD |
| Bowling Green | Passing | Grant Loy | 13/29, 166 yards, TD, 3 INT |
| Bowling Green | Rushing | Grant Loy | 18 rushes, 67 yards, TD |
| Bowling Green | Receiving | Quintin Morris | 4 receptions, 69 yards |

### At Buffalo

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 20 |
| Bulls | 3 | 27 | 3 | 10 | 43 |
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Turnovers
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Central Michigan | Passing |
| Central Michigan | Rushing |
| Central Michigan | Receiving |
| Buffalo | Passing |
| Buffalo | Rushing |
| Buffalo | Receiving |

### Northern Illinois

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chippewas | 21 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 48 |
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Turnovers
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Northern Illinois | Passing |
| Northern Illinois | Rushing |
| Northern Illinois | Receiving |
| Central Michigan | Passing |
| Central Michigan | Rushing |
| Central Michigan | Receiving |

### At Ball State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 3 | 8 | 20 | 14 | 45 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 24 | 14 | 3 | 44 |
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Turnovers
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Central Michigan | Passing |
| Central Michigan | Rushing |
| Central Michigan | Receiving |
| Ball State | Passing |
| Ball State | Rushing |
| Ball State | Receiving |

### Toledo

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rockets | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Chippewas | 14 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Turnovers
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Toledo | Passing |
| Toledo | Rushing |
| Toledo | Receiving |
| Central Michigan | Passing |
| Central Michigan | Rushing |
| Central Michigan | Receiving |

### Vs. Miami (OH)–MAC Championship Game

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| RedHawks | 7 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 26 |
| Chippewas | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Statistics | MOH | CMU |
| First downs | 15 | 20 |
| Total yards | 272 | 355 |
| Rushing yards | 76 | 99 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 256 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:05 | 29:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Miami (OH) | Passing | Brett Gabbert | 14/27, 196 yards, TD |
| Miami (OH) | Rushing | Jaylon Bester | 20 rushes, 66 yards, TD |
| Miami (OH) | Receiving | Jack Sorenson | 8 receptions, 123 yards, TD |
| Central Michigan | Passing | Quinten Dormady | 26/41, 232 yards, TD, INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Tommy Lazzaro | 6 rushes, 48 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | JaCorey Sullivan | 7 receptions, 64 yards |

### Vs. San Diego State (New Mexico Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chippewas | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 11 |
| Aztecs | 7 | 13 | 21 | 7 | 48 |
| Statistics | CMU | SDSU |
| First downs | 7 | 24 |
| Total yards | 277 | 510 |
| Rushing yards | 112 | 223 |
| Passing yards | 165 | 287 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 21:41 | 38:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Michigan | Passing | Quinten Dormady | 11/26, 164 yards, 3 INT |
| Central Michigan | Rushing | Kobe Lewis | 5 rushes, 97 yards, TD |
| Central Michigan | Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 3 receptions, 71 yards |
| San Diego State | Passing | Ryan Agnew | 18/31, 287 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| San Diego State | Rushing | Jordan Byrd | 17 rushes, 139 yards, TD |
| San Diego State | Receiving | Jesse Matthews | 3 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD |