# 1974 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

The 1974 Central Michigan Chippewas football team was an American football team that represented Central Michigan University as an independent during the 1974 NCAA Division II football season. In their eighth season under head coach Roy Kramer, the Chippewas compiled a 12–1 record, losing the opening game to Kent State and then winning 12 straight games.
In postseason play, they defeated Boise State 20–6 at Perry Shorts Stadium in a Division II quarterfinal, Louisiana Tech 35–14 in the Pioneer Bowl (semifinal) in Texas, and Delaware 54–14 in the Camellia Bowl to win the Division II championship. The team was also later voted number one in the AP's "College Division" poll.
The 1974 Chippewas held 11 of their 13 opponents to 14 or fewer points and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 450 to 127. The team played its home games in Perry Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, with attendance of 93,236 in six home games.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Franckowiak with 1,262 passing yards (81 of 149 passing), running back Walt Hodges with 1,463 rushing yards (251 carries), and Matt Means with 848 receiving yards (55 receptions). Hodges' 1,463 rushing yards was a Central Michigan record at that time. Franckowiak received the team's most valuable player award.
After the 1974 season, Central Michigan jumped to Division I and joined the Mid-American Conference. In 2004, the 1974 team was inducted as a group into the Central Michigan University Hall of Fame.

## Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 7 | Kent State | | Perry Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | L 14–21 | 16,825–18,325 |
| September 14 | at Ball State | | Ball State StadiumMuncie, IN | W 24–17 | 11,318 |
| September 21 | at Northern Michigan | | Marquette, MI | W 21–7 | 3,532 |
| September 28 | Dayton | | Perry Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | W 42–8 | 18,466–18,644 |
| October 5 | at Illinois State | | Hancock StadiumNormal, IL | W 21–14 | 10,000 |
| October 12 | No. 7 Indiana State | | Perry Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | W 49–0 | 14,795 |
| October 19 | Western Illinois | No. 12 | Perry Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | W 58–7 | 18,907 |
| November 2 | at Eastern Michigan | No. 8 | Rynearson StadiumYpsilanti, MI (rivalry) | W 28–13 | 14,000 |
| November 9 | at Western Michigan | No. 8 | Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI (rivalry) | W 42–6 | 24,235–24,250 |
| November 16 | Southern Illinois | No. 7 | Perry Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI | W 42–0 | 12,830 |
| November 30 | No. 4 Boise State | No. 6 | Perry Shorts StadiumMount Pleasant, MI (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal) | W 20–6 | 9,913 |
| December 7 | vs. No. 1 Louisiana Tech | No. 6 | Memorial StadiumWichita Falls, TX (NCAA Division II Semifinal—Pioneer Bowl) | W 35–14 | 12,200 |
| December 14 | vs. No. 3 Delaware | No. 6 | Charles C. Hughes StadiumSacramento, CA(NCAA Division II Championship Game—Camellia Bowl) | W 54–14 | 14,137 |
| Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game |||||||

## NFL Draft

The following players were drafted into the National Football League following the season.
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Franchise |
| Mike Franckowiak | Running back | 3 | 54 | Denver Broncos |
| Tom Ray | Defensive back | 17 | 425 | Green Bay Packers |