Central Michigan Chippewas football The Central Michigan Chippewas football team ( also referred to as the CMU Chippewas ) is a college football program in Division I FBS , representing Central Michigan University . They are a top 25 program in terms of all - time winning percentage and top five amongst all teams from non - BCS automatic qualifying conferences . The Chippewas currently compete in the Mid - American Conference . Championships . National Championships . The Chippewas won the 1974 NCAA Division II National Championship by defeating Delaware 54 - 14 . Rivalries . Western Michigan Broncos . These arch rivals first met in 1907 and have faced one another annually since 1943 . Since the two schools are separated by just a 2 hour drive , the visiting team typically has a strong fan and student presence at the game . The winner of the game receives the Cannon Trophy . The outcome also helps determine the winner of the Michigan MAC Trophy , a trophy fought over between Michigan ' s three MAC football teams : the Chippewas , the Broncos , and the Eastern Michigan Eagles . 1975 : Central Michigan 34 , Western Michigan 0 In the Chippewas ' first MAC game , they shutout the Broncos 34 - 0 at the then Perry Shorts Stadium . 2000 : Central Michigan 21 , Western Michigan 17 The Broncos entered this game with an 8 - 1 record , atop the conference standings , and on the brink of a top 25 ranking . Conversely , the Chippewas entered the game with a 1 - 8 record . However , the Chippewas shocked the Broncos , defeating them 21 - 17 . 2004 : Central Michigan 24 , Western Michigan 21 ( OT ) Trailing 21 - 7 with 2 minutes remaining , Chippewa quarterback Kent Smith rushed for a touchdown . The Broncos secured the ensuing kickoff , but would fumble to CMU . Several plays later , Smith threw a touchdown pass to tie the game and force overtime . The Chippewas went on to win the game 24 - 21 on a 25 - yard field goal . After the kick , the CMU students rushed the field . 2007 : Central Michigan 34 , Western Michigan 31 Western Michigan scored 14 points within 33 seconds to take a 31 - 27 lead with less than two minutes remaining . But , on the Chippewas ' following drive , quarterback Dan LeFevour threw a 39 yard pass to Bryan Anderson at the 1 - yard line . LeFevour then rushed for the winning touchdown . 2008 : Central Michigan 38 , Western Michigan 28 Senior quarterback Brian Brunner got the nod over injured Dan LeFevour in a matchup of two MAC undefeateds . It was also the first game that would be played for the newly minted " Cannon Trophy . " The Chippewas , led by Brunner ' s 341 yards passing and freshman running back Bryan Schroeder ' s 141 yards rushing downed the Broncos . Eastern Michigan Eagles . The Chippewas and Eagles maintain a less prominent , but steady rivalry . These opponents know each other well as they have faced each other over 80 times . Michigan State Spartans . These two teams only first met in 1991 , but a rivalry quickly developed . The two schools are separated by just 68 miles of U . S . Route 127 . Michigan State leads the rivalry 6 - 3 . 1991 : Central Michigan 20 , Michigan State 3 The defending Big Ten Co - Champion Spartans entered the game ranked 19th in the nation . They were thought of as such a high favorite that odds - makers did not release point spreads for the game . Yet , the underdog Chippewas never trailed , beating the Spartans by a score of 20 - 3 . 1992 : Central Michigan 24 , Michigan State 20 CMU went back into Spartan stadium a year later and won a hard fought battle to stun the surging Spartans . After beating the Spartans two straight years , the rivalry was born . 2009 : Central Michigan 29 , Michigan State 27 With 32 seconds remaining , Chippewa quarterback Dan LeFevour threw a touchdown pass to Paris Cotton to put the Chippewas within one point . After a failed two - point conversion , Bryan Anderson recovered the ensuing onside kick to set up a field goal attempt . After an offside penalty negated a missed attempt , Andrew Aguila hit the game winning 42 - yard field goal . Media . Radio . The CMU Sports Network broadcasts all games live throughout Michigan and online for free . CMU Sports Network Affiliates : Television . The ESPN family of channels and Fox Sports affiliates have provided national and local television coverage . CMU Sports Zone provides live and archive Internet video - feed of games , gameday coverage , and coaches shows .