INSIDE SLANT
The 2009 GMAC Bowl is turning into an intriguing matchup between conference champions.
Central Michigan enters the bowl game with three Mid-American Conference championships in the last four years. The Chippewas will be playing in their fourth consecutive bowl game. Meanwhile, Troy has won the Sun Belt title the last four years, including consecutive outright titles the last two years.
Central Michigan linebacker Nick Bellore said the matchup is unique.
“Pitting two conference champions against each other doesn’t happen too often in the non-BCS games,” Bellore said. “It might be the only non-(Bowl Championship Series) game where you got two conference champions going head-to-head.”
The Chippewas and Trojans enter the bowl game with attractive offenses. The Chippewas rank 16th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring, averaging 33.2 points a game. The Trojans rank 18th with an average of 33.1 points a contest.
Both teams have big-time quarterbacks capable of taking over the game.
Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour is one of the best players in MAC history. The senior is the FBS all-time total touchdowns leader with 148 and owns numerous school, conference and national records.
Troy quarterback Levi Brown can rip apart teams with his passing ability. Brown completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,868 yards and 22 touchdowns. Led by Brown, the Trojans averaged 331 yards passing and 478.5 total yards per game. Troy receiver Jerrel Jernigan is Brown’s favorite target, as he’s compiled 947 yards and four touchdowns.
The CMU defense vastly improved its numbers from a year ago. The Chippewas own the 17th-ranked defense in the country, allowing 17.2 points a game.
Aside from trying to defend against Troy’s talented offense, the Chippewas must avoid the distractions surrounding the future of their head coach, Butch Jones. The third-year Central Michigan coach is reportedly a leading candidate for the Marshall position. Jones is 26-13 with two MAC titles and three bowl appearances at Central Michigan.
NOTES, QUOTES
• The Central Michigan program achieved several historic milestones in a matter of a few days earlier this month.
The Chippewas kicked off a stunning weekend by defeating Ohio 20-10 in the 2009 Mid-American Conference championship game at Ford Field in Detroit. The championship signaled CMU’s third conference title in four years. Two days later, on Dec. 6, Central Michigan made school history by earning a spot in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in school history.
At 11-2, the Chippewas notched the No. 25 spot. On the same day, Central Michigan landed a spot in the GMAC Bowl against Troy in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 6.
“This is obviously a very exciting thing for us and our football program,” Central Michigan coach Butch Jones said. “We get a chance to play a very good football team in Troy and be one of the final games before the BCS Championship. It is a great opportunity for this program, and we are looking forward to the experience.”
Expect Jones to receive more attention from BCS programs looking for a new coach after Central Michigan earned a national ranking. Jones is being mentioned for several open jobs, including Marshall and Louisville.
The Chippewas, who finished 8-0 in regular-season MAC play, must deal with a Troy team sporting an unblemished 8-0 Sun Belt Conference record. Troy, which went 9-3 overall, suffered blowout losses to Florida (56-6), Arkansas (56-21) and Bowling Green (31-14). The Chippewas defeated Bowling Green 24-10 on Oct. 24.
Jones said the Trojans represent a formidable opponent for the Chippewas.
“Troy is a program that has been a championship program and consistently been competing for championships each year,” Jones said. “They have a lot of great athletes, and we will certainly be faced with a great challenge.”
The Chippewas, with a senior class looking to make history by ending a two-game bowl losing streak, don’t plan on resting on their laurels after winning the MAC title. Central Michigan relies on a potent offensive attack and improved defense. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is one of the best players in school and conference history. A running and passing threat, LeFevour tops Central Michigan’s rushing charts with 701 yards, and he passed for 3,043 yards and 27 touchdowns.
LeFevour guided the Chippewas to a whopping 33.2 points and 416.9 yards per game in 2009. The Trojans, meanwhile, gave up yardage in big chunks to opponents this year. Troy allowed 28.6 points and 417.9 yards per game, with 277 yards via the air.
The Chippewas must contend with the elements and the Trojans’ home-state advantage.
“We are going to venture into some new territory and play a team in their back yard,” Jones said. “But we are looking forward to the new experience, and the GMAC Bowl is a bowl that does things right, and it will be a great stage for a great football game.”
Scouting The Offense: The Chippewas punish opponents with a strong aerial attack. QB Dan LeFevour passed for 3,043 yards and 27 touchdowns. The senior will test Troy’s shaky defense with his running and passing. WRs Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson form one of the best combinations in the country. The Trojans allowed 28.6 points and 417.9 yards per game. Troy’s secondary faces a stiff challenge in slowing LeFevour.
Scouting The Defense: Central Michigan won its third MAC title in four years behind an improved defense. The Chippewas allowed 17.2 points and 326.7 yards per game. Central Michigan had 11 interceptions and forced eight fumbles. LBs Nick Bellore and Matt Berning led the Chippewas with 118 and 100 tackles, respectively.
Matchup To Watch: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour vs. Troy’s defensive line—The Chippewas rely on their senior quarterback to lead the offense. LeFevour forces defenses to guard against his running and passing. Troy’s defensive line must be ready for anything, with the Chippewas mixing plays and relying on LeFevour’s big-play ability.
Other Key Matchups:
Central Michigan’s Antonio Brown vs. Troy’s defense and special teams unit—Brown causes fits for teams with his ability to make plays. Brown can rack up yardage via receiving, running, returning punts and returning kickoffs. The junior led the Chippewas with 97 receptions, 1,020 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Brown ranked fourth on the team with 319 yards rushing on 38 carries. One of the best returners in the country, Brown averaged 13.5 yards per punt return, with two punt returns for touchdowns. He averaged 20.4 yard per kickoff return. And Brown even completed his only pass of the season, a 24-yarder.
Troy QB Levi Brown vs. Central Michigan’s defense—Brown made of habit of shredding secondaries in 2009. He passed for 3,868 yards and 22 touchdowns, with the Trojans averaging 331 yards in the air. The Chippewas rely on a talented group of linebackers and an experienced defensive line. LBs Nick Bellore and Matt Berning are a big reason for CMU’s improvement on defense. Bellore paced the Chippewas with 118 tackles, and Berning tallied 100 stops. Both linebackers must shadow Brown and keep him from picking apart Central Michigan’s fragile secondary. DE Frank Zombo must apply pressure from the edge to force Brown out of his comfort zone.
Quote To Note: “That’s great, and it’s been a goal for our program, but I think if you ask any team that has been in the Top 25, they will say that you want to be there at the end of the year. It’s great to be recognized, but you don’t want to spend just one week there and then be gone again.”—Senior QB Dan LeFevour, on Central Michigan landing its first-ever spot in the AP Top 25.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Bowl Breakdown:
Central Michigan vs. Troy, GMAC Bowl, Jan. 6, Mobile, Ala.—The teams will play for the first time. Central Michigan is making its fourth straight bowl appearance, and it will be playing in the GMAC Bowl for the first time.
Players To Watch:
QB Dan LeFevour—The senior broke numerous school, conference and national records in a stellar career. LeFevour’s experience is a big plus for the Chippewas. LeFevour can help his draft stock with another customary huge game.
WR Antonio Brown—He’ll cause fits for Troy’s coaching staff in their game-planning due to his ability to run the ball, catch passes and return kicks and punts. Brown is one of the most overlooked players in the country.
LB Nick Bellore—He was a key reason for Central Michigan’s defensive turnaround from an abysmal 2008 season. Bellore posted a team-high 118 tackles, intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles.
CB Josh Gordy—A healthy Gordy is a big help to Central Michigan’s secondary. The Chippewas need Gordy to be playing at full strength to combat Troy QB Levi Brown, who passed for 3,868 yards and 22 touchdowns. Gordy led the Chippewas with three interceptions in 11 games.
Roster Report:
• Coach Butch Jones is trying to downplay the chatter of his name being linked to several attractive coaching positions. Jones is considered a candidate for the opening at Marshall and could also be mentioned at Cincinnati.
• WR Antonio Brown said he might not return for his senior season if coach Butch Jones takes a job at another school.
• QB Dan LeFevour tossed his 101st career touchdown against Ohio to take become the MAC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes.
• WR Bryan Anderson extended his NCAA-record streak to 52 consecutive games with a reception.
