VIDEO: ESPN3 Broadcast Previewing the Central Michigan Chippewas
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Fourth-year head coach John Bonamego ended the 2017 season by leading the Chippewas to winning its last five consecutive regular season games and accepting an invitation to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to complete the year with an 8-5 overall record, including a 6-2 record for a second-place tie in the difficult MAC West Division.
In his three seasons leading the Central Michigan program, Bonamego has led the Chippewas to three bowl games, a win over an autonomous conference opponent in each of the last two years (Kansas, Oklahoma State) and seeing the program progress with records of 7-6, 6-7 and 8-5 in that span.
Bonamego became the 28th head coach in Central Michigan football history on Feb. 8, 2015, as he played for legendary CMU head coach Herb Deromedi in the mid 1980s, and he proclaimed the position his “dream job” as he became the first CMU alum to lead the program since Bill Kelly from 1951-66.
Central Michigan will have 36 letterwinners and 16 starters (6 offense, 7 defense, 3 special teams) returning from last year’s squad. The Chippewas have a challenging non-conference schedule as they travel to SEC country to face Kentucky on Sept. 1, then return to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to host Kansas from the Big 12 on Sept. 8. Central Michigan hosts Maine on Sept 22, before traveling to Michigan State on Sept. 29.
Offensively, three starters along the offensive line return for this season as Joe Austin, Shakir Carr and Steve Eipper will pave the way for the Chippewas offense. Junior running back Jonathan Ward will carry the load in the backfield as he posted 1,019 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns last season.
Defensively, Central Michigan will be paced by linebackers Malik Fountain (89 tackles), Alex Briones (83 tackles, 3 interceptions), while defensive back Sean Bunting (49 tackles, 5 interceptions) will lead the secondary.
Central Michigan 2018 Roster
Central Michigan 2018 Media Guide
Central Michigan 2018 Schedule
September
1 at Kentucky, 3:30 pm ET (ESPNU)
8 Kansas, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+)
15 *at NIU, 3:30 pm ET (ESPN+)
22 Maine
29 at Michigan State
October
6 *Buffalo
13 *Ball State
20 *Western Michigan, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+)
27 *at Akron
November
3 *at Eastern Michigan, Noon ET (ESPN3)
10 *Bowling Green, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+)
23 *at Toledo, TBA
