VIDEO: Central Michigan Head Coach Jim McElwain
VIDEO: Cenrtral Michigan's Steve Eipper/Da'Quan Jamison
Central Michigan 2019 Roster
Central Michigan 2019 Media Guide
Central Michigan 2019 Schedule
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – A fresh start in 2019 is exactly what the Central Michigan football program needed following a difficult 1-11 overall record, including an 0-8 mark in the MAC last season. Jim McElwain was introduced as the 29th head coach in program history on December 2, 2018 as he brings nearly 30 years of college coaching experience, including posts at Florida and Colorado State.
McElwain and an entire new coaching staff bring a clean slate to the Chippewas for 2019. Central Michigan returns 45 lettermen and 13 starters (8 offense, 4 defense, 1 specialist) from last year’s team. The Chippewas open the season against Albany on Aug. 29, then travel to Wisconsin on Sept. 7 and Miami (Fla.) on Sept. 21. They conclude the non-conference portion of the 2019 schedule with a home game against New Mexico State at Kelly Shorts Stadium on Oct. 12.
The most popular question is who will start at quarterback and lead the Chippewas offense. Candidates include senior transfer Quinten Dormady from Houston, who also has experience after spending two years at Tennessee, and senior Tommy Lazzaro, who appeared in six games last season for Central Michigan and threw for 711 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 381 yards and three scores. Also in the mix is junior transfer David Moore from Garden City (Kan.) Community College and freshman Daniel Richardson from Carol City High School in Miami, Fla., who is Dade County’s career leader in yards and touchdown passes.
Offensively, senior running back Jonathan Ward will carry the load in the backfield after an injury plagued season last year. Three offensive line starters are returning as center Steve Eipper, tackle Nick Follmer and guard Jamezz Kimbrough provide a foundation to anchor the line. Tony Poljan, who started at quarterback last year for the Chippewas, has moved permanently to tight end and will be a tall target.
Defensively, senior defensive lineman D’Andre Dill (20 tackles) will anchor the line while senior linebacker Michael Oliver (31 tackles, 2 tackles for loss) and defensive backs Da’Quaun Jamison (41 tackles, 3 tackles for loss) and Devonni Reed (97 tackles) will provide leadership.
Aug.
29 Albany, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN3)
Sept.
7 at Wisconsin, 3:30 pm ET (Big Ten Network)
14 *Akron, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+)
21 at Miami (Fla.)
28 *at Western Michigan
Oct.
5 *Eastern Michigan
12 New Mexico State, 3:00 pm ET (12-day selection)
19 *at Bowling Green
26 *at Buffalo
Nov.
2 *NIU
16 *at Ball State, TBA (CBS Sports Network)
29 *Toledo, TBA
