Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush
MAC Spotlight: Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- The last time college football fans watched Cooper Rush lead the Central Michigan offense, all he did was throw for seven touchdown passes and 485 yards passing in a dramatic 49-48 loss to Western Kentucky in the inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 24.
In the contest, Rush and his Chippewas turned a 49-14 fourth quarter deficit into one of the most thrilling games of the year by scoring 34 straight points, including a touchdown on the final play of the game -- a 75-yard triple lateral by Jesse Kroll, Deon Butler, Courtney Williams and finally Titus Davis dove into the endzone for the 49-48 score. Unfortunately, the Chippewas two-point conversion failed and the amazing comeback, let alone amazing play, ended in a one-point bowl loss.
In 2014, Rush completed 243-of-382 passing during the season for 3,157 yards passing and 27 touchdowns as the Chippewas finished with a 7-6 overall record, 5-3 in the MAC for a fourth place finish in the tough MAC West Division. This season Rush and his Central Michigan Chippewas return 14 starters and 37 lettermen from last year's squad and first-year head coach John Bonamego will be looking for the junior signal caller to lean on his two-year's of starter experience and lead the Central Michigan offense.
Central Michigan opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 pm ET as the Oklahoma State Cowboys from the Big-12 will play at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on ESPNU.
