Ohio (3-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) will be looking for its first road win of the season this weekend when it travels to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to play Central Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC). Coming off a bye week, Ohio is looking to stay hot after a conference-opening victory against Akron.
Ohio hasn’t done well against Central Michigan in 35 games. The Bobcats hold a record of 6-27-2 against the Chippewas and have only won two games in Mount Pleasant. Despite its history, Ohio won the most recent matchup between the two teams with a 34-20 victory last season at Peden Stadium.
Here is all you need to know before Ohio takes on Central Michigan Saturday at 4 p.m.
Head Coach
In his six years as head coach at Central Michigan, Jim McElwain has gained respect throughout the conference. McElwain has beaten Ohio every year of his career, last year being an exception.
In his first four years as head coach, McElwain led Central Michigan to two MAC West Division titles. 2024 is McElwain’s 39th year as a football coach.
Quarterback
The Chippewas are led on offense by starting quarterback Joe Labas. Labas, an Ohio native, is currently in his redshirt junior year and his first year at Central Michigan after transferring from Iowa.
Labas saw one game of action for Iowa but has started every game this year for Central Michigan. In those five games, he has thrown for 1,078 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. Labas does most of his work through the air, tallying just 19 rushing yards on the year.
Running backs
Running back is one of Central Michigan’s deepest positions, boasting four backs with solid usage and production this year. B.J. Harris and Marion Lukes are the two leading backs, with Harris going for 273 yards and two touchdowns on the year and Lukes going for 212 yards and one touchdown this year.
Behind them are Myles Bailey and Nahree Biggins. Bailey currently has 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns while Biggins has 136 yards on the year.
Wide Receivers
Similar to the Chippewas’ running back room, the wide receiver position has plenty of depth. Evan Boyd leads the way with 253 yards and one touchdown. Behind him are Chris Parker and Solomon Davis, with Parker going for 223 yards and three touchdowns and Davis going for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Gavin Harris is the fourth receiver for Central Michigan and his stats on the season are 148 yards and one touchdown. The Chippewas have a multitude of playmakers on the boundaries and Ohio’s secondary will need to play well to slow them down.
Defense
Central Michigan currently ranks 8th in the MAC in scoring defense, allowing 29.4 points per game, and 4th in the MAC in total defense, allowing 353.6 yards per game. Linebackers Justin Whiteside and Jordan Kwiatkowski have been the rocks of the defense for Central Michigan, combining for 70 tackles and seven tackles for loss on the year so far.
Defensive end Jason Williams is the best pass-rushing threat the Chippewas have, with the junior going for 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Behind the Chippewa front seven, defensive back Elijah Rikard highlights a stout secondary that allows just 197 passing yards per game.
