Ohio (7-3, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) rebounded last week from its third loss of the season, but the team no longer has its home winning streak. Ohio will be looking to start a new winning streak in its final home game of the season against Central Michigan (5-5, 3-3 MAC).
Despite only holding a nonconference record of 2-2, the Chippewas played very well early in the season. The Chippewas played in three road games to start the season including Notre Dame, Michigan State and South Alabama. Central Michigan defeated South Alabama and won its only home nonconference game against New Hampshire. In conference play, the Chippewas have a 3-3 record with all three wins coming at home.
Here is what to know about Central Michigan:
Head Coach
Jim McElwain is in his fifth season as the head coach of Central Michigan. In his five years at Central Michigan, McElwain has a record of 29-26. McElwain led Central Michigan to the MAC Championship in his first season in 2019 and led the team to a nine-win season in 2021. McElwain previously coached at Florida and Colorado State, leading both programs to 10-win seasons.
Quarterback
Jase Bauer is the Chippewas' redshirt sophomore quarterback who has seemingly improved tremendously through his last three games as the team's starter. Bauer has gone for seven total touchdowns in his last three games against one interception. On the season, Bauer has completed 57.5% of his passes for 1,542 yards and nine passing touchdowns. Bauer has thrown seven interceptions on the season.
Running back
Marion Lukes is the Chippewas' leading rusher so far in 2023 with 609 total yards. Lukes didn't have a game with at least 10 carries until the Chippewas' seventh game against Akron. Two weeks later, against Northern Illinois, Lukes had his best game of the season with 21 carries for 207 yards and a touchdown. Myles Bailey has been the Chippewas' other leading running back with 371 total yards on the season. However, Bailey only received one carry in Central Michigan's loss to Western Michigan.
Wide Receiver
Central Michigan is led by three main receivers, including Jesse Prewitt III, Chris Parker and Tyson Davis. Prewitt has been the Chippewas' leading receiver, playing in all ten games and collecting 428 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Prewitt's best game came in Central Michigan's 34-30 win over South Alabama. Davis had a very strong performance off of injury against Western Michigan with three catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Although Parker does not have a performance with more than four catches, he went for 124 yards in the team's win against New Hampshire.
Defense
Defensive Lineman Jacques Bristol has been one of the Chippewas' biggest playmakers on the defensive end of the ball. Bristol leads the team with seven tackles for a loss. Bristol's three sacks are the second most on the team. Kyle Moretti has done some of everything for Central Michigan. The junior linebacker has two sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and is second on the team in total tackles with 56.
