COLUMN: Central Michigan learning what it takes to be a great team, still needs time for growth
Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain paces the sideline against Western Michigan Sept. 28 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.
Trailing 31-9 against Western Michigan, the thought of embarrassment came into play. If the Broncos scored again, it would've been 38-9 – humiliating, even for an opposing program coming off a 1-11 record.
That's because, despite the 1-11 mark from a year ago, Central Michigan won its season opener, handled Mid-American Conference opponent Akron with ease and gave the Miami Hurricanes a fight to the final seconds.
There were presuppositions of success entering the Sept. 28 rivalry against the Broncos, an elite MAC team with arguably the best quarterback and running back in the league.
Many people assumed the Chippewas, led by first-year coach Jim McElwain, would compete and remain competitive for four quarters. Sometimes that happened. Other times, not so much.
And that's the perfect way to sum up the state of the program – inconsistent, yet impressive.
In the 2018 season under former coach John Bonamego, Central Michigan was a dreadful team. Not only in the state. Not only in the MAC. But across all of college football.
Now, under a new regime, the Chippewas don't throw in the towel down late in the game. To an extent, they show signs of a team that can compete in the conference – a team that could be great in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
In the 2018 showdown against the Broncos, CMU lost 35-10. Where Western Michigan slammed the door by scoring 14 of those points in the fourth quarter, the Chippewas – down 21-10 – were ineffective and put a goose egg on the board.
They quit.
But not this time around.
Down 24-0 in the fourth quarter, Central Michigan scored its opening touchdown at the 12:27 mark on a 1-yard run from sophomore Kobe Lewis.
The score was set up by three-straight complete passes from junior quarterback David Moore, who was making his third career start. He showed poise and trust in his pass catchers – tight end Bernhard Raimann, slot receiver Kalil Pimpleton and starting senior running back Jonathan Ward.
Even though the battle against Western Michigan ended in a 31-15 defeat on the road, the Chippewas didn't fold.
McElwain didn't fold.
That's the difference from one season ago.
Let's even go as far as to say the Chippewas are learning what it takes to be a great team. Actually learning. Not just acting like it.
So let's give them time and not rush the Jim McElwain process.
Along with McElwain sticking to a strict schedule, running a more rigorous program, changing the way practices are conducted and more, he's added the expectation to win and relentlessness to never give up.
And I'm not the only one to notice it – opposing coaches in the state do, as well.
Western Michigan coach Tim Lester: "I think they're much improved. Where they were lacking last year was offensively, and coach McElwain has done a great job. They have a plan and run every formation known to man. That passing game will only continue to get better. It's a timing thing. That doesn't happen overnight. That's the biggest difference – the ability to explode on offense. They are much improved and will get better each week."
Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton: "It's absolutely two different teams, two different programs. Obviously, there are still some of the same faces. I don't know if I see it as an evolution; I see it as a new staff. It's a different offense, different defense and different special teams. I don't compare last year to this year because I don't think there's much of a comparison."
Even McElwain understands that his approach is paying off. Regardless of the wins and losses, Central Michigan is playing tougher football.
"Our guys have got over the all about me (thing)," McElwain said. "The things that go on, I really see a bunch of guys that are learning how to play hard, which is good. Now, we have to learn how to play hard and smart. Those are good growing pains, yet there are always things we can work on.
"It's never as bad as you think. It's never as good as you think."
In the two games against Power Five opponents, Kentucky and Kansas, CMU was outscored 0-17 in the fourth quarter. During the MAC schedule, the Chippewas were beaten 29-75 in the final stanza. Of those 29 points scored, 13 came in the season finale against Toledo.
This season, outside of the 61-0 loss to Wisconsin, CMU has outscored opponents 44-31 in the fourth – a much different story from the 2018 campaign with Bonamego at the helm.
When Central played Albany, it was 7-7 in the fourth. Against Akron, it was 15-14. Even as 30-point underdogs against Miami (FL), the fourth quarter margin was 7-3. The Chippewas nearly pulled off an upset.
And back to this past weekend against the Broncos, where CMU never quit fighting.
A 15-7 fourth-quarter margin in favor of the Chippewas was led by Lewis' touchdown run, and it was capped off by JaCorey Sullivan's 34-yard touchdown snag.
If you don't recall, the 2018 season finale was capped off by two fights in a 51-13 loss against Toledo.
From fighting in the fourth to scoring in the final 15 minutes, there's a clear difference.
I know it's still early in the season and the McElwain era, but the team is transforming.
The state of the program might not be where McElwain, players, fans or alumni would like it to be. Of course, everyone wants immediate success, but it doesn't often work that way. However, CMU is hungry and proving itself as a mediocre squad in the conference that's learning what it takes to achieve greatness.
Greatnesses sometimes starts with winning in the fourth quarter and never flaking out.
That's happening right before your eyes.
