CMU football hosts first spring game in seven years
The Central Michigan University football team plays in a spring game that they host for the first time since 2018 in Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The team is divided into team Deromedi and team Kramer for the game. (CM Life | Jasmine Brookins)
The Matt Drinkall era has officially begun in Mount Pleasant as CMU football hosted its first spring game since 2018.
Drinkall was named the 30th head football coach at Central Michigan University in December 2024, after the departure of former coach Jim McElwain. Since taking over the program, he has wasted no time allowing the local community to get a look at the potential team for the upcoming football season.
"It was just really important to us to get our product and our players out in front of the community so they can see how hard these kids have been working," Drinkall said. "I think the biggest selling point of Central Michigan is the family atmosphere."
The organized scrimmage was between the offense, who wore the white away uniforms, and the defense, who wore the maroon home uniforms, with quarterbacks rotating every drive.
Junior quarterback Marcus Beamon scored the first touchdown of the spring game, finding redshirt sophomore Jakivion Calip in the flats for an untouched 19-yard touchdown.
While the offense had its moments, the defense stood tall throughout the afternoon, with the front seven bringing consistent pressure.
Senior defensive lineman Michael Heldman looked dominant off the edge, routinely finding his way into the backfield during the scrimmage showing exactly why he is looked at as one of the veteran leaders for the upcoming season.
"Growing up, being under a lot of guys and hearing them vocally, it's just taking those examples from what I've done over the past years and really stepping into the voice role now," Heldman said. "There are times where I get on guys but it's just about holding them accountable."
The spring game also gave fans a look at the young talent the team has to offer as well, with redshirt freshman Jadyn Glasser scoring the next touchdown of the scrimmage on a designed quarterback run.
The ground attack continued to shine as Calip split the offensive line, punching in another touchdown, showcasing the offense's run-oriented look.
"I love coach Drinkall, he really wants to run the ball and that' all I'm with," transfer running back Trey Cornist said. "He emphasizes the championship mindset and that's all I want to be around."
During the halftime intermission, players from both teams entered the stands to personally thank fans for attending the scrimmage.
"This is one of the best teams I've ever been around for internal leadership," coach Drinkall said.
The game ended with CMU practicing plays from the two-yard line, simulating the new college football overtime rules that took effect in 2021.
Central Michigan's season will start on Aug. 28 when it travels to San Jose to take on the San Jose State Spartans. It will be the third time in school history that the two universities have faced off in football and will mark Drinkall's first game as the Chippewas head coach.
