CMU Announces 2012 Football Schedule
By TheChipReport.com
MOUNT PLEASANT – Central Michigan announced its historic 2012 football schedule on Thursday in conjunction with the release of this season’s Mid-American Conference schedule.
The Chippewas, who will play seven home games for just the third time in the modern era, will play 10 of their 12 regular season games on Saturday, including a string of four straight home games beginning in October.
CMU opens the season with three straight nonconference games: home matchups with Southeast Missouri State (Aug. 30) and Michigan State (Sept. 8th) followed by a road trip to Iowa (Sept. 22).
Mid-American Conference play begins on Sept. 29 with at Northern Illinois. CMU plays the last of three straight road games at Toledo on Oct. 6.
A nonconference matchup with Navy on Oct. 13 is the first of four consecutive home games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas also host Ball State (Oct. 20), Akron (Oct. 27) and Western Michigan (Nov. 3) during their longest homestand since 1968.
CMU closes the season by playing two of its final three games on the road. The Chippewas wrap visits to Eastern Michigan (Nov. 10) and Massachusetts (Nov. 23) around the home finale with Miami (Nov. 17) to close the regular season.
The Mid-American Conference Championship Game is set for Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.
Kickoff times, special event dates (including Homecoming) and additional television appearances will be announced at a later date.
Central Michigan 2012 Football Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 30 vs. Southeast Missouri State
Saturday, Sept. 8 vs. Michigan State
Saturday, Sept. 22 at Iowa
Saturday, Sept. 29 at Northern Illinois*
Saturday, October 6 at Toledo*
Saturday, October 13 vs. Navy
Saturday, October 20 vs. Ball State*
Saturday, October 27 vs. Akron*
Saturday, November 3 vs. Western Michigan*
Saturday, November 10 at Eastern Michigan*
Saturday, November 17 vs. Miami*
Friday, November 23 at Massachusetts* (ESPNU/ESPN3.com)
Friday, November 30 – MAC Championship Game at Ford Field, Detroit (7 p.m., ESPN2)
* Mid-American Conference game
Facebook comments:
Does this schedule, with so many home games on Saturdays, represent an effort on the part of the MAC to help CMU solve its attendence problems? Also, has the contract with ESPN been altered to allow this schedule?
As with so many other fans, I am very glad to see a return to Saturday games, even if it means I cannot watch the Chips on TV as often as before. Hopefully, I will be able to make the 7 hour trip to Mt. Pleasant from where I currently live at least once this year. I’m much more likely to make that trip with games on Saturday than I was with games on weekdays.
Hey Steve,
I think this schedule has almost everything to do with Dave Heeke’s hard work over the last 5 years.
An impressive home schedule like this is built over years of negotiating and sacrifice. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Chippewa football team, under Dan Enos, is peaking for 2012 either.
It’s hard to say whether TV exposure or full bleachers are better for recruiting but 2012 should definitely give the program the limelight.
Steve, where do you hail from?
Thanks for your comments on the making of the 2012 football schedule. I’m always interested in hearing about what went on behind the scenes to make things happen. In response to your question, I’m currently living in the Cincinnati metro area.
I ordered my tickets for the CMU v. Navy game today! This will be the first time I’ve been able to make it back to Mt. Pleasant since 2007, when I watched CMU v. EMU on a Friday night in November. Fire Up Chips!