Scouting Report: Aztecs travel to Central Michigan for matchup against Chippewas team with solid run game

San Diego State, fresh off a week off, travels to Central Michigan this weekend before opening Mountain West play.

The Chippewas are members of the Mid-American Conference, which has served as a confidence booster for SDSU through the years.

The Aztecs (1-2) are 16-1-1 against current members of the Mid-American Conference. The only loss came in 2018, when they lost to Ohio in the Frisco Bowl, 27-0. That was avenged in SDSU’s most recent game against a MAC school — a 20-13 victory over Ohio in last year’s season opener at Snapdragon Stadium.

Central Michigan (2-2) is coming off a 37-34 win over Ball State that required a late rally to claim the victory.

“They’ve won six out of their last seven at home,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “They know how to protect their home turf and found a way to win this past week.

“They’re a dangerous team that can do it both through the air and on the ground so we have to do a great job on our end preparing to go win.”

The teams have met only once before, with the Aztecs beating Central Michigan 48-11 in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl.

Central Michigan opened as a 2-point favorite in this game, which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT (CBS Sports Network) on Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

About the Chippewas

Outside observers viewed Central Michigan’s prospects this season much like the Aztecs — both teams were picked for eighth place in their respective conferences in preseason media polls.

The Chippewas have been among the more successful MAC programs in recent years, playing in six bowl games the past nine seasons, although they haven’t played in the postseason since a 24-21 win over Washington State in the 2021 Sun Bowl.

Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain, whose résumé includes head coaching stints at Colorado State and Florida, is in his sixth season guiding the Chippewas. Back-to-back losing seasons (4-8 and 5-7) dropped McElwain’s overall record to 29-28 at the school entering 2024. He got back over .500 in last week’s MAC opener when the Chippewas used a last-minute drive to beat Ball State.

Even amid recent struggles, Mount Pleasant, Mich., has to be more pleasant than Gainesville, Fla. McElwain said ill will there included death threats directed at coaches and players when the Gators struggled during the 2017 season.

“A lot of angry people,” said McElwain, whose team was 3-4 at the time. “In this business, we’re the ones you take the shots at.”

Florida fired McElwain six days later.

Central Michigan seems to have more patience for the ups and downs that come with the game.

The offense

Central Michigan is averaging 32 points a game (52nd in FBS), numbers skewed by a 66-10 season-opening victory over Central Connecticut State.

The Chippewas set the tone for the offense with a solid run game. They spread the ball among running backs B.J. Harris (24 carries, 232 yards, TD), Myles Bailey (24-171, 2 TDs), Nahree Biggins (19-136) and Marion Lukes (30-136), who have helped the team average 5.9 yards a carry.

Central Michigan gouged Ball State for 335 yards rushing last week. Harris led the way with 151 yards, including explosive runs of 71, 41, 25 and 19 yards.

Quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. adds another running threat. The son of former NFL wide receiver Bert Emanuel rushed for two touchdowns against Ball State, subbing in for starting quarterback Joe Labas.

It was the first game back from injury for Emanuel Jr., who started last year for the Chippewas. Labas, an Iowa transfer, became the starter after Emanuel was injured coming into the season.

Central Michigan figures to keep opponents guessing by using either Labas (64-for-108, 803 yards, 6 TDs/6 INTs) or Emanuel going forward.

The Chippewas’ receiving corps has been led by Chris Parker (12 catches, 195 yards, 3 TDs), Evan Boyd (11-202, TD) and Solomon Davis (9-152, 2 TDs).

The defense

The Central Michigan defense ranks 109th in the nation, allowing 31 1/2 points a game.

The biggest struggle came in a 52-16 Week 2 loss to Florida International. There also was a 30-9 loss at Illinois, plus the 34 points allowed against Ball State.

The Chippewas’ biggest challenge has been in stopping the run, where they rank 92nd in the nation, allowing 165 1/2 yards a game.

It hasn’t helped that the D produced only one takeaway in four games (the Chippewas have eight giveaways). That minus-1.75 turnover margin ranks 129th in the country.

Defensive back Aakeem Snell’s interception accounts for the one takeaway. The Chippewas don’t have a fumble recovery because they haven’t even forced a fumble.

Central Michigan also hasn’t put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks, collecting eight sacks. They have been decent on the back end with 10 pass breakups.

Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski leads the defense with 37 tackles. Defensive back Elijah Rikard is second with 26 while linebackers Justin Whiteside and Dakota Cochran have 20 apiece.

Did you know?

Central Michigan’s teams were known as the Bearcats until 1941. That’s when football coach Lawrence “Doc” Sweeney pointed out that Bearcats had nothing to do with the university.

Sweeney suggested Chippewas, which referenced the Chippewa River that ran through Mount Pleasant as well as the Chippewa Indian history in the area.

Originally Published: September 24, 2024 at 6:36 p.m.