The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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124 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Jim McElwain led Central Mich- igan to eight- and nine-win sea- sons in two of his first three years in Mount Pleasant, but he never recreated that magic in the back half of his tenure. He retired fol- lowing a 4-8 campaign in 2024, with the Chippewas' 16-14 win over archrival Western Michigan being a parting gift. Enter Matt Drinkall, a longtime Army staffer (2019-24) who most recently served as offensive line coach. In 2024, his unit won the Joe Moore Award for the best line in the country and paved the way for the nation's leading rushing offense (314.4 yards per game). This is Drinkall's second oppor- tunity as a head coach but his first at the Division I level. He went 42- 17 in five seasons with NAIA Kan- sas Wesleyan from 2014-18. One of Drinkall's first tasks at the helm is to rebuild an offensive line that lost four of its five starters from last season, in- cluding left tackle Davis Heinzen. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder started a school- record 36 consecutive games before leav- ing for the Big Ten (Wisconsin). Columbia transfer John Ianuzzi brings experience at guard, having started 20 straight games in the Ivy League from 2023-24. Stability at the quarterback position wasn't present last season and will be im- portant this fall. Redshirt senior Joe Labas opened the first six games before suffer- ing a season-ending injury, but he is back in 2025. He wasn't exactly lighting it up when healthy, though, connecting on 58.8 percent of his throws for 1,114 yards and 7 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. He totaled 19 yards on 21 rushes. Labas originally entered the NCAA transfer portal in December but, after conversations with the new staff, decided to remain in Mount Pleasant. He's the favorite to win the job again but will be pushed by Northern Arizona transfer Angel Flores. Tulane running back transfer Trey Cornist was a big addition. He's expected to start as the pri- mary ball-carrier after rushing for 149 yards and a score on 22 carries in six games as a reserve for the Green Wave a season ago. CMU returns six starters from a defense that struggled against the run (169.8 yards per game; 93rd nationally) and gave up 29.7 points per outing (98th). The Chippewas averaged 2.6 sacks and 7.8 tackles for loss per game last season, with those fig- ures ranking 33rd and seventh in the nation, respectively, but forced only 5 turnovers. CMU ranked last in the nation in average turnover margin at minus-1.42 per clash. Two cornerback transfers will be tasked with being more disruptive and notching takeaways — redshirt junior Kalen Carroll (Cincinnati) and senior Maddix Black- well (Indiana State). Carroll started 10 games for the Bearcats last season, while Blackwell was a team captain and earned honorable mention All-Missouri Valley recognition. The leader of the defense will be se- nior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski, who collected second-team All-MAC honors in 2024. He paced the defense with 96 tackles, including 14 for loss, and added an interception. ❑ Central Michigan Hits The Reset Button 2025 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2024 Result Aug. 28 at San Jose State — Sept. 6 at Pittsburgh — Sept. 13 at Michigan — Sept. 20 WAGNER — Sept. 27 EASTERN MICHIGAN L, 38-34 Oct. 4 at Akron — Oct. 18 at Bowling Green L, 23-13 Oct. 25 MASSACHUSETTS — Nov. 1 at Western Michigan W, 16-14 Nov. 12 BUFFALO — Nov. 19 at Kent State — Nov. 29 TOLEDO L, 37-10 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • Coach Matt Drinkall comes from a suc- cessful program • Continuity at QB • Secondary reinforcements Drinkall saw Army head coach Jeff Monken build a program that competed for a Col- lege Football Playoff spot last season. While CMU lost its offensive line produc- tion and top rushers, building from the inside out with physicality is Drinkall's call- ing card. REASONS FOR CONCERN • Ball security • Wide receiver exodus • A lot of work to do on defense Quarterback Joe Labas had a 1:1 turnover- to-interception ratio last season, and he lost all three of his starting wide receivers, including two to transfers. GAME 3 • CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS • SEPT. 13 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 4-0 First Meeting: U-M 27, CMU 0 (Oct. 3, 1931, in Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 59, CMU 9 (Aug. 31, 2013, in Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Matt Drinkall, 0-0 at CMU (1st year) 2024 In Review: 4-8, 2-6 MAC Final 2024 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 10 (3 offense, 6 de- fense, 1 specialist) Last Bowl Appearance: 2021 (Sun Bowl vs, Washington State, W 24-21) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Joe Labas (1,114 yards, 7 TD) Rushing: Nahree Biggins (136 yards) Receiving: DeCorion Temple (66 yards) Tackles: Jordan Kwiatkowski (96) Sacks: Michael Heldman (4) Interceptions: Jordan Kwiatkowski, Aa- keem Snell (1) Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski has totaled 138 tackles in 34 career games on defense. PHOTO COURTESY CENTRAL MICHIGAN ATHLETICS