Drew Allar being stupid in the most critical of moments was always, always going to overcome any amount of gassed the Oregon defense was. Chess not checkers.

That tackle on the return was actually huge, potentially

Will Stein and Andy Kotelnicki fourth quarter onward

I know we’re focused on other stuff but uh… what?

That TD play design was brilliant

Drew Allar is the Michael Vick of Ben Roethlisbergers

Second dispatch from Mt. Pleasant today, on the Eagles reeling after falling to 1-4

James Franklin's Penn State has no real identity as a program and will never achieve true elite results until it has one

Last time Georgia gave up 24 or more in a 1st half? Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa.

Quickly arriving at the theory of "Drew Allar would throw for 5k and 25 TDs a year playing for Mike McDaniel and be a backup for everyone else" which is ironically sorta the case with the current QB Mike McDaniel is coaching

The Chippewas are 3-2, 1-0 in the MAC and looking every bit like the rugged, tough, aggressive and multiple team that Matt Drinkall wanted. Main bar on Central Michigan's early season marker, via @mittenfootball.bsky.social:

And the players go through it to take the field — hard to beat this

CMU DL Michael Heldmwn is giving a brilliantly animated press conference

West Michigan HS football legend Trinidad Chambliss.

Also CMU’s donor/big wig suites are lowkey some of the best you’ll find in CFB, especially considering budget constraints and whatnot. They basically raise the windows from what is the players lounge during the week to create an open-air, field-level space to watch from the north end zone.

Drinkall as he walks past to go into the locker room: “Slowly but surely, huh?”

FINAL: Central Michigan 24, Eastern Michigan 13 Chippewas move to 3-2 and win the first leg for the Michigan MAC.

Kessinger misses his first this season from inside 50 yards and with 4:17 left, leading by 11 and with EMU holding two timeouts, Central Michigan is closing in on a win in this rivalry matchup.

28,905 in attendance today, per CMU, ninth largest crowd in program history.

Haven't seen Jackson in the game since he went out. It's been Kalen Carroll at the outside corner spot opposite Deasfernandes.

Graham knocks it through and it's 24-13, with 7:08 to play.

Bryce Llewellyn just dodged what probably should've been a personal foul for unnecessary roughness with a shove after the whistle, CMU bench and fans wanted the flag, but no call. CMU goes for a short gain on 3rd and goal and Cade Graham and the kicking unit comes out again.

Philpot-Dixon is on the sideline in street clothes with crutches and a brace and wrap on his right leg.

Eastern Michigan DL Makhi Gilbert hurt his left knee/leg on a first down completion — jumped to try and bat a pass from Labas and landed funky on it, went down right away. A dreaded non-contact knee injury, it looks like. He's off to the tent. Big void for EMU.

End of 3: Central Michigan 21, Eastern Michigan 13 All the momentum was on EMU's sideline until Blackwell's interception late in the quarter. CMU picked up five on 1st and 10 to end the quarter. It'll be 2nd and 5 at the 29 for the Chippewas to start the fourth quarter.

Interception, Central Michigan Thought Kim got his arm hit or something but he just missed badly and Maddix Blackwell made an excellent play, laying out to haul in the first takeaway of the day.

Whatever adjustments Eastern Michigan made at half, they were good. Multiple defensive stops in the third quarter and the offense has been much more effective.

We're trading punts through the second half of the third quarter here, with Duley booming a better kick this time. Another blocking out of bounds penalty on EMU, and the Eagles will start at the 7. 21-13, CMU, with 3:47 left in Q3

Pass breakup by Deasfernandes sends EMU to a 4th and 5 and a punt attempt. That was a scud missile off the foot of Tomasek that Spann fielded on the hop before getting spun down. CMU ball at the 27.

But a 3rd and 3 play gets blown up by the EMU defensive front; Chippewas have three empty possessions in a row after scoring touchdowns on the first three. Duley's punt isn't great, but a flag down. Ball at EMU 40.

Central Michigan is a great blend of power, heavy, "we're going to run it at you, dare you to stop us" vibes with a lot of modern, analytical thinking baked in. For instance: Drinkall goes for 4th and 1 in his own territory, and Flores converts on a keeper to sustain the drive.

These teams are HITTING in Mt. Pleasant

Touchdown, Eastern Michigan Kim kept on a read option look, might've fumbled before he crossed the goal line (looked like he was already in) but he recovers it and it's a TD regardless. Perfect start to the second half for EMU, that DPI looms large. 21-13, CMU.

Kim's attempt to Long is incomplete but Elijah Rikard commits DPI and the Eagles get a free first down.

Jackson is up and walking to the sideline/tent on his own. EMU will still go for it on 4th down, here.

EMU keeping the offense on for a 4th and 4 at the CMU 44. DB Jaion Jackson down for Central Michigan. He was involved on the tackle in the last play and got crunched. He's a starting corner.

Linebacker Dakota Cochran is the one they're likely looking at — he came in and led with the helmet somewhat as Norman went down, but no foul for targeting. Norman wasn't defenseless, and no indicator I guess.

We're also in a review, which wasn't announced in the stadium. I think they're looking at a potential targeting on the tackle on the kick return.

Boykin comes off leaning on trainers/medical staff, putting no weight on the right leg as he goes right to the tent.

Central Michigan boots it, Jayvin Norman returns it from the goal line for a solid return out to the 31. DB Tylan Boykin down with an injury for EMU after the play. Looks like lower right leg/ankle area.

Lincoln Riley’s commitment to getting LOS’d by teams 50 spots below his in the recruiting rankings is a great bit though

At the half... EMU offense: 4.6 ypp (144/31), 2.8 ypc (42/15) CMU offense: 7.3 ypp (286/39), 7.2 ypc (172/24) CMU also has plays of 49, 47 and 37 yards, among some other chunk pickups. Explosives have haunted EMU's defense and are today.

Halftime stats in Mt. Pleasant

HALF: Central Michigan 21, Eastern Michigan 6 Four of Central Michigan's five drives in the first half visited the red zone; and the five drives have resulted in three TDs, a punt and a missed FG. EMU ball to start the 3rd quarter.

Cade Graham's attempt from 36 is no good, slid left of the upright. EMU has one play here.

This 2-minute drive for CMU has been well worked. Down to the EMU 24 with :16 and one timeout left.

CMU forces a 4th and 6 and takes a timeout with 1:24 left in the half. Drinkall evidently wants to push some more points across. EMU starts the third quarter with the ball. Mitch Tomasek's punt is returned well by Caleb Spann, and CMU takes over at the 39. 1:10 left in the half.

CFB doesn’t need context anyways — not nearly as close of a finish as last week, though

Central Michigan is punting for the first time today, and Declan Duley boots it for a fair catch at the Eastern Michigan 15. EMU needed that stop and ideally a touchdown to feel alright before half. 3:01 until the break.