Critical MAC West Division matchup on homecoming for Central Michigan
Toledo's Cody Thompson is a name that's too familiar for Central Michigan.
When one player accounts for all four of the touchdowns scored in a game, like he did in 2016 against CMU (3-3, 1-1 MAC), knowing that he won't be on the field this week has optimism looming.
Thompson, the senior wide receiver, will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his leg last week at the Glass Bowl. He finishes his career sixth all-time in career receiving yardage (2,665) in UT history, eighth in touchdowns (20) and 14th in receptions (133).
“I am not going to expect (Thompson's injury) to slow (Toledo) down at all or change their approach to what they do or how they game plan,” said CMU head coach John Bonamego."
Losing the main target for Maxwell Award contender Logan Woodside is a heavy blow regardless for the MAC West Division favorites, the guest for CMU's homecoming Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
Not having to deal with Thompson–on paper–brings a promising chance for the Chippewas to break the hefty losing streak in their yearly series with Toledo. CMU is coming off a 26-23 win at Ohio and are in its second week with a healthy Tyler Conklin and Corey Willis.
The teams have competed annually in 1975 but began playing 52 years earlier. UT (4-1, 1-1) has won seven straight, including last year's 31-17 score, by an averaging margin of 15.
"You look at their football team and it's one big challenge," Bonamego said. "Whether you're talking about their offense, (Logan) Woodside and the arsenal of weapons that they have. The receiving corp is very deep and defensively, I'm really impressed with their front seven and how they play."
Toledo leads the MAC in total offense (501.2) and passing offense (327.4) this season, the latter of the two ranks 11th in the country. Unsurprisingly, Woodside is first among MAC quarterbacks with 1,635 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.
Central Michigan counters with graduate transfer Shane Morris, who's second in the conference behind Woodside with 264.2 yards passing per game.
The former Michigan journeyman had his best outing against the Bobcats since the win at Kanas on Sept. 9, where he became the third all-time leading passer by a CMU quarterback in a single-game.
Morris is also tied for fifth in the FBS in passes thrown with 242.
Conklin, in his first game back last week since breaking his foot in fall camp, led CMU with 10 receptions and 136 receiving yards, all career-highs. Willis had zero catches, primarily used as a decoy and blocker.
"(Conklin) is a big strong man who can run and catch the ball," Bonamego said. "He's a complete tight end. He can block whether he's attached or detached. We're just really happy to have him back with us on the field."
Defensively for the Chippewas, senior cornerback Amari Coleman remains a game-time decision for Saturday's game. He didn't play in Athens due to an undisclosed injury, allowing junior Da'Quaun Jamison to get the start.
Defensive end captain Joe Ostman was credited with three forced fumbles on OU's dual-threat quarterback Nathan Rourke, grabbing two sacks in the process. The senior's 19 career sacks are fifth all-time in CMU history.
Senior safety Josh Cox' fourth interception this year recorded on Rourke was the 10th for Central Michigan as a whole, which is second in the nation behind South Florida.
"It's going to be very important that we try to limit (Toledo) offensively and try not to give up the big play," Bonamego said.