Central Michigan (7-5 overall, 6-2 MAC) vs. Minnesota (5-7 overall, 2-6 Big Ten)
When: Monday, 4:00 p.m. CT – Detroit, Michigan
Stadium: Ford Field (65,000)
TV/Radio: ESPN2, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 1-0-0
Last Meeting: September 26, 1987; Minnesota won 30-10 at the Metrodome.
Coach: John Bonamego (1st season, 7-5)
National Championships: Central Michigan (0); Minnesota (7)
INSIDE THE GAME
By the Numbers
99 Tackles for Antonio Johnson on the season, leading the team.
2012 Central Michigan’s last bowl victory; a 24-21 win against Western Kentucky in the Little Caesars Bowl.
101 Rushing yards per game for the Chippawas, good for 125th in the nation.
Series History
The Gophers and Chippewas have met just once prior. The Gophers prevailed, 30-10, over CMU at the Metrodome in 1987. Rickie Foggie ran for 105 yards and a touchdown while Darrell Thompson added a touchdown of his own.
Home Field Advantage
Just over two hours from Detroit, the Chippewas will certainly have home field advantage on Monday. CMU has played eight different times at Ford Field over the last 11 seasons. This “home away from home” has been good for Central Michigan as the Chippewas posted a 5-3 record in Detroit including two bowl victories and three MAC championships.
Player to Watch
Wide receiver Mark Chapman had interest from Minnesota coming out of high school but didn’t receive an offer following a camp in Minneapolis. The 6-foot sophomore has 43 receptions and 559 yards this season and could be motivated to play against the team that didn’t offer a couple years ago.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
In one of the most interesting storylines leading up to the game, David Goricki of the Detroit News profiles Michigan native and Gopher tight end coach, Rob Reeves. With the firing of Matt Limegrover and Jim Zebrowski, Reeves will take over offensive coordinator responsibilities for the bowl game.
Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press has an interesting profile of two Gopher quarterbacks, Mitch Leidner and graduate assistant Adam Weber.
Brendan Maloy of Sports Illustrated has a quick preview of the Quick Lane Bowl. Maloy predicts a high-scoring affair with CMU pulling out a 34-30 victory.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers If…They can contain CMU quarterback, Cooper Rush. The Gophers banged up secondary will have their hands full with the junior signal caller. Rush has passed for 3,703 and 25 touchdowns all while converting on 67.2 percent of this throws. With almost no ground attack to speak of, the Chippewas will continue the trend of leaning on Rush to lead the offense.
The Chippewas If…They can win the turnover battle. Forcing turnovers has been a problem for Minnesota this year. The Gophers are -4 on the season while CMU is +2. If the Chippewas can pounce and capitalize on turnovers, it could extend Minnesota’s bowl drought.