CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Central Michigan preview

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Central Michigan Chippewas

Turning to a new coach for new direction

College Football: The New Century

'99: 4-7, 3-5 MAC

Coach

Mike DeBord (first season)

Key offensive players

Pete Shepherd, QB, Sr.
Fourth in the MAC with 209 yards passing per game last season.

Jammari O¹Neal, WR, So.
Set MAC freshman record with 1,085 receiving yards in '99.

Key defensive players

Brian Leigeb, FS, So.
Eighth in the MAC in total tackles and fourth in solo stops.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Brian Pruitt, TB, 1992-94
"The Chippewas' only I-A All-American rushed for 1,890 yards and scored 22 touchdowns in his final season."

Brightest Moment: Coached by current SEC commissioner Roy Kramer, the Chippewas went 12-1 in 1974 and won the Division II national championship.

Lowest Moment: A brutal 82-6 loss at Florida in the second game of the 1997 season, which saw the team finish 2-9, the lowest win total since 1961.

Darvin Lewis, LB, So.
Tied for MAC lead with five interceptions.

Key newcomer

Stephen Messam, WR, Fr.
The 5-9, 170-pounder from Florida is being called the sleeper of the recruiting class. He played in three state title games at Glades Central, winning two of them.

Throwback player

Josh Skeel, a walk-on middle guard from Charlevoix, Mich., who is 6-1 and 250 but not blessed with great athletic ability. The coaching staff calls him the toughest player on the team.

21st century player

Tedaro France, a cornerback, played some wide receiver in 1999.

Fast fact

The Chippewas are 110-31-4 all-time at their home field, Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Outlook

It may take some time, but look for DeBord to get the Central Michigan program headed in the right direction. He put together a nice 23-man recruiting class, concentrating on building depth in the offensive and defensive lines. Expect a finish in the middle of the MAC West this year, but watch out for the Chips in the future.

--Stan Crawley