Honestly, if you're a Central Michigan fan, you've probably learned to keep your expectations in check when the bus rolls into Champaign. It’s a tough trip. The latest installment of Central Michigan vs Illinois on the football field was a stark reminder of that reality. On September 14, 2024, the Illini basically took control from the jump and didn't let go, securing a 30-9 victory that felt even more lopsided than the final score suggested.
It wasn't just a loss; it was a physical grind.
The Chippewas moved the ball—don't get me wrong—they put up over 300 yards of offense. But yards don't pay the bills in the Big Ten. Illinois has this way of bend-but-don't-break defense that makes life miserable for MAC teams. Joe Labas was under center for CMU that day, and while he threw for 125 yards, the lack of a finishing touch in the red zone was the killer. Three field goals. That's all the Chippewas could muster. You can’t beat a Power Four team with field goals.
The 59-Yard Dagger and Other Weirdness
Most people talk about the touchdowns, but the real story of the 2024 Central Michigan vs Illinois game was a guy named Ethan Moczulski.
Imagine this: it’s the end of the first half. CMU has played a decent, gritty couple of quarters and they’re only down 10-6. They’re feeling okay. Then, with basically no time left, Illinois sends out Moczulski for a 59-yard field goal attempt. Fifty. Nine. Yards. It was the first kick of his college career. The ball sailed through like it was a chip shot, setting a school record and sucking the soul right out of the CMU sideline.
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Pat Bryant and the Luke Altmyer Connection
If Moczulski was the surprise, Pat Bryant was the expected nightmare. Luke Altmyer, the Illini quarterback, found Bryant seven times for 102 yards. They have this rhythm that's sorta telepathic at times. Bryant snagged two touchdowns, including an 11-yarder to open the scoring. When Altmyer is on, he doesn't just throw the ball; he places it in spots where only his guy can get it.
Illinois finished with 379 total yards, but their efficiency was the real separator. They were 4-for-4 in the red zone. CMU? They were 3-for-3 on field goal chances, but zero touchdowns. That’s the gap.
A History of "Almost"
Looking back at the head-to-head records across different sports, there's a pattern. In men's basketball, the narrative shifts slightly, but not by much. Illinois usually holds the upper hand, though CMU has had their moments of being a "trap game" for the Illini.
In the 2024-2025 season, Illinois basketball continued to exert dominance. We saw the Illini post a 94-77 win over Lake Michigan College recently, which shows their scoring depth, but when they face CMU (like their 92-73 win back in 2016), they usually just have too much size.
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- Football: Illinois leads the series (the 2024 game was the first ever meeting between the two).
- Basketball: Illinois has a commanding lead, winning the most recent matchups convincingly.
- Recruiting: This is where the real war happens. Central Michigan often fights for the "diamonds in the rough" in the Chicago suburbs, while Illinois tries to wall off the state.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s this idea that MAC teams like Central Michigan are just "buy games" for Big Ten schools. You know, the games where the big school pays the small school a million bucks to come get beat up.
But CMU under Jim McElwain—and now looking into the 2025/2026 seasons—doesn't play like a sacrificial lamb. They play a "pro spread" scheme that’s designed to confuse high-level defenses. The problem isn't the scheme; it's the depth. By the fourth quarter of the 2024 game, the CMU defensive line looked gassed. Illinois, with their massive offensive line featuring guys like Melvin Priestly and Josh Kreutz, just started leaning on them.
Kaden Feagin, the Illini's powerhouse back, finally punched it in for a 2-yard score in the fourth quarter simply because the Chippewas didn't have the bodies left to stop a 250-pounder.
Moving Into the 2025-2026 Era
As we look at the rosters for the coming year, things are shifting. Illinois lost some serious talent. Josh McCray, their veteran back who was a hammer for them, transferred to Georgia. That’s a massive hole. However, they brought in James Thompson Jr. from Wisconsin—a 300-pound defensive end who is basically a human roadblock.
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For Central Michigan, the focus is on the kids. Nahree Biggins has shown flashes of being a high-level back, recently putting up 102 yards against San Jose State. If CMU is ever going to close the gap in the Central Michigan vs Illinois rivalry, it's going to be through guys like Biggins and receiver Tommy McIntosh.
The Defensive Factor
Xavier Scott is the name you need to remember for Illinois. The guy is an absolute ball hawk. In the 2024 homecoming game against CMU, he was everywhere. Interceptions, forced fumbles—he’s the "X-factor" (pun intended). CMU’s quarterbacks have to account for him on every single snap or the game turns into a track meet the other way.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following these two programs, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: CMU struggles to turn yards into six points against Big Ten size. If the spread is high, look at the Under, because CMU will settle for field goals.
- The "Homecoming" Curse: Illinois loves scheduling MAC teams for Homecoming. The atmosphere at Memorial Stadium is different those days, and the Illini haven't lost a non-conference homecoming game in decades.
- Transfer Portal Impact: Illinois is becoming a destination for "big" transfers (like Thompson Jr.), while CMU is becoming a "development" hub. This means the talent gap might actually widen before it narrows.
- Monitor the Kicking Game: After Moczulski’s 59-yarder, Illinois has shown they aren't afraid to kick from anywhere. This changes how opponents play defense once the Illini cross the 40-yard line.
The reality of Central Michigan vs Illinois is that it’s a battle of resources. CMU brings the heart and a tricky offensive scheme, but Illinois brings the depth and the Big Ten muscle. Until the Chippewas find a way to score touchdowns instead of field goals, the result in Champaign will likely remain the same.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the development of CMU’s young offensive line; their ability to handle Power Four pass rushes is the only thing that will keep future games competitive. Monitor the injury reports for Illinois’ secondary as well, as their defensive dominance relies heavily on a healthy Xavier Scott.
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