1974 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

1974 Central Michigan Chippewas football
Camellia Bowl, W 54–14 vs. Delaware
ConferenceIndependent
Record12–1
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorHerb Deromedi (6th season)
MVPMike Franckowiak
Home stadiumPerry Shorts Stadium
Seasons
← 1973
1975 →
1974 NCAA Division II independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Central Michigan ^     12 1 0
No. 6 UNLV ^     12 1 0
No. 4 Delaware ^     12 2 0
No. 8 Western Carolina ^     9 2 0
No. 9 Tennessee State     8 2 0
No. 12 Youngstown State ^     8 2 0
Santa Clara     7 3 0
Wayne State (MI)     7 3 0
Kentucky State     6 4 0
Northeastern     6 4 0
Central State (OH)     6 5 0
Akron     5 5 0
Indiana State     5 5 0
Nevada     5 6 0
Portland State     5 6 0
American International     4 5 0
Eastern Michigan     4 6 1
Milwaukee     4 6 0
Northeast Louisiana     4 6 0
Eastern Illinois     3 6 1
Arkansas–Pine Bluff     3 5 0
Chattanooga     4 7 0
Nebraska–Omaha     3 7 0
Bucknell     2 8 0
Northern Michigan     0 10 0
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AP small college poll

The 1974 Central Michigan Chippewas football team was an American football team that represented Central Michigan University as an independent during the 1974 NCAA Division II football season. In their eighth season under head coach Roy Kramer, the Chippewas compiled a 12–1 record, losing the opening game to Kent State and then winning 12 straight games.[1]

In postseason play, they defeated Boise State 20–6 at Perry Shorts Stadium in a Division II quarterfinal,[2][3][4] Louisiana Tech 35–14 in the Pioneer Bowl (semifinal) in Texas,[5] and Delaware 54–14 in the Camellia Bowl to win the Division II championship. The team was also later voted number one in the AP's "College Division" poll.[6]

The 1974 Chippewas held 11 of their 13 opponents to 14 or fewer points and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 450 to 127.[7] The team played its home games in Perry Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan,[8] with attendance of 93,236 in six home games.[9]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Franckowiak with 1,262 passing yards (81 of 149 passing), running back Walt Hodges with 1,463 rushing yards (251 carries), and Matt Means with 848 receiving yards (55 receptions).[10] Hodges' 1,463 rushing yards was a Central Michigan record at that time.[11] Franckowiak received the team's most valuable player award.[12]

After the 1974 season, Central Michigan jumped to Division I and joined the Mid-American Conference. In 2004, the 1974 team was inducted as a group into the Central Michigan University Hall of Fame.[13]

  1. ^ "Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Central Michigan University. 2015. pp. 100, 112. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  2. ^ "Boise beaten". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 1, 1974. p. 9D.
  3. ^ "CMU whips Boise St.; meet Louisiana Tech next". Ludington Daily News. (Michigan). UPI. December 2, 1974. p. 5.
  4. ^ "Central Michigan Stings Boise in Division 2 Tilt". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. December 1, 1974. p. 32.
  5. ^ "Central Michigan Upsets Bulldogs". Panama City News-Herald. December 8, 1974. p. 23.
  6. ^ AP (December 24, 1974). "Central Michigan gains small college No. 1 poll rating". The Daily Leader. Pontiac, Illinois. Retrieved February 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Central Michigan Drubs Delaware in Bowl, 54-14". The Bridgeport Post. December 15, 1974. p. E4.
  8. ^ "Football Facilities". Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  9. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 87.
  10. ^ 2015 Media Guide, pp. 88-89.
  11. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 90.
  12. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 95.
  13. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 97.