Sep 14, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush makes a pass attempt up the middle against the UNLV Rebels during an NCAA football game at Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV won the game 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Offense
The Chippewas weren’t too shabby on the offensive side of the ball last season, but they weren’t great either, averaging 398.1 yards per game in 2014. Cooper Rush, who threw for 3,157 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions as a sophomore, returns as the starter, this time leading a supposedly more uptempo attack under Bonamego.
Unfortunately, Rush will have to play without the departed wideout Titus Davis and tight end Deon Butler, who combined for 1,404 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Senior Jesse Kroll, who caught 36 passes for 582 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, will be looked to the most in helping to fill the void, along with junior Anthony Rice.
Running game-wise, CMU rushed for an average of 155.2 yards per game last season, good for 74th in the nation. They’ll hope to improve upon that this season, but it will have to be without 2014 leading rusher and current Seattle Seahawk Thomas Rawls, who ran for 1,103 yards and 10 touchdowns. The starting running back spot will be decided between senior Saylor Lavallii, junior Martez Walker and sophomore Devon Spalding, who was relied on more as the season progressed toward the end of 2014, finishing second on the team with 371 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 73 attempts.
Next: Defense