1951 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

The 1951 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan College of Education, renamed Central Michigan University in 1959, in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1951 college football season. In their first season under head coach Kenneth Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 against IIAC opponents) and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 231 to 158.[1]

1951 Central Michigan Chippewas football
ConferenceInterstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record5–3 (4–2 IIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumAlumni Field
Seasons
← 1950
1952 →
1951 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Northern Illinois State 6 0 0 9 0 0
Western Illinois 4 1 1 7 1 1
Central Michigan 4 2 0 5 3 0
Eastern Illinois 2 2 2 4 2 2
Michigan State Normal 2 4 0 4 5 0
Illinois State Normal 1 4 1 3 5 1
Southern Illinois 0 6 0 0 9 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Andy MacDonald with 1,560 passing yards, halfback Dave Clark with 301 rushing yards, and Porter Lewis with 272 receiving yards.[2] Six Central Michigan players (McDonald, Clark, guard Loren Dietrich, halfback Dick Flewelling, tackle Jim Schultz, and guard Tom Weede) received first-team honors on the All-IIAC team.[3]

Coach Kelly was hired by Central Michigan in March 1951. A native of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Kelly was a Central Michigan alumnus who had won a school record 13 varsity letters in football, basketball, tennis, and baseball. He had been the athletic director and head football and basketball coach at Saginaw Arthur Hill High School for nine years.[4]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 22at Southern IllinoisW 34–122,000[5]
September 28 Western Illinois
L 6–27[6]
October 13 Eastern Illinois
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
W 59–27[7]
October 20at Michigan State Normal
W 19–13[8]
October 27at Illinois State Normal
W 26–0[9]
October 2 Northern Illinois
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
L 13–26[10]
November 9at Ferris Institute* Big Rapids, MIW 49–6[11]
November 17 Western Michigan*
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry)
L 25–46[12]
  • *Non-conference game

[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Central Michigan University. 2015. pp. 100, 110. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  2. ^ 2015 Media Guide, pp. 88-89.
  3. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 96.
  4. ^ Hal Schram (March 30, 1951). "Kelly Back with Chips as Grid Coach: Former Star Quits Post at Arthur Hill". Detroit Free Press. p. 29.
  5. ^ Stevens, Tony (September 24, 1951). "Central Michigan Defeats Southern Gridders, 34 to 13". The Southern Illinoisan. p. 9. Retrieved February 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Central Michigan Passer Stopped". The Times Herald. Associated Press. September 29, 1951. p. 9. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Central Mich. Routs E.I. in IIAC Fray, 59-27". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. October 14, 1951. p. 20. Retrieved January 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "MacDonald Terrific with Chips Down". Detroit Free Press. October 21, 1951. p. 4C. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Alsene, Ed (October 28, 1951). "Central Michigan Tumbles ISNU, 26-0". The Pantagraph. p. 13. Retrieved January 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Northern Illinois College Beats Central Michigan". Edwardsville Intelligencer. United Press International. November 3, 1951. p. 8. Retrieved December 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Central Michigan Hands Ferris a 29 to 6 Lacing". Battle Creek Enquirer. Associated Press. November 10, 1951. p. 7. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "MacDonald's Arm Fails to Bust Broncs". Detroit Free Press. November 18, 1951. p. 2C. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Central Mich – 51". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 14, 2022.