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FINAL: Central Michigan bullies Wyoming, rushes for 340 in 24-10 win

The Chippewas and Cowboys kick off at 1 p.m. on ESPN+ as both teams badly need a win vs. an FBS opponent.

(Via Central Michigan Athletics/Kailey Hill)

Central Michigan (1-1) and Wyoming (1-1) face off starting at 1 p.m. on ESPN+ from Kelly/Shorts Stadium, and Mitten Football will have live updates the whole way.

Both teams entering having battled for a win against and FCS team in Week 2, after both fell on the road to FBS foes in Week 1. The Chippewas specifically are looking for some offensive success after scoring 20 points in two games, while the Cowboys present a mirror-esque opponent: Power running, controlled offense and stingy defense.

Stick around for updates here and reported coverage after the game.

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Postgame reading

FINAL: Central Michigan 24, Wyoming 10

Central Michigan moves to 2-1 on the year with a dominant showing against Wyoming, pitching a shutout in the first half and not allowing a touchdown until the fourth quarter as the offense rolled on the ground.

CMU didn't attempt a pass in the second half as the Chippewas rushed for 340 yards and a trio of touchdowns in something of a cathartic offensive performance. Quarterback Angel Flores led the way with two touchdowns and 163 yards on 28 carries while going 4-for-7 passing with 32 yards.

Running back Brock Townsend added a 38 yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap the performance, and finished with 41 yards. Jayden Clerveaux led the tailbacks with 80 yards and Vaughn Blue added 57.

CMU interception with 1:17 ices it

Kameran Hayward comes up with the game-sealing interception, as Tyler Hughes tried flinging it to the back corner of the end zone where Hayward made an easy, uncontested interception.

Wyoming has all three timeouts, so it's not technically over — but it's functionally over.

Two minute warning

Central Michigan is mostly just making sure it doesn't do something to implode at this point, up 24-10 with 1:55 to play.

Wyoming has the ball at the CMU 41 and will have 1st and 10 after Tyler Hughes scrambled to his left for a conversion. He's been very elusive to CMU defenders, but it hasn't resulted in much success for the Cowboys on offense as a whole.

CMU doesn't score after INT, but pins Wyoming at the 1

Mayson Hitchens comes up with the special teams play of the day, getting to the goal line and fielding Declan Duley's punt as he teetered over the goal line.

Refs deemed he'd possessed the ball outside of the end zone and downed it just beyond the goal line, and the call was upheld after review.

There are also just around four minutes to play, and CMU leads 24-10.

Former Cowboy Taylor comes up with INT for CMU

Hughes threw up an ill-advised pass as he rolled right, and Taylor had all the time to trigger on the throw, cut in front of the target, and come up with the first takeaway for either team.

He had a nice return to set up CMU at its own 33, and now has two key plays this game against his former team, after coming up with the fourth down tackle for a stop earlier.

CMU now has the ball, a 14 point lead, and 8:18 of game clock to burn down.

CMU ultimately punts, Wyoming takes over with 11:32 to play

From its own 45, CMU punts on 4th and 2 and Wyoming will take over at its 26 with 11:32 to play, down 24-10.

It's a 29 yard punt for Duley, who had booted his first two punts 46 and 36 yards, respectively.

Central Michigan crosses 300 yard rushing threshold

Jayden Clerveaux gets the 300th, 301st, 302nd and 303rd rushing yards of the game for CMU, taking a 1st down give up the middle for four yards.

The Chippewas have generally been paving the Wyoming defense, and mixing up the wins in blocking with plenty of leverage and mis-direction has only made life harder for the Wyoming defense.

Touchdown, Wyoming — Harris tiptoes in for the score

Wyoming finally finds the end zone of the first play of the fourth quarter, as the Cowboys give it to tailback Samuel 'Tote' Harris, who slithered through his fleet of blockers and fought through a few tackle attempts to get into the end zone.

It's 24-10, Central Michigan, now, with 14:56 left to play.

End 3: Central Michigan 24, Wyoming 3

The Cowboys will have 1st and goal to go out of the stoppage, as Tyler Hughes completed a pass to Eric Richardson down inside the CMU 10 to convert a 3rd and long play.

It'll be the first goal-to-go snap of the game for Wyoming to open the fourth quarter, as the CMU defense has been stingy so far. A defensive back hit Richardson hard at the catch point and maybe could've jarred the ball free, but the wideout made a nice catch.

Touchdown, CMU — Townsend scampers 38 yards

He'd been quiet so far this season, but Brock Townsend only needed a sliver of space to get to the second level on the right side, out race the defenders and get into the end zone.

Caden VanHuis makes it 24-3 with the PAT and Central Michigan is officially rolling. A few moments before the run, head coach Matt Drinkall and offensive line coach Hayden Mace were chuckling about something that happened on a chunk run for Jayden Clerveaux a few players prior.

The Chippewas are up to 287 rushing yards.

24-3, CMU, with 2:34 until the fourth quarter.

Field goal gets Wyoming on the board in 3rd quarter

Starting at the CMU 39, the Cowboys didn't have to go far and got most of the way home on a draw by QB Tyler Hughes. But the CMU defense bowed up in the red area and came up with a 4th and 5 that brought out the field goal unit for Wyoming.

The kick is good and the shutout is broken, as CMU leads 17-3 with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

Central Michigan goes 3 and out

The Chippewas go three and out for the first time on Saturday, as Wyoming's defense got CMU behind the sticks. Deep in his own end, Matt Drinkall didn't hesitate to let Declan Duley boot his second punt of the day.

Duley's 36-yarder got caught and taken for a couple yard return just shy of midfield, but a personal foul for unsportsmanlike conduct on Central Michigan will have Wyoming starting at the CMU 39.

It's unclear what exactly resulted in the penalty.

CMU eventually forces a punt

Wyoming got the line to gain on the fake punt then failed to get another first down and actually punted on fourth down this time.

Justin Ruffin Jr. had a nice return for CMU, stealing six to eight yards as got out to the 16 after fielding the punt a bit inside his 10.

Wyoming begins 2nd half with quick series, converts fake punt

It looked like another three and out forced by the CMU defense, as a first down run got five yards for the Cowboys before things melted down. A second down pass got undone as Jaion Jackson forced a throwaway on a corner blitz and the third down pass went incomplete.

But Wyoming got incredibly risky, dialing up a fake punt deep in its own end and converting the first down by a handful of yards. The Cowboys needed some spark, and it's not like the hole could've gotten much deeper.

HALF: Central Michigan 17, Wyoming 0

That was about a perfect half of football for Central Michigan. The defense played staunch football, coming up with a key fourth down stop in the red zone, as the offense churned out 17 points and more than 200 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes.

Angel Flores is leading the charge for the Chippewas, with 22 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. It's the first game of the season where one quarterback played the entire first half for Central Michigan.

Flores is also 4-of-7 passing for 32 yards, and could've connected with Tayte Vanderleest for a short touchdown shortly before half. It's been a near-perfect half of complimentary football for Central Michigan, and a badly needed dose of good vibes for the offense.

Central Michigan is also a perfect 3-of-3 on fourth down conversion attempts in the half while going 4-of-9 on third downs. CMU punted just once in the first half.

Touchdown, CMU — Flores goes in from a yard out

The Chippewas moved some bodies there, as Angel Flores followed his blocks and the pile moved fully into the end zone. All he had to do was fall forward.

And now CMU has converted all its fourth down conversion attempts this game (3-for-3) and has converted six straight fourth down attempts.

There are two seconds left, so the Chippewas squib it but no time comes off.

CMU sets up 4th and goal at 1 with :05 in half

Up 10-0 and with Wyoming set to get the ball to open the third quarter, there's a case to kick the chip shot field goal and to go for the touchdown.

Given CMU's ability to grind out a yard, and how three points aren't the most valuable, the TD seems like the worthwhile gambit. CMU nearly had it on 2nd and goal but Angel Flores and Tayte Vanderleest couldn't connect, then Vaughn Blue got stopped right at the one on 3rd and goal.

CMU used its last timeout to stop the clock, and officials are looking at the play to see if Blue got in. After review, no TD.

Another 4th down gamble pays off for CMU

With 4th and 1 just shy of the Wyoming 40 and less than 90 seconds in the half, Matt Drinkall kept the offense on the field and Angel Flores easily got the yardage needed to extend this drive for Central Michigan.

Points or not, leading 10-0, CMU will likely want to take this drive all the way to the end of the half, or as close as possible.

Two minute warning

Central Michigan has come through in several leverage spots, converting some critical third and fourth downs while stopping Wyoming on its fourth down attempt in the red zone.

The Chippewas are on offense and driving across midfield as the two minute stoppage pauses thing. It'll be 2nd and 6 for CMU at the Wyoming 49 for the first play out of the break.

Angel Flores is already well over 100 rushing yards on the day.

Wyoming stopped short on 4th and 4 by former Cowboy

Central Michigan safety Justin Taylor will keep that highlight in the memories for years to come, as he flew down to track a shallow crossing route on 4th and 4, making a tackle immediately after the catch to stop the Cowboys short of the line to gain late the second quarter.

Wyoming had gotten down in to the red zone for the first time on Saturday after a long catch, but then the CMU defense bowed up and kept the shutout alive as the Wyoming gamble didn't pay off.

10-0, CMU, still, with 5:07 to play until halftime.

Big stop on 4th down for CMU’s defense — former Wyoming DB Justin Taylor flashed down to track the crosser and made the tackle a yard short. pic.twitter.com/zWZPjbDLUT
— Andrew E. Graham 🫡 (@AndrewEdGraham) September 19, 2026

Cowboys hit big play

Central Michigan's defense got burned on a 3rd and 10 as tight end Kyle Frendt got up the seam for the Cowboys for a 39 yard gain into the red zone.

The Chippewas evidently busted a coverage or got caught in a bad call as Frendt was wide open before two defenders converged for the tackle.

Touchdown, CMU — Angel Flores cruises in for score

Central Michigan leads, 10-0, as Flores took a 1st and 10 keeper 25 yards through the middle of the defense for a touchdown, his second of the season.

Flores had a yawning chasm to run through up the middle, as he deftly maneuvered out to his right to follow some blockers and dive across the plane of the goal line as a Wyoming defender snatched at his ankles.

CMU up, 10-0, with 8:00 until halftime.

Flores is 2-for-3 for 11 yards passing and has 13 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown so far. CMU as a whole has run 26 plays for 156 yards.

CMU marches to Wyoming 31 largely without passing

The Chippewas have thrown three passes all game and have six first downs. This drive is facing 3rd and 2 at the Wyoming 31 to keep going early in the second quarter, and Angel Flores converts the downs easily to get it to 1st and 10 at the Wyoming 25.

End 1: Central Michigan 3, Wyoming 0

Central Michigan defense bends, but it doesn't break after giving up a few conversions to Wyoming.

Wyoming will punt after cross the 50 and having 1st and 10 from the CMU 41. But a short run and a pair of incomplete passes bring out the punt unit for the Cowboys.

The short field kick bounces into the end zone for a touchback and Central Michigan takes over at the 20.

Wyoming with a couple quick first downs

A few runs by QB Tyler Hughes and a pitch play to the right have the Cowboys out to the 49 with a 1st and 10 series upcoming.

The Cowboys are starting to mash on the run front this drive.

Central Michigan punts after holding call

Central Michigan had converted a 3rd and short but a holding call made it 3rd and 9 and Angel Flores could only get so close on a keeper.

But the punt from Declan Duley is a beauty, going out at the Wyoming nine yard line. Central Michigan's offense isn't whirring along by any means, but this has been a promising start through two drives.

In particular, the offensive line and accoutrement blockers at receiver, tailback and tight end, are getting great push and hitting their landmarks, plus finding extra work down the field to help extend runs.

Wyoming will have 1st and 10 from its own 9 with 4:42 left in the first quarter.

CMU defense comes up with 3 and out

Wyoming will want the third down play back, as tailback Markell Holman was open and had the leverage to catch the ball and turn upfield to get the last few yards for a conversion as he ran short route into the flat on the right side.

But the pass skidded off his hands — remember, it's damp — as the CMU defenders closed down on him. Cowboys punt and CMU takes over with a fair catch at the 27.

True freshman LB Drew Esper in the starting defense

Esper got some run in Central Michigan's first two games and is starting on defense for CMU today. He's someone head coach Matt Drinkall has raved about for his mental makeup and advanced football knowledge.

First play for Wyoming is completed for a four yard gain, but Cowboys tight end Jake Wilson, who caught the pass, stays down injured after the tackle. Darrell Bryant Jr. contested the catch and made the tackle.

CMU takes early 3-0 lead

Caden VanHuis hits his first career field goal for the Chippewas and CMU leads for the first time in the first half this season.

It ended up being about a 35-yard try for VanHuis, who had it with plenty of distance to spare. It was a good opening drive for the CMU offense, churning out productive runs and getting Flores an early, easy completion.

8:58 left in the first quarter as Wyoming is set to start its first possession with a kickoff coming up.

Early 4th down gamble pays off from CMU

Facing 3rd and 5 just across midfield, Angel Flores kept the ball and got to 4th and 1, and CMU head coach Matt Drinkall didn't hesitate to keep the offense on the field, again letting Flores read an option play.

And Flores kept, looked like he got the line to gain, then spun out and gained about another 20 yards before getting spun down at the Wyoming 25. All told a gain of 19 yards.

Good field position to start for CMU

Angel Flores is in to start at QB, and the Chippewas take over at the 35 after Wyoming's kickoff bounced and knifed just in front of the pylon to go out of bounds.

Wyoming wins toss, defers

Central Michigan's offense will take the field first.

It's a damp Kelly/Shorts Stadium today

With rain soaking Michigan overnight and mist descending into steady light drizzle as warmups wore down, the ponchos are out at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Winds are pretty dead, and the mist and drizzle will come and go as the game continues, and perhaps burn away by the second half. But it's wet out there now, and not going to get nearly sunny, warm or windy enough to dry out things before this game is done.

Central Michigan inactives

The following players are not dressed out and did not take part in warmups for CMU:

LB Victor Earl
FB/TE Rusty VanWetzinga IV
P Zac Chapeau
DB Trey Liebhardt
DL Donovan Brown
DL Dominique Maiava
DL Rory Callahan
TE Jaden Allen
DL Evan Walker
DL Joey VanWetzinga

Earl, Allen and both VanWetzinga's were known injuries and they were players anticipated to be out on Saturday vs. Wyoming.

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