Tough road games at Northwestern and Va. Tech
MT. PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University has finalized its nonconference football schedule for the 2010 season.
The Chippewas will open the campaign at home on Thursday, Sept. 2 against Hampton.
The nonconference slate also includes road games at Northwestern (Sept. 25), Virginia Tech (Oct. 9) and Navy (Nov. 13).
Kickoff times for each of the four games will be announced at a later date.
CMU will be meeting Hampton, Northwestern and Virginia Tech each for the first time in program history. The Chippewas are 0-1 all-time against Navy, dropping a 63-34 decision in the 2003 season finale at Annapolis.
Hampton was 5-6 overall last season, including 2-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, under first-year head coach Donovan Rose. The Pirates played six games decided by seven points or fewer.
Northwestern was 8-5 overall, including 5-3 in the Big Ten, last season. The Wildcats closed their season with a 38-35 overtime loss to Auburn in the Outback Bowl. The matchup will mark the 13th straight year CMU has played at least one Big Ten opponent.
Virginia Tech capped its 2009 season with a 37-14 win over Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Hokies (10-3 overall, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) were ranked 10th in the final Associated Press poll and the final USA Today coaches’ poll. CMU is playing an ACC opponent for the second straight season after traveling to Boston College in 2009.
Navy was 10-4 last season, including a 35-13 victory over Missouri in the Texas Bowl. The Midshipmen have played in seven consecutive bowl games. The matchup will be CMU’s fourth against one of the military academies; the Chippewas are 2-0 all-time against Army and 0-1 against Navy.
The Mid-American Conference schedule will be announced at a later date.
