The Central Michigan–Western Michigan football rivalry is an annual college football game between Central Michigan University (CMU) and Western Michigan University (WMU). The winner receives the Victory Cannon. In its first appearance, it was awarded to CMU after the October 18, 2008, game.
Sport | Football |
---|---|
First meeting | October 19, 1907 Western State, 29–0 |
Latest meeting | November 19, 2024 Central Michigan, 16–14 |
Next meeting | 2025 |
Trophy | Victory Cannon |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 95 |
All-time series | WMU leads 53–40–2 |
Trophy series | WMU leads 10–7 |
Largest victory | WMU, 54–0 (1930) |
Longest win streak | WMU, 13 (1928–1944) |
Current win streak | CMU, 1 (2024–present) |
History
editThe teams first played each other in 1907, and Western held the title until 1910.[1] They did not meet again for another 15 years until 1925, when they met in Kalamazoo, and the game ended in a tie.[1]
Central picked up its first win in 1927, but Western dominated the rivalry from 1928 to 1952, taking victory in 20 of 21 games.[2]
Starting in 1975, Central Michigan held a 27-16-1 edge against Western. Central Michigan kept its winning record until 1994, losing only twice to the Broncos, in 1988 and 1992.[1]
Western Michigan earned back a series of consecutive wins from 2001-2003.[1]
Victory Cannon
editA cannon, which represents the cannons fired at both CMU's Kelly/Shorts Stadium and WMU's Waldo Stadium, sits atop the trophy, and each of the schools' wins are noted on both sides.[3] The trophy was first awarded in 2008.[4]
Western Michigan ended the Chippewas five year winning streak with a 30-point win in 2011,[5] and backed it up with a win in 2012, the Broncos' first win in Mount Pleasant since 2002.[6] Although the Broncos lead the all-time series 53–40–2, since both teams began competing together in the NCAA Division I in 1975, Central Michigan leads the series 29–19–1. However, since the adoption of the Victory Cannon trophy, Western Michigan leads the series 10–7.
Game results
editCentral Michigan victories | Western Michigan victories | Tie games |
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Reporter, Seth Berry, Football Beat (September 26, 2019). "WMU vs CMU: A look inside the history of the rivalry". Western Herald. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Reporter, Seth Berry, Football Beat (September 26, 2019). "WMU vs CMU: A look inside the history of the rivalry". Western Herald. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "CMU-WMU Rivalry Trophy to Debut Saturday - CMUChippewas.com—Official Web Site of Central Michigan University Athletics". Cmuchippewas.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
- ^ "Broncos Host Chippewas for The Battle For The Cannon on Tuesday". Western Michigan University Athletics. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ John A. Lacko / Special to the Gazette (September 17, 2011). "Western Michigan kicks rivalry blues, pounds Central Michigan, 44-14". MLive.com. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
- ^ "Western Michigan football defeats Central Michigan 42-31 to snap 10-year skid in Mt. Pleasant". November 4, 2012.