CMU Football to Host Michigan State in 2012

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University's nonconference football schedule in 2012 will include a home game against Michigan State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

The Michigan State Spartans will visit CMU as part of a joint scheduling agreement announced by the directors of athletics at CMU, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan Thursday.

Central Michigan is scheduled to return to Spartan Stadium during the 2011, 2015 and 2018 seasons.

The plan calls for Michigan State to play at Central Michigan (2012), Eastern Michigan (2018 or 2020) and Western Michigan (2015). In return, each of the three in-state Mid-American Conference programs will play at Michigan State three times between 2011 and 2019.

“Central Michigan University is thrilled with the opportunity to be part of this very special in-state football series,” said CMU Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. “I know that Chippewa fans everywhere will look forward with great anticipation to the Spartans’ visit to Mount Pleasant in 2012. It is a privilege for Central Michigan to host a game against a program as nationally respected and tradition-rich as Michigan State and it will prove to be an incredible event for not only our football student-athletes, but also our university, our community and our region.

“I also congratulate Michigan State University for working with the three in-state MAC schools to develop a creative plan that is beneficial to all parties,” Heeke added. “Most importantly it is a great economic move for the state of Michigan and shows that all of our great universities can work together. I have great respect for Coach Dantonio, Athletics Director Mark Hollis and President Simon for their willingness to structure a series like this. This is terrific for college football in the state of Michigan.”

CMU and Michigan State will square off in East Lansing on Sept. 5 this season. The 2009 meeting will be the seventh all-time between the two programs. Michigan State leads the all-time series 4-2, with all six previous meetings taking place in East Lansing. The Spartans have won four straight in the series since CMU won the first two meetings in 1991 and 1992.