1992 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

{{short description|American college football season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1992

| team = Central Michigan Chippewas

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Mid-American Conference

| short_conf = MAC

| record = 5–6

| conf_record = 4–5

| head_coach = Herb Deromedi

| hc_year = 15th

| off_coach =

| oc_year =

| off_scheme =

| def_coach = Bob Bartolomeo

| dc_year = 1st

| def_scheme =

| mvp = Joe Youngblood

| captain =

| stadium = Kelly/Shorts Stadium

}}

{{1992 Mid-American Conference football standings}}

The 1992 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 15th season under head coach Herb Deromedi, the Chippewas compiled a 5–6 record (4–5 against MAC opponents), finished in seventh place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 247 to 170.{{cite web|title=1992 Central Michigan Chippewas Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=July 20, 2016|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-michigan/1992-schedule.html}}{{cite web|title=Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide|publisher=Central Michigan University|accessdate=July 20, 2016|pages=100, 113|year=2015|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2015-Football-Media-Guide.pdf|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026171041/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2015-Football-Media-Guide.pdf|url-status=dead}} The team played its home games in Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan,{{cite web|title=Football Facilities|publisher=Central Michigan University|accessdate=July 20, 2016|url=http://www.cmuchippewas.com/facilities/football-facilities.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625081349/http://www.cmuchippewas.com/facilities/football-facilities.html|archive-date=June 25, 2016|url-status=dead}} with attendance of 96,417 in five home games.2015 Media Guide, p. 87.

The highlight of Central Michigan's 1992 season was its defeat of Michigan State for the second consecutive year. The Chippewas had opened the season with a loss to Kentucky before defeating the Spartans, 24–20, at Spartan Stadium on September 12, 1992. Central Michigan quarterback Joe Youngblood, who had been denied a scholarship offer by Michigan State, led the Chippewas by completing 17 of 22 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns and also catching a pass for 29 yards on a trick play.{{cite news|title=Youngblood passes MSU test at last|newspaper=The Detroit News|author=Terry Foster|date=September 13, 1992|page=12E|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5956572/youngblood_passes_msu_test_at_last/}} In a key defensive stand for the Chippewas in the second quarter, Michigan State tailback Craig Thomas fumbled the ball at Central's one-yard line after being hit by Chippewa defensive back Darrall Stinson, and Oscar Ford recovered the ball in the end zone for the Chippewas. In the third quarter, Michigan State kicker Jim DelVerne missed a 31-yard field goal attempt. Brian Pruitt scored a fourth quarter touchdown to put the Chippewas ahead, 24–14.{{cite news|title=Chips Again! What fluke? Central humbles MSU 24–20 (part 2)|newspaper=The Detroit News|author=Terry Cabell|date=September 13, 1992|pages=1E, 12E|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5956647/cmu_what_fluke_chippewas_humble/}}

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Joe Youngblood with 2,209 passing yards, tailback Brian Pruitt with 859 rushing yards, and flanker Terrance McMillan with 649 receiving yards.{{cite web|title=1992 Central Michigan Chippewas Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=July 20, 2016|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-michigan/1992.html}} Youngblood was named as Central Michigan's most valuable player for the first of what would be two consecutive years.2015 Media Guide, p. 95. Offensive guard Marty Malcolm, center Art Droski, and defensive lineman Mike Nettie were selected as first-team All-MAC players.2015 Media Guide, p. 92.