1996 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

{{short description|American college football season}}

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

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1996

| team = Central Michigan Chippewas

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Mid-American Conference

| short_conf = MAC

| record = 5–6

| conf_record = 4–4

| head_coach = Dick Flynn

| hc_year = 3rd

| off_coach =

| oc_year =

| off_scheme =

| def_coach =

| dc_year =

| def_scheme =

| mvp = Chad Darnell

| captain =

| stadium = Kelly/Shorts Stadium

}}

{{1996 Mid-American Conference football standings}}

The 1996 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third season under head coach Dick Flynn, the Chippewas compiled a 5–6 record (4–4 against MAC opponents), finished in fifth place in the MAC, and were outscored by their opponents, 353 to 351.{{cite web|title=1996 Central Michigan Chippewas Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=July 18, 2016|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-michigan/1996-schedule.html}}{{cite web|title=Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide|publisher=Central Michigan University|accessdate=July 18, 2016|pages=100, 114|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 18, 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 100,074 in five home games.2015 Media Guide, p. 87.

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Chad Darnell with 2,921 passing yards, tailback Silas Massey with 1,544 rushing yards, and flanker Reggie Allen with 1,229 receiving yards.{{cite web|title=1996 Central Michigan Chippewas Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=July 18, 2016|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-michigan/1996.html}} Darnell was selected as the team's most valuable player.2015 Media Guide, p. 95. Massey had three 200-yard rushing games, including 292 yards against Kent State, which was at the time the third highest single game total in school history.2015 Media Guide, p. 90. Allen became the first Central Michigan player to total over 1,000 receiving yards, including a 229-yard game against Bowling Green.

Darnell, Massey, Allen, offensive tackle Scott Rehberg, and tight end Adam Simonson were selected as first-team All-MAC player.2015 Media Guide, p. 93.