In the fall of 1974 the Central Michigan Chippewas ignited the imagination of a state with a season that blended explosive offense and relentless defense, ultimately culminating in an NCAA Division II national championship.
A Season Defined by Balance and Brilliance
Head coach Roy Kramer, later commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, steered the team with a clear vision, while defensive coordinator Herb Deromedi — a member of the College Football Hall of Fame — engineered a unit that held opponents to just 127 points all season.
The Chippewas finished 12‑1, outscoring their schedule 450‑127, a margin that reflected both a high‑scoring attack and a stingy defense that posted two shutouts and limited three foes to a single touchdown.
Running back Walt Hodges emerged as the workhorse of the offense, amassing 1,693 rushing yards — good for third place in CMU’s single‑season history — while quarterback Mike Franckowiak directed the attack with poise and precision.
All‑America recognition poured in for several key contributors, including Franckowiak, defensive linemen Rick Newsome and John Wunderlich, and defensive back Tom Ray, underscoring the team’s balanced excellence.
The championship game against Delaware turned into a showcase of dominance, with a 54‑14 victory that featured four touchdowns from Dick Dunham and earned Franckowiak the Offensive Player of the Game honor.
The playoff run was equally impressive, as the Chippewas defeated Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Delaware, outscoring those opponents 109‑34 over three games and cementing their status as a national force.
Beyond the field, the championship sparked statewide excitement; every player hailed from Michigan, and the triumph marked the first time the Chippewas had beaten Western Michigan during Kramer’s tenure, a rivalry that would later deepen.
The legacy of that 1974 squad endures, not only in the record books but also in the careers it launched — most notably Roy Kramer’s ascent to SEC commissioner — while the team’s story remains a touchstone for future generations of Chippewas.