| Year: | 2002 |
| Team: | Central Michigan Chippewas |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Division: | West Division |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 4–8 |
| Conf Record: | 2–6 |
| Head Coach: | Mike DeBord |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Mvp: | Robbie Mixon |
| Stadium: | Kelly/Shorts Stadium |
The 2002 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third season under head coach Mike DeBord, the Chippewas compiled a 4–8 record (2–6 against MAC opponents), finished in sixth place in the MAC's West Division, and were outscored by their opponents, 384 to 267.[1] [2] The team played its home games in Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan,[3] with attendance of 103,865 in six home games.[4]
The team's statistical leaders included Derrick Vickers with 1,828 passing yards, Robbie Mixon with 1,361 rushing yards, and Rob Turner with 506 receiving yards.[5] At the time, Mixon's 1,361 yards ranked as the seventh best season total in Central Michigan history.[6] Mixon also set a Mid-American Conference record with 377 rushing yards (on 43 carries) in a 47–21 victory over against Eastern Michigan on November 2, 2002.[7] Mixon was also selected at the end of the 2002 season as the team's most valuable player.[8]
Jovan Clark had 20 tackles for loss for 62 yards, which was at the time tied for the second best total in school history.[9] Offensive guard Kyle Croskey was selected as a first-team All-MAC player.[10]