Like so many others who have gone on to earn NFL riches out of the Mid-American

Conference, Dan LeFevour emerged from humble beginnings.

The names are familiar: Chad Pennington, Byron Leftwich and Ben Roethlisberger. All were

overlooked by Bowl Championship Series programs. All are in the NFL. LeFevour, the Central

Michigan quarterback, intends to soon add his name and in turn rewrite the league's record

book.

"Having the opportunity to play for four years gives you the ability to [break records],"

LeFevour said. "In the spread offense, a lot goes through the quarterback both running the

ball and passing. It gives you a lot of opportunities."

With 12,604 career yards (10,192 passing and 2,412 rushing) heading into Saturday's game

against the University at Buffalo, LeFevour is already the MAC's career leader in total

offense, breaking Leftwich's record of 12,084 yards.

He's 1,712 yards away from overtaking Leftwich for the MAC lead in passing yards (11,903)

and needs 20 touchdown passes to pass Pennington as the league's leader in touchdowns (100).

Before the senior's career is complete, LeFevour will likely finish in the top three in five

offensive categories.

LeFevour came into the season as a Heisman Trophy dark horse and hasn't disappointed. After

a slow start in a loss at Arizona, LeFevour led the Chippewas to a 29-27 victory over Michigan

State by completing three consecutive passes on the game's final drive, which culminated with

a 42-yard field goal by Andrew Aguilia.

"His leadership capabilities have greatly improved year in and year out," Central Michigan

coach Butch Jones said. "He's not only leading by example, he's leading vocally as well."

LeFevour can make plays via the run but in the first three games, he rushed for a grand

total of 37 yards on 25 carries. With concerns high, LeFevour quickly turned the doubts into

one highlight reel. In a win last Saturday over Akron, LeFevour ran 19 times for 140 yards and

two touchdowns, including a career-long 53-yarder in the first quarter.

"He ran like he's capable of running," Jones said. "In Arizona we thought he was really

tentative but [last] week he ran like we expect him to run and we'll continue to do that and

make him a dual threat because when he's a dual threat that's the execution of our offense."

LeFevour long ago cemented his stature with quality performances against bigger programs.

In 11 games against BCS opponents, LeFevour has thrown for 2,543 yards, 23 touchdowns and only

nine interceptions. He's also rushed for 480 yards and six touchdowns.

Seeing him now, it is difficult to believe that he wasn't heavily recruited out of Benet

Academy in Downers Grove, Ill., but there is a legitimate reason for it.

"He was a running back in high school and he got moved late to quarterback," said

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, the former Central Michigan coach who recruited LeFevour. "But

we saw a lot of physical tools and he was really a great kid. I've always taken shots at kids

like that, someone who flew under the radar, because I wasn't going to get the guys who were

four and five star [recruits] anyway."

Kelly said he figured LeFevour had a chance to be a special player following his redshirt

freshman season and a strong performance in the spring. In LeFevour's first game against

Boston College, he entered the contest on the Chippewas' third play from scrimmage and went on

to throw for 221 yards and a score and run 14 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, LeFevour has the size and arm strength to play in the NFL. He's

currently listed as the No. 2 senior quarterback by Mel Kiper Jr., just behind Texas' Colt

McCoy and one spot ahead of Florida's Tim Tebow.

While Pennington, Leftwich and Roethlisberger were all selected high in the draft, others

who were expected to follow the same path - like Bowling Green's Omar Jacobs and Ball State's

Nate Davis - were left disappointed come draft day. So LeFevour ignores the pre-draft lists.

"Rankings really don't hold that much weight," LeFevour said. "I've heard of guys who were

first-round draft picks their whole junior and senior seasons, then a month before the draft

they drop into the sixth round. You really can't believe all that hype. Like Public Enemy

says, "Don't Believe the Hype.' "

Except when it comes to LeFevour.