UPDATE: In a commanding performance, the Northwestern Wildcats triumphed over the Central Michigan Chippewas with a decisive score of 34-7 in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on December 29, 2023. With this victory, Northwestern extends its bowl game winning streak to an impressive six games, marking a significant turnaround since their last postseason defeat in 2015.
In a game dominated by defensive plays, Northwestern capitalized on Central Michigan’s mistakes, converting four turnovers into touchdowns. Quarterback Preston Stone shone brightly for the Wildcats, throwing three touchdown passes that led to a staggering 27-0 lead by the end of the third quarter. The Chippewas struggled to find their footing against the Big Ten team, continuing their winless streak in bowl games against Big Ten opponents.
The action unfolded quickly. After missing an early scoring opportunity with a 43-yard field goal attempt, Central Michigan’s offense faltered. Midway through the second quarter, Braden Turner intercepted a pass, setting up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Stone to Griffin Wilde, pushing Northwestern ahead 7-0. The Wildcats capitalized again after a fumbled kickoff return by Central Michigan, as Caleb Komolafe plunged in for a 2-yard touchdown, making it 14-0.
Northwestern’s relentless pressure continued when Central Michigan’s quarterback Angel Flores fumbled on the very next play, leading to a swift 23-yard touchdown from Stone to Lawson Albright. By this point, the Wildcats had scored three touchdowns in just over three minutes, shocking the Chippewas.
The second half saw Central Michigan’s woes continue, as another fumble by Flores allowed Turner to return it for a touchdown, extending the lead to 27-0. Although Central Michigan managed to avoid a shutout with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Joe Labas to Brock Townsend late in the game, the outcome was never in doubt.
This game raises critical questions for both teams moving forward. Central Michigan, under head coach Matt Drinkell, will need to bolster their offense, which ranked 93rd nationally in scoring with 23.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Northwestern will look to find consistent playmakers in the upcoming transfer portal, despite today’s victory being aided by their opponents’ turnovers.
As the dust settles on this bowl game, Northwestern fans celebrate a successful season finish, while Central Michigan faces a critical offseason to address their offensive struggles. Expect analysis and discussions to unfold in the coming days as both teams reflect on their performances.
Stay tuned for more updates on the implications of this game and what it means for both teams moving into the next season.
