UPDATE: In a commanding performance, the Northwestern Wildcats triumphed over the Central Michigan Chippewas with a decisive 34-7 victory in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on December 29, 2023. This win marks Northwestern’s sixth consecutive bowl victory, solidifying their dominance in postseason play.
Quarterback Preston Stone delivered an outstanding performance, throwing three touchdown passes and leading the Wildcats (7-6) to a commanding lead. Northwestern capitalized on Central Michigan’s four turnovers, converting each into touchdowns, which proved pivotal in this matchup.
The game began with Central Michigan (7-6) looking to establish momentum, but their hopes were dashed when Cade Graham missed a 43-yard field goal attempt after stopping Northwestern on a critical 4th-and-1 play. The score remained tied until midway through the second quarter when Braden Turner intercepted a pass from Angel Flores at the Central Michigan 29-yard line, leading to a 23-yard touchdown pass from Stone to Griffin Wilde, putting the Wildcats ahead 7-0.
Northwestern quickly doubled their lead when Caleb Komolafe scored on a 2-yard run following a fumble by Central Michigan’s quarterback Joe Labas. Just moments later, they struck again as Stone found Lawson Albright for another touchdown, extending the lead to 21-0 in less than three minutes.
The second half continued to favor Northwestern as Central Michigan faltered. Flores fumbled again on the Chippewas’ first drive, allowing Turner to return it 47 yards for a touchdown, pushing the score to 27-0. Stone then connected with Wilde for another touchdown, marking Northwestern’s fourth score of the game.
Central Michigan managed to avoid a shutout when Labas threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Brock Townsend with 6:11 remaining in the game, but the outcome was already decided as the Chippewas struggled to cope with the Wildcats’ defensive pressure.
Throughout the game, Central Michigan’s offense struggled significantly, turning the ball over four times – three fumbles and an interception – during a critical span of twelve plays in the second and third quarters, generating only one first down in that sequence. Northwestern’s ability to capitalize on these turnovers showcased their effective strategy and execution.
As the Wildcats celebrate this victory, attention turns to the future for both teams. Central Michigan’s head coach Matt Drinkell faces the challenge of improving the team’s scoring offense, which ranked 93rd in the nation, averaging just 23.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Northwestern will look to strengthen their roster through the transfer portal, seeking to enhance their offensive capabilities.
This bowl game result not only highlights Northwestern’s current success but also raises questions about the future direction of Central Michigan’s program as they continue to struggle against Big Ten opponents, now sitting at 0-3 in bowl games against the conference.
Stay tuned for more updates as both teams prepare for the off-season and look to rebuild for the upcoming season.
