{"id":84297,"date":"2025-12-26T17:08:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T22:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=84297"},"modified":"2025-12-26T17:08:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T22:08:16","slug":"central-michigan-fumbles-gameabove-sports-bowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2025\/12\/26\/central-michigan-fumbles-gameabove-sports-bowl\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Michigan Fumbles GameAbove Sports Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"
It was icy, cold, and rainy in Detroit. Despite the cold outside, Northwestern’s defense was on fire on Friday afternoon to kick off the bowl games. The Wildcats converted four Central Michigan in 27 points in their 34-7 win in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Ok, technically Central had five fumbles, but the refs just let the clock run out after the Chips fumbled with sixteen seconds left. The win was Northwestern’s sixth straight bowl win. That is pretty impressive for a team that was 1-10 in Bowl Games all-time before the streak got started. Don’t let the lopsided score fool you. This was a strong defensive effort on both sides. Here are the highlights, key plays, and players from the game.<\/div>\n

Central Michigan Fumbles GameAbove Sports Bowl Against Northwestern<\/h2>\n

Central Michigan Fumbles the Game Away<\/h3>\n
This game was a defensive slugfest to get started. Central Michigan got the party started by turning over Northwestern on downs on the game’s first possession. The Chips, unfortunately, couldn’t capitalize, missing a field goal and a chance to take an early lead. After a scoreless first quarter, Central fumbled the ball and gave away the game on three straight possessions to put Northwestern in the driver’s seat.<\/div>\n
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  • First, Braden Turner made an acrobatic play to intercept Angel Flores and set Northwestern up with a short field. Three plays later, Preston Stone found Griffin Wilde in the endzone for a 23-yard touchdown pass.<\/li>\n
  • On Central Michigan’s next play, Central quarterback Joe Labas<\/a> was strip-sacked, and Northwestern recovered a second straight fumble. Six plays later, on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line, Caleb Komolafe found the end zone for the game’s first rushing touchdown and a 14-0 lead.<\/li>\n
  • Further salt was added on the next possession when Labas again fumbled on the next play of the possession to give Northwestern great field position. Northwestern needed one play as Stone hit Lawson Albright<\/a> for a 23-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead to put the game away.<\/li>\n
  • Northwestern would add another touchdown after a 3rd quarter Central Michigan fumble. The Flores fumble was scooped up by Braden Turner and returned 23 yards for a touchdown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    Northwestern would add one traditional scoring drive the conventional way, going 92 yards in 10 plays for their other score. Central would score late in the fourth quarter to prevent Northwestern from shutting the Chips out.<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n
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    BOWL CHAMPS \ud83c\udfc6 pic.twitter.com\/AeORjbumzL<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n