Northwestern takes GameAbove Sports bowl by landslide

FORD FIELD — With just one bowl appearance over the past five seasons, the Northwestern Wildcats entered the GameAbove Sports Bowl eager to cap the year with a statement. Sitting at 6–6, a bowl victory would not only send the Wildcats home with hardware, but also secure their second winning season in the past three years—an important milestone for a program still working to reestablish consistency.

Central Michigan arrived in Detroit with momentum of its own. Under first-year head coach Matt Drinkall, the Chippewas played with a renewed energy throughout the season, finishing 7–5—marking their best record since 2021. Drinkall’s impact was evident in a more aggressive, disciplined approach, as CMU exceeded preseason expectations and positioned itself as one of the MAC’s more improved teams. The GameAbove Sports Bowl represented an opportunity for the Chippewas to validate that progress on a national stage and close the season with a signature win.

The Wildcats opened the game with a quick three-and-out, handing Central Michigan an early momentum boost. The Chippewas took over at the Wildcat 33-yard line, already within the fringe of field goal range. That momentum was short-lived, however, as senior Aidan Hubbard delivered a massive third-down sack, pushing CMU backward and forcing a 42-yard field goal attempt by kicker Cade Graham. Graham had been perfect from 40–49 yards on the season, but this time he missed wide left, swinging momentum right back to Northwestern.

Defense dominated the remainder of the first quarter, as both teams struggled to generate offense. The two sides combined for just 57 total yards in the opening period, including only eight rushing yards. Aside from the early missed field goal, neither team advanced past midfield, resulting in four punts in an eight-minute span.

It wasn’t until midway through the second quarter that the scoring drought finally ended. An interception by Alijah Jones deep in Chippewa territory set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Preston Stone to junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde.

That score marked the beginning of a disastrous stretch for Central Michigan. On the first play of the following drive, senior Aidan Hubbard came up with another big play for the Cats, recording a seven-yard strip sack that was recovered by Northwestern. The Wildcats capitalized for the second straight possession, as redshirt sophomore Caleb Komolafe punched in a rushing touchdown.

Surely the turnovers would stop there—but they didn’t. The Chippewas coughed the ball up for a third consecutive drive, losing yet another fumble that again set Northwestern up with prime field position. Preston Stone needed just one play, finding senior tight end Lawson Albright wide open for a touchdown to extend the lead.

Unable to gain any traction before halftime, Central Michigan entered the break trailing 21–0.

The struggles continued to open the second half. What initially looked like a promising drive was quickly undone when specialty quarterback Angel Flores fumbled on a keeper. Braden Turner scooped up the loose ball and raced 47 yards for a touchdown, putting an emphatic exclamation point on Northwestern’s turnover-fueled dominance.

The Wildcat’s defense would continue to dominate, forcing a punt that led to another Wilde touchdown, followed by turnover on downs from the Chippewas. It wasn’t until partway through the 4th quarter that Central Michigan was able to change the donut on the scoreboard, when redshirt senior Joe Labas found redshirt freshman Brock Townsend for a 3 yard touchdown. By that point though, it was too little, too late, The Wildcats took the statement victory over the Chips, 34-7. 

After the victory, senior defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard says “Not the year we anticipated having going 6-6, but nonetheless being in a bowl game and getting to play with these guys one last time is special.”

The Wildcats look ahead to next season, aiming to improve their overall record even more, as well as their conference record. But for now, they can rest well, taking home the GameAbove Sports bowl victory.