BREAKING: The Northwestern Wildcats have decisively defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas, clinching a 34-7 victory in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2025. This win marks Northwestern’s sixth consecutive bowl victory, establishing a powerful postseason streak that dates back to 2015.
In a performance defined by a relentless defense and stellar offense, Northwestern’s quarterback Preston Stone threw three touchdown passes, showcasing his talent while leading the Wildcats to a commanding win. The Chippewas, on the other hand, struggled significantly, turning the ball over four times, which Northwestern capitalized on to score four touchdowns.
The game began with missed opportunities for Central Michigan. After halting Northwestern’s drive on a critical 4th-and-1 at the Wildcats’ 34-yard line, the Chippewas failed to convert a 43-yard field goal, leaving the score at zero. However, midway through the second quarter, a pivotal interception by Braden Turner set Northwestern up for their first touchdown. Stone connected with Griffin Wilde on a 23-yard touchdown pass, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
Central Michigan’s troubles compounded when a fumble by quarterback Joe Labas on the ensuing kickoff allowed Northwestern to extend their lead. Running back Caleb Komolafe pushed through for a 2-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 14-0. In a shocking sequence, Central Michigan’s offense turned the ball over three times in just twelve plays, allowing Northwestern to score three touchdowns within a span of just over three minutes.
“We capitalized on their mistakes,” Stone remarked after the game. “Our defense created opportunities, and we executed when it mattered.”
The second half continued to favor Northwestern, with another fumble by Central Michigan leading to a 47-yard touchdown return by Turner, making it 27-0. Stone connected for another touchdown with Wilde, bringing the score to 34-0. Central Michigan managed to avoid a shutout, as Labas found Brock Townsend for a 3-yard touchdown with just over six minutes remaining, but the game was well out of reach.
This loss extends Central Michigan’s bowl game record against Big Ten teams to 0-3, continuing a disheartening trend for the Chippewas at Ford Field. Head coach Matt Drinkell faces significant challenges moving forward, particularly in building a stronger offensive unit as Central Michigan finished 93rd in scoring offense this season.
Looking ahead, Northwestern aims to bolster their roster through the transfer portal, seeking playmakers to enhance their offensive consistency. Meanwhile, Central Michigan will focus on revitalizing their offense in the upcoming season.
This exciting bowl matchup highlighted the stark differences in conference strength, with Northwestern proving their dominance over a struggling Central Michigan squad. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how both teams will respond in the 2026 season.
Stay tuned for more updates as both teams prepare for the challenges ahead!
