On Wednesday, Dec. 26 the Chippewas feel like they won the war.
Central Michigan jumped out to an early lead in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Western Kentucky — which was playing in its first bowl game as an FBS team — but had to fight off a feisty Hilltoppers squad late in the game with Ryan Radcliff’s third touchdown pass of the day, an 11-yard strike to Cody Wilson with 5:11 left in the game to secure a 24-21 win.
After two straight losing seasons, the Chippewas secured the first winning season, bowl game and bowl win under Dan Enos.
Western Kentucky marched down the field in the closing seconds, but saw Kawaun Jakes’ pass on 4th-&-2 from inside the Central Michigan 20-yard line fall incomplete.
"I'm so proud of our players and our coaches," Enos said. "We beat a very good team. We prepared for all of the bowl practices. we were business-like and handled this trip very, very well."
With playmaker Titus Davis sitting out the bowl game due to a suspension, Central Michigan was looking for a spark.
Andrew Flory provided not only a spark, but also a little sizzle with a pair of long touchdowns.
On the Chippewas first series, Flory caught a Radcliff pass and raced past the Hilltoppers defense for a 69-yard touchdown to give Central Michigan a 7-0 lead.
Western Kentucky answered back 1 minute, 27 seconds later on a 6-yard touchdown run from Jakes to tie it up 7-7.
Flory came up big again on Central Michigan’s next possession with a 29-yard touchdown that gave the Chippewas a lead they held until late in the third quarter.
David Harman kicked a 50-yard field goal off the crossbar early in the second to give the Chippewas a 17-7 lead.
But the Hilltoppers weren’t down or out.
Antonio Andrews, the nation’s all-purpose yardage leader, broke through the Central Michigan defense for a 39 yard run that moved Western Kentucky into scoring position, and the Hilltoppers broke through when Jakes found Jack Doyle in the back of the end zone for a one-handed, 6-yard touchdown catch.
The touchdown was Jakes’ 51st of his career, moving him into sole possession of the Western Kentucky career passing touchdown record.
"First half wasn't real good, but the second half we picked it up on defense," Western Kentucky interim coach Lance Guidry said. "Offense had the ball most of the third quarter."
The third quarter was a defensive affair, until late in the quarter when Western Kentucky moved down within the 5-yard line.
A couple plays later, Kadeem Jones plunged over the pile for a controversial 1-yard touchdown to give the Hilltoppers a 21-17 lead.
Jones fumbled as he was going over the pile, and Central Michigan’s Jahleel Addae recovered, however, officials ruled that he had crossed the plane before fumbling.
Central Michigan responded like a team that won three straight and four of five to secure a bowl bid, by charging down into scoring position on the legs of Zurlon Tipton. It appeared to work when he narrowly plunged across the line on 4th-&-Goal from the 1-yard line for a touchdown.
Western Kentucky called a timeout to challenge the call, and officials determined that Tipton was stopped just short, giving the Hilltoppers possession inside their own 1-yard line.
The Chippewas defense stepped up and appeared to record a safety on the first play, but Andrews was given forward progress inside the one. The Chippewas hung tough on the next two plays, and brought the heat on 4th-&-8 from the Western Kentucky 3-yard line.
The Hilltoppers fumbled the punt snap, allowing Avery Cunningham enough time to break through the line and get a hand on the ball for the block.
The ball bounced around until Addae was able to pounce on it at the Western Kentucky 26-yard line.
Central Michigan only needed five plays for Radcliff to find Wilson on a flag route in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Radcliff finished 19 of 29 for 253 yards and three touchdowns to be named the game’s MVP. Central Michigan’s Shamari Benton was named Lineman of the Game after tallying nine total tackles.
Wilson had a game-high 10 receptions for 101 yards, while Flory finished with three receptions for 105 yards with two scores. Tipton rushed for 101 yards, extending his season-ending streak to seven straight games with 100 yards rushing.
Andrews rushed for a game-high 119 yards for the Hilltoppers, while Jakes finished 14 of 24 through the air for 199 yards and a touchdown.
Both teams close out the 2012 campaign at 7-6 overall.
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