Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, December 26
Detroit, Mich.
Noon CT
Northwestern
vs
Central Michigan
Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Aims for Sixth Straight Bowl Win in GameAbove Sports Bowl
12/24/2025 10:42:00 AM | Football
DETROIT — Northwestern football will play its second bowl game in three seasons as it takes on Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, hosted at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, on Friday, Dec. 26, at noon CT.
"Thrilled with the opportunity ahead. Huge thanks to the GameAbove Sports Bowl for the invite," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "This is an exciting time for our football team. … It's been a great opportunity to continue to challenge this football team and finish off the season the right way."
The Wildcats (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) are appearing in their first postseason game since the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl, where they defeated Utah, 14-7, allowing the fewest points in a bowl game in school history behind three takeaways.
It's been nearly a month since the 'Cats played their final game of the regular season, falling at Illinois on a snowy Saturday, Nov. 29, by a 20-13 score. Sophomore wide receiver Hayden Eligon II hauled in eight catches for 99 yards and a touchdown, while first-year running back Robbie Preckel recorded career highs with 22 carries for 82 yards.
The Chippewas (7-5, 5-3 MAC) closed their season by winning two of their final three games against Kent State and Buffalo, but dropped their regular season finale to Toledo, 21-3.
Friday's tilt will be the second-ever matchup between Northwestern and Central Michigan. The teams previously faced off on Sept. 25, 2010, at Ryan Field, where the Wildcats claimed a 30-25 victory.
The game will air on ESPN with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst), and Ashley Stroehlein (sideline) on the call. It can be heard on WGN 720 AM and SiriusXM Channel 372 with the Voice of the 'Cats, Dave Eanet, who is in his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. Former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders (2016–20) is in his first season as sideline reporter.
Stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos, and reactions throughout the bowl game.
As the Wildcats aim for their sixth consecutive bowl victory, here are five things to know.
1. Northwestern's bowl game history
Northwestern has appeared in 17 bowl games, with 11 coming in the last two decades. The Wildcats are 7-10 all-time but have won six of their last seven since 2013.
Northwestern has won five straight bowl games (2016 Pinstripe Bowl, 2017 Music City Bowl, 2018 Holiday Bowl, 2021 Citrus Bowl, 2023 Las Vegas Bowl), which is tied for the third-longest streak in the nation behind Minnesota (8) and Ohio (7).
Braun is the first coach in program history to make two bowl game appearances in his first three seasons at the helm. With a win, he will become the first Northwestern head coach to win each of his first two bowl games.
"We've talked about the goals of this program, but one of the goals is to dominate in the postseason," Braun said.
Friday's contest will be just the Wildcats' second bowl matchup against a MAC opponent. Northwestern faced Bowling Green in the now-defunct Motor City Bowl on Dec. 26, 2003, and fell 28-24.
2. The Wildcats' All-Big Ten nods
Northwestern had 15 players named to an All-Big Ten Team, with seven coming on the defensive side of the ball — the Wildcats' most since 2017.
Graduate student offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan and redshirt junior defensive back Robert Fitzgerald led the way with All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
Tiernan recorded an 86.2 PFF pass-blocking grade, ranking third in the Big Ten and seventh nationally among offensive tackles. Fitzgerald posted 109 total tackles, with a Big Ten-high 68 solo tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and an interception.
Appearing on the All-Big Ten Third Team were graduate student linebacker Mac Uihlein and junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde. Uihlein logged 93 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and four interceptions, while Wilde recorded 61 catches for 783 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
The teams' All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions included the following players: redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, graduate student offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen, graduate student tight end Hunter Welcing, redshirt first-year Ezomo Oratokhai, redshirt sophomore defensive back Josh Fussell, junior defensive lineman Michael Kilbane, redshirt junior defensive lineman Anto Saka, redshirt junior defensive back Braden Turner, and graduate student defensive lineman Carmine Bastone.
3. CT returns home
Playing in his final collegiate game, offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan will cap off his Wildcat career just 19 miles from where he attended high school at Detroit Country Day. Since the start of the 2023 season, the Livonia, Mich., product has started 37 consecutive games at left tackle, encompassing every game of the David Braun era.
The left tackle expects a sizable contingent of friends and family to attend Friday's matchup with Central Michigan. Soon after the bowl game's announcement, a Facebook group labeled the "Tiernan Fan Club" swiftly grew in scale.
As of Tuesday evening, the group includes 71 members and has begun distributing custom Tiernan merchandise for those in the All-Big Ten tackle's personal cheering section.
Read More on Tiernan's Final Northwestern Game
4. Northwestern's standout defense
This season, the Wildcats allowed just 20.9 points per game, the seventh-best mark in the Big Ten and 34th nationally. The defensive unit held 11 of 12 opponents under their scoring average. Excluding the nine-game 2020 season, this season marked Northwestern's best scoring defense since 2015 (18.6) and the eighth-best mark since 1970.
The Wildcats' defense ranks sixth in the Big Ten, producing 16 total takeaways this season (eight fumble recoveries, eight interceptions). The team's eight fumble recoveries rank second in the Big Ten.
Defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle's unit also had a strong secondary all season. Northwestern ranked seventh in the Big Ten and 32nd nationally, allowing an average of 194.8 passing yards per game. Since 1995, it is the program's fifth-fewest passing yards allowed per game.
5. Scouting the Chippewas
In his first year as Central Michigan's head coach, Matt Drinkall led the Chippewas to a three-win improvement from last season and their first bowl game berth since 2021.
"Coach Drinkall, the job he's done in his first year at CMU is really impressive," Braun said. "I know that we have a great opponent in front of us — an opponent that will be highly motivated and well-coached."
Central Michigan proved to be one of the nation's best defenses at forcing turnovers, as its +8 turnover margin ranked tied for 16th nationally. The team totaled 12 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
The Chippewas had five All-MAC honorees. Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski and defensive lineman Michael Heldman, who ranks eighth nationally with 10.5 sacks, earned first-team recognition.
The team's offense averages 23.8 points per game, with quarterback Joey Labas leading the MAC with a 68.9 completion percentage. His top target was wide receiver Langston Lewis, who received All-MAC Third Team honors with 35 receptions for 513 yards and three touchdowns.
"Thrilled with the opportunity ahead. Huge thanks to the GameAbove Sports Bowl for the invite," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "This is an exciting time for our football team. … It's been a great opportunity to continue to challenge this football team and finish off the season the right way."
The Wildcats (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) are appearing in their first postseason game since the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl, where they defeated Utah, 14-7, allowing the fewest points in a bowl game in school history behind three takeaways.
It's been nearly a month since the 'Cats played their final game of the regular season, falling at Illinois on a snowy Saturday, Nov. 29, by a 20-13 score. Sophomore wide receiver Hayden Eligon II hauled in eight catches for 99 yards and a touchdown, while first-year running back Robbie Preckel recorded career highs with 22 carries for 82 yards.
The Chippewas (7-5, 5-3 MAC) closed their season by winning two of their final three games against Kent State and Buffalo, but dropped their regular season finale to Toledo, 21-3.
Friday's tilt will be the second-ever matchup between Northwestern and Central Michigan. The teams previously faced off on Sept. 25, 2010, at Ryan Field, where the Wildcats claimed a 30-25 victory.
The game will air on ESPN with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst), and Ashley Stroehlein (sideline) on the call. It can be heard on WGN 720 AM and SiriusXM Channel 372 with the Voice of the 'Cats, Dave Eanet, who is in his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. Former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders (2016–20) is in his first season as sideline reporter.
Stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos, and reactions throughout the bowl game.
As the Wildcats aim for their sixth consecutive bowl victory, here are five things to know.
1. Northwestern's bowl game history
Northwestern has appeared in 17 bowl games, with 11 coming in the last two decades. The Wildcats are 7-10 all-time but have won six of their last seven since 2013.
Northwestern has won five straight bowl games (2016 Pinstripe Bowl, 2017 Music City Bowl, 2018 Holiday Bowl, 2021 Citrus Bowl, 2023 Las Vegas Bowl), which is tied for the third-longest streak in the nation behind Minnesota (8) and Ohio (7).
Braun is the first coach in program history to make two bowl game appearances in his first three seasons at the helm. With a win, he will become the first Northwestern head coach to win each of his first two bowl games.
"We've talked about the goals of this program, but one of the goals is to dominate in the postseason," Braun said.
Friday's contest will be just the Wildcats' second bowl matchup against a MAC opponent. Northwestern faced Bowling Green in the now-defunct Motor City Bowl on Dec. 26, 2003, and fell 28-24.
On Location.
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 23, 2025
?? Ford Field pic.twitter.com/2JA7j9DCtj
2. The Wildcats' All-Big Ten nods
Northwestern had 15 players named to an All-Big Ten Team, with seven coming on the defensive side of the ball — the Wildcats' most since 2017.
Graduate student offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan and redshirt junior defensive back Robert Fitzgerald led the way with All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
Tiernan recorded an 86.2 PFF pass-blocking grade, ranking third in the Big Ten and seventh nationally among offensive tackles. Fitzgerald posted 109 total tackles, with a Big Ten-high 68 solo tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and an interception.
Appearing on the All-Big Ten Third Team were graduate student linebacker Mac Uihlein and junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde. Uihlein logged 93 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and four interceptions, while Wilde recorded 61 catches for 783 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
The teams' All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions included the following players: redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, graduate student offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen, graduate student tight end Hunter Welcing, redshirt first-year Ezomo Oratokhai, redshirt sophomore defensive back Josh Fussell, junior defensive lineman Michael Kilbane, redshirt junior defensive lineman Anto Saka, redshirt junior defensive back Braden Turner, and graduate student defensive lineman Carmine Bastone.
3. CT returns home
Playing in his final collegiate game, offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan will cap off his Wildcat career just 19 miles from where he attended high school at Detroit Country Day. Since the start of the 2023 season, the Livonia, Mich., product has started 37 consecutive games at left tackle, encompassing every game of the David Braun era.
The left tackle expects a sizable contingent of friends and family to attend Friday's matchup with Central Michigan. Soon after the bowl game's announcement, a Facebook group labeled the "Tiernan Fan Club" swiftly grew in scale.
As of Tuesday evening, the group includes 71 members and has begun distributing custom Tiernan merchandise for those in the All-Big Ten tackle's personal cheering section.
Read More on Tiernan's Final Northwestern Game
4. Northwestern's standout defense
This season, the Wildcats allowed just 20.9 points per game, the seventh-best mark in the Big Ten and 34th nationally. The defensive unit held 11 of 12 opponents under their scoring average. Excluding the nine-game 2020 season, this season marked Northwestern's best scoring defense since 2015 (18.6) and the eighth-best mark since 1970.
The Wildcats' defense ranks sixth in the Big Ten, producing 16 total takeaways this season (eight fumble recoveries, eight interceptions). The team's eight fumble recoveries rank second in the Big Ten.
Defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle's unit also had a strong secondary all season. Northwestern ranked seventh in the Big Ten and 32nd nationally, allowing an average of 194.8 passing yards per game. Since 1995, it is the program's fifth-fewest passing yards allowed per game.
5. Scouting the Chippewas
In his first year as Central Michigan's head coach, Matt Drinkall led the Chippewas to a three-win improvement from last season and their first bowl game berth since 2021.
"Coach Drinkall, the job he's done in his first year at CMU is really impressive," Braun said. "I know that we have a great opponent in front of us — an opponent that will be highly motivated and well-coached."
Central Michigan proved to be one of the nation's best defenses at forcing turnovers, as its +8 turnover margin ranked tied for 16th nationally. The team totaled 12 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
The Chippewas had five All-MAC honorees. Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski and defensive lineman Michael Heldman, who ranks eighth nationally with 10.5 sacks, earned first-team recognition.
The team's offense averages 23.8 points per game, with quarterback Joey Labas leading the MAC with a 68.9 completion percentage. His top target was wide receiver Langston Lewis, who received All-MAC Third Team honors with 35 receptions for 513 yards and three touchdowns.
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/ FootballFootball - David Braun Joins B1G Bowl Selection Show (12/7/25)
Monday, December 08
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Sunday, December 07
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Thursday, December 04
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Sunday, November 30
