Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, December 26
Detroit, Mich.
Noon CT
Northwestern
7-6 , 4-5
34
vs
7
Central Michigan
7-6 , 5-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Central Mich.
0
0
0
7
7
Northwestern
0
21
13
0
34
Northwestern Wins Sixth-Straight Bowl Game, Dominates Central Michigan in GameAbove Sports Bowl
12/26/2025 5:38:00 PM | Football
DETROIT —Winning by its largest margin of victory in a bowl game in program history, Northwestern dominated Central Michigan, 34-7, in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Friday afternoon at Ford Field. The Wildcats (7-6, 4-5 Big Ten) have won six consecutive bowl games dating back to 2016, the third-longest active bowl game winning streak in the nation.
"If you look back on our preparation over the course of the last month and the way our guys operate, I couldn't have been more confident in terms of the fact that we prepared to the best of our ability," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "For us to win and win the way that we did today is a reflection of our seniors, our guys in their preparation, and just so honored and excited to send that group off the right way."
After neither team scored in the first quarter, Northwestern blew the game open in the second quarter with 21 unanswered points by forcing the Chippewas (7-6, 5-3 MAC) into turnovers on three consecutive offensive snaps.
Junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde was named the GameAbove Sports Bowl MVP after hauling in 10 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns — all of which are the most by a Northwestern player in a bowl game since 2010. He finished the season with 71 receptions and 880 yards, both of which rank ninth in a season in program history.
The Wildcats tallied four takeaways, turning all of them into touchdowns. Redshirt junior Braden Turner notched two of the turnovers, including a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown to open the second half. Northwestern totaled a season-high five sacks, its most in a game since Dec. 23, 2023, the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah. Central Michigan had just 269 yards, the fewest by a Wildcat FBS opponent this season. Redshirt junior linebacker Braydon Brus logged a game-high 11 tackles.
With an interception, forced fumble, and touchdown, Turner became the first Wildcat to post these figures in a game since Sept. 1, 2012, when Chi Chi Ariguzo did so against Syracuse.
Returning to action after missing the final two games of the regular season, graduate student defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard totaled three sacks, tying his career-high and setting a program record for sacks in a bowl game. Hubbard also became one of five players in program history with at least 20 career sacks (20.5 career sacks; 5th all time in program history).
"It was very frustrating missing those last two games of the season, but I just stayed the course, took it day by day, trying to get healthy, and coming here and playing with my teammates was special," Hubbard said.
Graduate student quarterback Preston Stone capped off his collegiate career by throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns, leading Northwestern to 313 yards of total offense.
"This has been one of the best years of my life," Stone said. "Couldn't be more grateful for the way these guys have welcomed me as a new guy. Very thankful to Coach Braun and Coach Lujan for how much they've trusted me and how they gave me the keys to run this offense."
Central Michigan reached the end zone and threatened to open the scoring early in the first quarter, but a critical sack by Hubbard on a third down forced the Chippewas into a 43-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide left.
Midway through the second quarter, the Wildcats began to take over the game. Turner registered an interception to kickstart the offense's drive inside the 30-yard line. Stone capitalized on the advantageous field position, connecting with Wilde on a corner route for a 23-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
Northwestern forced another takeaway on Central Michigan's first play on their next drive, as Hubbard recorded a strip-sack that graduate student Carmine Bastone recovered on the Chippewas' 25-yard line.
The Wildcats moved their way deep into the redzone, but found themselves at 4th-and-goal from the two-yard line. Stone handed the ball off to redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, who ran up a hole in the middle for his 11th rushing touchdown of the season to give Northwestern a 14-0 lead.
"This is the best o-line I've ever had," Stone said. "Not only are they disciplined, (but) they play for each other. They do the dirty work so guys like Griff, Caleb, and myself can have a party in the endzone. It's an unbelievably special group."
On the ensuing Central Michigan offensive drive, Quarterback Joe Labas fumbled on a keeper on the first play, and defensive lineman Michael Kilbane pounced on the ball to recover. Northwestern became one of 10 teams since 2015 to force a turnover on three straight plays in a game.
The very next play, Stone found a wide-open graduate student tight end Lawson Albright for a 23-yard touchdown to go up 21-0. All three Northwestern touchdowns came within just over a three-minute stretch.
Early in the third quarter, Central Michigan quarterback Angel Flores fumbled the ball, which Turner scooped the ball up and maneuvered down the field, going 44 yards for a touchdown to give Northwestern a 27-0 lead.
With 2:31 remaining in the third quarter, Wilde scored his second touchdown of the day on an 11-yard pass from Stone to extend the lead to 34. The 92-yard drive spanned 10 plays and 5:23 of game clock.
"To see (Preston) walk away from college football, it's definitely sad," Wilde said. "But to see him walk away as a winner, we're really glad that we could do that for him and all the seniors."
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Chippewas got on the board with a 3-yard passing touchdown.
Braun became the first head coach in program history to start his career 2-0 in bowl games. He joins Pat Fitzgerald (2006-2022) as the only head coaches in program history to win multiple bowl games. The third-year coach was quick to credit his player leadership for both the team's success this season and for laying the foundation for the years to come.
"Regardless of the outcome of this game, this group of seniors is leaving a legacy within this program that will have ripple effects for years to come," Braun said. "Part of the tangible legacy (is being the) eighth team in Northwestern football history to win a bowl championship."
"If you look back on our preparation over the course of the last month and the way our guys operate, I couldn't have been more confident in terms of the fact that we prepared to the best of our ability," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "For us to win and win the way that we did today is a reflection of our seniors, our guys in their preparation, and just so honored and excited to send that group off the right way."
BOWL CHAMPS ?? pic.twitter.com/AeORjbumzL
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025
After neither team scored in the first quarter, Northwestern blew the game open in the second quarter with 21 unanswered points by forcing the Chippewas (7-6, 5-3 MAC) into turnovers on three consecutive offensive snaps.
Junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde was named the GameAbove Sports Bowl MVP after hauling in 10 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns — all of which are the most by a Northwestern player in a bowl game since 2010. He finished the season with 71 receptions and 880 yards, both of which rank ninth in a season in program history.
Your MVP, Griffin Wilde ?? pic.twitter.com/qZuh72SKiN
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025
The Wildcats tallied four takeaways, turning all of them into touchdowns. Redshirt junior Braden Turner notched two of the turnovers, including a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown to open the second half. Northwestern totaled a season-high five sacks, its most in a game since Dec. 23, 2023, the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah. Central Michigan had just 269 yards, the fewest by a Wildcat FBS opponent this season. Redshirt junior linebacker Braydon Brus logged a game-high 11 tackles.
With an interception, forced fumble, and touchdown, Turner became the first Wildcat to post these figures in a game since Sept. 1, 2012, when Chi Chi Ariguzo did so against Syracuse.
Returning to action after missing the final two games of the regular season, graduate student defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard totaled three sacks, tying his career-high and setting a program record for sacks in a bowl game. Hubbard also became one of five players in program history with at least 20 career sacks (20.5 career sacks; 5th all time in program history).
"It was very frustrating missing those last two games of the season, but I just stayed the course, took it day by day, trying to get healthy, and coming here and playing with my teammates was special," Hubbard said.
Graduate student quarterback Preston Stone capped off his collegiate career by throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns, leading Northwestern to 313 yards of total offense.
"This has been one of the best years of my life," Stone said. "Couldn't be more grateful for the way these guys have welcomed me as a new guy. Very thankful to Coach Braun and Coach Lujan for how much they've trusted me and how they gave me the keys to run this offense."
Central Michigan reached the end zone and threatened to open the scoring early in the first quarter, but a critical sack by Hubbard on a third down forced the Chippewas into a 43-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide left.
Midway through the second quarter, the Wildcats began to take over the game. Turner registered an interception to kickstart the offense's drive inside the 30-yard line. Stone capitalized on the advantageous field position, connecting with Wilde on a corner route for a 23-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
GOING WILDE ??
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025
?? @espn pic.twitter.com/rOaCw9Axev
Northwestern forced another takeaway on Central Michigan's first play on their next drive, as Hubbard recorded a strip-sack that graduate student Carmine Bastone recovered on the Chippewas' 25-yard line.
The Wildcats moved their way deep into the redzone, but found themselves at 4th-and-goal from the two-yard line. Stone handed the ball off to redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, who ran up a hole in the middle for his 11th rushing touchdown of the season to give Northwestern a 14-0 lead.
"This is the best o-line I've ever had," Stone said. "Not only are they disciplined, (but) they play for each other. They do the dirty work so guys like Griff, Caleb, and myself can have a party in the endzone. It's an unbelievably special group."
On the ensuing Central Michigan offensive drive, Quarterback Joe Labas fumbled on a keeper on the first play, and defensive lineman Michael Kilbane pounced on the ball to recover. Northwestern became one of 10 teams since 2015 to force a turnover on three straight plays in a game.
The very next play, Stone found a wide-open graduate student tight end Lawson Albright for a 23-yard touchdown to go up 21-0. All three Northwestern touchdowns came within just over a three-minute stretch.
ALBRIGHT. END ZONE ??
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025
?? @espn pic.twitter.com/FctWbveC3p
Early in the third quarter, Central Michigan quarterback Angel Flores fumbled the ball, which Turner scooped the ball up and maneuvered down the field, going 44 yards for a touchdown to give Northwestern a 27-0 lead.
With 2:31 remaining in the third quarter, Wilde scored his second touchdown of the day on an 11-yard pass from Stone to extend the lead to 34. The 92-yard drive spanned 10 plays and 5:23 of game clock.
"To see (Preston) walk away from college football, it's definitely sad," Wilde said. "But to see him walk away as a winner, we're really glad that we could do that for him and all the seniors."
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Chippewas got on the board with a 3-yard passing touchdown.
Braun became the first head coach in program history to start his career 2-0 in bowl games. He joins Pat Fitzgerald (2006-2022) as the only head coaches in program history to win multiple bowl games. The third-year coach was quick to credit his player leadership for both the team's success this season and for laying the foundation for the years to come.
"Regardless of the outcome of this game, this group of seniors is leaving a legacy within this program that will have ripple effects for years to come," Braun said. "Part of the tangible legacy (is being the) eighth team in Northwestern football history to win a bowl championship."
Team Stats
CMU
NU
Total Yards
269
313
Pass Yards
178
236
Rushing Yards
91
77
Penalty Yards
46
20
1st Downs
15
18
3rd Downs
3
4
4th Downs
0
2
TOP
32:42
27:18
2nd Quarter
CMU 0, NU 7
NU - Wilde,Griffin 23 yd pass from Stone,Preston (Olsen,Jack kick) 3 plays, 29 yards, TOP 01:28
CMU 0, NU 14
NU - Komolafe,Caleb 2 yd run (Olsen,Jack kick), 6 plays, 18 yards, TOP 02:41
CMU 0, NU 21
NU - Albright,Lawson 23 yd pass from Stone,Preston (Olsen,Jack kick) 1 plays, 23 yards, TOP 00:07
3rd Quarter
CMU 0, NU 27
NU - Turner,Braden 47 yd fumble recovery ()
CMU 0, NU 34
NU - Wilde,Griffin 11 yd pass from Stone,Preston (Olsen,Jack kick) 10 plays, 92 yards, TOP 05:23
4th Quarter
CMU 7, NU 34
CMU - Townsend,Brock 3 yd pass from Labas,Joe (Graham,Cade kick) 10 plays, 86 yards, TOP 05:49
Game Leaders
CMP
19
TD
3
YDS
226
INT
0
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballFootball - GameAbove Sports Bowl Postgame Press Conference (12/26/25)
Friday, December 26
Football - Northwestern Powers Past Central Michigan in GameAbove Sports Bowl (12/26/2025)
Friday, December 26
Football - David Braun Joins B1G Bowl Selection Show (12/7/25)
Monday, December 08
Football - GameAbove Sports Bowl Announcement Press Conference (12/7/2025)
Sunday, December 07
