DETROIT \u2014Winning 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.<\/p>\n
“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<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n BOWL CHAMPS ?? pic.twitter.com\/AeORjbumzL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025<\/a> Junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde<\/a> was named the GameAbove Sports Bowl MVP after hauling in 10 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns \u2014 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.<\/p>\n Your MVP, Griffin Wilde<\/a> ?? pic.twitter.com\/qZuh72SKiN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Returning to action after missing the final two games of the regular season, graduate student defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Graduate student quarterback Preston Stone<\/a> capped off his collegiate career by throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns, leading Northwestern to 313 yards of total offense.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n GOING WILDE ??<\/p>\n ?? @espn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rOaCw9Axev<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 26, 2025<\/a> 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<\/a>, who ran up a hole in the middle for his 11th rushing touchdown of the season to give Northwestern a 14-0 lead.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n On the ensuing Central Michigan offensive drive, Quarterback Joe Labas fumbled on a keeper on the first play, and defensive lineman Michael Kilbane<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The very next play, Stone found a wide-open graduate student tight end Lawson Albright<\/a> for a 23-yard touchdown to go up 21-0. All three Northwestern touchdowns came within just over a three-minute stretch.<\/p>\n ALBRIGHT. END ZONE ??<\/p>\n
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\nAfter 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.<\/p>\n
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\nThe Wildcats tallied four takeaways, turning all of them into touchdowns. Redshirt junior Braden Turner<\/a> 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<\/a> logged a game-high 11 tackles.<\/p>\n
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\nNorthwestern forced another takeaway on Central Michigan’s first play on their next drive, as Hubbard recorded a strip-sack that graduate student Carmine Bastone<\/a> recovered on the Chippewas’ 25-yard line.<\/p>\n