SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 26, 2012
Central Michigan 24, Western Kentucky 21: Ryan Radcliff connected with Cody Wilson for an 11-yard touchdown with 5:11 to play as the Chippewas rallied past the Hilltoppers to win the Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit.
Radcliff finished with 253 yards passing and three touchdowns, leading Central Michigan (7-6) to its fourth consecutive victory. Western Kentucky (7-6) passed up a potential game-tying field goal from the Central Michigan 19 on fourth-and-2 with 51 seconds left, and Kawaun Jakesกฏ pass to Jack Doyle fell incomplete.
Trailing 21-17, the Chippewas appeared to take the lead on Zurlon Tiptonกฏs 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal with 9:21 remaining. But Western Kentucky challenged the play, and officials ruled Tiptonกฏs knee touched just shy of the goal line.
The Chippewas forced a three-and-out, deflected the ensuing punt and took possession at the Hilltoppersกฏ 27. Three plays later, Radcliff found Wilson on a corner route for the winning score. Radcliff hit Andrew Flory for touchdowns of 69 and 29 yards in the first quarter.
The Hilltoppers took their first lead at 21-17 on Kadeem Jonesกฏ plunge into the end zone from 1 yard out with 1:24 left in the third quarter. Jones lost control of the ball, but after video review the officials ruled Jones broke the plane before losing possession.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Western Kentuckyกฏs Antonio Andrews, who led the country with 2,977 all-purpose yards coming in, finished with 3,161 total yards. Andrews fell 89 yards short of breaking Barry Sandersกฏ NCAA record for most yards in a season. กญ Western Kentucky defensive coordinator and interim coach Lance Guidry directed the Hilltoppers before Bobby Petrino takes over the Western Kentucky program. กญ Radcliff finished 83 yards shy of reaching 10,000 passing yards for his career.