Michigan comeback short at inaugural Bahamas Bowl

Associated Press

NASSAU, BAHAMAS

A miracle comeback for Central Michigan on a record-setting day by quarterback Cooper Rush fell just short at the inaugural Bahamas Bowl.

Down by 35 points with 12 minutes remaining, Central Michigan scored the final five touchdowns of the game, including a three-lateral, 75-yard dazzler on the final play. But Western Kentucky escaped with a 49-48 victory Wednesday when Rush’s 2-point conversion pass fell incomplete.

Rush was officially credited with seven touchdown passes, a bowl record, in the first college football postseason game played outside the U.S. or Canada since Jan. 1, 1937. The last of his TD passes came on a wild sequence in which six Chippewas touched the ball.

“It was a roller-coaster ride,” said Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty, who threw for five touchdowns and increased his nation-leading total to 49 on the season. “We were just lucky and blessed that we got the win.”

Very lucky.

The Chippewas got the ball on their own 25 with a second remaining after a punt, trailing 49-42. Rush threw deep to Jesse Kroll, who caught the ball between three Western Kentucky defenders at the Hilltoppers’ 29.

Kroll advanced the ball slightly before lateraling to Deon Butler, who got the ball to Courtney Williams just before getting tackled.

Williams then tossed the ball to Titus Davis, who caught it at the 15 and outran three Western Kentucky players to the end zone, reaching to knock over the pylon as he fell out of bounds to complete the bizarre play.

On the conversion pass for the win, Rush tried to find Kroll again, before the play was broken up by Western Kentucky’s Wonderful Terry.

A wonderful finish, indeed.

“I want to tell Central Michigan that’s one heck of a job by them,” Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm said. “They showed the heart and spirit that this game is all about.”