Central Michigan Holds Off Washington State Rally to Win 2021 Sun Bowl
Dec 31, 2021
Central Michigan's Lew Nichols III, right, rushes against Eastern Michigan's Robert Daniel Jr. (21) during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Central Michigan won 31-10. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Lew Nichols III rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown, leading Central Michigan to a 24-21 win over Washington State in the 2021 Sun Bowl.
The Chippewas raced out to a 21-0 first-half lead before holding on for the program's first bowl win since 2012.
Daniel Richardson added 208 passing yards and a touchdown against an interception.
Central Michigan and Washington State came together for the Sun Bowl after both of their original bowl opponents pulled out of games with COVID-19 issues. Central Michigan was originally supposed to play Boise State in the Arizona Bowl, and Miami was Washington State's original Sun Bowl opponent.
Down by three touchdowns at halftime, Washington State battled back and had a chance to take a lead late in the fourth quarter but fell short. Victor Gabalis led the way with 180 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Lew Nichols III Gives Central Michigan Hope Moving Forward
Jim McElwain is still program-building at Central Michigan, but he appears to have a star at running back. Nichols closed the regular season with eight straight 100-yard rushing performances and will almost certainly close 2021 as the nation's leading rusher.
The Chippewas will also bring back Richardson (another freshman), along with sophomore tight end Joel Wilson and junior wideout Kalil Pimpleton.
Central Michigan has not won a conference championship since 2009, when it did so under Butch Jones, but there is enough offensive firepower here to give McElwain's team a chance to be preseason favorites heading into 2022.
Jake Dickert Looks to Mold Program in His Image
The 2021 season was embroiled in controversy for Washington State after coach Nick Rolovich was fired for not undergoing state-mandated COVID-19 vaccination. Rolovich's departure paved the way for Dickert, who was named the Cougars' permanent coach after a win over in-state rival Washington.
Dickert was the defensive coordinator under Rolovich, so some of the staff will remain, but four assistants were also sent packing over their refusal to undergo vaccination. The 38-year-old coach will be tasked with building a staff for the first time.
Washington State went 3-3 in games coached by Dickert, including a 3-1 mark in the Pac-12.
The Cougars were 7-6 overall, their first season above .500 since 2018, and only their fifth in the last decade.
Central Michigan vs. Washington State Set for 2021 Sun Bowl After Miami Withdraws
Dec 28, 2021
COLLEGE PARK, MD - SEPTEMBER 07: Footballs on the field before a college football game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Syracuse Orange at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 7, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
It didn't take Washington State long to find a new opponent for the Sun Bowl on Friday.
After Miami withdrew from the game on Sunday because of COVID-19 issues within its program, the Cougars announced Monday that they would face Central Michigan. The Chippewas were set to take on Boise State in the Arizona Bowl, but the Broncos withdrew earlier on Monday also because of COVID-19.
"We are grateful for the diligent work of the Sun Bowl Association, the Pac-12 Conference, the Mid-American Conference and Central Michigan University to ensure the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl will be played," Washington State athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement.
The Cougars went 7-5 this season and won three of their last four games. In its last two wins of the year, Washington State scored 40 or more points and had a scoring differential of plus-26.5.
Central Michigan has a record of 8-4 and ended the regular season on a four-game win streak. The Chippewas won six of their last seven games and scored at least 30 points in each of their last five contests.
The Sun Bowl isn't the only bowl game to be modified due to a team dealing with COVID-19 issues. Rutgers replaced Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest after the Aggies were forced to withdraw.
The Arizona Bowl is now the fourth bowl game to get canceled this season. Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated noted that a financial agreement was likely reached to release the Chippewas from the game and allow them to play against the Cougars. The Hawai'i Bowl, Military Bowl and Fenway Bowl also were all canceled.
Central Michigan QB John Keller Released from Hospital Almost 1 Month After Shooting
May 21, 2021
Yard markings on a football field are seen during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Central Michigan quarterback John Keller has been released from the hospital nearly one month after he was shot in the chest during a gathering at an off-campus apartment complex in the early-morning hours of Saturday, April 24.
John's father, Ray Keller, confirmed the news on Twitter:
Keller was in the intensive care unit following the shooting, and he was also on a ventilator for seven days, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.
Ray Keller spoke with VanHaaren Friday and relayed that he was driving his son home, where he would continue his recovery.
Detroit native Kenneth Thomas has been arrested and arraigned in connection with shooting Keller, as well as 23-year-old CMU senior Tyler Bunting, per Terry Camp of Flint, Michigan's ABC affiliate. The shooting occurred at the Deerfield Village Apartments in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Thomas pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $1 million bond. He is facing 10 charges, including two for assault with intent to murder.
Christian Booher of Central Michigan Life provided details, citing an Isabella County Sheriff's Office press release:
Thomas is believed to have been at the party for a short time before a fight broke out. During the fight, Thomas went to his vehicle, retrieved a gun and fired upon returning to the party.
According to the press release, Thomas and several others had come to Mount Pleasant April 23 to socialize at local establishments. After the establishments closed, Thomas and others heard about the gathering at Deerfield.
The press release states that Thomas and his accomplices have no connection to Central Michigan University or the Mount Pleasant area.
Keller was airlifted to Hurley Medical Center, per Booher.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help for his medical expenses, and an excerpt written by fundraiser organizer Lauren Rhodes says Keller was a hero that night:
For those of you who do not know, the individual who shot John on April 24th, was taken into custody yesterday. When the assailant showed up at Deerfield Village Apartments early Saturday morning, John took heroic actions to prevent him from entering into the building to shoot other individuals. John is a hero and he deserves our support and prayers.
Keller, a 6'1", 203-pound quarterback out of Canton, Ohio, walked on at the University of Cincinnati in 2018. He left the Bearcats for Pearl River Community College in 2019 before going to Central Michigan in 2020. Keller did not play last season because of NCAA transfer requirements.
Central Michigan QB John Keller in Serious Condition After Shooting at Party
Apr 25, 2021
Central Michigan's Chippewa Champions Center construction project in the north end zone of Kelly/Shorts Stadium is shown following an NCAA football game against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Central Michigan quarterback John Keller is in serious condition after a shooting at an off-campus party Saturday night, per Chris Low of ESPN.Ā
CMU President Bob Davies confirmed the news Sunday that two individuals were shot and both were students. The other student is currently in stable condition.
"Local law enforcement, led by the Isabella County Sherriff, continues to investigate the incident and is searching for the suspect or suspects involved," Davies said.
According to the Central Michigan student newspaper (via Low), a fight broke out at a party, and someone retrieved a weapon from their vehicle before returning and firing at the individuals.Ā Ā
Keller was initially aĀ unranked recruitĀ out of Canton, Ohio, before signing with Cincinnati in the 2018 class. He transferred toĀ JUCO program Pearl River after one year before returning to the Division I level with a transfer to Central Michigan in January 2020.
He sat out last season due to the NCAA transfer rules.Ā
Corey Davis' Brother Titus, Former Central Michigan WR, Dies of Cancer at Age 27
Nov 11, 2020
Central Michigan receiver Titus Davis runs off the field following an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Former Central Michigan star Titus Davis died Wednesday at the age of 27.Ā
The Detroit News' Tony Paul reported Davis had been diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer, in July.Ā The Wheaton, Illinois, native was the brother of Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis.
For two years, they were on opposing sides in college as Corey played for Western Michigan. They split their head-to-head meetings in 2013 and 2014.
Titus was a first-team All-MAC wideout as a junior and senior.Ā He left the Chippewas as one of their greatest pass-catchers ever. He's fourth in school history in receptions (204) and first in both receiving yards (3,700) and touchdown receptions (37).
We are saddened to hear about the passing of former @CMU_Football student-athlete Titus Davis.
Life is too short... RIP Titus. One of the best players and competitors Iāve ever been around. Thoughts and prayers out to his family. #FireUpForeverhttps://t.co/sJ7MNrAd9I
Davis was involved in perhaps the most memorable play in program history when he found the end zone on the Chippewas' Hail Mary at the end of the 2014 Bahamas Bowl:
This week, as we recognize some of the greatest Chippewas from the Chicago area, we've got another special edition #TouchdownTuesday on tapā¼ļø
Here's Wheaton, Ill. native, Titus Davis finding the end zone on a hail mary pass in the 2014 Bahamas Bowl!#FireUpChips š„ā¬ļøš pic.twitter.com/etLvxE4i3w
