Central Michigan ekes out win over Washington State

After virus shuffles plans, Chippewas come out on top.

Lew Nichols III ran for 130 yards and a touchdown, leading late replacement Central Michigan to a 24-21 victory over Washington State in the Sun Bowl on Friday.

The Chippewas (9-4) ended a five-game losing streak in bowls with their fifth straight victory this season. When Boise State opted out of the Arizona Bowl because of COVID-19 issues, Central Michigan switched about 300 miles east from Tucson, Arizona, to El Paso.

Miami skipped the Sun Bowl for COVID-19 reasons as well. Central Michigan stayed in Arizona before busing to El Paso the day before the game.

It was the first bowl victory for the Chippewas since beating Western Kentucky in the 2012 Little Caesars Bowl.

Washington State (7-6) never could get its offense going in the first half, finishing with just 53 yards and trailing 21-0 at the break.

The Cougars dropped to 8-9 all time in bowls.

The Cougars rallied in the second half behind backup quarterback Victor Gabalis, scoring three times to make it close. Gabalis was 12-of-23 passing for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

After a 13-yard scoring toss to Lincoln Victor pulled the Cougars within three points with 3:13 remaining, they had another chance starting at their 14-yard line with 2:41 remaining. Central Michigan stopped Joey Hobert a yard short on a catch on fourth-and-5.

Marshall Meeder kicked three field goals for Central Michigan, including a 52-yarder for a 6-0 lead and a 43-yarder for a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

It was the first victory in a bowl against a Power Five opponent for the Central Michigan, of the Mid-american Conference. The Chippewas were seven-point underdogs.

The Cougars were without starting tackles Liam Ryan and Abe Lucas for coach Jake Dickert’s first game on the sideline since having the interim tagged removed. Running backs Max Borghi and Deon Mcintosh also opted out.

The Chippewas will return 10 starters on offense and eight on defense next season. They open on Sept. 3 at Oklahoma State.

The Cougars will return eight starters on offense and eight on defense. They open the 2022 season Sept. 3 at home against Idaho.

PHOTOS BY ANDRES LEIGHTON/ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington State wide receiver Lincoln Victor catches a pass for a touchdown as Central Michigan’s Alonzo Mccoy defends Friday during the second half of the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

Central Michigan running back Lew Nichols heads upfield as lineman Tyden Ferris looks for a Washington State player to block during the second half Friday.