WKU survives CMU comeback in Bahamas; Rice takes Hawaii

Wasting nearly a 35-point lead in the 2nd half, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers overcame a record-setting seven touchdown passes from CMU's Cooper Rush to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas, 49-48, at the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau. It was the first bowl game played outside the United States or Canada since 1937.

Central Michigan (7-6) scored the final five touchdowns of the game and went for a 2-point conversion in the end for the win, but it was broken up by Western Kentucky's Wonderful Terry. Wonderful is actually his first name, not a nickname.

Both teams finished the day with 1,254 yards of offense (647 by Western Kentucky). Willie McNeal caught five passes for 155 yards for the Hilltoppers while Titus Davis had 147 receiving yards and four touchdown catches, including the one on the final play, for Central Michigan.




Driphus Jackson passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns as the Rice Owls set a Hawaii Bowl record by holding the Fresno State Bulldogs without a touchdown in a 30-6 victory.

Rice (8-5) piled up 463 yards and held Fresno State to only 93 yards passing, well below the Bulldogs' season average of 238 yards. Fresno's Brian Burrell was 10-of-20 for 44 yards and didn't complete a pass longer than 8 yards.

Fresno State (6-8 ), the only team with a losing record to play a bowl game this year, broke the Hawaii Bowl record for fewest points scored. The Bulldogs scored 10 points two years ago in a loss to SMU and this was the fewest points Fresno State scored all year.