The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Spots Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE magic ran out as time expired for the Central Michigan University Chippewas as the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers took the inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl championship trophy on Christmas Eve.

The final score in the game televised live on ESPN was a record-breaking 49-48 decision that could have ended in favour of the Chippewas if the Hilltoppers didn’t come up with the right defensive move at the right time.

Nonetheless, those fans on hand and the others who didn’t decide to switch their channels got a treat as they witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in history as the Chippewas rallied from a 49-14 deficit in the final 22 minutes to score the last three touchdowns to pull within one, 49-48, on the final play.

Instead of going for a field goal to tie the score and force overtime, the Chippewas opted to go for broke with a two-point conversion with no time remaining on the clock. But the Hilltoppers’ defence stepped it up and stopped the Chippewas’ offense outside of the goal line.

Chad Bishop, a reporter from the Bowling Green Daily News in Western Kentucky, said the Hilltoppers are famous for playing games like this on the line. He noted how he covered Western Kentucky when they pulled off a 67-66 thriller in overtime over No.29 ranked Marshall in their last game on November 28, they won another exciting game 66-51 over Old Dominion on October 25 and they even blew a huge lead in losing 45-38 to Florida Atlantic University on October 18.

“It’s been great. I had an awesome time. I was a little concerned about the game being played here, but I was quite surprised about how things turned out,” Bishop said. “I think the game could not have been played at a great time and for me as a journalist, I had a wonderful experience and I hope we can do it again next year.”

There were many who left with that question mark hanging over their heads. What if . . . . Central Michigan had done it differently.

One of those optimists was Rev Alfredo Burrows, a former football player and coach in the Commonwealth American Football League.

“The game was a great game, except for that last minute or so,” Burrows said. “If I was coaching, I would not have gone for the two points, I would have kicked the field goal to tie the game and try my hand in overtime. If I can come back from the deficit that they did, I would have continued to place my trust in my team to win it in overtime, I think it was a bad decision on the coaches.”

Burrows recommended that when the organisers return next year, he would like to see more interaction from the CAFL by allowing them to put on an exhibition prior to the start of the game and, in that way, they can expose the local players in the country.

“I think it was a good football game and I think it was a great showing for our players here in the Bahamas,” he said.  “It shows organisation and it shows that we can do the same thing too because we have the talent that may be raw, but with proper coaching, can be refined and we can be able to play at the same level as these kids.”

But whether or not either the Chippewas or the Hilltoppers return next year, fans from both schools admitted that it was an experience that they will cherish.?

“This was the most amazing game. What a comeback by the Chippewas to never give up,” said John Waters, from Michigan. “If you were watching this game, you would think that by the halftime we were done, but the defence never gave up and the offence made some incredible plays.

“We never gave up until the last second. What an amazing game. I’m just not sure why we didn’t kick the ball and go for the overtime. But hats off to these guys for the way they played. Hats off to them for never giving up. Hats off to the fans too who came all the way to the Bahamas to cheer on our team. The Bahamas has been an amazing host for us. We had a great time.”

Looking in the stands, the Chippewas certainly out-numbered the Hilltoppers in fan support, but Waters said it’s the team that is left holding the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl championship trophy that counts the most.

“It would have been awesome to go back with the win, but it has been bitter sweet for us because some of the seniors really wanted to win this one as they leave our programme,” he said. “It would have been great to go home with the win, but Western Kentucky was just awesome. They deserved to win.”

And Lee Johnson, one of the fans from Bowling Green, Kentucky, who came here to support the Hilltoppers, said it was worth the trip.

“They play like this every game,” he said of the Hilltroppers’ dramatic stoppage of the Chippewas when it counted the most. “We scored 43 points in the first half and went cold in the second half. We do it every game. But they had me on the edge. I knew they were coming, but we got lucky at the end of the game.”

Johnson said he has been around the world, but it was his first trip here and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. He was expected to be joined by his wife over the weekend, who had opted to remain with her family in the US for Christmas.

“I enjoyed it. I haven’t seen much, but I will be here for a few more days, so I hope to take in a lot of the sights,” Johnson said. “The people here are so nice and friendly. I know tourism is very important, but you guys are so very accommodating. I enjoyed that a lot.”

But no doubt, Johnson said he was more thrilled to share in the celebrations as his Hilltoppers hoisted the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl championship trophy in the air before they took it back to Bowling, Michigan, on their chartered airline to showcase to their fans who couldn’t afford to make the trip here.