Day Three in Detroit: Fowling Victory and Walk-Through

Football, Family, Faith: Michael Heldman Becomes a Star, and a Man

Wednesday, December 24

Day Two in Detroit: Central Michigan Football Team Takes Part in a Variety of Activities

Tuesday, December 23

Football Sets School-Record With 3.33 Semester Grade Point Average

Tuesday, December 23

Central Michigan Football Team Arrives in Detroit!

Monday, December 22

Ben Pratt

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Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia

Photo by: Sophia Johnston '26

12/24/2025 9:12:00 PM | Football

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Chippewas work through team, special teams and position meetings, complete walk-through at Ford Field, get introduction to the sport of Fowling, celebrate a Fowling title, and enjoy a Little Caesars pizza dinner at the Fowling Warehouse.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

DETROIT, Mich.—Two days remain for the Central Michigan Football team as it prepares to play Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Friday, Dec. 26 at Ford Field. On Wednesday, Central Michigan's third day in Detroit included morning meetings, a walk-through practice at Ford Field, and a visit to the Fowling Warehouse for a Little Caesars pizza dinner and introduction to the sport of Fowling.

A look at what the Chippewas have been up to this week#FireUpChips pic.twitter.com/j6K6v25dPx
— Central Michigan Football (@CMU_Football) December 25, 2025

The work continues #FireUpChips pic.twitter.com/Q3mh1agXEQ
— Central Michigan Football (@CMU_Football) December 24, 2025

Central Michigan opened its day with team, special teams, and position meetings at its hotel. It made the short trek over to Ford Field for a closed walk-through/practice.

Later in the day, the team boarded busses and traveled to the Fowling Warehouse for dinner and date with a new sport and national sensation called Fowling. Fowling started as a one-lane mashup of football and bowling while tailgating at the 2001 Indianapolis 500. Participants basically throw a football at 10 bowling pins until someone knocks them all down. More information on Fowling can be found at this link.

Central Michigan wins the Fowl Off! pic.twitter.com/3ennsQlDz5
— GameAbove Sports Bowl (@GameAboveBowl) December 24, 2025

Fowling Champs! pic.twitter.com/vu75jGefWw
— GameAbove Sports Bowl (@GameAboveBowl) December 24, 2025

1st Team All-Fowling pic.twitter.com/onqMGd8ZUP
— GameAbove Sports Bowl (@GameAboveBowl) December 25, 2025

Later, Central Michigan and Northwestern lined up against each other in the annual GameAbove Sports Bowl Fowl-Off. The winner would receive the annual trophy. Four Chippewas were selected to compete for Central Michigan including linebacker Dakota Cochran, long snapper Ben Pratt, quarterback Jadyn Glasser, and General Manager Ayden Opfer. It came down to one pin and Opfer, like a professional quarterback, calmly launched his throw "heard round the world", giving the Chippewas the title. It sent the Chippewas into frenzy and a victory celebration, while Cochran can forever be seen on all social media channels holding the trophy high over his shoulders.

Later that evening, the Chippewas were treated to a late night snack provided by Savvy Sliders.

FOLLOW CENTRAL MICHIGAN IN DETROIT
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Central Michigan Bowl Preview Show (watch on twitter)
Day Two Photo Gallery
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Day One: Central Michigan Arrives in Detroit!
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Watch GameAbove Sports Bowl Introductory News Conference (featuring Matt Drinkall)
Central Michigan Accepts GameAbove Sports Bowl Invitation

Central Michigan will play in its sixth bowl game at Ford Field in Detroit. The last time the Chippewas participated in a bowl game in Detroit was in 2015 when they faced Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl.

It is Central Michigan's 11^th all-time football game in the city of Detroit. All previous matchups took place at Ford Field, including five bowl games, four MAC Championship games, and one regular season contest. In 11 matchups in Detroit, Central Michigan's average attendance in those games is 33,472. The last time Central Michigan played at Ford Field was on Dec. 7, 2019 against Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship Game.

Owned, hosted and operated by the Detroit Lions, the GameAbove Sports Bowl is in its 11^th year of existence and second year with title sponsor GameAbove Sports. More information on the GameAbove Sports Bowl is available at www.detroitlions.com/game-above-sports-bowl/.

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—CMU—