CMU Prepares for First Florida Bowl Game

MT. PLEASANT – As Artic-cold temperatures make their way throughout northern Michigan this week, the Central Michigan football team is preparing for its first Florida bowl game.

CMU will face Tulsa (9-3) Monday afternoon in the Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park.

The Chippewas (6-6) are in a bowl game for the third straight season and are making their 10th appearance all time in a Division I bowl and 12th overall. A victory over Tulsa would mark their first bowl win since topping Western Kentucky, 24-21, in the 2012 Little Caesars Bowl.

“Bowl trips are a little different because you’re traveling more than just a normal 70 that you take to a conference game,” CMU coach John Bonamego said. “You’ve got a bunch of guys that haven’t traveled, so it’s critical for us as coaches to make sure that we set the tone. Make expectations clear and concise and hold everybody on the trip accountable.”

Monday’s meeting is the third in program history between the two schools. CMU won the last meeting in 1987, 41-18.

The Miami Beach Bowl is now in its third year of existence. Western Kentucky won last year’s contest over South Florida, 45-35.

Kickoff Monday is set for 2:30 p.m.