DETROIT– Chris Glowacki, the Director of Athletic Communications is feeling good about Western Kentucky University’s football team playing their first Bowl Game in Detroit. It will be at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Glowacki said, “We are ready, because of our slight from last season, we want to showcase Western Kentucky and the football program.”
Central Michigan has already sold out most of their ticket allotment. It will be like a home game for the ‘Chips’ at Ford Field. 2012 marks the bowl’s eleventh year at Ford Field, after five years at the Pontiac Silverdome. At the recent kick-off luncheon which was part of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association’s December meeting schedule, the two head coaches were introduced.
It will be the first Bowl Game for Western Kentucky (7-5) and Central Michigan (6-6) will be making their third Little Caesars Pizza Bowl appearance. WKU was 7-5 and Bowl eligible last year but got aced out of a Bowl appearance.
This year will mark the Chippewas’ first return to Detroit since their battle with Florida Atlantic in the 2008 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Both head coaches expressed their appreciation to executive director Ken Hoffman and the LCPB Committee for the selection of their respective teams.
CMU running back and Detroit native son, Zurlon Tipton, who has had quite a season for the Chippewa’s said, “We want to represent Central Michigan and come out with a win. Nothing else matters. This isn’t a vacation. We will be all business. Coach (Dan) Enos will have us ready. It will be great playing in front of family and friends.” Tipton was awarded the CMU Herb Deromedi Most Valuable Player Award and he is currently averaging 115.9 yards-per-game.
“First I want to congratulate Western Kentucky on a great season,” said Enos. “We‘ve been watching film on those guys for a couple weeks now, and they certainly play the game hard, and play it the right way. We‘re very excited to battle such a quality opponent.”
Hilltopper Antonio Andrews’ pursuit of Barry Sanders’ NCAA record for the single-season all-purpose yardage title is compelling. The junior needs just 274 yards to break the mark Sanders set during the 1988 season at Oklahoma State. Sanders went on to star in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.
Hoffman praised legendary coach George Perles for his vision in this the 16th edition of the LCPB. Vicky Foley, President of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association thanked emcee Tim Moore and Hall of Fame Football Coach Lloyd Carr for presenting Detroit in such a wonderful light.
Western Kentucky Interim Head Coach Lance Guidry expressed how pleased he is to bring his team to Detroit for the holidays. Following the 2010 season, Guidry led Miami University to a win in the 2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl as the interim head coach. In 2012, he will attempt to lead WKU to a win in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl as the Hilltoppers’ interim head coach. “I want to be 2-0 in Bowl Games not 1-1,” said Guidry.
“We’re thrilled to be invited and headed back to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. We’ve had a wonderful relationship with this bowl in the past,” said Central Michigan Athletics Director David Heeke. “We’re excited to go to Detroit and a tremendous football event.”
Western Kentucky had three players showcased; defensive tackle Jamarcus Allen, three time team captain Jack Doyle and running-back Antonio Andrews. Andrews is close to breaking the NCAA single season rushing mark.
The three were pleasantly surprised by football pioneer and 1948 Cotton Bowl star Wally Triplett who was a guest at the luncheon. Triplett, who played at Penn State graciously answered questions and posed for social media photos with the three Hilltoppers.
While in Detroit, the WKU trio was planning their bowling squad for the popular team outing at Thunderbird Lanes in Allen Park. The pizza party for both teams is one of the highlights of the LCPB experience in Detroit. Allen, the defensive tackle from Orlando said with a giant smile that he was explaining snow to some of his teammates from Florida. “I hope they get to see some snow while in Detroit. Just some snow though, added Allen.”
Mid-American Conference teams have been 6-9 and Sunbelt Conference teams have been 2-1 in the LCPB. CMU is on a roll, winning their last three games in the MAC this year. Central Michigan senior offensive tackle Eric Fisher has been selected to the Sports Illustrated All-America Second Team and to the Associated Press All-America Third Team.
Again the Little Caesars Pizza Corporation will send their “Love Kitchen” to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and to Bowling Green, Kentucky to feed the less fortunate for the Holidays. They expect to supply over 1,600 meals according to Little Caesars President and CEO David Scrivano.
The game will again be televised nationally on ESPN.