Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky: Twitter Reaction, Recap and Analysis

Central Michigan taking on Western Kentucky in the Little Caesars Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, may not have been the sexiest of matchups, but it was a close one. 

The Central Michigan Chippewas edged out the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 24-21, Wednesday night.

While this was not the most exciting game, it did have a supremely interesting finish. The Hilltoppers had the ball while facing a 4th-and-2 on CMU's 19-yard line with the clock ticking down to a minute of game time left. 

They had a chip-shot field goal that would have tied the game, but they decided to go for the win and go for it. It did not work out. Quarterback Kawaun Jakes' pass fell harmlessly incomplete and the Chippewas easily ran out the clock to seal the win.  

The Chippewas controlled most of this game, and though they couldn't turn that control into scoreboard dominance, I'm sure they won't complain with picking up the win. 

This game got off to a fast start. It took the Chippewas less than five minutes to put up the opening score, as Ryan Radcliff connected with Andrew Flory for a 69-yard score. 

However, the Hilltoppers answered right back as they needed just three plays on the next drive to get a six-yard touchdown run from Jakes to tie the game up. 

At that point, this game appeared destined to be a high-scoring shootout, but that never materialized. Jakes added a six-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle to add the final score before halftime and had his Hilltoppers enter the locker room trailing 17-14. 

In the third quarter, defense began to take over. Western Kentucky's Kadeem Jones added the quarter's only score with a one-yard touchdown run, and the Hilltoppers began the fourth with a 21-17 lead. 

Then in the fourth quarter, Central Michigan's Cody Wilson caught a perfect pass from Ryan Radcliff for what proved to be the game's winning score. 

Twitter Reaction

This game wasn't on the radar of many football fans, and it was not overly well attended either, as this tweeter points out.  

"

If The Little Ceasars Bowl would have known attendance was going to be this bad they would have unleashed the "Seatza Seatza" promotion.

— Steven R. Spoiler (@SteveSpoiler) December 27, 2012"

And that was reinforced by this Perry Noble tweet.

"

This Little Ceasars Bowl is unbelievable!Tens of people are SO into this!#needaplayoffsystem

— Perry Noble (@perrynoble) December 27, 2012"

Some of the tweets about the Little Caesars Bowl were actually about the game. Like Fox's Dan Phillips commenting on a controversial call that looked like it might decide the game. 

"

WKU got a HUGE break.Kadeem Jones fumbled RIGHT AFTER he crossed goal-line.Could have gone either way.Toppers lead CMU 21-17 in 4th.

— Dan Phillips (@DanoFox17) December 27, 2012"

That wasn't the only controversial late review of a touchdown. Brad Galli of WXYZ-TV in Detroit commented on one that was disallowed. 

"

CMU's touchdown reversed after review. Tipton's knee apparently hit at the half yard line.

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 27, 2012"

This came after the score commented on by Phillips, and it also went against CMU. That is a lot to take into the offseason after a bowl game loss that came by just three points.