CMU Accepts Invitation to Motor City Bowl

MOUNT PLEASANT- Central Michigan University has accepted an invitation to play in the 2008 Motor City Bowl.

The Chippewas will meet Florida Atlantic at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit. ESPN will televise the game to a national audience.

Central Michigan (8-4 overall, 6-2 Mid-American Conference) becomes just the fourth program in MAC history to compete in a bowl game in three consecutive seasons. Florida Atlantic (6-6, 4-3 Sun Belt Conference) is making its second straight bowl appearance.

“We are proud to once again represent the Mid-American Conference in the Motor City Bowl,” said CMU head coach Butch Jones. “Our program is excited to return to Detroit and have another opportunity to play in front of our loyal fans. To be invited to three straight bowl games is a great testament to our fans, our university and our football program.”

Tickets will go on sale at the CMU Athletic Ticket Office in Rose Center beginning at 8 a.m. Monday. Fans can purchase tickets in person at the ticket office or by calling 1-888-FIRE-UP2. Tickets will be available online at cmuchippewas.com beginning later in the day Monday.

The ticket office will be open extended hours, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Chippewa Club members will receive priority seating on all tickets purchased by the close of business Friday, Dec. 12.

CMU will offer reduced-rate ticket prices of $45 for club level seats, $30 for sideline seats and $20 for end zone seats. These prices are available exclusively through the CMU Athletic Ticket Office.

“We’re thrilled to return to Detroit and have another quality bowl experience at the Motor City Bowl,” said CMU Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. “This is another fantastic opportunity for our fans and alumni to see us play, and it’s another chance for our university and football program to be in the national spotlight.”

CMU defeated Middle Tennessee State, 31-14, in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. The Chippewas returned to Detroit last season, but a field goal on the game’s final play lifted Purdue to a 51-48 win over CMU.

Both games established new attendance records for the Motor City Bowl. Attendance at the 2006 game was 54,113, while last year’s matchup drew 60,624 fans to Ford Field.

CMU will be competing in its fifth bowl game overall. The Chippewas also appeared in the 1990 California Bowl and 1994 Las Vegas Bowl.