Central Michigan Beats Ohio University to Earn Berth in California Raisin Bowl
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ATHENS, Ohio — Jeff Bender ran for one touchdown and passed for another in the second quarter as Central Michigan clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference title and a berth in the California Raisin Bowl by beating Ohio University, 52-7, Saturday.
Central Michigan, 8-2-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference, tied for the championship with Toledo. Because it beat the Rockets, 13-12, Central Michigan got the bid for the Dec. 8 bowl at Fresno against either Fresno State or San Jose State.
Ohio fell to 1-8-1, 0-6-1.
Bender, who set Chippewa records for touchdown passes in a career (28) and season (13), connected with Joe Connolly on a 12-yard touchdown pass play.
Ken Ealy had five catches for 96 yards to establish school marks for single-season catches (44) and receiving yardage (916).
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