You can put Central Michigan’s Cooper Rush alongside legendary Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie. But, do so with an asterisk.
With the clock winding down, and the Chippewas down by six to Western Kentucky, sophomore signal-caller Rush heaved a Hail Mary which, after a series of laterals, resulted in a touchdown when senior wide receiver Titus Davis dashed into the endzone. Needless to say, a celebration erupted.
For reasons only known to head coach Dan Enos, Central Michigan chose to go big and attempt a two-point conversion. Snatching defeat from the jaws of a tie, the conversion failed and CMU left the Bahamas with a loss and perhaps a souvenir hat from the Nassau Straw Market. The inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl is the only college bowl game played outside of the United States.
The highlight reel TD marked a 36-point comeback by the team from Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Davis, who was the last man standing on the team’s seventh TD of the day, set an FBS (nee Division 1-A) career record for scoring at least eight TDs during his four-year career.
This college football season marks the 30th anniversary of Flutie’s last-second 60-yard bomb to Gerry Phelan which gave BC the win over Bernie Kosar and the Miami Hurricanes, 47-45.
The try for two points instead of a tie caught the official Twitter account of the Bahamas Bowl by surprise. Clearly, the tweeter expected CMU to go for the PAT.
You've to got to be kidding us! @CMU_Football scores on last-second play to cut the @WKUFootball lead to 1. Extra Pt to come. #BahamasBowl
— Bahamas Bowl (@TheBahamasBowl) December 24, 2014
Followed by…
2-pt conversion by @CMU_Football is unsuccessful, and @WKUFootball holds off furious rally to win #BahamasBowl 49-48.
— Bahamas Bowl (@TheBahamasBowl) December 24, 2014
Screengrab via AdamsWorks/YouTube