Detroit ? Football coaches always talk about winning games with big plays.

The Mid-American Conference championship game was a perfect example.

Central Michigan had eight plays of 20-plus yards, held Ohio to zero and walked away with a 31-10 victory Thursday night for its first conference title since 1994.

“It’s all about making plays,” said Brian Kelly, who kept his team focused in a week that saw him linked to jobs at Michigan State and Iowa State. “Our quarterback made some great throws and his receivers made some great catches.”

Redshirt freshman Dan LeFevour threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns and Damien Linson had 191 yards receiving against the Bobcats’ normally stingy defense.

“It’s fun when you’ve got four all-conference linemen in front of you and four or five targets on every play,” LeFevour said. “That makes my life a lot easier.”

The Chippewas will return to Ford Field for the Dec. 26 Motor City Bowl, their first bowl game since the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl.