Courtesy: Robert Barclay/CMU The Chippewas celebrate their 44-41 double-overtime win against Troy in the GMAC Bowl. The school-record tying 12th victory of 2009 secured CMU a spot in the final top 25 polls.

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan has finished the 2009 football season ranked in the top 25 for the first time in program history.

The Chippewas are ranked No. 23 in the final Associated Press poll and No. 24 in the final USA Today coaches' poll.

CMU is the first Mid-American Conference program to finish a season ranked in the top 25 since Bowling Green finished No. 23 in both polls in 2003.

The Chippewas (12-2 overall) capped their season with a 44-41 double-overtime victory over Troy in the GMAC Bowl Wednesday night.

CMU, which tied a school record with 12 victories, won its third MAC title in four seasons in 2009.