Central Michigan Told Their Team Bowl Plans In A Very Special Way

((HT: Jay McDowell/The Score))

Chip, chip, Chippewa...

Now here's the way to tell your team that you're going bowling in a really cool place...

Even if you're still playing Western Kentucky...

It came down to six places and, then, only two...

Here's how Dan Enos told his team they were playing one more game...


See, the HQ told you it was cool...

Morning Wrap: N.Illinois Wins MAC Football Title Again

Three times in four years would qualify many college football teams as a possible dynasty.

Even in the Mid-American Conference.

The MAC has a dynasty in the making as the Northern Illinois Huskies won their third conference title in the past four years, routing Bowling Green 51-17 Friday night.

The Huskies were led by QB Drew Hare who threw for 218 yards and 2 TD's and ran for another as Northern Illinois rolled up 334 yards running the ball.

The win moves them to 11-2 on the season and while they won't be crashing the College Football playoff, it gets them back to a bowl game. Bowling Green drops to 7-6 on the season.

Your highlights from ESPN.com:

BUZZER BEATER: Bowling Green's Richaun Holmes Crazy Lay Up At The Buzzer

The video quality is very poor because it's from a fan's camera phone but Bowling Green's Richaun Holmes takes the inbounds pass from Spencer Parker and puts up a wild contested lay up at the buzzer and wins it for the Falcons 64-63 over Detroit.





Holmes' buzzer beater capped off a brilliant performance with 26 points and 18 rebounds.

Here's a cleaner look under the basket.

Cue The Clown Music: Western Michigan And Bowling Green With A Football Follies Moment

Sing along with me: Hot Potato Hot Potato.....


Western Michigan's Zach Terrell pass is complete to Taylor Moton, an offensive lineman who loses it, Then it's volleyballed by both teams before Western Michigan's Daniel Braveman secures it to the six yard line.

MAC-tion at it's best.

OSG CFB: Can We Put The MAC In The "Power 5" Now...???

((HT: Falcons Athletics their own selves))

Bowling Green had not hosted a Big 10/12 squad since 2008, and after today, it might be a long while before it happens ever again.

The Falcons beat a 10/12 team for the first time at home in their win over Indiana, 45-42.

QB James Knapke went 46-for-73 on the day and the Falcons had another 40 plays besides those involving their QB.
The two teams combined for 1,153 yards of net offense- 742 yards of that was passing yards.
Bowling Green only punted once...

Here's the highlights from BGSU's point-of-view


For the record, Bowling Green will continue their walk through the Big 10/12 Legends Division (or is it the Leaders Division???) with their trip to Madison to play Wisconsin next weekend.

Here's head coach Dino Babers discussing his walk through the power conference not called the MAC

UMass Football Asked to Leave the MAC

Insert joke here...

No seriously. The University of Massachusetts and the Mid-American Conference will part ways in 2015. And aside from the requisite jokes being made due to the ineptitude of the Minutemen football program, there's actually a reason for this.

UMass was a football only member of the MAC, the basketball team plays in the Atlantic 10.

According to ESPN.com, UMass was asked to be a full-time member of the MAC, but decided to pass. The problem: The Atlantic 10 is a basketball only conference. And the MAC, well, they wanted all or nothing from the Minutemen.

Read more from ESPN.com RIGHT HERE

So...this has little to no impact on the MAC. They will become a 12-team conference. No big deal, even scheduling in 2016.

UMass has a bigger problem. Perennially one of the worst teams in the FBS (Division 1), they are a bad team now with no home. The school wants to stay where they are, the problem is, where do they go? Most of the smaller College Football programs in the Northeastern U.S are FCS (1-AA) teams. There are several that play in FBS, but they are all in power conferences. None of which would have any interest.

Not a huge story on the Sports landscape here, but an interesting one never the less and one that further enhances a question we often ask: What happens to the non-power schools in the FBS after the playoff and split happens?

And no, there's not a simple answer....

Northern Illinois' BCS Berth Busted By Bowling Green, Falcons Win MAC Championship Game

So much for the MAC Championship Game as a coronation for Northern Illinois' second straight BCS bowl berth.

Bowling Green shocked NIU 47-27 Friday night in Detroit.

(Thanks MAC Digital Network)

Husky quarterback Jordan Lynch played like a mere mortal against Bowling Green completing 21 of 40 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions.  Lynch only rushed for 126 yards too.

Lynch was outplayed by Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson who was completed 21 of 27 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns.

"There was a lot of talk about Jordan Lynch being up for the Heisman," Johnson said. "It's well-deserved, but I did take it a little personal."

Secretly Johnson was saying "Take that Jordan Lynch."

If anything this loss in the MAC Championship game and his average performance against Bowling Green may have cost Lynch an invite to the Downtown Athletic Club next weekend as a semi-finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

“It’s tough. You know, we don’t like to lose, and like I said all the credit goes to them.” Lynch said.

"It feels great because we were the team that Northern Illinois was playing, and that 
they were going to go and bust the BCS and that motivated us all week and we brought it out onto the field.” Johnson said.

As far as Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson is concerned, don't call this an upset.

"You guys are all shocked."  Clawson said.  "We thought we were going to win. We really did. We would have been absolutely crushed if we didn’t win this game. We came into this game truly believing that we were the better team and that we were going to win.”

Here's the Bowling Green locker room celebration.

(Thanks MAC Digital Network)

Jordan Lynch With Another Heisman Trophy Statement

Will Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch win the Heisman Trophy?

Probably not, it's been earmarked for Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston since week one.  

Tuesday night on a frigid night in Dekalb, Illinois Lynch had another record setting performance against Western Michigan making one last impression on the Heisman Trophy voters.

Lynch broke his own NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 327 yards on 27 carries.  He set the record October 19th against Central Michigan with 316 yards.


WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader
Oh by the way Northern Illinois finished the regular season 12-0 and kept alive the nations best conference winning streak of 25 games defeating Western Michigan 33-14.

"I think Jordan Lynch is the best college player in football, I really believe that."  Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck said.  "He's an elite player. From watching him live and just being around him, I really believe that, and I think that's what the Heisman Trophy is all about - finding the best player in the country and finding the best player that makes everyone around him better. I don't know what else to say about him but I will end it with that he deserves to be in New York City. "

"It was fun," Lynch said. "It was hard to throw the ball in those conditions, and good thing we have a good running game."

One might say Lynch was the running game for the Huskies.  The game was played in 17 degree temperatures and a light snow fall.

While Jameis Winston appears to be the odds on favorite for the Heisman Trophy Jordan Lynch and Boston College running back Andre Williams have had some superhuman performances in November.

Lynch has more game to campaign for the Heisman next week in the MAC Championship Game.

Williams has one last shot to make a lasting impression Saturday as Boston College takes on Syracuse.

Jordan Lynch Plays On National TV With Four Touchdowns In NIU's Win Over Ball State

And that leads to the question will it give Jordan Lynch a bump in the Heisman Trophy race.

In front of a national TV audience (well, ESPN2 so we use that term loosely) Lynch was his typical self throwing for two touchdowns and running for a pair as well.





"If Jordan isn’t in the conversation for the Heisman I don’t know what people are watching, they were obviously asleep." Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey said.

Other quarterbacks, Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M, Jameis Winston from Florida State, Marcus Mariota from Oregon and now Bryce Petty from Baylor have been declared the front runners by those in the media who declare such things.

Lynch has been somewhat of an afterthought.

"In my estimation that trophy goes to the best player in the nation." Carey said.  "With the performance he had tonight ( 131 yards rushing 2 TD's, 354 yards passing, 2 TD's) , we had a lot of good plays out there from everybody, but from the performance he had tonight he dang sure should be in that conversation.”

Rod Carey has a valid argument went you see that Lynch is right up there with the Heisman front runners.  

Total Offense Leaders:

1. Garrett Gilbert - SMU  409.4 YPG
2. Johnny Maziel - Texas A&M  392.4 YPG
3. Derek Carr - Fresno State  388.8 YPG
4. Sean Mannion - Oregon State  374 YPG
5. Jordan Lynch - Northern Illinois  348.9 YPG
6. Bryce Petty - Baylor  346.9 YPG

(Source: cfbstats.com)

Lynch's issue is obvious.  He plays in Dekalb, Illinois and NIU's conference, the MAC, gets very little attention on a national scale.

Even when Jordan Lynch performs in front of a national TV audience its a Wednesday night.  

"He’s fast." Ball State head coach Pete Lembo said.  "He’s built like a linebacker, but he’s got tailback speed. He’s got a lot of savvy. I’m looking forward to him getting his degree and moving on."

Northern Illinois has games at Toledo (on a Wednesday night) then hosting Western Michigan to close the regular season before playing in the MAC Championship Game.

At least invite Lynch to New York City in December, the kid deserves it.

Eastern Michigan's English Speaks, Eagles Win In OT

((HT: EMU Athletics))

Former Eastern Michigan head coach Ron English came clean in an interview with the AP about his unceremonious dismissal earlier this week with three games left in the 2013 season...

"As a man who has coached 21 years, obviously, on this occasion and particular meeting, I lost my poise, got upset and used language that was inappropriate, particularly as it pertains to homosexual slurs. I regret that," English said. "I apologize to the university for putting it in this position and tarnishing its reputation. I look forward to continuing a career that has been marked by molding men of integrity, passion, and intensity for 21 years."

The Detroit News has a copy of the purported audio rant that got English fired:


The school released a statement as to why English was let go:

"I received a tape of a situation in which Coach English had addressed the team and used wholly inappropriate language. We hold our coaches and staff to high standards of professionalism and conduct and there is no place, particularly in a student environment, where this language is appropriate. The statements made by Coach English are absolutely unacceptable. My decision to make a change in leadership of our football program was the culmination of a lot of factors including the comprehensive review of our program, the competitive performance and this tape. Our primary interest is in the well being and success of our student-athletes and this will continue to be our priority in every decision we make and every action we take. My focus moving forward is on the quality of our student-athletes' experience as well as the search process for the next leader of our football program."

The first part of that was naming Stan Parrish as interim coach and the team responded- for the first time out, anyway...

Eastern played Western and 35-32...

Here's the highlights of the win on overtime...

Jordan Lynch Couldn't Be Stopped By Central Michigan

It was a record setting day for Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch.

Lynch threw for 155 yards and a touchdown, an OK day throwing it.

Lynch ran for 316 yards and that's an FBS record for rushing by a quarterback in NIU's 38-17 win over Central Michigan.


"We had a few good plays going in the game that we knew that would work," Lynch told the Dekalb, IL Daily Chronicle. "They stopped it early on and then we started doing different window-dressing to it. Before you know it we're flying up field and we're hitting the A gap."

Any good quarterback who runs for over 300 yards had help.  The Husky offense line was awesome according to Lynch.

"The holes were so wide open; it was nothing I did," Lynch said.

Lynch had to break the school record to break the FBS record. Back on October 8th, 1990 Northern Illinois quarterback Stacey Robinson ran for 308 yards in the Huskies 73-18.



It was such a great win and performance by Robinson back then the fans tore down the goal posts before the game ended.

Michigan Almost Gets Zipped By Akron.

Terry Bowden almost, almost got his first signature win as the head coach of Akron.

Heck the Zips almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever in college football.

Michigan fans were having Appalachian State flashbacks.

Akron was leading Michigan 24-21 very late in the fourth quarter until Fitzgerald Toussaint scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:49 left in the game.


 The Zips were not done though. Akron quarterback Kyle Pohl drove the Zips inside the Michigan five yard line with 3 chances to win the game. On their third chance Pohl was hurried by Michigan linebacker Brennen Beyer and the pass fell incomplete.

 

And Michigan survived at the Big House 28-24.

"That's a tough one." Pohl said. That happened fast. It was a good call by Coach. We had what we wanted. If it was a half-second more, maybe I could squeeze it and make a better throw."

"This is embarrassing for the University of Michigan football team." Michigan Senior offensive lineman Taylor Lewan said.  "Yeah, we won the game. We're 3-0. That's great. It was embarrassing. It was embarrassing"

"We almost lost to Akron, no disrespect to Akron, but we almost lost after coming out and having a great win last week in front of the whole world, and we come out and almost blow it"  Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner said.

Akron almost pulled it off but calling it a moral victory won't console head coach Terry Bowden.

"It was a wonderful game to watch. I am sick for my players, for how long they played and how hard they played and how well they played, to not come away with a victory." Bowden said. " I have been fortunate in my lifetime to be a part of some big wins and that would have been the biggest. I am sorry for our players because they have worked so hard and been through so much. But I told them they had a chance to play the game of a lifetime and they tried."

Frank Solich vs. a Tricycle: Hint Tricycle Wins (Video)

((ht: sportingnews.com))

Whoopsie!

It seemed like a great idea at the time. A celebrity fundraiser for O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio. And hey, why not, let's ask Ohio University football coach Frank Solich to participate.

And Solich, the head coach of the Bobacats, a Mid-American Conference power this year, gladly accepted. After all, he's a part of the Athens community.

The challenge, ride tricycle's around the hospital parking lot in competition with other celebrities. Which again, was all good, until Solich's turn.

Ooops.

Wonder if Solich will be asked about this at the MAC media days on Tuesday afternoon?

Thanks Athens Messenger for posting the video:

BUZZER BEATER: Nathan Boothe With A 3 Point Winner For Toledo

Toledo Freshman Nathan Boothe had failed to knock down a three point shot in four attempts but the ball was in Bothe’s hands with 1.4 seconds left and the Rockets down by two to Miami (Oh). 

Boothe picked the perfect time to finally can a three point shot.

"I got it, had confidence to shoot it, and luckily made it," Boothe said.

Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk believes Boothe, who is a center,  is one of the best shooters on the Rocket team. 

Boothe proved the coach right nailing a game winning three points shot at the buzzer for Toledo’s 65-64 win over Miami (Oh).

Most importantly Boothe’s game winner extended the Rockets win streak to four games.  Toledo evened the overall record to 10-10, now 6-3 in the MAC.

Toledo might be peaking toward the MAC tournament and sneak into the big dance with a successful conference tournament run.

Northern Illinois Sets New Record For Bad

((HT: EMUAthletics))

Northern Illinois broke its own NCAA record for being really bad scoring only four points in the first half at Eastern Michigan.

Northern Illinois trailed 18-4 at the half after shooting 1 for 31, including 29 straight misses. Earlier this season, Northern Illinois set the record for fewest points in a first half with five against Dayton back on December 1st.

The Huskies' 3.2 percent field goal percentage in the first half also set a record, breaking Savannah State's 4.3 percent "success rate" against Kansas State on Jan. 7, 2008. Their one made field goal also tied Savannah State's record in that 2008 game.

The Huskies finished the game 8 for 61 from the field for 13.1 percent, another NCAA record. The Huskies finished 1 for 33 from three-point.

The record for fewest points in a game is 20 set by Saint Louis in January 2008.

Here's the highlights, if you're an Eastern Michigan fan, anyway...


It was the first time since December 7th, 2004 that Eastern held an opponent to less than 30 points- beating Rochester College, 89-29. The 25 points given up were also the lowest points EMU has allowed since January 21st, 1943, when they beat Hillsdale College, 61-21.

Doeren Gets Enough MACtion, Goes To NCState

The last we saw of Dave Doeren, he was hoisting the MAC Championship trophy for Northern Illinois' win over Kent in 2OT...

Remember...???
((HT: MACDigitalNetwork))


Looks like he won't be around DeKalb, Illinois except to clean out his desk...
He's been hired to take over the North Carolina State job...the 34th head coach in school history. The press conference on campus is set for Sunday...

“Coach Dave Doeren is a highly motivated overachiever who shares our goals to pursue aggressively a high level of achievement in the classroom and on the field of competition,” athletic director Debbie Yow said.

“I am honored and excited to join the Wolfpack. NC State has world-class facilities and fans that are second to none,” Doeren said. “I want to thank Chancellor Woodson and Debbie Yow for this tremendous opportunity. My family and I can’t wait to get to Raleigh and become Wolfpackers. While I look forward to our future at State, I want to acknowledge and thank the Northern Illinois players and fans for their support the last two years, especially President Peters and Jeff Compher [athletic director].”

Doeren's career spans from Drake to Montana to Kansas and Wisconsin- never having been a head coach until NIU. He finished 23-4 in two years, going 17-1 in the MAC.

Will Doeren be accepted with open arms in the south or will he be thought of as a carpet-bagger who doesn't get "it" down here...???

Debbie Yow expects a top-25 team consistently in the A-Cee-Cee...
Good luck on that one...