Northern Illinois routs Bowling Green to win MAC title
DETROIT — Northern Illinois quarterback Drew Hare accomplished something his highly touted predecessor could not.
The sophomore threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 60 yards and a score, leading the Huskies to a 51-17 victory against Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game on Friday night at Ford Field.
A year prior, when the teams met for the league title, Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch could not deliver favored Northern Illinois against the Falcons, bowing 47-27 and blowing a bid to a BCS bowl game in the process.
Hare made sure history did not repeat, albeit without a big money postseason entry in the balance. Lynch was on the sideline to watch.
"His poise and his attitude were there," Huskies coach Rod Carey said of Hare. "He never tried to be anyone but Drew. I'm happy for him."
Northern Illinois (11-2) is likely headed to the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 4. Bowling Green (7-6) could wind up in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 20 in Montgomery, Ala.
Hare, who set career highs for completions (29) and attempts (49), was at his best executing the two-minute drill just before the half. He mixed pass and run to methodically move the Huskies 68 yards in 10 plays, capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Luke Eakes on a fade route for a 20-7 edge. On the drive Hare completed six of eight passes.
He was named most valuable player as NIU set a MAC title game record for points.
When the Huskies took the second half kickoff and again dissected the Falcons defense, the issue appeared decided. Hare's pretty 4-yard scoring toss to Juwan Brescacin quieted the Bowling Green crowd and built a three-score edge.
Another quick scoring march ensued on NIU's next possession, 73 yards, eight plays, Cameron Stingily sticking it in the end zone on a 2-yard run.
Game over.
"They came out at halftime and put one on us," first-year Bowling Green coach Dino Babers said. "That was obviously disappointing. As an offense you have to find a way to match.
"Instead we go three and out and then they are able to (score) again. That really almost closed the door."
The Huskies easily handled the Falcons' fast-paced offense, limiting them to 287 total yards while collecting three interceptions. Meanwhile NIU racked up 334 yards rushing. Stingily piled up 116 yards on the ground. Akeem Daniels added 76.
"This was our best game at the right time," Carey said. "Now that we know how to do it, we have another one yet."
Northern Illinois struck first moving 55 yards on seven plays to grab the lead at the 5:57 mark of the first. Fittingly, Hare capped things on a 2-yard TD run.
The Huskies made it 10-0 four minutes later on a 35-yard field goal by Christian Hagan. Cornerback Paris Logan had set up NIU at the BGSU 25 with an interception of a James Knapke pass. Knapke, who struggled throughout the year after replacing injured No. 1 QB Matt Johnson, completed 12 of 21 passes for 151 yards and a TD but tossed two picks. He was benched late in the third quarter in favor of Cody Callaway. The freshman promptly threw an interception of his own.
After an NIU drive stalled to start the second quarter, Hagan converted a 32-yard field goal for a 13-0 edge at 11:10.
BGSU pulled within six on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Knapke to Gehrig Dieter 9:33 before intermission. That was as close as they'd get.
"They left no doubt who is the best team in this conference," Babers said.
Northern Illinois was playing in its fifth consecutive conference championship game, one of only three Football Bowl Subdivision teams to achieve that feat. Marshall, which made it to six MAC title games in a row (1997-2002), and Florida, which played in five consecutive SEC championship games (1992-96) are the others.
With their 57th win, the Huskies are tied for second among all FBS teams in victories since 2010. They trail only Oregon (58). Alabama also has 57 wins over that span.