The Hustle Belt Belt is a fictitious belt given to the top MAC offensive, defensive, and special teams players every week.
OFFENSE
Why would it be anybody else? Chandler Harnish cast off a bunch of demons with NIU's 65-30 schmacking of Toledo, sitting alone atop the MAC West. He went 11-for-16 passing for 162 yards and a touchdown, and also ran 13 times for 149 yards and a second score. Efficient and sufficient.
Holy moley, a bunch of studly numbers were present in just six games:
Alex Carder, WMU: 17-for-21, 349 yards, 4 TD; 7 rush, 34 yards
Zac Dysert, Miami: 19-for-25, 221 yards, TD; 9 rush, 20 yards, TD
Brian Fields, WMU: 11 rush, 107 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 20 yards, TD
Alex Gillett, EMU: 13-of-24, 214 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 22 rush, 159 yards, TD
Tyshon Goode, Kent State: 7 receptions, 155 yards, TD
Nick Harwell, Miami: 10 receptions, 125 yards, TD; 1 rush, 11 yards
Juan Nunez, WMU: 4 catches, 110 yards, 2 TD
Ryan Radcliff, CMU: 36-for-58, 394 yards, 3 TD
Chad Spann, NIU: 20 rush, 70 yards, 3 TD
Adonis Thomas, Toledo: 10 rush, 152 yards, 2 TD; 3 receptions, 32 yards
Jordan White, WMU: 7 catches, 134 yards, TD
Eric Williams, Ball State: 27 rush, 109 yards
Cody Wilson, CMU: 13 catches, 126 yards, TD
DEFENSE
Not even close, America. Ball State safety Sean Baker caught two passes thrown by Buffalo quarterbacks on Friday night, which tied the total for UB's leading receiver. He also had a third touch, a fumble (that he forced) and ran back for a touchdown. Tack on three tackles and a pass breakup ... and this ranks up there for Defensive Game of the Year.
A list of mortals who are not Sean Baker:
Freddie Bishop, WMU: 8 tackles, 2½ TFL
D.J. Brown, Miami: 2 tackles, 2 INT, pass breakup
Martavius Cardwell, EMU: 9 tackles, FF, FR
Keith Dixson, WMU: 3 tackles, FR, INT
Alex Johnson, Toledo: 5 tackles, sack (safety)
Dan Molls, Toledo: 19 tackles, TFL
Sean Progar, NIU: 3 tackles, 2 sacks
Mitch Zajac, WMU: 14 tackles, 2 TFL
SPECIAL TEAMS
I'm feeling extra generous for NIU, but maybe their game was just that spectacular. Tommy Davis put a capper on the Toledo win with an 83-yard kickoff return for touchdown. Irrespective of this particular Belt, Davis led NIU's defense with nine tackles.
Good kickers who deserve pats on the back:
Will Diaz, Miami: blocked FG
John Penza, Toledo: 6 punts, 46.7 average, 1 inside 20, long of 65
A.J. Principe, Buffalo: 49-yard FG
Jacob Schum, Buffalo: 6 punts, 45.7 average, 1 inside 20, long of 57