The "Hustle Belt" Belt is without a doubt the most distinguished clip art-based award given to Mid-American Conference athletes. Every week such an award will be given to the top offensive, defensive, and special teams player. These athletes can then print off the graphic, if they so choose, and hang it up in their trophy case. Or they can take a regular belt and just paint it gold. They can pretty much do whatever they want.
OFFENSE
We don't give out belts for sympathy. They are earned. So even on the heels of news that Boo Jackson may never play college football again after a frenetic bar fight, let's remember that he really did it all against Buffalo. He passed for two touchdowns, ran for a third, and caught a fourth. Hell of a way to show up for an unintentional swan song. The Legend of Boo is now complete.
Almost worthy:
Alex Allen, Akron: 25 rush, 165 yards
Alex Carder, WMU: 27-of-44, 272 yards, 3 TD
Mike Gerardi, Temple: 21-of-29, 368 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; rushing TD
Juan Nunez, WMU: 14 catches, 133 yards, TD
Ryan Radcliff, CMU: 23-of-26, 300 yards, 2 TD, INT
Jack Tomlinson, Ball State: 7 catches, 175 yards, 3 TD
Cody Wilson, CMU: 12 catches, 185 yards, TD
DEFENSE
Central Michigan was reeling all year, but their win over WMU was led by some big defensive plays. Junior linebacker Armond Staten had two career forced fumbles coming into Friday's game, but he had three against the Broncos, including the critical forced turnover on WMU's final drive. He also had 11 total tackles, 1½ for loss, and his first career sack.
Your also-rans:
Matt Berning, CMU: 12 tackles, 2½ TFL, FF, 2 breakups, safety
Stafford Gatling, OHIO: 6 tackles, 2 TFL, FF
Steven Means, Buffalo: 8 tackles, INT, FR
Monte Simmons, Kent State: 6 tackles, 1½ TFL, FF
Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple: 6 tackles, 3 sacks
SPECIAL TEAMS
Even though he had a fumble on a kickoff return, Sam Kirkland still gets the auspicious, if not bittersweet, nod for the special teams belt. As mentioned on Saturday, he blocked a punt and recovered a second blocked punt for a touchdown. "Kirkland" is also a word that sounds like the most boring amusement park in the country.
Slightly less special:
Ian McGarvey, Ball State: 3-for-3 FGs, 4 XP
John Rachuna, Buffalo: 49-yard FG
Matt Rinehart, Kent State: 7 punts, 48.4 average, three inside 20