Hustle Belt - 2014 MAC Football News: Week 14MAC Football, MAC Basketball, MAC Recruiting, MAC Baseball and all of the other #MACtion hijinks in between - hustlebeltblog@gmail.comhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50387/hustle-fav.png2014-11-29T11:53:35-05:00http://www.hustlebelt.com/rss/stream/70350022014-11-29T11:53:35-05:002014-11-29T11:53:35-05:00Western Michigan + Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" = This Vine<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OneFr2IeIn9/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>h/t @edsbs</p>
<br /><p>This will not get old. I will have a bad day in the near future, but I will resort to this, which will be saved in my tabs, and I will not have a bad day anymore. You're welcome on the fantastic idea.</p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/11/29/7306279/western-michigan-eric-claptons-cocaine-this-vineAlex Alvarado2014-11-28T23:43:17-05:002014-11-28T23:43:17-05:00Ball State Athletics Release "Quake" Promo<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zTo-f3sK-CA" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Mark your calendars: December 5th, Ball State will be putting out a full story on Jahwan Edwards. I have no idea how long it will be or what angle of his story we will see, but this is going to happen and we will be watching.</p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/11/28/7305063/ball-state-athletics-release-quake-promoAlex Alvarado2014-11-28T18:30:02-05:002014-11-28T18:30:02-05:00Akron Claims Another Losing Season In Loss
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<p>The loss caps another losing season for the Zips.</p> <p>The set-up couldn't be more perfect.</p>
<p>Akron, at 5-6 and coming off a decisive win over UMass, needed one win to gain bowl eligibility for the first time in eight years. Their opponent? 1-9 Kent State, who hadn't won a game in over a month. Seems to good to be true, right?</p>
<p>It was.</p>
<p>Colin Reardon's five-yard pass to <span>Chris Humphrey</span> with a minute remaining sealed the 27-24 win and the Wagon Wheel for Kent State. Reardon had a nice game throwing for almost 300 yards and two touchdowns. The Flashes' rushing game, ranked nearly last in the country in yards per game, put up 112 yards with most of them coming from <span>Nick Holley</span>.</p>
<p>Kent State's offense, ranked nearly last in the country in points per game, put up over twenty points for just the second time this year. Akron's normally stout defense, ranked near the top third in the nation and at the top of the MAC, completely imploded.</p>
<p><span>Kyle Pohl</span> capped his season in fitting fashion, posting a 17-42, 191-yard performance with no touchdowns and two interceptions. One interception came in the red zone which killed a nice drive, and the other came on the first play of Akron's last drive with a minute to play.</p>
<p>Pohl's season totals - 2,000 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions - mirror Akron's mediocre season. Four of his nine touchdowns came in the first game against Howard; meaning he threw just five touchdowns over the remaining nine games he played.</p>
<p>The kicking game didn't help matters either, with <span>Robert Stein</span> missing a 25-yard field goal in the middle of the third quarter. This was obviously the difference in the end, and it was something that Akron couldn't afford in a must-win game.</p>
<p><span>Jawon Chisholm</span> was the lone bright spot for Akron, rushing nineteen times for 184 yards and two scores. Chisholm had a great career as a Zip and is one of the best running backs in program history. For so much that went wrong today, it was good to see Chisholm end his career on such a high note.</p>
<p>For Kent State, this was a nice win in an otherwise forgettable season. Kent State fans would probably say that they would take a 1-11 season if that win was against Akron, so it's some consolation that one of the Flashes' two wins came against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/akron-zips" class="sbn-auto-link">Zips</a>.</p>
<p>For Akron, it's yet another losing season and another December sitting at home. This is the ninth straight losing season for the program, and it's starting to take its toll. While five win seasons are better than one win seasons, it doesn't appear that much progress is happening.</p>
<p>Next year could be a make or break year for the program. Either Akron takes the next step with a solid group of returnees, or becomes the Same Old Zips and sputters at the end of the season.</p>
<p>What is so frustrating about this season was how promising the start was: Akron started the season 4-2 with a road win over Pitt. Then the Zips went 1-5 over the next six games, ending any hope for a bowl game. There is some reason for hope with each new season, but it's getting harder and harder to believe that Akron will ever turn this around.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/28/7304013/akron-zips-vs-kent-state-golden-flashes-final-flashes-take-back-wagon-wheelBrandon Hickey2014-11-28T16:38:34-05:002014-11-28T16:38:34-05:00Rockets Not Champions, But Still Winners
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<figcaption>Logan Woodside's five touchdown passes were a career high. | Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A dominating win provided the consolation on a disappointing day for the Rockets.</p> <p>While the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/toledo-rockets">Toledo Rockets</a> fell short of their goal on a busy MAC football Friday, they did their part and closed the season with a 52-16 win at Eastern Michigan.</p>
<p>The Rockets (8-4, 7-1 MAC) will end the regular season as co-MAC West champions, but Northern Illinois earned the division's berth to the MAC Championship game earlier in the day with a 31-21 victory at Western Michigan. Toledo entered the day needing a win and a Northern Illinois loss to punch its ticket to the MAC title game in Detroit on Dec. 5.</p>
<p>While their ultimate fate hung in the balance, the result in Ypsilanti was almost never in doubt. Rockets quarterback <span>Logan Woodside</span> fired a career-best five touchdowns, including three in the first quarter as Toledo jumped out to a 21-0 lead and did not look back. He finished with a 14-of-18 line and 323 yards in a game that the visitors led 42-9 at halftime.</p>
<p><span>Reggie Bell</span> accounted for most of the scoring for Eastern Michigan, completing eight of 23 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, as well as two interceptions. The loss meant the Eagles (2-10, 1-7 MAC) ended the season on a six-game losing streak in head coach Chris Creighton's first year at the helm.</p>
<p>Woodside's aerial assault on the end zone began just over a minute and half into the contest, when he hit <span>Corey Jones</span> for a 41-yard score. A 22-yard toss to <span>Justin Olack</span> two and a half minutes later extended the lead once more, and Woodside added touchdown throws of 89 yards to <span>Kishon Wilcher</span>, 59 yards to <span>Alonzo Russell</span> and 11 yards to <span>Michael Roberts</span> to accomplish the feat of passing five scores to five players.</p>
<p><span>Kareem Hunt</span> chipped in 110 yards on the ground, and he and <span>Damion Jones-Moore</span> each had rushing scores for the Rockets.</p>
<p>For Eastern Michigan, no receiver hauled in more than two passes from Bell, but <span>Kris Strange</span> led all pass catchers with 55 yards and a second-quarter touchdown. Bell also hit <span>Ryan Brumfield</span> for a 34-yard score with the game out of hand in the third quarter. <span>Bronson Hill</span> led the Eagles on the ground with 50 yards on six carries.</p>
<p>Toledo's 8-4 record gives head coach <span>Matt Campbell</span> a chance to match his best record as a coach, after the 2012 Rockets finished the regular season at 9-3 before falling to 9-4 at the hands of Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Rockets are not yet assured of a bowl, but consensus suggests they are likely to receive an invitation this season after being left at home with a 7-5 record last year.</p>
<p>For Eastern Michigan, the 1-7 conference record places the Eagles at the bottom of the MAC by a half game, following Kent State's 27-24 win against Akron to push the Golden Flashes to 1-6 to end the season.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/28/7303833/toledo-rockets-vs-eastern-michigan-eagles-football-final-score-toledoBlake Samanas2014-11-28T16:19:54-05:002014-11-28T16:19:54-05:00NIU Wins 5th Straight MAC West Championship
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<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a thriller in Kalamazoo, the Northern Illinois Huskies are headed back to Detroit for a 5th straight year after defeating the Western Michigan Broncos 31-21 on Friday</p> <p>It wasn't pretty. In fact, the season was tumultuous as all hell, but the NIU <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/northern-illinois-huskies">Huskies</a> are your MAC West Champs for a fifth straight year after defeating Western Michigan 31-21 on Friday.</p>
<p>The Huskies forced six WMU turnovers, and came from behind to earn their ticket back to Detroit, trailing by as much as 21-7 late in the 2nd quarter. NIU also held the Broncos to just 91 second half yards, including just 24 yards following a long drive to start the half that ended on a failed 4th-and-1 play by WMU quarterback <span>Zach Terrell</span>.</p>
<p>NIU jumped out to a hot start, with a 65-yard catch-and-run by Aregero Turner for an early 7-0 lead. That would be followed by a muffed kickoff, but the Huskies were unable to score on the ensuing drive. The Broncos would drive down the field, but would settle for a field goal to make it 7-3. Following another punt, Terrell led another drive down the field, finding <span>Corey Davis</span> for a 16-yard score to give WMU a 10-7 lead.</p>
<p>After Drew Hare had a snap go over his head, leading to a quick Western Michigan recovery, <span>Jarvion Franklin</span> would punch in another score to extend the lead to 16-7 as <span>Andrew Haldeman</span> would miss the point after. NIU would fumble the ensuing kickoff, leading to another field goal for a 19-7 lead shortly into the 2nd quarter.</p>
<p>That's when the fun began.</p>
<p>The Huskies were be forced to punt again, but <span>Daniel Braverman</span> was unable to come up with the ball, and NIU recovered. However, they were unable to convert again, with a blocked field goal attempt halting another drive. Western Michigan would drive down the field, but Franklin would fumble for the 3rd time in 4 games at the NIU 1-yard line. A chop block on the next play would result in a NIU safety, and a 21-7 lead for the Broncos.</p>
<p>With time winding down, NIU forced a Bronco punt, and quickly ran down the field to nab a field goal for a 21-10 halftime deficit. The two teams had combined for five fumbles in the half, a blocked field goal, and a safety, setting up an exciting second half.</p>
<p>With the first drive of the half, Western Michigan stormed down the field, but stalled out in the Huskie red zone. Bronco coach P.J. Fleck elected to go for it, and Terrell was tackled just short to end the drive and keep the game at 21-10 rather than 24-10 or more. Realizing there was now a huge opening to take advantage of, NIU pounced.</p>
<p>The Huskies went 90 yards in just two minutes to make it a 21-17 game. Terrell would throw an interception - one play after an apparent facemask was not called for a first down - on the ensuing drive, and the two teams would trade punts with NIU keeping the ball in the WMU half of the field for the remainder of the quarter.</p>
<p>NIU would march down the field to start the fourth quarter to make it 24-21, and would continue to shut down the Bronco offense, forcing another 3-and-out. They used a solid run game to burn the clock and set up another field goal attempt, but <span>Christian Hagan</span> banged it off the left upright to keep the game close. Terrell started to move the Broncos for the first time since the failed 4th down attempt, but would be stripped on a pass to give the ball back to NIU with just 1:39 to go. Hare would score shortly after to put away the game for good. Terrell would end the game with an interception.</p>
<p>Hare was not great, but was solid in the second half. His final line of 9-for-20 for 159 yards and a touchdown was not eye popping, especially with the lone touchdown coming at the very start, and going 8-for-19 for 96 yards the rest of the way. However, he also ran for 36 yards and a pair of touchdowns while not turning the ball over at all (bad snap aside).</p>
<p>Terrell on the other hand had a rough second half. Despite going 23-for-33 for 256 yards and the touchdown to Davis, the sophomore threw a pair of interceptions and had a crucial fumble late. He was also sacked 4 times giving him a net rushing total of -19 yards. The Huskies would also shut down Franklin to the tune of just 92 yards on 29 carries, allowing only one touchdown to the freshman, who has scored in every game this year.</p>
<p>Braverman and Davis finished with five catches apiece (same as Franklin), but Braverman had 88 yards and Davis had 59 yards, with the latter seemingly a non-factor in the second half. For NIU, it was all about the run game, with <span>Joel Bouagnon</span> going for 70 yards on just 6 carries and <span>Akeem Daniels</span> getting 58 yards on 8 carries and his first rushing touchdown of the season.</p>
<p>In all, the Broncos finished with 6 turnovers, the most for them since facing Kent State in October, 2012. The Golden Flashes ended up winning the MAC East that season, with the Broncos going 4-8. The Huskies only had two turnovers, with none following a rough 1st quarter. They did have a safety, a blocked field goal, and a missed field goal, but will look to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Bowling Green from a year ago next week.</p>
<p>For Western Michigan, they finish 8-4 with a bowl game likely. The +7 win jump from a year ago is the best in the NCAA, with Fleck looking forward to attempting to earn the program's first bowl victory. NIU will look for another MAC Championship, and a possible Group of Five Championship bowl bid if the right dominoes fall in their favor.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/28/7303789/northern-illinois-huskies-vs-western-michigan-broncos-recap-huskiesBrandon Fitzsimons2014-11-28T10:30:02-05:002014-11-28T10:30:02-05:00LAST REGULAR SEASON FOOTBALL OPEN CHAT
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<p>And this one is the one that REALLLLY matters. Don't get it twisted with all the other games.</p> <p>You know what, this season has been so much more exciting than I had anticipated. Can I get a "hell yeah"?</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Time</b></td>
<td><b>Game</b></td>
<td><b>TV</b></td>
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<td>11:00</td>
<td>Northern Illinois @ Western Michigan</td>
<td>ESPNU</td>
</tr>
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<td>1:00</td>
<td>Toledo @ Eastern Michigan</td>
<td>ESPN3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1:00</td>
<td>Akron @ Kent State</td>
<td>ESPN3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1:00</td>
<td>Buffalo @ UMass</td>
<td>ESPN3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1:00</td>
<td>Ball State @ Bowling Green</td>
<td>ESPN3</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p>There you have it, our final slate of regular season football games before we start having fun in Detroit next week for the MAC Championship game. We don't know who Bowling Green will face that day, making this day THAT much more important.</p>
<p>Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. See, last year it was just a Lynch show. Lynch ran, Lynch threw, Lynch painted the garage, Lynch cured cancer, he just did it all for that regular season finale. But there's no Lynch this time, but there is a <span>Jarvion Franklin</span>, and both teams have to battle to win, not only this game, but the MAC West.</p>
<p>If you're a Bronco's fan, you're rooting for the Eagles today. This MAC West thing is more difficult than you thought, wasn't it?</p>
<p>And of course, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/27/7275005/kent-state-golden-flashes-akron-zips-football-preview-wagon-wheel-mac">Wagon Wheel.</a> If Akron really really really really really really really wants to go bowling, they're going to have to impress the right people today, and give them a reason watch this game. It's not impossible, but we've seen crazier things happen.</p>
<p>Have fun and play nice.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/28/7301995/maction-open-chat-the-final-mac-west-showdown-i-pinky-promise-thisAlex Alvarado2014-11-27T16:35:02-05:002014-11-27T16:35:02-05:00Will Akron Keep the Wagon Wheel?
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<figcaption>Andrew Hammond</figcaption>
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<p>Akron needs win number six to have any shot at going to a bowl, and Kent State is playing to take back the Wagon Wheel.</p> <p>Legend has it that John R. Buchtel, the main benefactor of Buchtel College (now the University of Akron), was looking for a place to build a college around 1870. One day he was looking around the area where Kent State University currently sits. He was in a wagon that was being pulled by horses when all of a sudden one of his wheels became stuck in the mud. The horses tried to pull it out, but ended up tearing the wagon apart and running off. Because of this incident, Buchtel decided to build his college where the University of Akron (founded 1870) currently sits.</p>
<p>The Wagon Wheel did not become the trophy for the winner of the game between Akron and Kent State until 1946, which was 23 years after the first game between the two schools. The Wheel itself became a trophy when the Dean of Men at Kent State, Raymond Manchester donated the Wheel, claiming that it was found while constructing a pipeline in 1902 around where Kent State (founded 1910) currently sits.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/kent-st-golden-flashes" class="sbn-auto-link">Kent State Golden Flashes</a> (1-9, 0-6) have had a disappointing season up to this point. Last week, the Flashes were supposed to play at Buffalo, but the game was cancelled due to severe weather. Even with the nine losses, Kent State has only been blown out once, and that was at the hands of Ohio State. When analyzing the Flashes, nothing pops out at you as being a strength. Kent State comes into the game at 65th in the nation in passing yards per game. <span>Colin Reardon</span> and <span>Nathan Strock</span> have rotated as quarterback for the Flashes in the past few games. Kent State is dead last in the country in rushing yards per game with 78.8. The rushing attack is lead by sophomore <span>Nick Holley</span>, who has just 421 yards on the season. The Flashes are also dead last in scoring offense at a measly 15.3 points per game. These struggles on offense could be brutally exploited by the strong Akron defense that is led by senior <span>Justin March</span>. Defensively, the flashes give up nearly 30 points per game, which isn't a huge deal as the Akron offense hasn't looked very good for about a month, despite the good game against UMass.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/akron-zips" class="sbn-auto-link">Akron Zips</a> (5-6, 3-4) have been a bit of a disappointment in the second half of the season. The offense has struggled to get anything going, and even with a great defense, a team needs to score if they want to win games. Even without flashy numbers from quarterback <span>Kyle Pohl</span>, and a group of receivers that drops a lot of passes, the Akron offense racks up over 250 yards through the air per game. Akron put up 30 on UMass last week, which was the most points that they had score since October 4. Akron has not shown that they are a great rushing team this year. They only put up 117 yards rushing, which is good for 110th in the country. Senior running back <span>Jawon Chisholm</span> has had a few good games this year. He has 436 yards on just 95 carries. He has had to fight through an ankle injury, so junior <span>Conor Hundley</span> has had to pick up some of the slack, and he has done a great job. Hundley averages 5.3 yards per carry. Akron's pride is their defense. At 44th in total defense, the Zips are led by linebackers Justin March and Jatavis Brown. This defense is good enough to shut out a team like Kent State, but it's a rivalry, so anything is possible.</p>
<p>Akron leads the all-time series with Kent State at 31-23-2. However, Kent State leads the Wagon Wheel series at 22-20-1. Friday marks the 56th matchup between the two teams.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/27/7275005/kent-state-golden-flashes-akron-zips-football-preview-wagon-wheel-macMatt Hammond2014-11-27T14:00:02-05:002014-11-27T14:00:02-05:00UMass Goes Buffalo Hunting
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As the season comes to a close, the middle of the MAC East faces off against each other.</p> <p>On black friday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/umass-minutemen">Massachusetts Minutemen</a> host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ubbullrun.com/">Buffalo Bulls</a>. For both teams, the seniors will be seeing their last game in action. As a result, neither team will want to lose and send their seniors out on a sad note (little known fact: teams often want to lose. You wouldn't think it, but its true). Let's look at the key story lines going into the game.</p>
<h5>Can the Minutemen Find Offense Without <span>Blake Frohnapfel</span>?</h5>
<p>If there was any doubt that Blake Frohnapfel would be a worthy winner of the MAC Player of the Year, look no further than last weeks game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/akron-zips">Akron Zips</a>. Without Frohnapfel under center, the Minutemen's high powered offense fell apart. For the Minutemen fans who've suffered through the two prior years, many must've thought they were having PTSD flashbacks. If Whipple can't get the offense going this week, there will be many questions on the future of the quarterback position for UMass after next season (Blake's last year).</p>
<p><b>Will Buffalo Show Up Cold?</b></p>
<p>Buffalo had to cancel there last game due to snow (though ESPN says postponed). With the bowl possibility out the window, the Bulls have little to play for on a game the day after Thanksgiving. If the Bulls show up rusty or unfocused, they may find themselves playing catch-up.</p>
<p>And one for the future:</p>
<h5>Will <span>Jean Sifrin</span> Stay or Go?</h5>
<p>Jean Sifrin has been one of the best offensive weapons in the MAC, and one of UMass' best tight ends ever (despite only playing one season). At 27, though, if Sifrin were to come back to UMass for his senior year he'd be using up another one of his prime years on college ball. If Sifrin wanted to try to make an impact in the NFL, he'd have to consider leaving UMass for the draft after this year. A lot of the talk will be about the seniors leaving, but one juniors decision weighs heavy as well.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/11/27/7300031/buffalo-bulls-at-umass-minutemen-game-previewJesse Allen