No longer the big MACs
After 3 seasons on top, Huskies, Falcons have combined 3- 13 record
DeKALB— In the last three seasons, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green clashed in the Mid- American Conference championship game.
But now the two teams have a combined record of 3- 13.
While the powerhouse programs have given way to other teams looking for a trip to Detroit, the Huskies ( 2- 6 overall, 2- 2 MACWest) still are keeping their hopes alive for a bowl game.
The Falcons ( 1- 7, 0- 4 MAC East) have struggled since quarterback Matt Johnson graduated but have improved steadily the last four games after switching to redshirt freshman James Morgan.
“You start with the arm talent, then start with the athletic ability,” NIU coach Rod Carey said of the 6- 4, 214- poundMorgan.
“Certainly for a redshirt freshman, running an offense that I’m sure had some changes of terminology and being his first spring ball and him coming back and now being the starter, you see the talent. Then you see the execution get better week by week.”
The Falcons struggled mightily the first four games of the season, including a 77- 10 loss at Ohio State and a 77- 3 defeat atMemphis. However, their last four losses have come by an average of 7.5 points, and three of those defeats came by seven points or fewer.
“The 10- day break came at the right time for us, we were able to get healthy,” Bowling Green coach Mike Jinks said. “When you’re playing a lot of young guys, you want to use every practice to its fullest.”
The Falcons have been victimized by interceptions. Morgan and opening starter James Knapke have combined to throw 20.
It’s good news for a Huskies defense that has combined for six interceptions in the last two weeks, including four in the 44- 7 victory over Buffalo.
“I think there is a combination any time you move a quarterback off the spot, and that’s anybody, you have a better rate of getting interceptions or a bad return offensively,” Carey said. “Certainly there’s some youthfulness there, too, that factors into those interceptions.”
Bowling Green players towatch
ScottMiller, soph., wide receiver: The sophomore wide receiver leads the Mid- American Conference with 58 receptions ( 7.2 per game) and has piled up 798 yards ( 99.8 per game) and nine touchdowns. He also leads the conference with 1,099 all- purpose yards.
Trenton Greene, sr., linebacker: While the Falcons defense has left much to be desired, Greene leads the team with 74 tackles, which is fourth in the conference at 9.2 per game.
Joe Davidson, sr., punter: It’s unusual to add a punter to this, but the 6- 7 Davidson leads the MAC with a 47.3 average. He’s kicked 15 punts more than 50 yards, including a season- high 82- yarder.
Prediction
NIU 38, Bowling Green 20.