2017 MAC Football Media Day Notes
2017 MAC FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY NOTES
MAC WITH 57 NAMED TO PRESEASON 2017 WATCH LISTS
The 2017 Watch Lists have been released and the MAC was represented with 57 honorees for the various Watch Lists.
2017 College Football Watch Lists:
Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year): DB Heath Harding (Miami)
Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver): Sergio Bailey II (Eastern Michigan); James Gardner (Miami); Jon’Vea Johnson (Toledo); Scott Miller (Bowling Green); Cody Thompson (Toledo); Corey Willis (Central Michigan)
Walter Camp Award (player of the year): RB Jarvion Franklin (Western Michigan)
Maxwell Award (outstanding college football player): RB James Gilbert (Ball State); QB Logan Woodside (Toledo)
Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player): DB Darius Phillips (Western Michigan)
John Mackey Award (outstanding tight end): TE Tyler Conklin (Central Michigan), Donnie Ernsberger (Western Michigan), Troy Mangen (Ohio), Ryan Smith (Miami), Shane Wimann (NIU)
Lou Groza Award (outstanding kicker): Louie Zervos (Ohio)
Bronko Nagurski Award (defensive player of the year): DB Shawun Lurry (NIU); DB Heath Harding (Miami); LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Akron)
Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s top quarterback): QB Logan Woodside (Toledo)
Outland Award (top interior lineman): C John Keenoy (Western Michigan); C Jake Pruehs (Ohio); RG Jimmy Leatiota (Eastern Michigan); RT Elijah Nkansah (Toledo); LT Chukwuma Okorafor (Western Michigan); OL Max Scharping (NIU)
Rimington Award (most outstanding center): LaVonne Gauthney (Akron), Tim McAuliffe (Bowling Green), James O’Hagan (Buffalo), Austin Doan (Central Michigan), Dakota Tallman (Eastern Michigan), Nathan Puthoff (Kent State), Danny Godlevske (Miami), Luke Shively (NIU), Jake Pruehs (Ohio), John Keenoy (Western Michigan)
Ray Guy Award (top punter): Joe Davidson (Bowling Green), Derek Adams (Kent State)
Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back): Shawun Lurry (NIU); Amari Coleman (Central Michigan); Heath Harding (Miami)
Doak Walker Award (best running back): Jarvion Franklin (Western Michigan); Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan); James Gilert (Ball State); Terry Swanson (Toledo); Shaq Vann (Eastern Michigan)
Wuerffel Trophy (best community service): WR A.J. Coney (Akron); DB Zach Guiser (Akron); OL Vinnie Palazeti (Ball State); DL Joe Ostman (Central Michigan); DL Jeremiah Harris (Eastern Michigan); LB Matt Bahr (Kent State); WR James Gardner (Miami); OL Max Scharping (NIU); WR Cody Thompson (Toledo); RB Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan)
MAC 2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
The 2017 football schedule will feature 22 nationally televised games during late October and November on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and CBS Sports Network as the conference race unfolds in both the East and West divisions.
The regular season will conclude with the 21st Marathon MAC Football Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at a time to be determined from Ford Field in Detroit. This will mark the 14th Marathon MAC Football Championship game at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, Super Bowl XL, and the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
For the 10th year in a row, league schools will face a formidable non-conference slate of opponents from the following Football Bowl Subdivision conferences – ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC and Notre Dame. In addition, the Conference will also face opponents from the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mountain West Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Independent Army.
Last year’s MAC champion Western Michigan was ranked No. 15 in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll. MAC programs will face six non-conference foes that finished in the final AP Top 25 poll: Clemson (1), USC (3), Penn State (7), Miami (20), Louisville (21) and San Diego State (25).
A total of nine non-conference games will feature a Big Ten opponent (Illinois; Michigan State (2); Minnesota; Nebraska; Northwestern; Penn State; Purdue; Rutgers). The MAC will face foes from the ACC (6—Boston College (2), Clemson, Louisville, Miami, Syracuse), SEC (1—Kentucky), Pac-12 (1-USC), Big 12 (3—Iowa State; Kansas (2)); and Independent Notre Dame and Army (2).
The MAC will also face opponents from the American Athletic Conference (2— Cincinnati, Tulsa), Mountain West (2—Nevada, San Diego State), Conference USA (7—Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Marshall (2), Middle Tennessee, UAB, Western Kentucky) and Sun Belt Conference (2—Idaho, Troy). This season the MAC will host nine games against FBS non-conference opponents.
MAC PART OF NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ERA
The 2017 college football season enters the fourth year of the current four-team playoff era with the College Football Playoff. The two College Football Playoff Semifinals will be played in bowl games this year (Allstate Sugar Bowl; Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual) and the College Football Playoff National Championship will be played in Atlanta on Jan. 8.
The two Semifinals and four other premier bowl games Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec. 29), Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30), PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 30) and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Jan. 1) highlight the annual bowl season calendar. The Semifinal games will rotate among these six different bowls. All MAC programs will join every FBS team in college football with equal access to the playoff based upon its performance. No team will qualify automatically.
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will choose four teams for the playoffs based on body of work, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, comparison of results against common opponents, championships won and other factors.
The highest ranked program by the Selection Committee from either the MAC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West or Sun Belt Conferences will play annually in one of the premier bowl games.
MAC BOWL NOTES
• Western Michigan won the 2016 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game with a 29-23 win over Ohio on Dec. 2. The win was Western Michigan’s first championship since 1988 and the second football title in program history.
• Western Michigan entered the bowl season ranked No. 12 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 14 in the Amway/USA Today Coaches Poll. The No. 12 AP ranking was the highest in the MAC since Ball State was ranked No. 12 on Nov. 30, 2008 after a 12-0 start.
• Western Michigan lost a 24-16 decision to No. 8 Wisconsin in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 2. Western Michigan ended the season ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll with a 13-1 record.
• The Broncos were also ranked No. 15 in the sixth and final College Football Playoff ranking on Dec. 4. Western Michigan was bowl eligible for the third straight year.
• Western Michigan’s 13-0 mark after the Marathon MAC Football Championship was the first for the MAC since former member Marshall finished the 1999 season with a 13-0 record and a No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
• Six MAC programs received bowl invitations this 2016 bowl season -- Western Michigan (13-1), Toledo (9-4), Ohio (8-6), Eastern Michigan (7-6), Central Michigan (6-7) and Miami (6-7). The MAC record for bowl invitations in a single-season is seven in both the 2012 and 2015 bowl seasons.
• Western Michigan (Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic), Ohio (Dollar General Bowl), Toledo (Raycom Media Camellia Bowl), Eastern Michigan (Popeyes Bahamas Bowl), Central Michigan (Miami Beach Bowl) and Miami (St. Petersburg Bowl) will represent the MAC this 2016 bowl season.
• This marks the ninth time in MAC history to have five or more programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016) in a single-season.
• In the previous six bowl seasons, the MAC has a record of 11-24 in 29 bowl games – 2016 (0-6); 2015 (3-4); 2014 (2-3); 2013 (0-5); 2012 (2-5); 2011 (4-1) as every MAC football program (13 total – all 12 plus former member, Temple) has appeared in a bowl game during this span (2011-16).
• Ohio (8-6, 6-2 MAC) won the MAC East Division for the fourth time in the last 11 seasons under head coach Frank Solich. The Marathon MAC Football Championship Game with Western Michigan and Ohio ended a streak of the previous three games (2013-2015) featuring Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green in the MAC title game.
MAC 2016 BOWL RESULTS
• Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.) Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28
• Miami Beach Bowl (Miami, Fla.) Tulsa 55, Central Michigan 10
• Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (Nassau) ODU 24, Eastern Michigan 20
• Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) Troy 28, Ohio 23
• St. Petersburg Bowl (St. Petersburg, Fla.) Mississippi State 17, Miami 16
• Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington, Texas) No. 8 Wisconsin 24, No. 12 Western Michigan 16
MAC PROGRAMS IN BOWL GAMES
In the last six bowl seasons, every MAC football program will have received a bowl invitation. Leading the way are Northern Illinois, Ohio and Toledo with bowl invitations in five of the last six bowl seasons.
2011-16 MAC Programs and Years Invited to Bowl Games
Northern Illinois (5): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015
Ohio (5): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2015; 2016
Toledo (5): 2011; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016
Bowling Green (4): 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015
Western Michigan (4): 2011; 2014; 2015; 2016
Central Michigan (4): 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016
Ball State (2): 2012; 2013
Akron (1): 2015
Buffalo (1): 2013
Kent State (1): 2012
Eastern Michigan (1): 2016
Miami (1): 2016
former member Temple (1): 2011
2016 MAC ALL-AMERICANS
Since the conclusion of the regular season, the MAC has been represented with several post-season All-American honors.
The Associated Press:
• First-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
USA Today:
• First-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
Sports Illustrated:
• First-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
CBS Sports:
• First-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
Walter Camp Football Foundation:
• Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
The Sporting News:
• Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
Football Writers Association of America (FWAA):
• First-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
• First-Team All-American: Toledo TE Michael Roberts
• Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan OL Taylor Moton
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA):
• First-Team All-American: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
• Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan OL Taylor Moton
2016 MAC NON-CONFERENCE WINS
The MAC concluded its non-conference regular season schedule with 14 FBS wins, which tied for second most for the MAC since 2000. The MAC posted 16 FBS wins in 2012, while this year’s 14 FBS wins matched the 2008 mark and surpassed last year’s total of 12 FBS wins.
In 2016, the MAC also has four ‘Power Five’ wins over Northwestern and Illinois (Big Ten) and Oklahoma State and Kansas (Big 12). Among peer Conferences this regular season, the MAC posted a 3-2 regular season record vs. both Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference, while sporting a 3-3 record vs. the Mountain West Conference and a 0-3 mark vs. the American Athletic Conference.
WOODSIDE RISING AMONG ROCKETS CAREER RECORDS
Toledo senior quarterback Logan Woodside had an impressive 2016 as a starting quarterback and has set several school passing records at the University of Toledo. Last season, Woodside was 289-418 passing (69.1%) for 4,129 yards passing and 45 touchdowns as the Rockets finished with a 9-4 overall record, 6-2 in the MAC and an invitation to the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
Woodside’s 45 touchdown passes ranks second among MAC all-time leaders and set the school record, while his 4,129 yards passing ranked as sixth-best in MAC single season history and ranked fourth overall in the nation last season. A native of Frankfurt, Ky., Woodside threw for 505 yards at BYU last season, which ranks tied for seventh highest in a single-game in MAC history.
Woodside’s accuracy as a passer during his career (65.4%) ranks third among the MAC all-time passing list and his (69.1%) last season ranked tied for eighth-best in MAC single season completion percentage.
PHILLIPS SETS MAC RECORD FOR INTERCEPTION RETURNS FOR TDS
Western Michigan senior defensive back Darius Phillips had a historic season last year with his four interceptions for 263 yards, including three returned for touchdowns. Phillips led the team and was tied for the lead in the MAC with his four interceptions. His 263 interceptions return yards last season was second-most in MAC history and increased his career interception yards total to 313 yards, which ranks tied for second in MAC all-time annals. A native of Detroit, Mich., Phillips’ three interceptions returned for a touchdown is tied for the MAC single-season record and increased his career total to four interceptions returned for a touchdown, which also ranks tied for first in the MAC all-time history.
YOUNG PLACEKICKERS SET MAC RECORDS AS FRESHMEN IN 2016
The 2016 season was a record setting performance by placekickers, let alone as freshmen placekickers, as two first-year kickers rewrote the MAC record book. Ohio’s Louie Zervos set the MAC record with 29 field goals made as a freshman. In addition, Western Michigan’s Butch Hampton set the MAC record for most points in a single season by a kicker with 128 total points. In fact, Hampton (128 points) and Zervos (122 points) were the top two leading scorers in the MAC as Hampton converted 19-24 field goals and 71-73 PATs, while Zervos connected on 29-35 field goals and 35-38 PATs.
Both Hampton and Zervos made five field goals in a single-game last season, which tied for fourth in MAC history, as Hampton converted five field goals in a 29-23 win over Ohio in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game on Dec. 2, 2016 at Ford Field, also a Championship Game record, and Zervos nailed five field goals in a 37-21 win at Kansas on Sept. 10, 2016.
EASTERN MICHIGAN TIED FBS RECORD TURNAROUND
For the first time since the 1987 season, Eastern Michigan headed to a bowl game as the Eagles accepted an invitation to the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. Eastern Michigan dropped a 24-20 decision to Conference USA opponent Old Dominion on Dec. 23 at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
This was EMU’s second Division I bowl appearance in the history of the program. Eastern Michigan’s last appearance in a bowl game was in 1987 when it traveled to Fresno, Calif. and defeated San Jose State University, 30-27, handing the Spartans their only loss of the season.
The Eagles entered the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl following one of the most successful seasons in its 125-year history. Eastern Michigan finished with a winning record for the first time since 1995, most wins (seven) since 1989, and its first bowl appearance since 1987. The Eagles tied the FBS mark for biggest turnarounds in 2016, improving on its win total from one win in 2015, to its seven wins during the 2016 season.
MIAMI SETS FBS MARK
Miami ended the regular season riding a six-game winning streak to end the regular season bowl eligible with a 6-6 overall record, 6-2 in the MAC. Miami set the record as the only program in FBS history to begin a season 0-6, then won six consecutive games to finish 6-6 overall. Miami was bowl eligible for the first time since the 2010 season. Miami ended the year with a 17-16 loss to Mississippi State in the St. Petersburg Bowl on Dec. 26.
MAC HISTORY IN TOP 25 RANKINGS IN NATIONAL POLLS
Western Michigan ended the 2016 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game with a 13-0 record and invitation to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 2. Entering the bowl season, Western Michigan was ranked No. 12 (AP), No. 14 (Amway/USA Today Coaches Poll) and No. 15 in the College Football Playoff Ranking.
Western Michigan’s No. 12 (AP) ranking on Dec. 4, 2016 is the highest ranking since Ball State was ranked No. 12 (AP) after finishing the 2012 season (Nov. 30) with a 12-0 record. Western Michigan finished the season with a 13-1 overall record and ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 Poll.
MAC Highest Ever Ranking (Top 10) in National Polls:
• No. 10 (AP) – Miami – Jan. 2 at the end of the 1974 season (10-0-1).
• No. 10 (AP) – Miami – Jan. 5 at the end of the 2003 season (13-1).
• No. 10 (BCS) – Northern Illinois – Oct. 19 after a 7-0 start in 2003.
• No. 10 (AP) – former member Marshall on Jan. 5 end of 1999 (13-0).
ESPN GAME DAY COMES TO KALAMAZOO
ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot – college football’s longest-running and most-celebrated pregame show – came to the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan for the No. 14-ranked Broncos home game vs. Buffalo on Saturday, Nov. 19 on ESPNU. The weekly three-hour show originated from Sangren Plaza on Western Michigan’s campus.
This marks only the second time in MAC history for ESPN College GameDay to visit a MAC campus. The previous visit came in 2003 with Northern Illinois at Bowling Green.
DAVIS SETS FBS CAREER RECEIVING YARDS RECORD
Western Michigan senior wide receiver Corey Davis posted his third straight 1,400-yard season as he finished 2016 with a career-high 97 catches for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, which led all FBS in receiving touchdowns.
Davis is the all-time leading FBS receiver in history with 5,285 yards in four seasons and is the first receiver in FBS history with four seasons of 900+ yards. Davis ended 2016 as the all-time leading receiver in FBS history with 5,285 yards. He ended his college career with 332 receptions for 5,285 and 52 touchdowns. He is the only player in FBS history with 300 catches, 5,000+ yards and 50+ TDs. All are MAC records.
Davis was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Davis is a four-time All-MAC player, including three straight seasons as a first-team selection. He is the first Bronco wide receiver to be named MAC Offensive Player of the Year since Greg Jennings in 2005 and just the second Western Michigan wide receiver to earn the award in program history.
Davis led Western Michigan to a 13-1 record in 2016 and the first New Year’s Six Bowl berth in program history, playing in the 2017 Goodyear Cotton Bowl. The Broncos earned the bowl berth after winning their third Mid-American Conference title, defeating Ohio 29-26. Davis ended 2016 with a career-high 97 receptions for 1,500 yards and an FBS-high 19 touchdowns.
DAVIS FIRST BRONCO CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN
Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis has earned the title of NCAA Consensus All-American after being named to the first team in three of the five official organizations used to determine the honor. Davis becomes the first player in Western Michigan history and the first from the MAC since Dri Archer of Kent State in 2012 to earn the honor and the eighth league selection in MAC history.
Davis earned Consensus All-American status after receiving first team all-america honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association and Football Writers Association of America. He was named Second-Team All-American from the Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the other two official organizations in the pool. To be considered a Consensus All-American one must receive three first-team honors from the above mentioned organizations.
Davis posted his third straight 1,400-yard season as he finished 2016 with a career-high 97 catches for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, which led all FBS in receiving touchdowns. Davis is the all-time leading FBS receiver in history with 5,285 yards in four seasons and is the first receiver in FBS history with four seasons of 900+ yards.
Davis ended his college career with 332 receptions for 5,285 and 52 touchdowns. He is the only player in FBS history with 300 catches, 5,000+ yards and 50+ TDs. All are MAC records. Davis was selected by the Tennessee Titans as the fifth overall selection of the 2017 NFL Draft.
MAC Consensus All-Americans
1971 Mel Long, Toledo, DT
1995 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P
1996 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P
1997 Randy Moss, Marshall, WR
2000 Dwight Smith, Akron, DB
2010 Eric Page, Toledo, KR/AP
2012 Dri Archer, Kent State, KR/AP
2016 Corey Davis, Western Michigan, WR
CHIPPEWAS’ RUSH RANKS AMONG MAC CAREER PASSING LEADERS
Cooper Rush finished his four-year career as a starter at Central Michigan as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in MAC history. Rush completed his collegiate career with 12,891 career passing yards, which ranked second in MAC history, and 90 career passing touchdowns, which ranked fifth in MAC history.
OHIO’S BASHAM SETS SCHOOL CAREER SACK RECORD
Ohio’s Tarell Basham was an All-MAC First-Team selection and named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. A native of Rocky Mount, Va., Basham set single-season and career sack records for the Bobcats last season and started every game for Ohio. He finished the season with 11.5 sacks, Basham finished with 31.5 for his career and logged 50 tackles and 16.0 tackles for loss last season. Basham anchored the fifth best rushing defense this season and competed at the 2017 Reese Senior Bowl.
TOLEDO’S HUNT SETS SCHOOL CAREER RUSHING RECORD
Hunt is Toledo’s all-time leading rusher with 4,945 yards and he ran for 118 yards and was named the North’s Most Outstanding Player at the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan. 28. A native of Willoughby, Ohio, Hunt rushed for 120 yards in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl vs. Appalachian State and set the school career rushing record with 4,945 career rushing yards. Hunt set the all-time record at Toledo previously held by Chester Taylor (4,849 from 1998-2001). It was also the 28th 100-yard game in his career, breaking the school mark of 27 held by Taylor. This past season Hunt had 262 carries for 1,475 yards (5.6 avg.) and 10 touchdowns and was a 2016 All-MAC First Team selection.
FOUR MAC STUDENTS NAMED FIRST TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
Four MAC football students were named First Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Dec. 1. Representing the MAC as First-Team All-Americans were Kent State senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert, Bowling Green junior punter Joseph Davidson, Akron junior safety Zach Guiser and Western Michigan senior quarterback Zach Terrell. Also, Akron senior safety James Turner was named Second Team All-American.
WESTERN MICHIGAN’S TERRELL WINS 2016 CAMPBELL TROPHY
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced that Western Michigan senior quarterback Zach Terrell won the prestigious 2016 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments®. Terrell was recognized as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation and was presented the Campbell Trophy at the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on Dec. 6, 2016.
Terrell won the 27th William V. Campbell Trophy and was presented with a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Terrell was honored at the NFF Board of Directors meeting and at a reception hosted by the New York Athletic Club on Dec. 7. He then flew to Atlanta and was recognized during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN at the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 8. Finally, as part of the NFF’s partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP), Terrell was recognized on the field during the CFP National Championship on Jan. 9, 2017, in Tampa, Fla.
WESTERN MICHIGAN WINS MAC FOOTBALL TITLE
Western Michigan lineback Robert Spillane intercepted a pass with 51 seconds remaining, and No. 13 Western Michigan remained undefeated at 13-0, holding off Ohio 29-23 on Dec. 2 at Ford Field in Detroit to win its first MAC title in football since 1988.
The Broncos led 23-7 at halftime, but Ohio rallied and had the ball in Western Michigan territory in the final minute when Spillane intercepted Greg Windham’s pass over the middle. Spillane immediately took a knee at his own 30-yard line, then was mobbed by his teammates.
Ohio never led but didn’t do much on offense until the final quarter, but still came close to their first MAC Championship since 1968. Instead, Western Michigan became the first undefeated team to win the MAC title since Marshall in 1999. The crowd of 45,615 set a Marathon MAC Football Championship game record.
Western Michigan’s Corey Davis had eight catches for 144 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Butch Hampton kicked five field goals to set a Marathon MAC Football Championship game record, the last a 34-yarder for a 29-23 lead with 1:24 left.
2017 MAC BOWL PARTNERS (2017-19)
2017 Bowl Season:
• Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl/PlayStation Fiesta Bowl/Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (College Football Playoff)
• Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt)
• Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt)
• Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West)
• Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. Conference USA)
• Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.)
• Secondary to Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.)
• Secondary to Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas)
2018 Bowl Season:
• College Football Playoff Host Bowls
• Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt)
• Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West)
• Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt)
• Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.; vs. Conference USA)
• Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas; vs. American Athletic Conference)
2019 Bowl Season:
• College Football Playoff Host Bowls
• Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt)
• Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West)
• Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt)
• Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.; vs. American Athletic Conference)
• Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. Conference USA)
WINS OVER NON-CONFERENCE FBS OPPONENTS
In 2016 the MAC earned 14 non-confernece FBS wins and topped the 2015 season total of 12 FBS wins. The 14 wins last year tied for second-most since the 2000 season. The MAC set the Conference single-season record with 16 wins over FBS opponents during the 2012 season.
Regular Season Wins vs. non-conference FBS opponents:
Year: Wins; FBS Opponents Defeated:
2016: 14; Northwestern, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Illinois, Fresno State, UNLV, Marshall, Charlotte, Army, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Wyoming.
2015: 12; Arkansas; Maryland; Iowa State; Purdue; FAU; Marshall; Wyoming; UNLV; Idaho; Arkansas State; Louisiana; FIU
2014: 8; Purdue; Northwestern; Indiana; Idaho (2); UNLV, Pitt; Army
2013: 10; Iowa; Purdue; Virginia; UConn; Tulsa; Marshall; Army; North Texas; Idaho; Navy
2012: 16; Penn State; Wyoming; Idaho; New Mexico St.; Army (4); UConn; Marshall; Indiana; Iowa; South Florida; Kansas; Cincinnati; Rutgers
2011: 10; Indiana; Army (4); UConn; Idaho; New Mexico State; Marshall; Maryland
2010: 7; Minnesota; Purdue; Marshall; Colorado State; UConn; Army; Louisiana-Lafayette
2009: 9; Michigan State; Purdue; Colorado; Florida International; Troy; UTEP; North Texas; Army; Navy
2008: 14; Navy; Indiana (2); Western Kentucky; Michigan; Idaho; Illinois; Syracuse; Army (3); Pittsburgh; Wyoming; UTEP
2007: 10; Navy; Army (2); Idaho; Iowa State (2); Iowa; Minnesota; Syracuse; La-Lafayette
2006: 11; Temple (5); Kansas; Virginia; North Carolina State; North Texas; FIU; Illinois
2005: 9; Army; Louisiana-Lafayette; Temple (4); Pittsburgh; Middle Tennessee State; Cincinnati
2004: 3; Temple (2); Kentucky
2003: 9; Kansas State; Northwestern; Colorado State; Cincinnati; Purdue; Maryland; Alabama; Iowa State; Pittsburgh
2002: 10; Rutgers; Troy; North Carolina; Cincinnati; UConn; Missouri; Kansas; Wyoming; Wake Forest; UNLV
2001: 11; UConn (2); Army; Cincinnati; Missouri; Temple (2); Minnesota; Northwestern; South Florida; Navy
2000: 9; Central Florida (2); Vanderbilt; Minnesota; UConn (2); Navy; Penn State; Iowa
MAC HEAD COACHES IN HIGH DEMAND
Football programs continue to take notice of MAC head coaches. There are 12 former head coaches from the MAC in a current FBS head coaching position–including two of the last three National Champion’s with 2015 Alabama’s Nick Saban (Toledo) and 2014 Ohio State’s Urban Meyer (Bowling Green), and nearly one-third of the ACC (four total). For the 2017 season, 24 of the 130 FBS coaches (18.5%) will be either current or former MAC head coaches.
ACC – Steve Addazio-Boston College (Temple), Dave Doeren-NC State (Northern Illinois), Dave Clawson-Wake Forest (Bowling Green), Dino Babers-Syracuse (Bowling Green).
Big Ten – Urban Meyer-Ohio State (Bowling Green), P.J. Fleck-Minnesota (Western Michigan).
Big 12 – Matt Campbell-Iowa State (Toledo).
Ind. – Brian Kelly-Notre Dame (Central Michigan), Mark Whipple (UMass).
SEC-Nick Saban-Alabama (Toledo), Butch Jones-Tennessee (Central Michigan)
Sun Belt – Doug Martin-New Mexico State (Kent State).
MAC VS BIG TEN OPPONENTS
Western Michigan’s 34-10 win at Illinois and 22-21 win at Northwestern last season, the MAC has won a regular season game vs. a Big Ten opponent in each of the last 11 consecutive seasons (2006-16), the longest streak in MAC history.
During this 11-year span, MAC teams have defeated 10 different Big Ten teams—Illinois (3); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Northwestern (2); Penn State (1) and Purdue (5) -- for a total of 24 wins during this span.
2006: Ohio beat Illinois
2007: Bowling Green beat Minnesota; Western Michigan defeated Iowa
2008: Western Michigan beat Illinois; Central Michigan beat Indiana; Toledo beat Michigan; Ball State beat Indiana
2009: NIU beat Purdue; Central Michigan beat Michigan State
2010: Toledo beat Purdue; NIU beat Minnesota
2011: Ball State beat Indiana
2012: Ohio beat Penn State; Ball State beat Indiana; Central Michigan beat Iowa
2013: NIU beat Purdue; NIU beat Iowa
2014: Bowling Green beat Indiana; NIU beat Northwestern; Central Michigan beat Purdue
2015: Bowling Green beat Maryland and Purdue
2016: Western Michigan beat Northwestern and Illinois
OHIO’S SOLICH THIRD ON MAC CAREER WINS LIST
Ohio head coach Frank Solich and his Bobcats finished with an 8-6 overall record last season and the East Division Crown. Solich continues to rise up the MAC career head coaching win list with 88 wins, which ranks third most in MAC history.
Solich has been the recent model for consistency in coaching in the MAC. Solich arrived in Athens, Ohio in 2005 and now in his 12th season running the Bobcats program has garnered a bowl appearance in seven of the last eight seasons and eight of his 12 seasons at Ohio. Solich has a 88-65 career coaching record at Ohio.
Most MAC Head Coaching Wins, Career
1. 110, Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan, 1978-93
2. 108, Bill Hess, Ohio, 1958-77
3. 88, Frank Solich, Ohio, 2005-present
4. 79, Bob Pruett, Marshall, 1997-03
5. 77, Doyt Perry, Bowling Green, 1955-64
NFF HAMPSHIRE HONOR SOCIETY HONORS 30 MAC STUDENTS
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced the members of the 2017 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. The MAC was represented with 30 students honored by the National Football Foundation, including three-time All-MAC quarterback Zach Terrell of Western Michigan, who also was honored with the 2016 William V. Campbell Trophy recipient.
FORMER MAC LB MACK NAMED NFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Former University at Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack was named the 2016 National Football League Defensive Player of the Year. Mack, a defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, received the award at the NFL Honors in Houston on the eve of Super Bowl LI.
Mack, who just completed his third year in the NFL, earned his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl after another stellar season. He had 73 tackles and 11 sacks on the season. He added five forced fumbles and had an interception (returned for a touchdown). Mack already has 30 sacks over his three-year career, including 26 over the last two seasons.
Mack was selected by the Raiders fifth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft after a standout career with the Bulls. Mack, the 2013 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Jack Lambert Award winner, finished his career holding the NCAA career record for tackles for loss (75) and forced fumbles (16).
FORMER MAC JASON TAYLOR NAMED TO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Former Akron Zips defensive lineman Jason Taylor was announced as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Taylor, who spent 13 of his 15 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins was announced as a member of the 2017 Hall of Fame Class.
Joining Taylor as the Class of 2017 includes kicker Morten Andersen; running back Terrell Davis; safety Kenny Easley; owner, president and general manager Jerry Jones; running back LaDainian Tomlinson; and quarterback Kurt Warner.
Taylor is the first Zips player elected to the Hall of Fame and only the second in the history of the Mid-American Conference, joining former Kent State linebacker Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Taylor was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The 2017 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place Saturday, Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.
A third-round pick out of Akron in the 1997 NFL draft, Taylor ended his career in 2011 as the Miami Dolphins’ all-time leader in sacks and forced fumbles. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time AP All-Pro first-team choice, Taylor was named the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2007.
MAC TIES DRAFT RECORD WITH 11 SELECTIONS IN 2017 NFL DRAFT
The MAC had 11 draft selections in the 2017 NFL Draft to tie a MAC modern era (seven rounds) record for the most students drafted in an NFL Draft (2005 NFL Draft). Highlighting the 2017 NFL Draft was Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis selected as the fifth overall selection in the first round by the Tennessee Titans. Davis’ selection marks the third time in the last five years to have a MAC student selected in the top five overall of the first round.
In 2014, Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack was the fifth overall selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft. Mack’s selection was the highest ever for the Buffalo program and the second-highest ever selection for a MAC student-athlete.
In 2013, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher became the first MAC football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 selection in the NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Fisher as No.1 choice in the 2013 NFL Draft. The previous highest player drafted from the MAC was Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, who was selected No. 7 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, in the 2003 NFL Draft.
MAC Students Selected In 2017 NFL Draft
1st rd, 5th overall; WR Corey Davis (Western Michigan) by Tennessee
2nd rd, 64th overall; OL Taylor Moton (Western Michigan) by Carolina
3rd rd, 80th overall; DE Tarell Basham (Ohio) by Indianapolis
3rd rd, 86th overall; RB Kareem Hunt (Toledo) by Kansas City
3rd rd, 96th overall; WR Kenny Golladay (Northern Illinois) by Detroit
4th rd, 127th overall; TE Michael Roberts (Toledo) by Detroit
5th rd, 148th overall; LB Blair Brown (Ohio) by Jacksonville
7th rd, 244th overall; DT Treyvon Hester (Toledo) by Oakland
7th rd, 248th overall; LB Keion Adams (Western Michigan) by Pittsburgh
7th rd, 250th overall; DL Pat O’Connor (Eastern Michigan) by Detroit
7th rd, 251st overall; TE Mason Schreck (Buffalo) by Cincinnati
HERB DEROMEDI NAMED TO CFP SELECTION COMMITTEE
Herb Deromedi, the winningest football coach in MAC and Central Michigan history, was named to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee in January of 2016. Deromedi, the first member with MAC ties, will serve a three-year term on the 13-member committee that ranks the top 25 teams and determines the matchups for the four-team football playoff and the host bowls. Deromedi was selected by members of the College Football Playoff Management Committee, which is made up of all 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick.
Deromedi, who was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007, started at Central Michigan in 1967 as an assistant coach under Roy Kramer. He succeeded Kramer as head coach in 1978 and compiled a 110-55-10 record, including 90 MAC victories. His teams earned three MAC titles.
