Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - The big boys can finally rest easy.
Jordan Lynch rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns while adding a passing
score, and Akeem Daniels scored the deciding touchdown in the second overtime
as 19th-ranked Northern Illinois captured its second straight MAC Championship
with an action-packed 44-37 victory over No. 17 Kent State in the conference
title game, spoiling the Golden Flashes' hopes of crashing the BCS party in
the process.
Lynch added 212 yards with one interception on 19-of-34 passing in addition to
his 36 rushing attempts, with Daniels finishing with 128 yards on 17 totes for
Northern Illinois (12-1), which extended its program-record winning streak to
12 games after withstanding a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Golden
Flashes.
The loss was costly for Kent State (11-2) -- and the MAC as well. A victory
would have given the Golden Flashes a good chance of cracking the top-16 of
the BCS standings and thereby automatically qualifying for a berth in one of
the major bowls.
Kent State entered the game ranked 17th in the latest BCS.
The Huskies will have a harder time earning a place in what would likely be
the Orange Bowl, as Northern Illinois was listed 21st in the most recent
rankings.
Kent State fought back from a 27-13 fourth-quarter deficit with two touchdowns
within an 15-second span, then later forced overtime on Spencer Keith's 19-
yard pass to Tim Erjavec with 44 seconds in regulation that tied the score at
34-34.
Keith also had a rushing touchdown for the Golden Flashes, but completed just
15-of-36 throws for 190 yards and was intercepted twice.
GAME NOTES:
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