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 Sports Network