MAC Championship Game Stories

[MRO_chick]

Well, finally posted our coverage of the MAC Championship Game at MAC Report Online. Sorry it took so long but the late finish and work obligations got in the way...damned job! Also, some comments from the MCB on potential Akron opponents.

Anyway, here are some direct links:

Akron Stuns Northern Illinois, 31-30

Additional Postgame Quotes

Postgame Notes and Quotes

Solving The Motor City Bowl Jigsaw Puzzle

We had a great time covering the event from the press box and the sidelines and the MAC folks have been tremendous in supporting our efforts with our website. A top-notch job by everyone.

[Hilltopper]

I found it interesting that Novak mentioned the lack if conditioning for a possible reason that his defense didn't perform well at the end of the game.

"Northern Illinois Notes

NIU head coach Joe Novak:

Opening statement:

We certainly congratulate Akron. J.D. and their kids did a great job of hanging in there. We thought we had them down there a little bit, but they came back. The quarterback made some plays like he did against us the last time, and Hixon is definitely a go-to guy. I'm proud of our kids, I'm proud of the effort, we just came up a little bit short.

On his team's pass rush:

We blitzed there some, and we weren't really effective with that. Our front guys were really tired. I was concerned a little bit coming in, and this is no excuse, we're practicing outside and you get into a 72-degree atmosphere that you haven't been in a little while, and I was a concerned about our conditioning coming in. We talked about blitzing more and coming after them, but even when we blitzed we weren't real effective."

It looks like the field housr is starting to pay dividends.

[a-zip]

It looks like the field housr is starting to pay dividends.

That is a great point.