The Mid-American Conference decided to take its talents to South Beach when it announced the brand-new Miami Beach Bowl in a news release Thursday.
Marlins Park will host the event, which will pair a MAC team with an American Athletic Conference team in the 2016 and 2018 bowls.
This is the third bowl announced by the conference this month — the MAC will also play in upcoming Boca Raton Bowl and Bahamas Bowl games.
Huskies still top dogs
As the hunt for the top spot in the MAC East and West divisions heats up, conference leaders are beginning to stand out.
Northern Illinois (8-0, 4-0) continues to pummel opponents. It beat Eastern Michigan (1-7, 0-4) 59-20 on Saturday.
Senior quarterback Jordan Lynch recorded six total touchdowns in the contest, with four passing, one rushing and another on a reception. The last person to record that statistic is former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who did so against Eastern Michigan in 2010.
In the latest Bowl Championship Series polls, the Huskies are ranked No. 17 in the country. The USA Today Coaches poll has them at No. 20, while the Associated Press Top 25 ranked them at No. 21.
The start is Northern Illinois’ best since 1965.
“You talk about (stats) in January when you can look back and reflect,” coach Rod Carey said. “Football is a funny thing. I don’t talk about that (stuff). I just go about my business.”
Rockets win fourth-straight ‘Battle of I-75’
Despite letting Bowling Green back in the game after mounting a 21-0 first-half lead, Toledo (5-3, 3-1) won its fourth-consecutive “Battle of I-75” on Saturday with a 28-25 win against the Falcons (5-3, 3-1).
After a Bowling Green comeback, the Rockets scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-nine to regain their lead with 1:22 remaining in the game.
“I thought it was a hard-fought road game with really good teams,” Toledo coach Matt Campbell said.
“I’m proud of our guys.”
Uh oh, Buffalo
Buffalo (6-2, 4-0) won its sixth-straight game on Saturday in a 41-21 win against Kent State (2-7, 1-4).
The Bulls lead the MAC East. They have one more conference win than Bowling Green and Ohio.
The six-game winning streak is Buffalo’s longest since 1959.
“We’re not where we want to be or where we need to be, but it’s not where we used to be,” Buffalo coach Jeff Quinn said. “It’s been pretty cool.”
@charliehatch_
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