ESPN's MAC Awards, BG named MAC's biggest disappointment
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:18 pm
Mid-American Conference
MVP: Western Michigan WR Greg Jennings
Jennings starred for a revived Broncos team, tallying 1,259 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the nation in receptions with 98 and ranked second nationally in both receiving yards average (114.5 ypg) and receiving touchdowns. The senior eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the third consecutive season. Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski, Central Michigan DE Dan Bazuin and Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe (nation-leading 175.6 rushing average) also get mentions.
Coach of the Year: Western Michigan's Bill Cubit and Akron's J.D. Brookhart
This is simply too close to call. Cubit is the popular choice, having taken Western Michigan from 1-10 and winless in league play last season to a 7-4 mark in 2005. The Broncos had a chance to win the West Division but lost their final game at NIU. Brookhart, the 2004 MAC Coach of the Year, led Akron to a season of firsts (division title, league title, bowl game) in 2005. His offense continued to flow despite Charlie Frye's graduation, and Akron's defense allowed 100 fewer yards per game than it did last season.
Newcomer of the Year: Akron QB Luke Getsy
A transfer from Pitt who followed coach J.D. Brookhart to Akron, Getsy stepped in for Charlie Frye and led the Zips to their first-ever bowl game. He threw for exactly 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns and had a superhuman performance in the MAC championship game (413 passing yards against NIU). Central Michigan freshman RB Ontario Sneed also gets a mention.
Biggest Surprise: Akron
Akron was picked to finish fourth in the MAC East before the season. But the Zips bypassed Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) and stunned NIU in the league title game to earn a trip to the Motor City Bowl. The Zips' defense was the second most-improved unit nationally -- it went from 98th in yards allowed last year to 23rd this season. Akron was only the fourth team this season to have a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver. Western Michigan and Central Michigan were also big surprises.
Biggest Disappointment: Bowling Green
Led by dominant QB Omar Jacobs, the Falcons were picked to win the league before the season. But losses in three of the final five games left Bowling Green out of the bowl picture for the first time since 2002. Buffalo is an annual disappointment, and Kent State was the only MAC team not to win a league game.
MVP: Western Michigan WR Greg Jennings
Jennings starred for a revived Broncos team, tallying 1,259 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the nation in receptions with 98 and ranked second nationally in both receiving yards average (114.5 ypg) and receiving touchdowns. The senior eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the third consecutive season. Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski, Central Michigan DE Dan Bazuin and Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe (nation-leading 175.6 rushing average) also get mentions.
Coach of the Year: Western Michigan's Bill Cubit and Akron's J.D. Brookhart
This is simply too close to call. Cubit is the popular choice, having taken Western Michigan from 1-10 and winless in league play last season to a 7-4 mark in 2005. The Broncos had a chance to win the West Division but lost their final game at NIU. Brookhart, the 2004 MAC Coach of the Year, led Akron to a season of firsts (division title, league title, bowl game) in 2005. His offense continued to flow despite Charlie Frye's graduation, and Akron's defense allowed 100 fewer yards per game than it did last season.
Newcomer of the Year: Akron QB Luke Getsy
A transfer from Pitt who followed coach J.D. Brookhart to Akron, Getsy stepped in for Charlie Frye and led the Zips to their first-ever bowl game. He threw for exactly 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns and had a superhuman performance in the MAC championship game (413 passing yards against NIU). Central Michigan freshman RB Ontario Sneed also gets a mention.
Biggest Surprise: Akron
Akron was picked to finish fourth in the MAC East before the season. But the Zips bypassed Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) and stunned NIU in the league title game to earn a trip to the Motor City Bowl. The Zips' defense was the second most-improved unit nationally -- it went from 98th in yards allowed last year to 23rd this season. Akron was only the fourth team this season to have a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver. Western Michigan and Central Michigan were also big surprises.
Biggest Disappointment: Bowling Green
Led by dominant QB Omar Jacobs, the Falcons were picked to win the league before the season. But losses in three of the final five games left Bowling Green out of the bowl picture for the first time since 2002. Buffalo is an annual disappointment, and Kent State was the only MAC team not to win a league game.