Miami stunned Northern Illinois with 26-21 victory last night, winning on late 33y TD pass from frosh QB Austin Boucher to WR Armand Robinson. Boucher was making only his third career start yet was dominant performer on night, completing 29-46 for 333y with TD and 0 INTs. Robinson caught 14 passes for 176y. The RedHawks defense was also instrumental to delivering the win by holding Northern to only 92y net rushing. Huskies QB Chandler Harnish did throw 3 TD passes in defeat and laid a 4th in his receivers' hands that was dropped in 2nd half (leading to a punt).
It was funny seeing Miami in the role of underdog and the announcers talk about what a great story they are after finishing 1-11 last year. But Miami is arguably the traditional power in the conference and indeed this title was their MAC-best 15th overall. Remember Miami earned the moniker "cradle of coaches" for being affiliated to the following as players or coaches or both: Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, Paul Dietzel, Ara Parseghian, Sid Gillman, Weeb Ewbank, George Little, Bill Mallory, John Pont, etc. Of course much of their tradition is a bit old now, but back in 2003 with some guy named Roethlisberger at QB Miami won 13 straight games after an opening loss to Iowa and finished 10th in final AP Poll. It has been up-and-down since then with last night being a very big up.
I am a big fan of the MAC and they are a conference that has been negatively effected by the BCS (without 90% of television analysis discussing what teams will play in the BCS Title game there is no room for competitive conferences playing quality football but lacking a program good enough to rise to BCS prominence). Hopefully they can open some eyes this bowl season.
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