By Donald Traxler
Heath Jackson, Ada High School graduate and BGSU red-shirt junior wide receiver, scored one of BG's five touchdown receptions when the Falcons soared over the Northern Illinois Huskies 47-27.
The Falcons are the Mid American Conference Champions for the first time since 1992. This is their first-ever win in a MAC Championship game. It is the 11th MAC Championship for BG.
Northern Illinois entered the game ranked 14th in the nation and were on their way to a second BCS game in a row until they ran into a flock of Falcons who were determined to end a three-game losing streak to the Huskies.
This is the first BGSU win over NIU since the 2003 season. The Huskies came into BG that Saturday afternoon undefeated.
It was ESPN's “College Game Day” at 4:00 p.m. at Perry Stadium. Announcers Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler were in town for the showdown. A huge flock of Falcon fans were present at 6:30 am to watch the construction of the set. BG won and went on to the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field and defeated Northwestern 28-24. The Falcons are 2-0 on Ford Field.
Jackson caught all six passes sophomore Quarterback Matt Johnson threw to him for 58 yards. He ran a perfect route down and to the center and was wide open for the 22 yard touchdown reception at the 5:39 mark of the second quarter. It put the Falcons ahead 24-13 after the point-after by kicker Tyler Tate. The touchdown reception was Jackson's third of the season as he started his fourth game for the Falcons. Tate tied the MAC Championship field goal record with a 52-yarder later in the game.
Matt Johnson's five touchdown passes set a new MAC Championship Game record for the most touchdowns thrown. His touchdown passes were to five different receivers. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 393 yards and was sacked twice. NIU QB Jordan Lynch completed 21 of 40 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked once and threw 2 interceptions. He ended up third in the Heisman Trophy balloting and was in New York City Saturday night to be recognized. The stingy Falcon defense held him to a net-gain of 126 yards rushing in 26 carries, far under his season average.
Jackson and the Falcons will take on Pittsburgh, 6-6 for the season and representing the ACC, in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl on Thursday, December 26 at 6:00 pm on Ford Field in Detroit. Tickets can be purchased for $14.00 each. Please visit www.bgsufalcons.com or call 877-247-8842 during business hours M-F 9-5.
