A History of MAC East Title Games Part 2

November 21, 2008: Buffalo 6-4 (4-2) at Bowling Green 5-5 (3-3):

Turner Gill is Fair Play

One year after Bowling Green ended Buffalo's MAC East and Bowl Game aspirations, UB traveled to Northwest Ohio to clinch their first MAC East title. A Bowling Green win would give the Falcons tiebreakers over Buffalo and Akron, requiring a win, or a loss by Buffalo and Akron to clinch the MAC East.

Bowling Green scored the first 21 points and led by 20 with 13 minutes remaining. Buffalo scored three consecutive times, the tying score coming with 37 seconds left in the 4th. After a stop in the second overtime, James Starks took the next carry 25 yards for a UB Touchdown and win.

Buffalo went on to shock the #12 Ball State Cardinals and win their first ever MAC Championship.

November 27, 2009: Temple, 9-2 (7-0) at Ohio, 8-3 (6-1):

Legends of the Temple

Temple was too good for the MAC. Even while losing most of their games, they knew they were better. In 2009, it was time for Temple to show they were better and they did. With a 7-0 record, Temple was a victory away from a MAC East Championship, an inevitable MAC Championship win, a bowl game and an invite back into the Big East. Ohio however had other plans.

Ohio never trailed in a game that saw Temple dominate with their trademark run, gaining 255 yards, only to be betrayed by the passing game, which tossed away three interceptions. Theo Scott threw for 3 Touchdowns and ran for 2 more accounting for every Ohio score in a 35-17 victory.

Ohio went on to lose the MAC Championship to Central Michigan and is still in pursuit of their first championship since 1968.

November 23, 2010: Temple, 8-3 (5-2) at Miami, 7-4 (6-1):
November 26, 2010: Ohio, 8-3 (6-1) at Kent State 4-7 (3-4)

Miami Has All The Luck

Miami won 8 MAC games in 2010, I'm going to list the winning margins: 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 12, 20. Miami was the worst MAC team in 2009, they were playing with a backup QB. Against Temple, Miami didn't need luck they dominated Temple 23-3.

Miami got lucky a few days later. Ohio had the tiebreaker over Miami, an Ohio win would send the Bobcats back to Detroit. Instead, Ohio was destroyed 28-6 by Kent, giving Miami the improbable worst to first MAC East Title.

The luck continued. 4th and 20 from the 38 in the MAC Championship, and they converted with a 31 yard pass. With just over a minute to go, Austin Boucher is sacked at the 33, the clock ticks down under 40 seconds. Austin Boucher completes a 33-yard Touchdown pass. Miami wins the MAC.

November 17, 2012: Kent State 9-1 (6-0) at Bowling Green 7-3 (5-1)

An Anniversary To Remember

Bowling Green had the MAC's best defense while Kent showcased the MAC's most deadly offensive weapon, Dri Archer in a battle of unstoppable force vs. unmovable object. The narrative held for 20 minutes as Kent led 3-0 until Dri Archer left the narrative in his dust on a 79 yard touchdown run.

Bowling Green responded with a 72-yard TD pass from Matt Schilz to Chris Gallon, sending the game into full #MACtion. Tied at 17 going into the 4th Quarter, Archer struck again with a 74 yard Touchdown run, Archer finished with 241 yards on only 17 carries. Bowling Green again responded with an 81 yard Chris Gallon TD reception, Gallon finished with 213 yards receiving on 10 receptions.

In the end, Bowling Green was unable to continue it's offensive frenzy. Tied at 24, a Schilz interception put the flashes only 20 yards away from a seven point lead, and Kent converted. On the next BGSU drive, Schilz drove down to the Kent 17, but could not convert on 4th and 2. BGSU got the ball back one more time with 2:30 remaining and again Schliz drove the Falcons down to the Kent 17, only to throw the game ending interception.

Kent went on to the MAC Championship with dreams of BCS alive. Those dreams were crushed by NIU who earned the bid to the Orange Bowl in Kent's place.

November 29, 2013: Bowling Green 8-3 (6-1) at Buffalo 8-3 (6-1)

Black Friday: The Clash at the Ralph

TBD