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In a move that surprised absolutely nobody The Mid American Conference named Khalil Mack it's Defensive Player of the Year. Mack was one of seven UB players who made the All-MAC team. This years Bulls put more player on the all conference squad than any other UB team.
Mack is the first player in school history to be named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He got there by leading the conference in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (19). He led the bulls with 94 tackles, three interceptions and five forced fumbles. He has broken the NCAA record for career forced fumbles with 16 and tied the NCAA mark with 75 career tackles for loss.
Five Bulls were named to the All-MAC First Team. It is the third straight year Mack has been named to the first team. Joining Mack on the first team were Jasen Carlson, Alex Neutz, Branden Oliver and Najja Johnson.
Carlson made the first team despite suffering a season-ending leg injury earlier this season. Before the injury he shaped an offense which rushed for 2,063 yards and passed for 2,759 yards and has scored 370 points. He is the only First team Bull that surprises me, missing a half season and still making the first team is a testament to just how good Carlson was.
Neutz came in just shy of 1,000 yards but did bring in 11 touchdowns (3rd in the MAC). Oliver broke his own single season school rushing record with 1,421 yards and has scored 15 touchdowns this year. The senior running back has also broken the school record for career rushing yards with 3,935 yards.
Najja Johnson was unfairly left off the first team last season but he made this season. He tied Khalil Mack to lead the Bulls with three interceptions. He led outright with nine pass break ups. He returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown against Connecticut. He ranks second in school history in career passes defended with 38 – one shy of the school record.
Adam Redden and Colby Way were named to the All-MAC Third Team. Both had injury problems this season which hampered their resume for the second team.
Even with several missed games I am surprised to see Redden only on the third team. Though he has only played in nine games, Redden still ranks fourth on the team with 56 tackles and second with 11.5 tackles for loss. He was twice named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week in 2013.
Way ranked second on the team with five sacks and third on the squad with 7.5 tackles for loss. He was named the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week after registering a career-best three sacks against Western Michigan.
2013 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Coach of the Year: Rod Carey, Northern Illinois
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
Special Teams Player of the Year: K Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2013 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Jordan Lynch, Norhern Illinois
Center – Chief Kekuewa, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Dominic Flewellyn, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Loos, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Jasen Carlson, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Jordan Hansel, Ball State
Tight End – Zane Fakes, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Willie Snead, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Alex Neutz, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Titus Davis, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Tommylee Lewis, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Branden Oliver, Buffalo
Running Back – David Fluellen, Toledo
Placekicker – Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo
2013 All-MAC First Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Khalil Mack, Buffalo
Outside Linebacker –Jamaal Bass, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Junior Sylvestre, Toledo
Inside Linebacker – Jatavis Brown, Akron
Down Lineman – Roosevelt Nix, Kent State
Down Lineman – Jonathan Newsome, Ball State
Down Lineman – Ken Bishop, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jayrone Elliott, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – BooBoo Gates, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Dayonne Nunley, Miami
Defensive Back – Najja Johnson, Buffalo
Punter – Zac Murphy, Miami
2013 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Devin Bass, Ohio
Punt Return Specialist –Travis Carrie, Ohio
2013 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Keith Wenning, Ball State
Center – Zac Kerin, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Greg Mancz, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jared Volk, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Andy Phillips, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Alex Huettel, Bowling Green
Tight End – Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Bernard Reedy, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Da'Ron Brown, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Donte' Foster, Ohio
Running Back – Travis Greene, Bowling Green
Running Back – Jahwan Edwards, Ball State
Placekicker – Josiah Yazdani, Ohio
2013 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – D.J. Lynch, Bowling Green
Outside Linebacker – Gabe Martin, Bowling Green
Inside Linebacker – Ben Ingle, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – Kent Kern, Miami
Down Lineman – Nate Ollie, Ball State
Down Lineman – Travonte Boles, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Ted Ouellet, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Wes Williams, Miami
Defensive Back – Jeff Garrett, Ball State
Defensive Back – Malachi Freeman, Akron
Defensive Back – Devin Bass, Ohio
Defensive Back – Darius Polk, Kent State
Punter – Anthony Melchiori, Kent State
2013 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State
Punt Return Specialist – Ryan Burbrink, Bowling Green
2013 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Terrance Owens, Toledo
Center – Jacob Richard, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Dima, UMass
Offensive Lineman – Jeff Myers, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jarrod Pugshley, Akron
Offensive Lineman – Lincoln Hansen, Eastern Michigan
Tight End – Alex Bayer, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Jordan Williams, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Dri Archer, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Jamill Smith, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Alonzo Russell, Toledo
Running Back – Bronson Hill, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Jawon Chisholm, Akron
Placekicker – Scott Secor, Ball State
2013 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Justin March, Akron
Outside Linebacker – Adam Redden, Buffalo
Inside Linebacker – Shamari Benton, Central Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Justin Cherocci, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Colby Way, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Joe Windsor, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Nico Caponi, Akron
Down Lineman – Treyvon Hester, Toledo
Defensive Back – Dechane Durante, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Luke Wollet, Kent State
Defensive Back – Donald Celiscar, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Travis Carrie, Ohio
Punter – Zach Paul, Akron
2013 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Dri Archer, Kent State
Punt Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State