Bull Run - Mid-American Conference AwardsWhere Buffalo Fans Hang Outhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48083/bullrun-fave.png2013-12-04T15:49:00-05:00http://www.ubbullrun.com/rss/stream/49395612013-12-04T15:49:00-05:002013-12-04T15:49:00-05:00Khalil Mack: MAC Defensive Player of the Year
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T7b5AnSpA8FG67l5OwQ5QepJj0I=/0x10:4000x2677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24493955/20131112_ajl_ai5_494.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Earns UB's first specialty award since 2002.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/98159/khalil-mack">Khalil Mack</a> finally is recognized as the best defensive player in the MAC after years of being overlooked. However Khalil couldn't help his teammates who were again overlooked. UB had arguably the 2nd best defense in the conference, however they only managed 2 first team and 2 third team defenders.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Line:</b></p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115940/roosevelt-nix">Roosevelt Nix</a>? Really? Nix with 13 Tackles for Loss, 3.5 sacks and the anchor of by my calculation the #8 defense line in the MAC. That is first team?</p>
<p>No Question on Toledo's Jayrone Elliott who was a Khalil Mack away from being MAC DPOY, with 9 sacks (2nd to Mack), 14 TFLs (2nd to Mack) and 5 forced fumbles (tied 1st with Mack). Ball State's Jonathan Newsome was likewise impressive with 8 sacks, 11.5 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles.</p>
<p>With 59 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 1 sack and 1 INT, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159925/ken-bishop">Ken Bishop</a> of NIU was put on the 1st team, which I don't mind as he was the anchor of by my calculation the #1 defensive line in the MAC.</p>
<p>I do have a problem with the exclusion of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113214/colby-way">Colby Way</a>. .</p>
<p>Buffalo is tied with NIU for best defensive line in the MAC and Way put up 7.5 TFLs, 29 tackles and 5 sacks. Bishop, Way and Nix put up similar numbers but since Buffalo and NIU were dominant defensive lines, Way and Bishop should have garnered 1st team status, while Nix should have fallen to 2nd team.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/88083/wes-williams">Wes Williams</a> of Miami had 20 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and 3 sacks, playing on the #10 defensive line in the conference. Why he is 2nd team All-MAC over Way, I do not know.</p>
<p>Underrated with Way was Akron's 3rd Teamer Nico Caponi. Not just a fun name to say in an Italian Accent, Nico had 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2013, I rate Akron's defensive line at #5, a surprising group that helped Akron win some big games.</p>
<p>Totally snubbed, EMU's Kalonji Kashama, EMU was no good against the run this year, but Kashama had 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 9 TFLs and 2 forced fumbles.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Back: </b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/98151/najja-johnson">Najja Johnson</a> was named 1st team All-MAC, a selection many UB fans will scoff at, I think Najja was 2nd team at best this year, but love that he got 1st team honors. Johnson bumped Akron's Malachi Freeman who landed on the 2nd team after 3 INTs and 12 passes broken up. Completely snubbed was WMU's Ronald Zamort, again, WMU was bad, but Zamort with an amazing 18 passes broken up onthe season should have earned him at least 3rd team honors.</p>
<p><b>Linebackers: </b>Khalil Mack, 94 tackles, 10.5 sacks 19 TFLs 2 TDs, 3 INTs, 6 Passes broken up, 6 QB hurries and 5 Forced Fumbles, was an easy choice. I think the rest of the choices need some work. the first team includes NIU's resident band assaulter <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116590/jamaal-bass">Jamaal Bass</a> who was on a great defense but wasn't particularly great himself with 73 tackles, 2 sacks 3.5 TFLs and 2 INTs. He's a 3rd teamer at best in my eyes. I'd keep <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135867/junior-sylvestre">Junior Sylvestre</a> at 1st team, he had a monster season, but I'd bump <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158985/jatavis-brown">Jatavis Brown</a> to 3rd team, great season, with 107 tackles, 2 sacks and 6.5 TFLs, but I can build a 1st team with better numbers and results overall.</p>
<p>Adding CMU's Justin Cherocci (121 Tackles, 9.5 TFLs 4 sacks 1 INT) and Toledo's Chase Murdock (109 tackles 9 TFLs 4 sacks and 1 INT) to Sylvestre and Mack, I think we get the true LB 1st Team.</p>
<p>On the 2nd Team, I like the selectoin of DJ Lynch of Bowling Green, however <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113123/gabe-martin">Gabe Martin</a> was a bad pick. Martin played in 8 games amassing 36 tackles, 2 sacks and 3.5 TFLs. Martin in my eyes is not even a 3rd teamer this year. Moving Ball State's Ingle to 3rd team because he only managed a half sack on the season, I add in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113192/adam-redden">Adam Redden</a> (voted 3rd team) of Buffalo, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76805/shamari-benton">Shamari Benton</a> (voted 3rd team) of CMU and Ohio's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159985/ben-russell">Ben Russell</a>. Redden provided 11.5 TFLs, Benton had 111 tackles and 10.5 TFLs, and Ben Russell pitched in 82 tackles, 3 sacks and 7.5 TFLs, for the Ohio defense that we forget was really good before November.</p>
<p>On the 3rd team, I stack two Zips, Jatavis Brown (voted 1st team) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134776/justin-march">Justin March</a> (voted 3rd team). March earns his way on the list with 3 interceptions, including a pick-6 at Michigan, tied Khalil Mack for most interceptions in the MAC by a linebacker. Jamaal Bass (voted 1st team) of NIU and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134879/ben-ingle">Ben Ingle</a> (voted 2nd team) of Ball State also land at 3rd team in my eyes.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/12/4/5175196/khalil-mack-is-the-mac-defensive-player-of-the-yearConrad Mostiller2013-12-04T14:18:55-05:002013-12-04T14:18:55-05:00MAC Postseason Awards: Offense
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d1XotGxAPQThZy9eSzhaJXCYwPQ=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24498263/20131129_ajl_al9_254.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>UB has 3 1st team All-MAC selections on offense.</p> <p>UB had five players voted 1st Team All-MAC, second only to NIU's 6. UB also added 2 players to the 3rd-Team All MAC list.</p>
<div>
<b>Quarterback: </b>Licata finished the season 3rd in passing yards and TD passes. #1 in my book is 2nd Team All-MAC Keith Wenning if you're talking pure Quarterback, he had almost 4,000 yards passing and 34 TD passes. #2 in my book is 1st Team All-MAC <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116594/jordan-lynch" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Lynch</a>, between running and passing, he's the most deadly weapon in the country. 3rd team was given to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77571/terrance-owens" class="sbn-auto-link">Terrance Owens</a>, which I guess is okay. Licata could make a case, but I would go with Bowling Green's Matt Johnson. He has more yards than Licata, he's 3rd in completion percentage, has as many TD passes as Owens, but with more rushing yards and more rushing TDs and the key figure for me is Johnson led the MAC with 9 yards per attempt, making him throw for throw, the best QB in the MAC.</div>
<p><b>Offensive Line:</b> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113200/jasen-carlson" class="sbn-auto-link">Jasen Carlson</a> was honored as a 1st team All-MAC selection despite missing most of the 2nd half of the season. Toledo and Bowling Green each had 3 offensive linemen honored while Ball State and NIU each saw 2 honored.</p>
<p>I was upset that more of UB's line didn't see a 2nd or 3rd team honor. NIU and Toledo have the two best lines in the MAC and NIU's blockers are probably given less credit due to the credit given to Jordan Lynch.</p>
<p>After that, my formula has Kent State, Ball State and Buffalo as the next 3 best O-lines in the conference. Kent was shut out and those 3 teams combined for 3 All-MAC selections. Meanwhile Bowling Green, the #6 O-Line to my calculation, (they were 2nd last in the conference in sacks per pass attempt), placed 3 lineman on All-MAC teams. I think Flewellyn deserved his 1st team mention, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116579/greg-mancz" class="sbn-auto-link">Greg Mancz</a> of Toledo was robbed by Chief Kekuewa.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, I calculated EMU to have the confernece's #7 O-Line, Central at #9, UMass at #10 and Akron at #12, yet each school had one lineman honored.</p>
<p><b>Running Back: </b>The media was a little generous with Carlson, and they were a little generous with Branden Oliver. In a three man race between BO,</p>
<p>(#2 in running by a running back, #1 in TDs by a running back, #1 in YPG by a running back but only #7 in yards per carry by a running back with 100+ carries)</p>
<p>the man that beat him Travis Greene,</p>
<p>(#1 in yards by a running back (beat BO by 1 yard), #4 in TDs by a running back, #3 in YPG by a running back and #3 in yards per carry by a running back with 100+ carries)</p>
<p>and the man that beat Greene, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116563/david-fluellen" class="sbn-auto-link">David Fluellen</a>,</p>
<p>(#3 in yards by a running back, #4 in TDs by a running back, #2 in YPG by a running back and #1 in yards per carry by a running back with 100+ carries)</p>
<p>Ultimately, the seniors BO and Flu received first team honors and I'm okay with it.</p>
<p>The major snub in running backs was Toledo's Kareem Hunt. The electrifying RB ran for 866 yards on 137 carries and scored 6 TDs. I think he should have bumped off Akron's Jawon Chisholm for 3rd team honors.</p>
<p><b>Wide Receiver: </b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/98171/alex-neutz" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Neutz</a> earned 1st Team All-MAC honors, the only UB receiver honored and the 3rd and final All-MAC selection for the UB offense. Neutz slowed down in the 2nd half of the season, so the inclusion could be controversial, until you look at how badly the media voted the receivers this year. Neutz was 4th in conference in receiving yards, 7th in yards per catch, however only <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135568/titus-davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Titus Davis</a> had a higher average while catching at least 50 balls. Finally, a TD catch a day keeps the losses away, steady 1 TD a week Alex Neutz finished 2nd in TD catches.</p>
<p>The MAC got this all wrong. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135786/tommylee-lewis" class="sbn-auto-link">Tommylee Lewis</a> of NIU was named 1st-team all MAC.</p>
<p>Random Player A: 74 Receptions, 623 yards, 3 TDs</p>
<p>Random Player B: 54 Receptions, 644 yards, 4 TDs</p>
<p>Random Player C: 25 Receptions, 327 yards, 4 TDs</p>
<p>One of those players is 1st team All-MAC, one 3rd-team, one of those players was not honored.</p>
<p>Player A was first team All-MAC Lewis, Player B was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/98169/fred-lee" class="sbn-auto-link">Fred Lee</a>, Player C was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84434/dri-archer" class="sbn-auto-link">Dri Archer</a> 3rd-Team All-MAC receiver.</p>
<p>Lewis wasn't the best WR on his team this year, that was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116591/da-ron-brown" class="sbn-auto-link">Da'Ron Brown</a> who had 689 yards and 9 TDs. Brown was named 2nd Team All-MAC.</p>
<p>Lewis took the spot of 3rd-team all MAC selection Jordan Williams of Ball State. Williams was 3rd in the MAC in receptions, 3rd in the MAC in receiving yards and 3rd in the MAC in receiving TDs. Somehow the writers feel he's only 8th-12th best.</p>
<p>Selfishly, I think Fred Lee did enough to be 3rd team All-MAC, but the voters were busy trying to shoehorn in old memorable faces.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/12/4/5175452/mac-postseason-awards-offenseConrad Mostiller2013-12-04T13:53:22-05:002013-12-04T13:53:22-05:00ALL MACK!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qnB9iP0ZU2L8ZIJgFv2i8IXiAIY=/0x14:4000x2681/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24496027/20130914_sng__ah3_180.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br><br><br>2013 MAC Specialty Award Winners<br>Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois<br>Coach of the Year: Rod Carey, Northern Illinois<br>Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois<br>Defensive Player of the Year: LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo<br>Special Teams Player of the Year: K Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo<br>Freshman of the Year: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC First Team Offense<br>Quarterback – Jordan Lynch, Norhern Illinois<br><br>Center – Chief Kekuewa, Bowling Green<br>Offensive Lineman – Dominic Flewellyn, Bowling Green<br>Offensive Lineman – Tyler Loos, Northern Illinois<br>Offensive Lineman – Jasen Carlson, Buffalo<br>Offensive Lineman – Jordan Hansel, Ball State<br><br>Tight End – Zane Fakes, Ball State<br><br>Wide Receiver – Willie Snead, Ball State<br>Wide Receiver – Alex Neutz, Buffalo<br>Wide Receiver – Titus Davis, Central Michigan<br>Wide Receiver – Tommylee Lewis, Northern Illinois<br><br>Running Back – Branden Oliver, Buffalo<br>Running Back – David Fluellen, Toledo<br><br>Placekicker – Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC First Team Defense<br>Outside Linebacker – Khalil Mack, Buffalo<br>Outside Linebacker –Jamaal Bass, Northern Illinois<br>Inside Linebacker – Junior Sylvestre, Toledo<br>Inside Linebacker – Jatavis Brown, Akron<br><br>Down Lineman – Roosevelt Nix, Kent State<br>Down Lineman – Jonathan Newsome, Ball State<br>Down Lineman – Ken Bishop, Northern Illinois<br>Down Lineman – Jayrone Elliott, Toledo<br><br>Defensive Back – Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois<br>Defensive Back – BooBoo Gates, Bowling Green<br>Defensive Back – Dayonne Nunley, Miami<br>Defensive Back – Najja Johnson, Buffalo<br><br>Punter – Zac Murphy, Miami<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC First Team Specialists<br>Kickoff Return Specialist – Devin Bass, Ohio<br>Punt Return Specialist –Travis Carrie, Ohio<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC Second Team Offense<br>Quarterback – Keith Wenning, Ball State<br><br>Center – Zac Kerin, Toledo<br>Offensive Lineman – Greg Mancz, Toledo<br>Offensive Lineman – Jared Volk, Northern Illinois<br>Offensive Lineman – Andy Phillips, Central Michigan<br>Offensive Lineman – Alex Huettel, Bowling Green<br>Tight End – Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan<br><br>Wide Receiver – Bernard Reedy, Toledo<br>Wide Receiver – Da'Ron Brown, Northern Illinois<br>Wide Receiver – Corey Davis, Western Michigan<br>Wide Receiver – Donte' Foster, Ohio<br><br>Running Back – Travis Greene, Bowling Green<br>Running Back – Jahwan Edwards, Ball State<br><br>Placekicker – Josiah Yazdani, Ohio<br><br><br>2013 All-MAC Second Team Defense<br><br>Outside Linebacker – D.J. Lynch, Bowling Green<br>Outside Linebacker – Gabe Martin, Bowling Green<br>Inside Linebacker – Ben Ingle, Ball State<br>Inside Linebacker – Kent Kern, Miami<br><br>Down Lineman – Nate Ollie, Ball State<br>Down Lineman – Travonte Boles, Western Michigan<br>Down Lineman – Ted Ouellet, Bowling Green<br>Down Lineman – Wes Williams, Miami<br><br>Defensive Back – Jeff Garrett, Ball State<br>Defensive Back – Malachi Freeman, Akron<br>Defensive Back – Devin Bass, Ohio<br>Defensive Back – Darius Polk, Kent State<br>Punter – Anthony Melchiori, Kent State<br><br><br>2013 All-MAC Second Team Specialists<br><br>Kickoff Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State<br>Punt Return Specialist – Ryan Burbrink, Bowling Green<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC Third Team Offense<br>Quarterback – Terrance Owens, Toledo<br><br>Center – Jacob Richard, Ball State<br>Offensive Lineman – Anthony Dima, UMass<br>Offensive Lineman – Jeff Myers, Toledo<br>Offensive Lineman – Jarrod Pugshley, Akron<br>Offensive Lineman – Lincoln Hansen, Eastern Michigan<br><br>Tight End – Alex Bayer, Bowling Green<br>Wide Receiver – Jordan Williams, Ball State<br>Wide Receiver – Dri Archer, Kent State<br>Wide Receiver – Jamill Smith, Ball State<br>Wide Receiver – Alonzo Russell, Toledo<br><br>Running Back – Bronson Hill, Eastern Michigan<br>Running Back – Jawon Chisholm, Akron<br><br>Placekicker – Scott Secor, Ball State<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC Third Team Defense<br><br>Outside Linebacker – Justin March, Akron<br>Outside Linebacker – Adam Redden, Buffalo<br>Inside Linebacker – Shamari Benton, Central Michigan<br>Inside Linebacker – Justin Cherocci, Central Michigan<br><br>Down Lineman – Colby Way, Buffalo<br>Down Lineman – Joe Windsor, Northern Illinois<br>Down Lineman – Nico Caponi, Akron<br>Down Lineman – Treyvon Hester, Toledo<br><br>Defensive Back – Dechane Durante, Northern Illinois<br>Defensive Back – Luke Wollet, Kent State<br>Defensive Back – Donald Celiscar, Western Michigan<br>Defensive Back – Travis Carrie, Ohio<br><br>Punter – Zach Paul, Akron<br><br><br><br>2013 All-MAC Third Team Specialists<br><br>Kickoff Return Specialist – Dri Archer, Kent State<br>Punt Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/12/4/5175348/mid-amierican-conference-awardsTim Riordan