Week 13: Northern Illinois at Kent State

Going through the final paces of a long, arduous season is tough, especially when there is no chance you will be part of the celebration at the end. Both Northern Illinois and Kent State have essentially been eliminated from contention in their respective divisions of the MAC.

The Huskies are still putting together a brilliant turn-around season under first-year head coach Jerry Kill, but their 33-30 loss to two-time MAC defending champ Central Michigan last time out guaranteed that Northern Illinois is playing for third place in the West. Kent State is not mathematically ousted from the picture in the mediocre East Division, but it would take a series of miracles unlike any the Vatican has certified for the Golden Flashes to be part of the final determination of a divisional champ.
 
On the surface, Northern Illinois has a lot more at stake in this game, since it is shooting for a winning overall record, and building a revived program under Kill. Kent State is hoping a couple wins at the end of the season will save head coach Doug Martin’s job after a fifth straight losing season.

Northern Illinois has gotten a lot of momentum from its special teams play and kicking game, and the Huskies seem to be creating ways to win. The Huskies are sound in the basics of the game and this has paid dividends in close games.

Kent State has the necessary offensive punch with rugged quarterback Julian Edelman and workhorse tailback Eugene Jarvis, who helped the Flashes amass a season-high 560 yards of offense in a 41-38 win over Temple recently, but mistakes and lapses on the defensive end have been costly for Kent. Northern Illinois’ defense, one of the most stout in the MAC, will present a significant challenge to Edelman and the Kent offense.

Notes:

Northern Illinois scored 24 unanswered points in just 16 minutes to force overtime with Central Michigan last time out, before falling 33-30.

Kent State senior quarterback Julian Edelman threw for 232 yards and a touchdown in the recent win over Temple, while also rushing for 144 yards and career-best three touchdowns.

Return man Ricky Crider of Northern Illinois took a kick back 75 yards against Central Michigan.

Kent’s Edelman made history last time out as he became the 25th player in D-I history to both rush and pass for 1,000 yards in a season. Former Kent State quarterback Joshua Cribbs is also on that prestigious list.

Northern Illinois scored on all six of its red zone scoring chances against Central Michigan, and successfully converted two onside kick attempts.

Junior tailback Eugene Jarvis of Kent State had a season-best 185 yards rushing and a touchdown in the recent win over Temple.

Key Player (Huskies) — Jon Brost, OL

The run-blocking and the pass protection package are vital parts of Northern Illinois’ success this season, and Brost is one of the anchors in that unit. It helps to have smart guys up front and Brost is an electrical engineering major and a likely academic All-American who has made a team high 45 career starts.
 
Key Player (Golden Flashes) — Nate Reed, K

The Golden Flashes know if they keep the game close, Reed has the ability and the track record to his some pressure field goals. He might be called on to do just that in these final two games of the season.

Northern Illinois by 10