Since the Huskies are in the MAC Championship game this year, let’s go back to the last time they were in the game.
The year was 2018, and Northern Illinois had clinched their eighth MAC Championship Game appearance as winners of the MAC West division, holding a 3-4 record in their previous appearances.
At 7-5 (6-2 MAC), the Huskies would find themselves as three-point underdogs coming into game, as they faced off against the highly-favored Buffalo Bulls, who finished the season 10-2 (7-1 MAC).
The Bulls would open the scoring on a drive capped by this Kevin Marks 3 yard touchdown run.
Kenneth Bailey
The Bulls would strike first with a 94-yard drive was capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Kevin Marks. This would happen with 6:38 left in the quarter.
Quarterback Tyree Jackson would have a nice run that would set up the next touchdown.
Kenneth Bailey
Buffalo would score the next touchdown after another 94-yard drive that was capped off by a 13-yard pass from Tyree Jackson to Anthony Johnson. The ensuing extra point was pushed no good to make the game 13-0. Northern Illinois would strike next, with a 75-yard drive capped by Marcus Childers finding Spencer Tears in the endzone for a highlight reel catch to make the make the score 13-7.
Spencer Tears making an incredible catch.
Kenneth Bailey
Not to be deterred, Buffalo would establish a 12-point lead after a 75-yard drive ending on a 26-yard touchdown reception by Anthony Johnson from Tyree Jackson. The two-point conversion to give the Bulls a 14-point lead would fail, setting up an interesting 12-point gap.
Northern Illinois would hit paydirt after an Andrew Gantz 39-yard field goal brought them within nine of the Buffalo Bulls. The Bulls would get their 12-point lead back on a last-second field goal of their own to close the half at 22-10 in favor of Buffalo.
Buffalo scoring another touchdown.
Kenneth Bailey
A 39 yard field goal by Andrew Gantz would tighten the lead.
Kenneth Bailey
The Buffalo Bulls came out strong to start the third quarter, …….