BGSU knocks NIU from BCS bowl consideration

Associated Press

DETROIT

Matt Johnson threw four of his career-high five touchdown passes in the first half and Bowling Green routed No. 16 Northern Illinois, 47-27, on Friday night for the Mid-American Conference title, ending the Huskies’ shot at playing in a marquee bowl game.

The Northern Illinois (12-1) loss improves the chances of Baylor or Oregon being an at-large team in a BCS bowl game.

Jordan Lynch ran for 126 yards and two TDs for the Huskies to break his own single-season record for yards rushing by a quarterback in major college football, but he didn’t take advantage of an opportunity to impress Heisman Trophy voters.

The Falcons (10-3) won a MAC title for the first time since 1992 — just months after Johnson was born.

Lynch was 21 of 40 for 219 yards with a TD and two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter that set up Johnson’s fifth TD that put Bowling Green up 40-20.