The 2010 Mid-American Conference football season was the 65th season for the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The season began on Thursday, September 2, with five games: Ball State hosted Southeast Missouri State, Central Michigan hosted Hampton, Kent State hosted Murray State, Buffalo hosted Rhode Island, and Northern Illinois traveled to Ames, Iowa to face Iowa State. The conference's other eight teams began their respective 2010 seasons of NCAADivision I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) competition on Friday, September 3, and Saturday, September 4. The first in-conference game was September 9, with Temple hosting Central Michigan.
Four MAC teams were invited to post-season bowl games, with conference champion Miami, West Division champion Northern Illinois, West Division runner-up Toledo, and East Division runner-up Ohio getting bids. The only bowl-eligible schools not to receive invitations were Western Michigan (6-6) and Temple (8-4), the latter being the first team with a winning record to be passed over for a team with a .500 record under an NCAA rule change.
West Division champion Central Michigan entered the 2009 MAC Championship Game undefeated in MAC play, their only losses coming at Arizona and at Boston College. The Ohio Bobcats were selected to represent the East Division by virtue of a tie-breaking head-to-head victory against the Temple Owls in the final regular-season game; both teams were 9-3 overall and 7-1 in conference games. In a rematch of the 2006 game, Central Michigan again won, for their third MAC championship in four years. Following the game, Central Michigan coach Butch Jones left to become the head coach at the University of Cincinnati. Steve Stripling, the defensive ends coach, became interim head coach and coached the GMAC bowl.[2]
Five MAC teams — Ohio, Temple, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, and Central Michigan — played in post-season bowl games, though only Central Michigan won, defeating Sun Belt Conference champion Troy 44-41 in two overtimes in the 2010 GMAC Bowl. In mid-January, Dan Enos, previously a running backs coach for the Michigan State Spartans, was named the new head coach at Central Michigan.[3] There were no other coaching changes in the conference.
Conference realignment
The Mid-American Conference was entirely left out of the 2010 NCAA conference realignment, with no school entering or leaving the conference. There was some speculation that football-only member Temple was under consideration to become a football-only member of the Big East Conference.[4]
After being rebuffed by the Big East in November,[5] the University of Massachusetts AmherstMinutemen are expected to become a football-only member starting in the fall of 2013, following a two-year transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision. The arrangement is expected to be similar to Temple's, with UMass required to schedule certain numbers of non-conference games in other sports against MAC schools.[6]
Preseason
Preseason poll
The 2010 MAC Preseason poll results were announced at the Football Media Preview in Detroit on July 30. In the West Division, Northern Illinois was picked as champion, while Temple was picked to win the East Division and the MAC Championship Game.[7]
On November 21, the day after Kent State's seventh loss of the season assured them of a losing record, Doug Martin announced that he would resign at the end of the season.[8] On December 20, Kent State athletic director Joel Nielsen introduced former Ohio State receivers coach Darrell Hazell as the new head coach for the Golden Flashes.[9] Hazell was the first Ohio State assistant coach to leave for a head coaching job in six years; the last was Mark Snyder, who was hired by Marshall in 2004.[10]
On November 23, three days after Ball State concluded its season with a 4-8 record, Ball State athletic director Tom Collins announced the firing of Stan Parrish, saying, "As we evaluated the on-field performance and the football program in its entirety, we decided it was time for a change in direction in the leadership of the program".[11] On December 19, Collins announced that he had hired Pete Lembo, formerly the head coach at Elon.[12]
On December 5, Northern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill accepted the position of head coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. His announcement came less than two weeks before the Huskies were scheduled to play in the Humanitarian Bowl. Leaving the team in the manner he did (many teammates learned about his new job via Twitter instead of from Kill himself[13][unreliable source?]) dealt an emotional blow to the members of the team; star quarterback Chandler Harnish saying about Kill's departure, "I have a horrible taste in my mouth". Additionally, besides the emotional impact, USA Today noted "The timing of the announcement further hurts the program due to Kill most likely taking the bulk of his staff to Minnesota."[14] On December 9, linebackers coach Tom Matukewicz was announced as the interim head coach for the Huskies bowl game,[15] and on December 13, the university hired Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Dave Doeren as the head coach, to begin after the Humanitarian Bowl.[citation needed]
On December 12, ESPN reported that Al Golden was offered and accepted the head coaching job at the University of Miami.[16] Prior to the 2010 season, provisions requiring bowls to pick teams with seven or more wins if available before picking six-win teams were eliminated from NCAA bylaws,[17] and Temple was the first team go uninvited under the rule change, despite going 8–4 including a win over eventual Big East BCS representative Connecticut. On December 22, a rumor[18] was quickly confirmed that Florida offensive coordinator, and former Florida interim head coach (winter of 2009–2010), Steve Addazio would be the new Temple coach.[19]
On December 16, ESPN reported that Michael Haywood, who had been named the 2010 Mid-American Conference Football Coach of the Year days before,[20] had accepted the head football coaching position at the University of Pittsburgh.[21] Haywood was arrested in South Bend, Indiana, on December 31, 2010, on felony domestic violence charges arising from a custody dispute, and was fired by Pittsburgh hours after being released on bond the next morning.[22] Defensive backs coach Lance Guidry will coach Miami University in the 2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl.[23] On December 31, 2010, Miami University hired Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell as its head coach.[24]
Schedules
In any given year, each team plays all the other teams in the same division, and about half the teams in the opposite division.
#Rankings from AP / Coaches polls released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Temple running back Bernard Pierce had been considered a possible Heisman candidate before the season, but he was dropped from watchlists following an underwhelming week 1 performance. Pierce carried 20 times for 75 yards and no touchdowns in Temple's win over Villanova.[38]
In week four, two MAC teams (Kent State, Western Michigan) took the week off, while the other eleven teams took to the road. Eight MAC teams visited Big Ten schools, bringing the total MAC versus Big Ten matches to thirteen for the year.[71]
#Rankings from AP / Coaches polls released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
For week twelve, Central Michigan had the week off.
With their win over Ball State, Northern Illinois clinched the West Division championship and a berth to the MAC Championship Game; the Huskies were one game ahead of the next team (Toledo) with one game remaining, and would win a tie-breaker based on their earlier defeat of the Rockets.
#Rankings from AP / Coaches polls released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Ball State did not play in week 13; the Cardinals' final game was on November 20.
With their win over Temple, Miami secured a 7-1 conference record, but because the RedHawks lost to Ohio earlier in the season, they did not win the East Division until the Bobcats lost to Kent State three days later.
During the season, MAC teams played several games against AQ conference opponents. Some of these games are regularly contested rivalry games.
Date
Visitor
Home
Significance
Winning Team
September 2
Northern Illinois
Iowa State
Iowa State
September 3
Arizona
Toledo
Arizona
September 4
Western Michigan
Michigan State
Michigan State
September 4
Miami University
Florida
Florida
September 4
Syracuse
Akron
Syracuse
September 11
Kent State
Boston College
Boston College
September 11
Buffalo
Baylor
Baylor
September 18
Connecticut
Temple
Temple
September 18
Ball State
Purdue
Purdue
September 18
Kent State
Penn State
Penn State
September 18
Ohio
Ohio State
Ohio State
September 18
Northern Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
September 18
Akron
Kentucky
Kentucky
September 25
Buffalo
Connecticut
Connecticut
September 25
Central Michigan
Northwestern
Northwestern
September 25
Bowling Green
Michigan
Michigan
September 25
Ball State
Iowa
Iowa
September 25
Toledo
Purdue
Toledo
September 25
Miami University
Missouri
Missouri
September 25
Eastern Michigan
Ohio State
Ohio State
September 25
Temple
Penn State
Penn State
September 25
Akron
Indiana
Indiana
September 25
Northern Illinois
Minnesota
Northern Illinois
October 9
Central Michigan
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech
October 9
Eastern Michigan
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
October 9
Miami University
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
October 16
Western Michigan
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
October 23
Eastern Michigan
Virginia
Virginia
November 13
Army
Kent State
Army
November 13
Central Michigan
Navy
Navy
Players of the week
Throughout the regular season, the Mid-American Conference offices name offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week for each division. Several players won multiple awards: Matt Rinehart from Kent State was the East Division Special Teams Player of the Week three times ( week 6,9 and 10). Chandler Harnish from Northern Illinois was the West Division Offensive Player of the Week three times(week 5,6 and 11) Paul Hershey from Ohio was the East Division Special Teams Player of the Week twice (week 3 and week 4), Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple was the East Division Defensive Player of the Week twice (week 2 and week 8), Freddy Cortez from Kent State was the East Division Special Teams Player of the Week twice (week 2 and week 8), Nick Harwell from Ball State was the East Division Offensive player of the week twice ( week 9 and week 11), Dwayne Woods from Bowling Green was named East Division Defensive player of the week twice (week 3 and week 11), Trevor Cook from Miami was named East Division Special Teams player of the week twice (week 5 and week 11), Ian McGarvey from Ball State was named West Division Special Teams player of the week twice (week 10 and week 11)and Dwayne Priest of Eastern Michigan was named West Division Offensive player of the week twice (week 1 and week 12). Through week 12, only Akron has failed to produce a Player of the Week.
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
Coach of the Year: Michael Haywood, Miami
Offensive Player of the Year: Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
Defensive Player of the Year: Roosevelt Nix, Kent State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Eric Page, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: Roosevelt Nix, Kent State
[144]
All Conference Teams
2010 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois
Center – Scott Wedige, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Trevor Olson, Northern Illinois
Offensive Linemen – Colin Madison, Temple
Offensive Linemen – Darius Morris, Temple
Offensive Lineman – Joe Flading, Ohio
Tight End – Evan Rodriguez, Temple
Wide Receiver – Juan Nunez, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Eric Page, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Jordan White, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Kamar Jorden, Bowling Green
Running Back – Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Bernard Pierce, Temple
Placekicker – Trevor Cook, Miami
2010 All-MAC First Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Adrian Robinson, Temple
Outside Linebacker – Matt Berning, Central Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Nick Bellore, Central Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Cobrani Mixon, Kent State
Down Lineman – Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple
Down Lineman – Roosevelt Nix, Kent State
Down Lineman – Sean Progar-Jackson, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Elisha Joseph, Temple
Defensive Back – Davonte Shannon, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple
Defensive Back – Domonic Cook, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Chris Smith, Northern Illinois
Punter – Matt Rinehart, Kent State
2010 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Eric Page, Toledo
Punt Return Specialist – Terrell Jackson, Buffalo
2010 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Zac Dysert, Miami
Center – Colin Miller, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Joe Pawlak, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Brandon Brooks, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Jeff Maddux, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – A.J. Strum, Ohio
Tight End – Jordan Thompson, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Armand Robinson, Miami
Wide Receiver – Cody Wilson, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Nick Harwell, Miami
Wide Receiver – Tyshon Goode, Kent State
Running Back – Adonis Thomas, Toledo
Running Back – Matt Brown, Temple
Placekicker – Ian McGarvey, Ball State
2010 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Archie Donald, Toledo
Outside Linebacker – Robert Eddins, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – Elijah 'Peanut' Joseph, Temple
Inside Linebacker – Dwayne Woods, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Stafford Gatling, Ohio
Down Lineman – Austin Brown, Miami
Down Lineman – Shawn Lemon, Akron
Down Lineman – Jake Coffman, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Steven Jackson, Ohio
Defensive Back – Donovan Fletcher, Ohio
Defensive Back – Brian Lainhart, Kent State
Defensive Back – Sean Baker, Ball State
Punter – Bryan Wright, Bowling Green
2010 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Eric Williams, Ball State
Punt Return Specialist – Eugene Cooper, Bowling Green
2010 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Alex Carder, Western Michigan
Center – Chris Anzevino, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Michael Switzer, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Mike VanDerMeulen, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Brian Winters, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Bob Gulley, Miami
Tight End – Jason Schepler, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Michael Campbell, Temple
Wide Receiver – Sam Kirkland, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Landon Cox, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Terrence McCrae, Ohio
Running Back – Eric Williams, Ball State
Running Back – Willie Geter, Bowling Green
Placekicker – John Potter, Western Michigan
2010 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Alex Kube, Northern Illinois
Outside Linebacker – Dorian Wood, Kent State
Inside Linebacker – Devon Butler, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Dan Molls, Toledo
Down Lineman – Sean Murnane, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Paul Hazel, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Chris Jones, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – T.J. Fatinikun, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jahleel Addae, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Vince Agnew, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Jason Pinkston, Ball State
Defensive Back – Jamail Berry, Western Michigan
Punter – Zac Murphy, Miami
2010 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Tommy Davis, Northern Illinois
Punt Return Specialist – Cody Wilson, Central Michigan
On April 28, DT Muhammad Wilkerson, a junior from Temple, was selected by the New York Jets near the end of the first round of the draft, with the 30th overall pick.[145]
^Blaudschun, Mark (December 2, 2010), "UMass still deciding on best move", The Boston Globe, retrieved December 20, 2010, Overtures were made on behalf of UMass to the Big East when the conference announced last month that it was adding two teams. The answer was a polite "not really interested."
^Blaudschun, Mark (December 17, 2010), "UMass expected to move to FBS", The Boston Globe, retrieved December 20, 2010, Nothing can be made official until September, when a moratorium ends preventing FCS schools from jumping to the FBS. After that, UMass would need to go through a two-year transition period before it could be officially admitted to the MAC for the 2013 season...Ideally, the MAC would like to have UMass and Temple join the conference in all sports. But Temple balked at leaving the Atlantic 10, which is a much higher-profile basketball league than the MAC, and UMass agrees. As a compromise for joining in football only, UMass, like Temple, will be required to schedule a certain number of nonconference games against MAC schools in other sports over the next several years.
^Doug Martin To Step Down Following Friday's Game With Ohio, Kent State University, 21 November 2010, archived from the original on 13 December 2010, retrieved 20 December 2010, Kent State University head football coach Doug Martin announced today that he is resigning following the Golden Flashes' game this Friday (Nov. 26) with Ohio in Dix Stadium. Martin informed Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen of his decision Sunday afternoon.
^Tressel statement on Hazell's departure, December 20, 2010, retrieved December 21, 2010, Amazingly, Hazell is the first Tressel assistant to leave Ohio State for a head-coaching position since defensive coordinator Mark Snyder left for Marshall after the 2004 season.
^"Bylaw 18.7.2 Postseason Football Championship and Postseason Bowl Licensing."(PDF), 2010–11 NCAA Division I Manual, National Collegiate Athletic Association, pp. 316–17, retrieved December 20, 2010 Note that there is no provision in this rule that gives any preference to teams with seven or more wins over 6–6 teams.
^Kern, Mike (December 22, 2010), "Sources: Temple to hire Addazio", The Philadelphia Inquirer, retrieved December 23, 2010, Temple University is expected to hire Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio as its next head football coach, sources close to the situation told the Daily News today.
^"Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio to be hired as Temple football coach", Orlando Sentinel, December 22, 2010, retrieved December 23, 2010, Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will be the next head coach at Temple, a University of Florida official confirmed...The Philadelphia Daily News first reported that Addazio would accept the position Wednesday afternoon after several papers in Pennsylvania had been reporting that he was a candidate for the opening left when Al Golden accepted the Miami job on Dec. 12.
^Adelson, Andrea (September 7, 2010). "Non-AQ Heisman Watch". ESPN. Retrieved September 21, 2010. Dropping Out...Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple. Was held to 75 yards on 20 carries and no touchdowns in a win over Villanova.
^Adelson, Andrea (September 21, 2010). "MAC gets shot at measuring up to Big Ten". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2010. So far this season, the MAC is 0-5 against the Big Ten, losing by an average of 20 points. Many more measuring sticks will be out this Saturday, with eight MAC vs. Big Ten games on the schedule.
^Adelson, Andrea (September 13, 2010). "Non-AQ Players of the Week". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 16, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
^Adelson, Andrea (September 27, 2010). "Non-AQ Players of the Week". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 29, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
