NIU Ends Kent State’s BCS Hopes in 2OT

Kent State's hopes of playing in a BCS bowl were ended Friday when Northern Illinois scored a touchdown in the second overtime and then intercepted a fourth down pass to edge the Golden Flashes, 44-37 to win the Mid-American Conference Championship.

Kent State went into the game ranked #17 in the BCS standings and would have moved into the top 16 with a win, which would have insured them a berth, probably in the Orange Bowl.

The Golden Flashes (11-2), trailed by two touchdowns with five minutes left in regulation, but got a touchdown on offense and then recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to force the overtime period.

Both teams hit a field goal in the first overtime.

It is the second consecutive MAC title for NIU (12-1), who snapped Kent State's ten game winning streak.  The Huskies were ranked #21 in the BCS standings last week.