MAC Football Championship Game

Football game

For the basketball championships, see Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament and Mid-American Conference women's basketball tournament

MAC Football
Championship Game

Sport| College football
Conference| Mid-American Conference
Current stadium| Ford Field
Current location| Detroit, Michigan
Played| 1997–present
Last contest| 2024
Current champion| Ohio Bobcats
Most championships| Marshall, Northern Illinois (5)
TV partner(s)| ESPN/ESPN2
Official website| MAC-Sports.com football
Sponsors
Marathon Petroleum (2003–2019)
Rocket Mortgage (2020–2022)
Host stadiums
Marshall University Stadium (1997–2000, 2002)
Glass Bowl (2001)
Doyt Perry Stadium (2003)
Ford Field (2004–present)
Host locations
Huntington, West Virginia (1997–2000, 2002)
Toledo, Ohio (2001)
Bowling Green, Ohio (2003)
Detroit, Michigan (2004–present)

The MAC Football Championship Game is an annual postseason college football game played to determine the champion of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

## History

[edit]

Locations of the full members of the Mid-American Conference.

The game has been played since 1997, when the conference was first divided into divisions. For the 2024 season the MAC eliminated divisions and the game now features the teams with the best conference records.[1] A new tiebreaker system was established to compare teams with the same conference record.[2] The winner of the game is guaranteed a berth in a bowl game which the MAC has contractual obligations to field a team. Unlike the MAC's Group of Five contemporaries, which hold their respective championship games on campus sites, the MAC Championship Game is held at a neutral site. Ford Field in Detroit has been the venue since 2004 and is scheduled to host through at least 2025.[3][4]

In 2000, 2001, and 2007, due to an unbalanced conference schedule, the team with best division record within each division was awarded that division's championship game berth. In other years, the teams with the best overall conference records received a berth. Starting in 2024 the MAC will eliminate divisions and include the two teams with the best overall conference records.[5]

The game is held on the first Saturday in December, on the same weekend that other NCAA Division I FBS conferences hold their championship games.

## Results

[edit]

Below are the results from all MAC Football Championship Games played. The winning team appears in bold font, on a background of their primary team color. Rankings are from the AP Poll released prior to the game.

From 1997 through 2003, the championship game was played at campus sites. Since 2004, the game has been played at Ford Field in Detroit where it is scheduled to be held through at least 2025.[6]

Year  | West  | East  | Site  | Attendance

|
|
|
|

1997 |  Toledo Rockets | 14  |  Marshall Thundering Herd | 34 | Marshall University Stadium • Huntington, WV | 28,021
1998 |  Toledo Rockets | 17  |  Marshall Thundering Herd | 23 | 28,085
1999 |  Western Michigan Broncos | 30  | 11 Marshall Thundering Herd | 34 | 28,069
2000 |  Western Michigan Broncos | 14  |  Marshall Thundering Herd | 19 | 24,816
2001 |  Toledo Rockets | 41 | 20 Marshall Thundering Herd | 36  | Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH | 20,025
2002 |  Toledo Rockets | 45  | 24 Marshall Thundering Herd | 49 | Marshall University Stadium • Huntington, WV  | 24,582
2003 | 20 Bowling Green Falcons | 27  | 13 Miami RedHawks | 49 | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | 24,813
2004 |  Toledo Rockets | 35 |  Miami RedHawks | 27  | Ford Field • Detroit, MI | 22,138
2005 |  Northern Illinois Huskies | 30  |  Akron Zips | 31 | 12,051
2006 |  Central Michigan Chippewas | 31 |  Ohio Bobcats | 10  | 25,483
2007 |  Central Michigan Chippewas | 35 |  Miami RedHawks | 10  | 25,013
2008 | 12 Ball State Cardinals | 24  |  Buffalo Bulls | 42 | 12,871
2009 |  Central Michigan Chippewas | 20 |  Ohio Bobcats | 10  | 23,714
2010 | 24 Northern Illinois Huskies | 21  |  Miami RedHawks | 26 | 12,031
2011 |  Northern Illinois Huskies | 23 |  Ohio Bobcats | 20  | 13,052
2012 | 19 Northern Illinois Huskies | 442OT | 18 Kent State Golden Flashes | 37  | 18,132
2013 | 16 Northern Illinois Huskies | 27  |  Bowling Green Falcons | 47 | 21,106
2014 |  Northern Illinois Huskies | 51 |  Bowling Green Falcons | 17  | 15,110
2015 |  Northern Illinois Huskies | 14  |  Bowling Green Falcons | 34 | 16,425
2016 | 13 Western Michigan Broncos | 29 |  Ohio Bobcats | 23  | 45,615
2017 | Toledo Rockets  | 45 |  Akron Zips | 28  | 16,225
2018 |  Northern Illinois Huskies | 30 |  Buffalo Bulls | 29  | 10,255
2019 | Central Michigan Chippewas | 21  |  Miami RedHawks | 26 | 22,427
2020 | Ball State Cardinals | 38 | 23 Buffalo Bulls | 28  | 0‡
2021 |  Northern Illinois Huskies | 41 | Kent State Golden Flashes | 23  | 10,317
2022 | Toledo Rockets  | 17 | Ohio Bobcats | 7  | 15,550
2023 | Toledo Rockets | 14  | Miami RedHawks | 23 | 20,200
Year  | No. 1 seed  | No. 2 seed  | Site  | Attendance
2024 | Miami RedHawks | 3  | Ohio Bobcats | 38 | Ford Field • Detroit, MI  | 15,478

‡ 2020 game attendance was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

### Results by team

[edit]

Appearances  | School  | Wins  | Losses  | Win %  | Year(s) Won  | Year(s) Lost

|
|
|
|
|
|

9  | Northern Illinois Huskies | 5  | 4  | .556  | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021  | 2005, 2010, 2013, 2015
8  | Toledo Rockets | 4  | 4  | .500  | 2001, 2004, 2017, 2022  | 1997, 1998, 2002, 2023
7  | Miami RedHawks | 4  | 3  | .571  | 2003, 2010, 2019, 2023  | 2004, 2007, 2024
6  | Marshall Thundering Herd | 5  | 1  | .833  | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002  | 2001
6  | Ohio Bobcats | 1  | 5  | .167  | 2024  | 2006, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2022
4  | Central Michigan Chippewas | 3  | 1  | .750  | 2006, 2007, 2009  | 2019
4  | Bowling Green Falcons | 2  | 2  | .500  | 2013, 2015  | 2003, 2014
3  | Buffalo Bulls | 1  | 2  | .333  | 2008  | 2018, 2020
3  | Western Michigan Broncos | 1  | 2  | .333  | 2016  | 1999, 2000
2  | Akron Zips | 1  | 1  | .500  | 2005  | 2017
2  | Ball State Cardinals | 1  | 1  | .500  | 2020  | 2008
2  | Kent State Golden Flashes | 0  | 2  | .000  |   | 2012, 2021

Eastern Michigan and UMass are the only teams currently in the conference to have not qualified for a Championship Game. Marshall is the only Championship Game Winner to not be a current member of the MAC. Bowling Green is the only team that has represented both the East and West Divisions in the Championship Game (was a member of the West Division prior to Marshall's departure from the MAC). Temple and UCF were previously in the conference during this era and never reached the championship game; UMass will return to the MAC in 2025.

### Common matchups

[edit]

Matchups that have occurred more than once:

# of Times  | East Division  | West Division  | Record  | Years played

|
|
|
|

4  | Marshall  | Toledo  | Marshall, 3–1  | 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002
3  | Bowling Green  | Northern Illinois  | Bowling Green, 2–1  | 2013, 2014, 2015
2  | Marshall  | Western Michigan  | Marshall, 2–0  | 1999, 2000
2  | Ohio  | Central Michigan  | Central Michigan, 2–0  | 2006, 2009
2  | Miami  | Central Michigan  | Tied, 1–1  | 2007, 2019
2  | Buffalo  | Ball State  | Tied, 1–1  | 2008, 2020
2  | Kent State  | Northern Illinois  | Northern Illinois, 2–0  | 2012, 2021

## MVPs

[edit]

Year | MVP(s) | Team | Position

|
|
|

1997 | Randy Moss | Marshall | WR
1998 | Chad Pennington | QB
1999
2000 | Byron Leftwich
2001 | Chester Taylor | Toledo | RB
2002 | Byron Leftwich | Marshall | QB
2003 | Ben Roethlisberger | Miami
2004 | Bruce Gradkowski | Toledo
2005 | Luke Getsy | Akron
2006 | Damien Linson | Central Michigan | WR
2007 | Dan LeFevour | QB
2008 | Mike Newton | Buffalo | DB
2009 | Dan LeFevour | Central Michigan | QB
2010 | Thomas Merriweather | Miami | RB
2011 | Nathan Palmer | Northern Illinois | WR
2012 | Jordan Lynch | QB
2013 | Matt Johnson | Bowling Green
2014 | Drew Hare | Northern Illinois
2015 | Travis Greene | Bowling Green | RB
2016 | Corey Davis | Western Michigan | WR
2017 | Logan Woodside | Toledo | QB (Offensive)
Danzel McKinley-Lewis | WR (Special Teams)
2018 | Marcus Childers | Northern Illinois | QB (Offensive)
Sutton Smith | LB (Defensive)
2019 | Jack Sorenson | Miami | WR (Offensive)
Emmanuel Rugamba | LB (Defensive)
2020 | Drew Plitt | Ball State | QB (Offensive)
Jimmy Daw | LB (Defensive)
2021 | Jay Ducker | Northern Illinois | RB (Offensive)
C.J. Brown | DB (Defensive)
John Richardson | PK (Special Teams)
2022 | Dequan Finn | Toledo | QB (Offensive)
Dyontae Johnson | LB (Defensive)
Jonathon Batzke | P (Special Teams)
2023 | Aveon Smith | Miami | QB (Offensive)
Matt Salopek | LB (Defensive)
Graham Nicholson | K (Special Teams)
2024 | Parker Navarro | Ohio | QB (Offensive)
Bradley Weaver | DE (Defensive)
Gianni Spetic | K (Special Teams)

## Game records

[edit]

Team  | Record, Team vs. Opponent  | Year

|
|

Most points scored (one team)  | 51, Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green  | 2014
Most points scored (losing team)  | 45, Toledo vs. Marshall  | 2002
Fewest points scored (winning team)  | 17, Toledo vs. Ohio  | 2022
Fewest points scored  | 3, Miami vs. Ohio  | 2024
Most points scored (both teams)  | 94, Marshall (49) vs. Toledo (45)  | 2002
Fewest points scored (both teams)  | 24, Toledo (17) vs. Ohio (7)  | 2022
Most points scored in a half  | 35, Buffalo (2nd half) vs. Ball State
Ball State (1st half) vs. Buffalo  | 2008
2020
Most points scored in a half (both teams)  | 49, Marshall vs. Toledo (2nd half)  | 2002
Largest margin of victory  | 35, Ohio (38) vs. Miami (3)  | 2024
Smallest margin of victory  | 1, Akron (31) vs. Northern Illinois (30)
Northern Illinois (30) vs. Buffalo (29)  | 2005
2018
Total yards  | 576, Miami (440 passing, 136 rushing) vs. Bowling Green  | 2003
Rushing yards  | 334, Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green  | 2014
Passing yards  | 440, Miami vs. Bowling Green  | 2003
First downs  | 32, Ohio vs. Miami  | 2024
Fewest yards allowed  | 189, Ohio vs. Miami (127 passing, 62 rushing)  | 2024
Fewest rushing yards allowed  | 37, Western Michigan vs. Ohio  | 2016
Fewest passing yards allowed  | 102, Kent State vs. Northern Illinois  | 2021
Individual  | Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent  | Year
All-purpose yards | 448, Ben Roethlisberger, Miami vs. Bowling Green | 2003
Touchdowns (all-purpose) | 5, Matt Johnson, Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois | 2013
Rushing yards | 270, Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois vs. Akron | 2005
Rushing touchdowns | 4, Trinity Dawson, Toledo vs. Marshall | 2002
Passing yards | 440, Ben Roethlisberger, Miami vs. Bowling Green | 2003
Passing touchdowns | 5, Matt Johnson, Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois | 2013
Receiving yards | 191, Damien Linson, Central Michigan vs. Ohio | 2006
Receiving touchdowns | 4, Denero Marriott, Marshall vs. Toledo | 2001
Tackles | 17, Ty Wise, Miami vs. Ohio | 2024
Sacks | 2, shared by nine players, most recent:
Tyrece Woods Jr., Buffalo vs. Ball State | 2020
Interceptions | 2, Dechane Durante, Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green | 2014
Long Plays  | Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent  | Year
Touchdown run | 96, Ontario Sneed, Central Michigan vs. Ohio | 2006
Touchdown pass | 86, Randy Moss from Chad Pennington, Marshall vs. Toledo | 1997
Kickoff return | 64, Clint Stephens, Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois | 2014
Punt return | 48, Danzel McKinley-Lewis, Toledo vs. Akron | 2017
Interception return | 64, Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green | 2015
Fumble return | 92, Mike Newton, Buffalo vs. Ball State | 2008
Punt | 75, Curtis Head, Marshall vs. Toledo | 2001
Field goal | 52, shared by:
Chris Nendick, Northern Illinois vs. Akron
Tyler Tate, Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois
Gianni Spetic, Ohio vs. Miami |
2005
2013
2024
Miscellaneous  | Record, Team vs. Team  | Year
Game attendance | 45,615, Ohio vs. Western Michigan | 2016

Source:[7]

## Photo gallery

[edit]

* Before 2006 MAC Championship Game

* 2006 MAC Championship: Central Michigan vs. Ohio

## See also

[edit]

* List of NCAA Division I FBS conference championship games

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ramsey, Jared (November 30, 2023). "MAC to replace divisions with new system for 2024". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
2. ^ "MAC Announces New Football Tiebreaker Procedures". MAC. September 18, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
3. ^ "MAC Announces Three Year Contract Extension With Ford Field". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
4. ^ Kelly, Kyle (November 30, 2023). "MAC signs three-year extension to keep football title game at Ford Field". FBS Schedules. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
5. ^ Paul, Tony (November 30, 2023). "Mid-American Conference to go to pods alignment for 2024". Detroit News. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
6. ^ Kelly, Kevin (2023-11-30). "MAC Championship Game to remain in Detroit through 2025 season". FBS Schedules. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
7. ^ "C-USA Records Master" (PDF). conferenceusa.com. pp. 35–36. Retrieved December 3, 2021.

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MAC Football Championship Game

Years|

* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Venues|

* Marshall University Stadium (1997–2000, 2002)
* Glass Bowl (2001)
* Doyt Perry Stadium (2003)
* Ford Field (2004–present)

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Mid-American Conference football

Current teams|

* Akron Zips
* Ball State Cardinals
* Bowling Green Falcons
* Buffalo Bulls
* Central Michigan Chippewas
* Eastern Michigan Eagles
* Kent State Golden Flashes
* Miami RedHawks
* Northern Illinois Huskies (leaving in 2026)
* Ohio Bobcats
* Toledo Rockets
* UMass Minutemen
* Western Michigan Broncos

Championships and awards|

* MAC Championship Game
* Season Champions
* All-time standings
* Mid-American Conference football individual awards

Seasons|

* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
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NCAA Division I FBS conference championship games

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