The MAC season awards were handed out Monday, and NIU garnered seven First Team All-MAC selections.

Senior wide receiver Sam Hurd and junior running back Garrett Wolfe were recognized on the offensive side of the ball and were joined by the offensive line trio of Brian Van Acker, Ben Lueck and junior tackle Doug Free.

Senior defensive tackle Quince Holman and senior strong safety Ray Smith were first team selections on defense.

For the first time in 24 years, two players shared the Vern Smith Leadership Award. Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and Western Michigan wide receiver Greg Jennings split the league’s top award.

Coach of the Year went to WMU’s Bill Cubit, who pulled off the biggest turnaround in MAC history by going 7-4 after a 1-10 record last season. Jennings also won Offensive Player of the Year, while Central Michigan’s Dan Bazuin took home Defensive Player of the Year. WMU quarterback Tim Hiller won Freshman of the Year, while Toledo’s Jason Robbins garnered Special Teams Player of the Year.

NIU junior tight end Jake Nordin was also named to the Second Team All-MAC.

Take a free ride

Students planning a road trip to Detroit to see NIU play Akron now have an easy way to get there. The NIU Athletics Marketing and Promotions office, in coordination with the Campus Activities Board, the Student Association and other campus groups, is providing six buses for transportation to Ford Field Thursday for the game.

There are currently 314 seats allotted for the trip and the bus ride is free. All students need to do is purchase a $5 game ticket at the Convocation Center and sign up for a bus spot. The buses are scheduled to leave at 8 a.m. from the Convocation Center and will return after the game’s completion.

Marketing and Promotions Director Todd Garzarelli added that there will also be a halftime promotion that NIU students can participate in. One person from each of the six buses will be selected to kick field goals from 10 yards out against six Akron students.

Whichever side kicks the most field goals will be declared the winner and will receive free gas for a year courtesy of Marathon.

Garzarelli added that the game is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for NIU students to come out and support their team in a MAC championship game.

Proposal Accepted

With his teammates celebrating a MAC West title at Huskie Stadium Wednesday, senior offensive guard Jake Ebenhoch had something else on his mind. He immediately found cheerleader Ashley Ahern and proposed on the field following NIU’s 42-7 victory over Western Michigan.

Fellow senior offensive linemen Van Acker and Lueck were carrying a bucket of Gatorade to douse Coach Joe Novak with. But when the duo saw the on-field proposal, they made a beeline for Ebenhoch and soaked him as soon as he put the ring on Ahern’s finger.

“I mean, you can’t propose on a football field without getting a little wet,” Van Acker said.

Rusch-ing Back to action

After sitting out the last two games with a knee sprain, freshman defensive end Craig Rusch will be ready to play against Akron Dec. 1, Novak said.

Rusch is very close to 100 percent. Despite appearing in only seven games this season, Rusch leads the team with three forced fumbles and is tied for the team lead with five sacks.

Toledo Bowling

ESPN reports that Toledo accepted a bid to play in the GMAC Bowl on Dec. 21 on Monday. The GMAC Bowl will be played in Mobile, Ala. with Toledo (8-3 overall, 6-2 MAC) facing a to-be-determined opponent from Conference USA.

Toledo’s acceptance means that NIU will go to the Motor City Bowl if they win the MAC championship.

Solich Convicted

Ohio Coach Frank Solich was convicted of drunken driving Monday, two days after police found him slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle.

Solich, who grew up in Ohio, led the Bobcats to a 4-7 record in his first season as head coach.