NIU football may benefit from the fourth-quarter brawl between Clemson and South Carolina on Saturday.

The Tigers and Gamecocks announced Monday that they will not accept bowl bids for this season, possibly opening up another spot for a MAC team. FoxSports.com has six MAC teams, NIU included, receiving bowl games.

“Football is a team sport,” said South Carolina athletic director Mike McGee in a statement Monday. “The punishment will be one that will affect the entire team.”

With 28 bowl games, 56 Division I-A teams will receive bids.

The ACC, Clemson’s conference, has seven bowl bids this season, but now will only have six eligible teams.

The SEC currently has six bowl-eligible teams without South Carolina and could have seven if Arkansas (5-5) wins Nov. 26 against LSU. Even if Arkansas wins, the SEC, who has eight bowl tie-ins, will be a team short.

“It makes our chances that much better,” said NIU coach Joe Novak of the new bowl openings.

Novak talked to his team after Monday’s practice about the melee.

“That was appalling,” Novak said of the brawl. “I told our players I love to win as much as anybody, but I never would cheat to win and have too much respect for this game. These kids need to realize the influence they have on others.”

The brawl started with 5:48 remaining in the game, when Clemson defensive lineman Bobby Williamson brought down South Carolina quarterback Syvelle Newton.

After both benches cleared, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden and South Carolina coach Lou Holtz rushed to the center of the brawl, hoping to break it up. Police were needed to break up the fight, but no fans were involved.

“This is more than just a football issue,” said Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips in a statement Monday. “The circumstances surrounding Saturday’s game have impacted the perception of the character and integrity of the university.”

The incident came only a day after the Indiana Pacers’ Ron Artest rushed into the crowd against the Detroit Pistons, causing the game to end early. Artest, who was suspended for the rest of the season, received the most severe punishment of the nine players from both teams who were suspended.