April’s NFL draft saw two MAC players, Ben Roethlisberger and Jason Babin, selected in the first round for the first time in conference history.

Their replacements, along with three others filling the shoes of last year’s MAC stars, have been forced to assume more responsibility.

One of them, sophomore quarterback Omar Jacobs, will start for Bowling Green Friday night when NIU hosts the Falcons in a nationally televised game.

Jacobs replaced Josh Harris, who led the Falcons to a MAC West title and bowl win over Northwestern last season. Harris is now on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.

Harris gained a reputation as a double threat with both his arm and his legs, but Jacobs prefers to stay in the pocket.

“We’re different quarterbacks,” said 6-foot-4, 222-pound Jacobs. “I’m more of a pocket-passer, but I can run at any given time.”

Jacobs has led the Falcons to a 1-1 record. They opened the season by visiting national powerhouse Oklahoma, who defeated Bowling Green 40-24.

“That was exciting and a great experience for me,” Jacobs said. “It was a great opportunity for me to showcase my abilities.”

Those abilities have produced a 61-percent completion rate to go along with 503 passing yards and six touchdowns versus just one interception. Having Cole Magner and Charles Sharon, who were the Falcons’ leading receivers last season, to throw the ball to has been comforting for Jacobs.

“It’s great to have those guys beside me,” Jacobs said. “They have a lot of experience and give me a comfort zone. That’s one less thing I have to worry about.”

Jacobs soaked in all he could from Harris in 2003 before Harris left for the NFL. Two facets of Harris’ game in particular impressed Jacobs.

“His preparation and leadership abilities really stood out,” Jacobs said. “I just watched him and saw what he did on and off the field.”

A Delray Beach, Fla. native, Jacobs is smart enough to understand he will not be able to duplicate everything Harris did.

“I’m another quarterback,” Jacobs said. “I try not to look at myself as Josh’s replacement. Josh was a great quarterback for this university, and I’m trying to be another one.”

Here is a rundown of the other four players replacing last year’s MAC stars.

A.J. Harris, RB, NIU

Harris is now the starting running back for the Huskies after Michael Turner, NIU’s all-time leading rusher. The San Diego Chargers chose him in the fifth round of April’s draft.

He has seen playing time in both of the Chargers’ games this season but does not have a carry or reception to show for it.

A Wheaton native, Harris has picked up right where Turner left off. He leads the MAC with 327 rushing yards on 75 carries. He also has six receptions for 15 yards.

The 6-foot-1, 221-pound Harris left favoring his right shoulder during Saturday’s loss to Iowa State, but NIU coach Joe Novak said the shoulder is all right now.

Jack Gitler, DE, Western Michigan

Gitler has the unenviable task of trying to pick up the slack left by the departure of Babin, who terrorized MAC offenses last season to the tune of 33 tackles for loss, including 15 sacks.

The Houston Texans, who moved him to outside linebacker, took Babin with the 27th pick of the draft. He has provided immediate returns for the Texans, starting their first two games and collecting 10 tackles and one sack.

Babin overshadowed 6-foot-2, 254-pound Gitler because his 19 tackles for loss would have led many teams. He has two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery thus far in 2004.

Josh Betts, QB, Miami of Ohio

Betts is taking the place of Roethlisberger, who the Pittsburgh Steelers picked up with the 11th pick of the draft.

Roethlisberger gets his first pro start Sunday when the Steelers visit the Miami Dolphins.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Betts is 2-2 as the starting quarterback for the RedHawks. He threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in a nationally televised nightmare at Michigan, but led Miami to a 40-21 victory over Ohio Saturday in his team’s MAC opener.

On the season, Betts has thrown for 1,099 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has rushed for 82 yards.

“He’s about on schedule and where I thought he’d be at this point,” Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. “He’s got a strong arm, and he’s a run threat.”

Josh Davis, WR, Marshall

Davis is now quarterback Stan Hill’s favorite target after the Denver Broncos picked up Darius Watts in the second round of the draft.

Watts has two catches for 33 yards in Denver’s first two games this season.

Davis wasn’t far behind Watts last season, as he put up 823 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Life after Watts has not been nice to the Thundering Herd in 2004 as they have lost their first three games of the season. Davis has 11 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left a giant hole in the Miami-Ohio offense when he left the RedHawks as a junior to enter the NFL Draft.