The chances for the NIU football team to get into a bowl game are a little bit bleaker after Boise State accepted an invitation Tuesday to play in the Fort Worth Bowl against Texas Christian University.

On ESPN.com’s Bowl Projections for Dec. 1, three of the four weekly panelists had NIU projected to play in the Fort Worth Bowl.

A matchup between the Horned Frogs and the Huskies would’ve featured the two mid-majors, who both saw time in the BCS top 10.

NIU Athletic Director Cary Groth had lunch Monday afternoon with Fort Worth Bowl Executive Director Tom Starr, who said NIU was one of six teams the committee was considering.

A bowl possibility is the Motor City Bowl. Miami-Ohio already has accepted a bid to the GMAC bowl, so if the RedHawks win the MAC title, the Motor City Bowl, the MAC’s other bowl tie-in can choose whichever team it wants.

However, if Bowling Green wins Thursday’s MAC Championship game, the Motor City Bowl would be obligated to take the Falcons.

Northwestern looks like it will be the Big 10’s No. 7 seed representative in the Motor City Bowl. So with a BGSU loss, a possible in-state game between Northwestern and the Huskies could occur.

“I think the atmosphere would be good for a possible bowl game with Northwestern,” NIU cornerback Randee Drew said. “The in-state rivalry looks attractive to the Motor City Bowl people, I think. I’ve never played in a bowl game. I could care less if we play Anchorage, Alaska, though. I just want to play another game.”

Senior games

Drew will get to play at least one more game regardless of whether NIU gets invited to a bowl.

The 6-foot defensive back will participate in the Las Vegas Paradise Bowl Senior Game on Jan. 17.

Drew isn’t the only Huskies senior participating in postseason all-star games. NIU running back Michael Turner committed to the East-West Shrine Football Classic in San Francisco on Jan. 10 and the Senior Bowl on Jan. 24.

Safety Akil Grant will play in the Gridiron Classic on Jan. 31 in Orlando.

Show me the money

Drew plans to play in the NFL and is looking for an agent to help market him once the season is officially over.

Drew said he has narrowed his choices to four agents but can’t officially sign until NIU’s season is over.

“I want to find an agent that, one, I like as person, and two, can market me,” Drew said. “I want the guy that gives me the best chance to continue playing and go pro.”

MAC awards

The MAC announced three more postseason awards on Tuesday.

Miami-Ohio quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year, earning 29 of the 47 votes. Turner finished second with nine votes, while BGSU quarterback Josh Harris finished third.

Western Michigan defensive end Jason Babin was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year.

Miami-Ohio coach Terry Hoeppner was a landslide pick for MAC Coach of the Year, with NIU coach Joe Novak finishing second. Novak received seven votes to Hoeppner’s 31. Bowling Green’s Gregg Brandon finished third.

Snubbed again?

NIU running back Michael Turner failed to make the list of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award for the second year in a row.

Turner was named a semi-finalist on Nov. 19 for the award recognizing the nation’s best running back.

He is the only player to be on both last year’s and this year’s semi-finalist list.

The finalists are Chris Perry, Michigan; Darren Sproles, Kansas State; Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech.

The winner will be announced Dec. 11 on ESPN’s “Home Depot College Football Awards.”

Remember this Titan

On Monday night, former NIU receiver Justin McCareins extended his streak of reaching the end zone to four games as he caught a 59-yard touchdown pass to give the Titans an early 7-0 lead.

The Titans lost, though, leaving them tied in the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts. The two teams will meet Sunday in Tennessee for sole possession of first place in the division.

The game also will be a reunion for McCareins and former NIU offensive lineman Ryan Diem, who is the starting right tackle for the Colts.

Former Kent State basketball star Antonio Gates, a tight end for the San Diego Chargers, also found the end zone on Sunday. Gates scored on an 18-yard pass from Doug Flutie as time expired. He had three catches for 49 yards on Sunday.