Kent State and Northern Illinois battled for nearly four hours Friday night in Detroit and the two teams needed extra periods to decide who would walk away with the Mid-American Conference Championship.

The Flashes kept hanging on and keeping the game close throughout the night, but the Huskies were simply too much for the Flashes to handle.

NIU Quarterback Jordan Lynch tallied 372 total yards and scored four touchdowns as the Huskies defeated the Flashes 44-37 in double overtime to win their second straight MAC Championship.

Lynch threw for 212 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 160 yards and three more scores to propel NIU to the victory in the second overtime session.

It was a heartbreaking finish for a Kent State team looking for its first MAC title since 1972. Head coach Darrell Hazell said getting over a loss like this will take awhile.

“This is a tough one for us to swallow right now,” Hazell said. “That’s a great football team we played, and I’m proud of our team for battling back when we were down 14 points.”

The Flashes’ running game, which had been the team’s main strength this season, was stifled for most of the night by NIU’s defense and ended the game with only 92 rushing yards. Junior running back Dri Archer, Kent State’s leading rusher, was held to just 15 yards on 12 carries.

In the first overtime game in the history of the MAC Championship game, both teams matched one another with a field goal in the first extra period. Senior kicker Freddy Cortez converted on a 33-yard field goal to give the Flashes a 37-34 lead, and NIU kicker Matthew Sims answered by booting a 40-yarder to tie it up once again.

In the second period, Lynch followed a 23-yard run by halfback Akeem Daniels by keeping the ball and diving into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown run. When Kent State tried to answer on its chance to score, senior quarterback Spencer Keith threw an interception that ended the game.

Hazell said the Flashes had a difficult time handling Lynch all game and added that the team just didn’t make enough plays down the stretch.

“We just needed to make a few more plays at the end,” Hazell said. “That’s an excellent football team, and their quarterback is exceptional. We had a hard time tackling him all day. Right now, the guys in our locker room are hurting.”

The first turning point of the game came relatively early in the first quarter when NIU fumbled on a punt return and Kent State recovered deep in Huskies territory. The Flashes didn’t hesitate to capitalize on the turnover, as Archer took the handoff on a reverse two plays later and ran 15 yards for the touchdown.

The Flashes tacked on three more points in the first quarter when Cortez kicked a 37-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10.

NIU would begin its rally late in the first. After Lynch converted on a fourth down with a 17-yard run, Huskies kicker Matthew Simms booted a 27-yard field goal through the uprights to move within a touchdown of the Flashes.

In the second quarter, Lynch led the Huskies 59 yards on six plays and finished off the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Martel Moore, tying the score at 10.

Kent State quarterback Spencer Keith attempted to get the Flashes offense going in the second, but Keith’s long pass attempt was intercepted by Huskies safety Dechane Durante. Momentum immediately shifted back to NIU, and the Huskies turned the mistake into points with a touchdown run by Akeem Daniels to take 17-10 lead.

NIU carried that lead into halftime after racking up 245 total first half yards against the Flashes. Kent State gained only 50 yards in the first half.

The second half featured much of the same with the Flashes gaining very few yards on offense. While they managed to put another field goal on the scoreboard to cut into the deficit, Kent State’s offense never played at the level it had during the regular season.

The Huskies offense continued to excel in the third quarter, especially on third downs. NIU converted on three straight third-down plays at one point and capped off a 75-yard drive with a touchdown run by Lynch. NIU followed up with a 29-yard field goal to take a two-touchdown lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Flashes began to show life in the fourth quarter, sparked by a 60-yard pass from Keith to Archer to get them into Huskies territory. Keith then took a page out of Lynch’s playbook with three straight quarterback keepers — the last of which got him into the end zone for his fourth rushing score of the season.

With Kent State trailing 27-20, Lynch took a hit and fumbled the football on the NIU 29 yard line. Junior linebacker Zach Hitchens scooped up the ball and took it back for a touchdown, tying the game with 4:38 remaining.

The Huskies responded almost immediately as they drove 75 yards in four plays ending with a nine-yard touchdown run by Lynch.

Kent State had one last chance to tie the game up yet again. After a few successful passing plays moved the Flashes down the field, Keith found junior tight end Tim Erjavec in the end zone for the touchdown that sent the game into overtime.

Despite the loss, the Flashes season is not over. The team will receive a bowl invitation Sunday night

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].

Live Blog

10:50

In the end, Jordan Lynch was just too much for the Flashes defense. Congratulations to NIU on a great game. Also, congratulations to the Flashes for a great effort. Thanks to everyone who followed along.

10:47

Spencer Keith throws a prayer into the endzone and it’s intercepted by Demetrius Stone. The Flashes fall to NIU 44-37 in double overtime.

10:46

Flashes are now looking at a fourth down and eight at the nine yard line. Darrell Hazell calls a timeout. It’s basically all or nothing for Kent State right here.

10:44

Pass interference called on NIU. Kent State gets a new set of downs and are sitting at the nine yard line.

10:43

Third and eight for the Flashes from the 24 yard line. Kent State is in big trouble.

10:41

The Flashes need a TD and an extra point to stay alive. You have to believe it’s Dri Archer time for Kent State.

10:40

Jordan Lynch leaps into the endzone from the two yard line. The Huskies score in two plays and less than one minute.

10:37

The FG is good. Great kick by NIU kicker Matthew Sims. We’ll go into the second overtime period tied at 37. This time, the Huskies will get the ball first, and the Flashes will see what they need to beat.

10:36

The Flashes force a three-and-out of sorts. NIU will be forced to go for the tie and kick a 40-yard FG.

10:34

In one of the more questionable offensive calls of the year, the Flashes run a reverse to the fullback, who fumbles the ball. Luckily for Kent State, Spencer Keith recovered. Cortez knocked in a FG. NIU needs a touchdown to win the MAC Championship. 37-34 Flashes.

10:31

Sophomore running back Trayion Durham rumbles to the five yard line. The Huskies take their only timeout of the overtime period. Second and one for the Flashes.

10:29

It’s probably safe to say this format favors the Huskies because of their prolific offense. However, Kent State converted on a thrid down, and now have a first and 10 at the 14 yard line.

10:26

NIU won the coin toss and will go on defense first. That means they will know what their offense will need to either win or force another overtime period when they get the ball.

10:24

Overtime rules: Each team gets one timeout. Each team gets a possession starting at the 25 yard line per period. In the third overtime, teams must go for two-point conversations in lieu of extra points.

10:23

Free football at Ford Field. The Flashes stop the NIU offense and we are going to overtime with the score tied at 34. This will be the first overtime game since 2008 for the Flashes.

10:21

Cortez crushes another kickoff, and NIU will start from their own 20. The Huskies offense has gained yards in bunches. Overtime is not guaranteed just yet.

10:19

Spencer Keith scrambles to his left and throws a TD pass to Tim Erjavec. Cortez ties the game once again. The KSU faithful are going crazy at Ford Field. 34-34 with 44 seconds remaining.

10:17

Flashes take their second timeout. They have one remaining. The offense is looking at a third and 10 from the NIU 22 yard line. It’s TD or bust for the Flashes.

10:14

The Flashes convert and have a new set of downs via a pass from Keith to Humphrey. They’re at the 33 yard line with 1:52 remaining.

10:13

The Flashes are looking at a third and two with 2:16 remaining at the NIU 40 yard line.

10:11

The Flashes convert a third and 10 and are in NIU territory at the 47 yard line. How much tension can you handle?

10:09

KSU will start from their own 43 yard line. They need to score here to keep their dreams alive. There is 3:12 remaining in the game.

10:07

That drive only took four plays and 1:26 for the Huskies to regain the lead. Huge disappointment for the Flashes defense.

10:06

NIU picks up huge chunks of yards, and Jordan Lynch runs into the endzone to take back the lead. The KSU fan section has fallen silent once again. NIU adds the extra point and goes up 34-27. There is 3:12 remaining in the game.

10:03

Cortez forces another touchback. NIU will start from their own 20 yard line.

10:01

The Kent State fan section is going absolutely nuts. Chance of K-S-U are echoing through Ford Field. This will be another enormous defensive series for the Flashes.

10:00

Zach Hitchens scoops up a fumble and rumbles into the endzone to tie the game. The Flashes have tied the game at 27-27. There is 4:38 remaining in the game.

9:57

This will be the biggest defensive series in the history of Kent State football. They must get a stop to give themselves a chance to send the game into overtime.

9:54

Not enough evidence to overturn the call on the field. The play stands a TD. Cortez knocks home the extra point. The Huskies lead 27-20 with 4:53 remaining in the game.

9:52

Keith scrambles into the endzone for what was called a five-yard TD run. However, the play is under review. It looks like Keith may have been a yard short.

9:48

Keith unloads a missile to Dri Archer for a 60-yard reception to the NIU 22 yard line.

9:43

Kent State finally makes a stop, and NIU punts it away. The ball is downed at the KSU four yard line. This will make a TD even more difficult for the Flashes struggling offense.

9:41

The Flashes defense looks exhausted. Jordan Lynch and Akeem Daniels are wearing them out pretty badly.

9:38

The Flashes continue to get beat by Jordan Lynch. He converts another third down. NIU has the ball at their own 25 yard line.

9:35

The Flashes are stopped for no gain. The Flashes go for it on fourth down, and Dri Archer comes up a yard shy. NIU will take over on the six yard line.

9:31

That’s the end of the third quarter. NIU leads 27-13. Kent State has the ball at the on the Huskies 12 yard line, and is looking at a third and nine.

9:29

The Flashes have three first downs on this drive. They had four in the entire first half. Kent State sits at the NIU 14 yard line.

9:26

Eric Adeyemi returns the kickoff into NIU territory to the 37 yard line. The Flashes need a TD here to keep the game within reach.

9:24

The Flashes finally make a stop on third down, but the Huskies will only need to sink a 29-yard FG to extend the lead, and they make it. The Huskies now lead 27-13 with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter.

9:22

Announced attendance of 18,132 at Ford Field.

9:20

The Flashes force a third down, but Lynch continues to slash the KSU defense and picks up another first down.

9:16

More of the same from the Flashes offense. They’re completely unable to move the ball, and Anthony Melchiori punts it away. NIU will start from their own 45 yard line.

9:13

Huskies Jordan Lynch has set the single-season rushing record for a QB. The Flashes aren’t the only team to have a tough time stopping him.

9:10

The Flashes can’t stop Jordan Lynch, and he runs for a one-yard TD. Huskies lead 24-13 with 7:26 remaining in the third quarter.

9:07

The Flashes force fourth and inches, but the Huskies convert a huge run down to the Flashes four yard line.

9:03

NIU will start from the 20 yard line again. The Flashes defense needs to find a way to slow down Jordan Lynch.

8:59

Flashes get in the red zone but can’t get in the endzone. Freddy Cortez knocks home a 24-yard FG. The Huskies lead 17-13.

8:55

Keith’s pass to Chris Humphrey forces a pass interference on NIU. The flashes have a first and ten at the 11 yard line.

8:52

Josh Boyle takes the opening kickoff of the second half to the 47 yard line. Good field position for KSU.

8:43

The Flashes are averaging 241.5 per game. They had only 21 yards in the first half of tonight’s game.

8:35

The real battle in the second half is between both head coaches. Darrell Hazell and Dave Doeren have made great adjustments late in games all season. Whoever does that better today will win the MAC Championship.

8:31

The NIU Huskies rattled off 15 first downs in the first half. The Flashes only managed four first downs.

8:30

After a somewhat puzzling series of play calls, the clock expires, and we go into halftime with NIU leading 17-10.

8:25

Lynch throws an interception to Leon Green at the two yard line. Flashes ball, and they need to get it out of their territory and flip the field on this possession.

8:22

NIU calls for a fair catch, and they’ll start at their own 37 yard line. They’ll have favorable field position because of the Flashes poor drive.

8:21

The Flashes offense is struggling mightily right now. Keith dropped for a sack, and that drive went backwards. Flashes will punt again.

8:20

Flashes to start on their own 35 yard line.

8:16

Akeem Daniels leaps over the pile for a one-yard TD. NIU leads 17-10. The Flashes offense needs to answer with a long scoring drive. 5:53 remaining in the half.

8:12

Lynch converts another third down with his feet. The Flashes don’t have an answer for when the play breaks down and he takes off.

8:10

NIU uses its third, and final, timeout of the half. They are looking at a third and seven with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter.

8:08

The Huskies cross midfield, and Jordan Lynch is starting to heat up.

8:03

Flashes QB Spencer Keith throws an errant pass, and it’s intercepted at the 42 yard line.

8:01

The game of “keep away from Dri” on kickoffs continues, and the Huskies kick it short to avoid the Flashes most explosive player. The Flashes will start on the 32 yard line.

7:58

The Huskies offense looked really good on that possession. They moved the ball methodically down the field. The Flashes defense will have to adjust.

7:57

NIU’s Jordan Lynch throws a 14-yard TD pass to Martel Moore. The extra point is good, and the Huskies have tied the game at 10-10.

7:53

Flashes forced to punt. Anthony Melchiori boots to the NIU 10 yard line, but it is returned 30 yards to the NIU 40 yard line.

7:48

That’s the end of the first quarter. The Flashes lead 10-3. Dri Archer owns the only TD of the game with a 15-yard run.

7:46

The NIU kicker shanks it out of bounds, and the Flashes will start at their own 35 yard line.

7:45

Flashes force another fourth down. NIU opts to kick the FG this time, and it’s good. 10-3 Flashes with 14 seconds left in the first quarter.

7:43

The Huskies choose to go for it the traditional way, and they convert. First down NIU on the KSU 14.

7:41

The Flashes defense bends but doesn’t break. They force a 37-yard FG attempt. In a strange turn, NIU runs a fake FG, but it’s negated by the Huskies taking a time out before the snap.

7:38

The Huskies are really starting to move the ball downfield. They sit at the KSU 38 yard line.

7:36

NIU starts from the 20 yard line after Cortez boots another touchback.

7:35

Cortez has made 12 of his last 14 FG attempts.

7:34

Freddy Cortez attempts a 37-yard FG, and it’s good. The Flashes lead 10-0 with 5:06 left in the first quarter.

7:28

NIU forced to punt again, and it only goes 18 yards. The Flashes will start from the Huskies 36 yard line.

7:24

NIU to start from their own 10 yard line.

7:20

Flashes run a reverse to Dri Archer and he takes it into the endzone for the first score of the game. It was a 15-yard run. Freddy Cortez adds the extra point to make it 7-0.

7:17

AND IT’S A FUMBLE. KSU picks it up at the NIU 21 yard line. The Flashes have the ball once again.

7:16

NIU forces another three-and-out. Back-and-forth we go with a defensive struggle so far.

7:14

Flashes defense forces another punt. KSU will start from the 26 yard line.

7:08

NIU forces a three-and-out as well. KSU will punt. NIU called for a block in the back. The Huskies will start from the 14 yard line.

7:05

Flashes defense forces a three-and-out. NIU punts and it rolls to the KSU 17 yard line. First possession for the Flashes

7:02

KSU kicker Freddy Cortez crushes the kick and it results in a touchback.

7:00 p.m.

Coin toss. Kent State wins the toss and elects to kickoff. They’ll get the ball to start the second half. Welcome to everybody following along.

Contact Grant Engle at [email protected].