Kent State Loses MAC Championship to Northern Illinois in OT

Kent State University lost to Northern Illinois University for the 2012 Mid-American Conference Championship tonight at Detroit's Ford Field.

The loss likely means the Golden Flashes' shot at an appearance in the BCS Orange Bowl has been all but dashed.

The 44-37 loss was packed with action, as both teams scored a combined three touchdowns — two for the Golden Flashes — in less than 2 minutes as the fourth quarter wound down. Kent State tied the game at 34 with just 44 seconds left in regular time to send it into overtime — the first for a MAC Championship game.

Then, in the first overtime, Kent State nearly lost the ball on a botched reverse that ended with a fumble, and the Flashes settled for a field goal on the next play. Seconds later, the Huskies matched their field goal to tie the game at 37 and send it to a second overtime.

But Northern Illinois' star quarterback Jordan Lynch proved too much for Kent State to handle as he both ran and threw for several touchdowns — including the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime.

The Golden Flashes could not answer.

The game was Kent State's first bowl appearance since 1972. Kent State’s 10-game winning streak and 11 total wins this year are the best in school history.