Click here to read the 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Weekly Release – Week 12 (PDF)
PASSPORT STAMPED (BOWL-ELIGIBLE TEAMS): Bowling Green (8-2), Louisiana Tech (7-3), Marshall (9-2), Northern Illinois (7-3), Ohio (6-4), Southern Miss (7-3), Toledo (8-1), Western Michigan (6-4), WKU (8-2). AT CUSTOMS (ONE VICTORY SHY): Akron (5-5), Buffalo (5-5), Central Michigan (5-5), FIU (5-6), Middle Tennessee (5-5), Old Dominion (5-5).
KEY GAMES: A key West Division game occurs Wednesday night as Western Michigan (6-4, 5-1 MAC) travels to Northern Illinois (7-3, 5-1 MAC), while Toledo (8-1, 5-1 MAC) has a tough road game with the Battle for the I-75 Trophy at rival Bowling Green (8-2, 6-0 MAC) on Tuesday. Central Michigan (5-5, 4-2 MAC) will try to gain bowl eligibility as they travel to Kent State (3-7, 2-4 MAC) on Wednesday night. Saturday, the winner of the Buffalo (5-5, 3-3 MAC) at Akron (5-5, 3-3 MAC) game will be bowl eligible.
In Conference USA, three five-win teams can gain bowl eligibility on Saturday. FIU (5-6, 3-4 C-USA) hosts WKU (8-2, 6-0 C-USA) in a East Division tilt. Middle Tennessee (5-5, 4-2 C-USA) hosts North Texas (1-9, 1-5 C-USA) and Old Dominion (5-5, 3-3 C-USA) heads to Southern Miss (7-3, 5-1 C-USA).
C-USA TITLE GAME UPDATE: The matchup for the 11th annual C-USA Football Championship Game on Dec. 5 will be determined by the winners of a pair of head-to-head matchups the final weekend of the regular season. The winner of the Marshall at WKU game on Friday, Nov. 27 will win the East Division, while the winner of the Southern Miss at Louisiana Tech game on Saturday, Nov. 28 will take the West Division.
MAC TITLE GAME UPDATE: Bowling Green has won the East Division and will play in the Marathon MAC Championship Game in Detroit on Dec. 4, but the West Division race currently sports a three-way tie for first place with Northern Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan all with 5-1 records and Central Michigan right behind at 4-2. According to the MAC, There are several 7-1 scenarios, four different three-way ties at 6-2 and even the potential for a four-way tie for first place at 6-2.
POLLING PLACE: Bowling Green (8-2), Toledo (8-1) and WKU (8-2) are receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 and Amway USA Today Coaches’ Top 25 polls. Marshall (9-2) is receiving votes in the USA Today poll.
#PASSPORTTOKICKOFF: #PassportToKickoff is not only our hashtag, but a reminder that all U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to travel to the Bahamas & the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. For passport info: passports.state.gov.
WEEK 12 SCHEDULE
CONFERENCE USA
Saturday, November 21
* North Texas at Middle Tennessee (ASN)
Florida Atlantic at No. 8 Florida (SECN)
* WKU at FIU (FCS)
* Louisiana Tech at UTEP (FSN)
* Old Dominion at Southern Miss (ASN)
* Rice at UTSA (ASN)
Charlotte at Kentucky (SECN)
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Tuesday, November 17
* Toledo at Bowling Green (ESPN2)
* Ball State at Ohio (ESPNU)
Wednesday, November 18
* Central Michigan at Kent State (ESPNU)
* Western Michigan at Northern Illinois (ESPN2)
Saturday, November 21
* Miami at UMass (ESPN3)
* Buffalo at Akron (CBSSN)
* – conference games
(TV/digital network in parentheses)
ASN – American Sports Network
CBSSN – CBS Sports Network
ESPN3 – ESPN3.com (online)
FCS – Fox College Sports
FSN – Fox Sports Net
SECN – SEC Network
WEEK 11 RESULTS
CONFERENCE USA
Saturday, November 14
* Middle Tennessee 24, Florida Atlantic 17
* Old Dominion 31, UTEP 21
* UTSA 30, Charlotte 27 (OT)
* Marshall 52, FIU 0
* Southern Miss 65, Rice 10
Tennessee 24, North Texas 0
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Tuesday, November 10
* Ohio 27, Kent State 0
* Toledo 28, Central Michigan 23
Wednesday, November 11
* Bowling Green 41, Western Michigan 27
* Northern Illinois 41, Buffalo 30
Saturday, November 14
* Akron 37, Miami 28
* UMass 28, Eastern Michigan 17
* – conference games
WEEK 11 INDIVIDUAL HONORS
QB Nick Mullens, Southern Miss: The junior was 23-of-31 for 386 yards and five touchdowns in a 65-10 win at Rice for C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors.
S Fellonte Misher, Old Dominion: The senior had seven tackles and a pair of interceptions in the 31-21 victory over UTEP for C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
PR Deandre Reaves, Marshall: The senior returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown to go with a TD catch in a 52-0 victory over FIU for C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
RB Travis Greene, Bowling Green: The senior rushed for 170 yards and three TDs in a 41-27 road win at Western Michigan for MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week honors.
LB Jatavis Brown, Akron: The senior had 11 tackles (4.5 for loss), two sacks, one forced fumble, one pass defense and a interception in a 37-28 win at Miami for MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week honors.
DB Tony Reid, Miami: The sophomore had two blocked punts in a loss to Akron for MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
RB Joel Bouagnon, Northern Illinois: The junior had 156 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns in a 41-30 win at Buffalo for MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week honors.
LB Great Ibe, Eastern Michigan: The senior had 21 tackles (9 solo), two tackles for loss and a sack in a loss to UMass for MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week honors.
KR Aregeros Turner, Northern Illinois: The junior returned five kickoffs for 152 yards and added 49 receiving yards and 36 rushing yards in a 41-30 win at Buffalo for MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
“POWER FIVE” VICTORIES
A list of Conference USA and MAC victories over “Power Five” opponents (teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big XII, Pac-12 and SEC)
C-USA/MAC Team vs. Opponent — Score
Sept. 3: WKU (C-USA) vs. Vanderbilt (SEC) — 14-12
Sept. 6: Marshall (C-USA) vs. Purdue (Big Ten) — 41-31
Sept. 12: Bowling Green (MAC) vs. Maryland (Big Ten) — 48-27
Sept. 12: Toledo (MAC) vs. No. 18 Arkansas (SEC) — 16-12
Sept. 19: Toledo (MAC) vs. Iowa State (Big XII) — 30-23 (2 OT)
Sept. 26: Bowling Green (MAC) vs. Purdue (Big Ten) — 35-28
POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL MEDIA PROJECTIONS
Media Organization (Reporter) – Date: C-USA vs. MAC Matchup
SI.com (Zac Ellis) – Nov. 17: Old Dominion vs. Northern Illinois
FOXSports.com (Stuart Mandel) – Nov. 17: Middle Tennessee vs. Ohio
Athlon Sports (Steven Lassan) – Nov. 17: Middle Tennessee vs. Western Michigan
Phil Steele Magazine (Phil Steele) – Nov. 17: Marshall vs. Western Michigan
10thYearSeniors.com (John Marc Nutt) – Nov. 16: Marshall vs. Toledo
Nassau Tribune (Renaldo Dorsett) – Nov. 16: Louisiana Tech vs. Bowling Green
The Sporting News (Bill Bender) – Nov. 16: Southern Miss vs. Western Michigan
Bleacher Report (Bryan Fischer) – Nov. 16: WKU vs. Northern Illinois
CollegeFootballNews.com (Pete Fiutak) – Nov. 16: Middle Tennessee vs. Buffalo
ESPN.com (Brett McMurphy) – Nov. 15: Marshall vs. Northern Illinois
ESPN.com (Mark Schlabach) – Nov. 15: Marshall vs. Toledo
SB Nation (Jason Kirk) – Nov. 15: Old Dominion vs. Ohio
CBSSports.com (Jerry Palm) – Nov. 15: Marshall vs. Akron
USA Today (Erick Smith) – Nov. 11: WKU vs. Toledo
Orlando Sentinel (Brant Parsons) – Nov. 4: FIU vs. Western Michigan
Associated Press (Ralph Russo) – June 9: Middle Tennessee vs. Ball State
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Each week in 2015, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl will spotlight an alumni player from each of our partner conferences, Conference USA and the MAC.
JASON TAYLOR (AKRON)
Jason Taylor (Photo Credit: Akron Athletics)
Jason Taylor, a former star NFL defensive end and linebacker, was a two-time first-team All-MAC performer in his college career at Akron from 1993-96.
Taylor was a three-year starter for the Zips. He posted 279 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles and three interceptions during his four seasons in Akron.
As a senior, he was a first-team All-MAC selection at defensive end after making 64 tackles (43 solo), and he led the team with 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He added four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
In his junior season, Taylor was a honorable mention All-America pick and a first-team All-MAC selection at linebacker. He led the team with 99 tackles, and he added five sacks, 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
He was selected in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, and he was selected to several All-Rookie teams after starting 11 games at defensive end.
In 2002, Taylor tied the Miami season record as he led the NFL with 18.5 sacks, including a run of eight consecutive games with a sack.
He was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 after posting 13.5 sacks, two interceptions and 10 forced fumbles.
Taylor played 13 of his 15 seasons with the Dolphins, and also spent the 2008 in Washington and 2010 with the New York Jets.
Taylor finished his career with 139.5 sacks, sixth all-time in NFL history. He was a three-time All-Pro, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was the 2007 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year.
POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL PARTICIPANT SELECTION
The highest-ranked conference champion by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee from the American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West or Sun Belt will play annually in one of the College Football Playoff bowls (VIZIO Fiesta and Chick-fil-A Peach bowls for the 2015 season) if it is not selected for the Playoff Semifinals.
C-USA has 2015 tie-ins with the Popeyes Bahamas, Arizona, Gildan New Mexico, Miami Beach, R&L Carriers New Orleans, St. Petersburg and Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas bowls, with a secondary tie-in with the Camping World Independence Bowl (if either the ACC or the SEC does not have enough eligible teams). There is no set selection order among C-USA’s bowl partners
The GoDaddy Bowl has first choice of a MAC bowl-eligible team, and the remainder of the selections will follow, with no set selection order among the MAC’s bowl partners. The MAC has 2015 tie-ins with Popeyes Bahamas, Famous Idaho Potato, GoDaddy, Marmot Boca Raton and Raycom Media Camellia bowls, with secondary tie-ins with the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (if Army is not bowl eligible), various ESPN owned-and-operated bowls and the Quick Lane Bowl (if either ACC or Big Ten does not have enough eligible teams).
The 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl participants will be announced Sunday, December 6.
ESPN EVENTS
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games; 13 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 250-plus hours of programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over 700,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Boca Raton, Boise, Birmingham, Dallas-Fort Worth, Albuquerque, St. Petersburg and Las Vegas, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
ESPN Events also manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
Collegiate Football
AdvoCare Texas Kickoff (Houston); AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Houston); Birmingham Bowl (Alabama); Celebration Bowl (Atlanta); Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise); Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth); Marmot Boca Raton Bowl (Florida); MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.); Orlando Kickoff (Florida); Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (Nassau); Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.); Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl (Nevada); St. Petersburg Bowl (Florida); The Home Depot College Football Awards (Atlanta) and Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth)
Collegiate Basketball
AdvoCare Invitational (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Armed Forces Classic (Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan); DIRECTV Wooden Legacy (Orange County, Calif.); College Basketball Awards Presented by Wendy’s (Los Angeles); Gildan Charleston Classic (South Carolina); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Jimmy V Men’s Classic Presented by Corona (New York City); Jimmy V Women’s Classic Presented by Corona (Hartford/Storrs, Conn.); NIT Season Tip-Off (Brooklyn, N.Y.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan) and State Farm Champions Classic (Chicago)
