# 2018 MAC Championship Game

The 2018 MAC Championship Game was an NCAA Division I college football conference championship game for the Mid-American Conference (MAC), that was played on November 30, 2018. It was the 22nd Mid-American Conference Championship, and was played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Sponsored by the Marathon Petroleum Corporation, the game was officially known as the Marathon MAC Championship Game. Northern Illinois scored the game's final 20 points to erase a 19-point second-half deficit and defeat Buffalo, 30–29.

## Teams
### Northern Illinois Huskies

Northern Illinois went undefeated 6-0 in conference play, until the Huskies lost to Miami on November 14. The Huskies were able to clinch the West Division, after the last remaining contender, Western Michigan, lost their third conference game also that weekend, eliminating the Broncos from contention. Northern Illinois makes their first appearance in the title game since 2015.

### Buffalo Bulls

Buffalo was able to clinch the East Division after defeating the Falcons of Bowling Green at the end of the season, compelling a conference record of 7-1. The Bulls make their first appearance in the game since 2008.

### Buffalo vs. Northern Illinois series history

The match up was the 13th meeting against the Bulls and the Huskies. They last played each other last season in Amherst, New York. Northern Illinois defeated Buffalo in a close win of 14-13. After the 2016 match up, Northern Illinois lead the series, 11-1. Buffalo has not won against the Huskies since 1968. The championship game was the first time in history that the two schools played in post season.

## Game summary
### Scoring summary

Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NIU | BUFF |
| 1 | 6:38 | 13 | 94 | 5:39 | BUFF | Kevin Marks 3-yard touchdown run, Alex McNulty kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 14:55 | 11 | 94 | 5:00 | BUFF | Anthony Johnson 13-yard touchdown reception from Tyree Jackson, Alex McNulty kick failed | 0 | 13 |
| 2 | 9:51 | 12 | 75 | 5:04 | NIU | Spencer Tears 13-yard touchdown reception from Marcus Childers, Andrew Gantz kick good | 7 | 13 |
| 2 | 5:41 | 9 | 75 | 4:10 | BUFF | Anthony Johnson 26-yard touchdown reception from Tyree Jackson, 2-point pass failed | 7 | 19 |
| 2 | 1:42 | 12 | 53 | 3:59 | NIU | 39-yard field goal by Andrew Gantz | 10 | 19 |
| 2 | 0:03 | 8 | 70 | 1:34 | BUFF | 24-yard field goal by Adam Mitcheson | 10 | 22 |
| 3 | 11:25 | 8 | 75 | 3:35 | BUFF | Jaret Patterson 9-yard touchdown run, Adam Mitcheson kick good | 10 | 29 |
| 3 | 0:17 | 5 | 34 | 1:41 | NIU | D.J. Brown 28-yard touchdown reception from Marcus Childers, Andrew Gantz kick good | 17 | 29 |
| 4 | 12:51 | 4 | 63 | 1:17 | NIU | Spencer Tears 32-yard touchdown reception from Marcus Childers, Andrew Gantz kick good | 24 | 29 |
| 4 | 1:09 | 8 | 70 | 2:11 | NIU | D.J. Brown 35-yard touchdown reception from Marcus Childers, 2-point pass failed | 30 | 29 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 30 | 29 |

### Statistics

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 0 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 30 |
| Bulls | 7 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 29 |
| Statistics | NIU | BUFF |
| First downs | 23 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 67–409 | 77–394 |
| Rushes–yards | 34–109 | 42–142 |
| Passing yards | 300 | 252 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21–33–1 | 18–35–0 |
| Time of possession | 24:55 | 35:05 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northern Illinois | Passing | Marcus Childers | 21/33, 300 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT |
| Northern Illinois | Rushing | Marcus Childers | 15 car, 58 yds |
| Northern Illinois | Receiving | Spencer Tears | 6 rec, 73 yds, 2 TD |
| Buffalo | Passing | Tyree Jackson | 18/35, 252 yds, 2 TD |
| Buffalo | Rushing | Kevin Marks | 17 car, 72 yds, 1 TD |
| Buffalo | Receiving | Anthony Johnson | 7 rec, 124 yds, 2 TD |