2022 QUICK HITS
Going Bowling
- Six Mid-American Conference institutions accepted bowl bids in 2022, the seventh time in MAC history to have six or more programs receive a bowl invitation (2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) in a single-season.
- This also marks the 13th time in MAC history to have five or more programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) in a single-season.
2022-23 Progressive Bowl Challenge Cup Champions
- The MAC won the 2022-23 Progressive Bowl Challenge Cup, posting a winning percentage of .667 with a 4-2 record during Bowl Season. Created in 2002 by ESPN as a competition among the 10 FBS conferences during college football’s postseason, the MAC won its first outright title last season. Previously the MAC tied for the top
honor in 2011-12 with Conference USA.
2022 MAC Bowl Wins
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (EMU over San Jose St., 41-27)
- RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl (Toledo over Liberty, 21-19)
- Camellia Bowl (Buffalo over Georgia Southern, 23-21)
- Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl (Ohio over Wyoming, 30-27 in OT)
New Faces
- Lance Taylor (Western Michigan)
Taylor was named the head coach of the Western Michigan Football program on Dec. 8, 2022, becoming the 17th head coach in program history. Prior to Kalamazzo, Taylor served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Louisville in 2022. From 2019-21, Taylor was Notre Dame’s Running Backs and Run Game Coordinator. - Kenni Burns (Kent State)
Burns was named the 23rd head football coach in Kent State football history, on December 14, 2022. Burns, who has been a collegiate coach for 15 years, served as assistant head coach to PJ Fleck at the University of Minessota for three years and also coached running backs at the institution for six seasons.
Toledo Crowned 2022 MAC Football Champs
- Toledo defeated Ohio in the 2022 MAC Championship game on Dec. 3, 2022 behind smothering defense and a gutty performance by quarterback Dequan Finn. This marked Toledo’s 12th MAC title, its fourth MAC Championship Game crown and head coach Jason Candle’s second MAC title at the helm of the Rocket football program.
Star-Studded DBs Return After All-America Campaigns
- Marcus Fuqua (Buffalo)
Fuqua became just the third Buffalo student-athlete to be named an Associated Press All-American (third team) after a career 2022 campaign that consisted of seven interceptions, 65 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Fuqua’s seven picks led the MAC and were tied for the nation’s
lead. - Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)
Mitchell reeled in All-America honors from four publications, highlighted by a trio of second team honors from Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus. Mitchell led the nation in passes defended (25) while leading the MAC with 20 pass breakups, a new program record. Additionally, Mitchell finished second in the conference with a career-high five interceptions.
