Marshall vs. Northern Illinois: 5 Facts You Need to Know for Boca Raton Bowl

By Mark Boone

Marshall vs. Northern Illinois: 5 Things You Need to Know for Boca Raton Bowl

Marshall Angelo Jean-Louis
Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

The battle of champions is about to go down on Dec. 23 in the 2014 inaugural Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. The Marshall Thundering Herd will be locking horns with the Northern Illinois Huskies to see who the best is. But before the two conference leaders put it all on the line, there are five things you need to know.

5. The Marshall Thundering Herd are Conference USA Champions

conference usa logo on field
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Marshall Thundering Herd are Conference USA Champions

conference usa logo on field
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Marshall edged past Louisiana Tech with a 26-23 win to become Conference USA champions. Bolstering a 12-1 record for the season, the Herd would have finished the season undefeated had it not been for their 66-67 OT loss to Western Kentucky. They are seeking their second straight bowl win since a little over a decade.

4. The Northern Illinois Huskies are the Mid-American Conference Champions

Northern Illinois Mac Championship
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Northern Illinois Huskies are the Mid-American Conference Champions

Northern Illinois Mac Championship
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 11-2 Northern Illinois Huskies won the MAC Championship with a 57-17 win over the Bowling Green Falcons. Following their two losses earlier in the season, the Huskies went on to rally a seven game winning streak. This is their seventh consecutive year appearing in a bowl game.

3. This will be the final game of Marshall QB Rakeem Cato’s college football career.

Marshall Rakeem Cato
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

3. This will be the final game of Marshall QB Rakeem Cato’s college football career.

Marshall Rakeem Cato
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of a record–setting college football career, this will be senior QB Rakeem Cato’s last run with the Herd – and best believe he’s planning to go out with a bang. Cato has thrown at least one touchdown pass in his last 45 games, setting an all-time record for FBS quarterbacks. After his final dress out in green, it’s likely that he will test his luck in the 2015 NFL Draft.

2. This will also be the final game of Huskies WR Da’Ron Brown’s college football career.

Northern Illinois Da'Ron Brown
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

2. This will also be the final game of Huskies WR Da’Ron Brown’s college football career.

Northern Illinois Da'Ron Brown
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Northern Illinois’s star wide receiver Da’Ron Brown will also be playing his final college football game at the Boca Raton Bowl. The redshirt senior’s speed and hands down field has played a key role in the Huskies reaching conference championship stardom. This season Brown has caught 64 receptions for 1002 yards and six touchdowns. He’ll definitely be a player to watch since this will be his last run with the Thundering Herd.

1. Northern Illinois’ QB Drew Hare is a dual-threat that does damage.

Northern Illinois Drew Hare
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Northern Illinois’ QB Drew Hare is a dual-threat that does damage.

Northern Illinois Drew Hare
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

NIU’s QB Drew Hare is a first-year starter who has definitely made a name for himself. He is dangerous both in the air and on the ground. Hare has a total of 2,097 passing yards, 850 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns collectively. His aerial reach to WR Da’Ron Brown could really put Marshall on its heels.

Mark Boone is a Sports Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkBoone99, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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