Hustle Belt, but on BSKY!

2025 MAC Football Preseason Preview: UMass Minutemen A new era begins in Amherst, as the Minutemen take to the field for the first time as a fully-fledged MAC member.

Our 2025 football preseason previews kick off with the (re)debutantes of the MAC!

#UMass showed flashes of potential in 2024, but will once again start from the bottom under first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak. What can we expect to see in Amherst? www.hustlebelt.com/umass-minute...

How Brad Maynard won MAC Defensive Player of the Year without a single tackle Sheridan, Indiana’s Maynard helped lead Ball State to glory in 1996— earning a unique place in MAC history on the way.

In 1996, the MAC rewarded its Defensive Player of the Year to someone who did not log a single tackle, sack, or interception.

That's how impactful Brad Maynard was as punter for Ball State.

The story of Ball State's only consensus All-American: www.hustlebelt.com/ball-state-c...

MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher gives 2025 State of the Conference address The commissioner hit on a number of topics in Detroit, with special focus centered on changes in "non-Autonomous" synergy and movement.

MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher took to the podium on Wednesday to present his annual State of the Conference address.

The House settlement, College Football Playoff and potential business partnerships with other FBS conferences were all discussed:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/7/25/24...

As far as my immediate memory can recall, yes. The MAC has previously had teams play in Toronto and Nassau in the postseason, but never in the regular season.

We have updated the article above to include Western Michigan's statement about ongoing discussions regarding the venue change.

Report: Western Michigan football to open 2026 season in Germany Bronco fans may need to get their passports ready for the ‘26 season opener, as they will reportedly serve as the opponent to the Michigan Wolverines’ first-ever international contest.

Broncos fans: Bist du bereit für ein bisschen Fußball?

WMU football could be opening the 2026 season in Frankfort, Germany as part of a proposed schedule change by the University of Michigan: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/7/25/24...

Reports: Ohio Bobcats have "preliminary" discussions with Sun Belt Conference regarding affiliation The lone remaining charter member of the MAC has seemingly started to put out feelers for a new athletic home, per reports.

Per the Columbus [OH] Dispatch, Ohio University has called reports of their reaching out to the Sun Belt Conference regarding potential realignment "inaccurate."

We have updated our previous article to reflect the new statement:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/7/9/244...

Reports: Ohio Bobcats have "preliminary" discussions with Sun Belt Conference regarding affiliation The lone remaining charter member of the MAC has seemingly started to put out feelers for a new athletic home, per reports.

Months after NIU’s departure from the MAC, a new report suggests the Ohio Bobcats have reached out to the Sun Belt Conference to engage in “preliminary” talks about joining the league:
sbnation.com/e/24228775

Amongst the type of contributors we're looking for:
* General contributors (weekly football previews & recaps)
* Sport-specific contributors (non-football)
* Feature writers
* Column writers
* Sports data analysts
* Film analysts (specifically football)
* Photographers/GFX

Join Hustle Belt: The best #MACtion-packed blog on the Internet Are you a fan of the great little conference that produced MACtion? We may have a spot for you here at Hustle Belt.

As football season approaches, we're looking for a few good pens!

Follow the link below if you're interested in becoming a Hustle Belt contributor: www.hustlebelt.com/2013/12/15/5...

Getting to know new Bowling Green football head coach Eddie George The former Heisman winner took an unconventional journey to Bowling Green, going from football retiree to business owner to Broadway actor before finding his way back onto the field.

Eddie George is an icon in Ohio, having made his name as a Heisman Trophy winner with the Buckeyes in 1995.

30 years later, he returns to the state which made him a household name with something to prove. Our interview with BGSU football's new head coach: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/5/27/24...

Getting to know new Central Michigan football head coach Matt Drinkall Bettendorf, Iowa’s own Matt Drinkall reached the apex of a decades-long journey to become a head coach earlier this year. We get to know him— largely unfiltered— with 13 questions.

Matt Drinkall has already made an impression on Central Michigan football fans with his social media presence and passion for the game.

We sat down with Drinkall to discuss his unique journey, his staff's philosophy and what he hopes to accomplish at CMU: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/5/20/24...

Akron Zips football faces potential NCAA postseason ban due to low APR score If the ban stands, Akron would become the first FBS-level program since 2014 to be declared ineligible for the postseason for academic reasons.

DEVELOPING: Akron Zips football has been declared academically ineligible for postseason play in 2025 by the NCAA due to low APR.

UA would be the first FBS program affected since 2014 if the ban stands:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/5/6/244...

2025 NFL Draft Coverage: Mid-American Conference Undrafted Free Agent Tracker We track the 2025 class of former #MACtion stars and their next steps after a productive Draft weekend!

The #NFLDraft festivities in Green Bay might be over, but the action is only starting to warm up!

Track where your favorite former #MACtion-- and UMass-- stars will be going in the next step of their football journey with our handy live-tracker: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/26/24...

Buffalo ILB Shaun Dolac signs as UDFA by Los Angeles Rams Overlooked by the college all-star circuit and the NFL scouting consortium, Dolac looks to prove doubters wrong at the next level with the Rams.

ICYMI: Former UB linebacker Shaun Dolac, the nation's leading tackler in 2024, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/27/24...

Maxen Hook signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as undrafted free agent A dependable backfield presence for six seasons, Hook now takes his expertise to the next level with Philadelphia.

Maxen Hook was a reliable presence in the Toledo defensive backfield, earning all-MAC honors four times-- one of three Rockets ever to do so.

Now, he'll join former teammate Quinyon Mitchell as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/26/24...

2025 NFL Draft Coverage: Mid-American Conference Undrafted Free Agent Tracker We track the 2025 class of former #MACtion stars and their next steps after a productive Draft weekend!

The #NFLDraft festivities in Green Bay might be over, but the action is only starting to warm up!

Track where your favorite former #MACtion-- and UMass-- stars will be going in the next step of their football journey with our handy live-tracker: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/26/24...

Donte Kent selected 229th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 NFL Draft The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native will resume his football career close to home in the Steel City.

Central Michigan's Donte Kent, a dynamic playmaker as both a defensive back and a punt returner, has heard his name called in the #NFLDraft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers took the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native with their seventh-round pick on Saturday afternoon:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/26/24...

Bilhal Kone selected 178th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2025 NFL Draft Kone made an immediate impact upon arrival in Kalamazoo, and hopes to make the same impression in Baltimore.

Western Michigan makes it a MAC-best five-straight years with an #NFLDraft pick, as cornerback Bilhal Kone is taken 178th overall by the Baltimore Ravens!

He is the third MAC player off the board in 2025: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/26/24...

He can probably keep a lot of his accessories and stuff, same colors and all.

Harold Fannin Jr. selected 67th overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2025 NFL Draft The electric do-it-all tight end leaves an illustrious career in Bowling Green to continue his football journey in-state with the Browns.

Canton, Ohio native Harold Fannin Jr.-- one of the best Falcons to ever don the uniform-- will stay close to home for the next step of his football journey.

BGSU's first-ever consensus All-American has been selected by the Cleveland Browns in the #NFLDraft: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/25/24...

Darius Alexander selected 65th overall by the New York Giants in 2025 NFL Draft The defensive anchor for a stacked Rockets squad will take his talents to the Big Apple.

Fort Wayne, Indiana native Darius Alexander had to wait his turn at Toledo, but once he earned his spot, he became one of the MAC's best defensive lineman.

Now, he heads to New York after after being selected by the Giants in the third round of the NFL Draft: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/25/24...

Every record Harold Fannin Jr. set during the 2024 season The Bowling Green tight end etched his name into the record books all season long. Here are the key records to know before he gets drafted.

Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. put up the best statistical season in college football history for his position.

Here are all the key records you need to know before Fannin gets picked in the #NFLDraft this weekend: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/25/24...

2025 NFL Draft and Undrafted Free Agency Coverage The stars are set to align over the shores of Wisconsin, as Green Bay will host the 2025 edition of the NFL Draft. Keep track of your favorite MAC prospects here!

Good news, everyone... the #NFLDraft is this week in Green bay!

We put Combine reports, Pro Day results and RAS cards for all 13 MAC schools in one place as dozens of former #MACtion stars wait to get the call which could change their lives. Check it out here:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/3/5/243...

2025 NFL Draft Pro Day Prospect Report: Toledo Rockets 30 of 32 NFL teams were confirmed to be on site at Toledo’s Pro Day back on March 24th, with about a dozen former Rockets partaking in activities in the hopes of taking their next steps in...

Toledo's Pro Day was chock-full of NFL scouts, with 42 team reps from 30 of the 32 NFL franchises in the building to watch several former Rockets-- including a potential Round 1 pick-- take to the field ahead of the #NFLDraft: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/15/24...

2025 NFL Draft Pro Day Prospect Report: Central Michigan Chippewas 15 Chippewas worked out for Pro Scouts in March, with some intriguing UDFA options potentially available.

Central Michigan was amongst the first schools to put on their Pro Day activities, with over a dozen prospects working out in front of 25 NFL scouts ahead of the upcoming #NFLDraft: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/15/24...

2025 NFL Draft Pro Day Prospect Report: Bowling Green Falcons 14 former Falcons partook in Pro Day activities at BGSU in March— including an NFL Combine invitee looking to make one last impression.

BGSU held their Pro Days in late March, with NCAA receiving leader Harold Fannin Jr. and 13 others getting chances to work out in front of 29 pro scouts from the NFL and CFL ahead of the #NFLDraft:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/14/24...

NEWS: Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby is the new assistant GM of Eastern Michigan football.

Crosby will "assist with evaluating high school and transfer portal prospects and help manage the team’s NIL/revenue share budget," plus fundraise.

EMU's field is named after him.

How Parker Titsworth evolved from self-recruited walk-on to the ultimate Ohio Bobcat Parker Titsworth already overcame the odds to become one of the most decorated players in Ohio history. Now he aims to do the same while pursuing his NFL dreams.

Parker Titsworth only played four games of high school football, recruiting himself into a walk-on spot at Ohio.

Six years later, he leaves with Ohio’s all-time career snaps record-- and a legend-defining MAC title ring.

How Titsworth became the ultimate Bobcat: www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/14/24...

Kent State fires head coach Kenni Burns after two seasons Burns finished 0-22 vs. the FBS and 0-16 vs. the MAC in a two-year tenure.

Now-departed Kent State head coach Kenni Burns posted a 1-23 record in two seasons, finishing 0-22 vs. FBS opponents and 0-16 vs. the MAC.

Kent State will launch a coaching search after the 2025 campaign, looking to build upward after an 0-12 season:
www.hustlebelt.com/2025/4/11/24...