Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green Places Four on the 2022 Football All-MAC Team
November 30, 2022 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University placed four Falcons on the 2022 All-Mid-American Conference team, as announced by MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. Defensive lineman Karl Brooks headlines BGSU's selections by earning first-team honors. The All-MAC team and specialty award winners are voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
Wide receiver Odieu Hiliare, kick returner Ta'ron Keith and tight end Christian Sims were named to the second team. It is the second career nods for both Brooks and Sims. Last year Brooks earned third-team distinction and Sims was named to the first team. It is the first career accolades for Hiliare and Keith.
Brooks (Sr., Lansing, Mich.) was recently named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus and named to the final watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive end. Brooks is No. 8 in the nation with 10 sacks and No. 9 in the nation with 18 tackles for loss. Brooks led the nation with 47 hurries per PFF and his 63 total pressures rank No. 2 in the nation among all FBS defenders, applying pressure on 17.3 percent of his pass rush attempts. Brooks' 91.3 PFF grade on pass rush is No. 2 in the nation among all defenders with at least 300 pass rushes. He is also the only player in the nation with 25+ tackles, 10+ sacks, 18+ tackles for loss, 2+ passes defended and 1+ fumble recoveries.
For an offensive unit that had eight players with at least 10 receptions, Hiliare (Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) led BGSU with 54 receptions, 704 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdowns. He was named MAC East Offensive Player of the week after he had a career-high 246 receiving yards on eight receptions and two touchdowns in win at Toledo. The 246 receiving yards at Toledo are No. 3 on BGSU's single-game ledger and No. 11 on the MAC's single-game record list. His two touchdown catches against Marshall aided in BGSU's comeback overtime win over the Herd. Hiliare has a catch in 34-straight games, which currently is the 14th-best active streak in the nation.
Keith (So., DeLand, Fla.) is No. 19 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC with a 24.5 yards per kick return. He was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week for his 102 kick return yards on two returns against Western Michigan, including a career-long 83-yard return that set up the game-winning touchdown against the Broncos. Keith also scored three game-winning touchdowns for the Falcons on offense (vs. Marshall, vs. Miami (OH) and at Toledo).
Sims (Sr., Norcross, Ga.) turned in a comparable season to the 2021 campaign when he earned first-team accolades. Sims was second on the team with 41 receptions for 402 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His third-and-long catch for 35 yards in the closing minute at Toledo set up the game-winning score by Keith. He was third in the league among tight ends with 41 catches and had at least three receptions in 10 of the 11 games in which he played.
BGSU had the fewest all-league honorees of the MAC's 12 schools despite being one of the conference's five bowl-eligible teams and at one point being three quarters away from representing the East division at the MAC Championship game.
Bowling Green finished the regular season 6-6 and awaits its first bowl bid since 2015. A bowl announcement will be made on December 4.
2022 All-Mid-American Conference Team
2022 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: Tim Albin, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Offensive Player of the Year: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Defensive Player of the Year: Jose Ramirez, DL, Eastern Michigan
Special Teams Player of the Year: Alex McNulty, PK, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio
2022 All-MAC First-Team Offense
Quarterback – Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Marcellus Marshall, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Hagen Meservy, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Nick Rosi, Toledo
Tight End – Brady Hunt, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Alex Adams, Akron
Wide Receiver – Devontez Walker, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Dante Cephas, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Running Back – Carson Steele, Ball State
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Kent State
Placekicker – Alex McNulty, Buffalo
2022 All-MAC First-Team Defense
Down Lineman – Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Desjuan Johnson, Toledo
Linebacker – Bubba Arslanian, Akron
Linebacker – Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Linebacker – Dallas Gant, Toledo
Linebacker – Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Marcus Fuqua, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
2022 All-MAC First-Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jaylon Jackson, Eastern Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Keegan Wilburn, Ohio
2022 All-MAC Second-Team Offense
Quarterback – Dequan Finn, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Crowe, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Jamezz Kimbrough, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Sam Allan, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Rusty Feth, Miami
Tight End – Christian Sims, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Jayshon Jackson, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Odieu Hiliare, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Mac Hippenhammer, Miami
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Corey Crooms, Western Michigan
Running Back – Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Sean Tyler, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Nathanial Vakos, Ohio
2022 All-MAC Second-Team Defense
Down Lineman – DeVonte O'Malley, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jamal Hines, Toledo
Down Lineman – Andre Carter, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Brandon Fiske, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Clayton Coll, Ball State
Linebacker – James Patterson, Buffalo
Linebacker – Ryan McWood, Miami
Linebacker – Dyontae Johnson, Toledo
Defensive Back – Amechi Uzodinma, Ball State
Defensive Back – Nic Jones, Ball State
Defensive Back – Nico Bolden, Kent State
Defensive Back – C.J. Brown, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Nate Bauer, Toledo
Punter – Dom Dzioban, Miami
2022 All-MAC Second-Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ta'ron Keith, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ja'Shaun Poke, Kent State
2022 All-MAC Third-Team Offense
Quarterback – DJ Irons, Akron
Quarterback – Collin Schlee, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Whigan, Akron
Offensive Lineman – Gabe Wallace, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Desmond Bessent, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Logan Zschemitz, Northern Illinois
Tight End – Joel Wilson, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Shocky Jacques-Louis, Akron
Wide Receiver – Quian Williams, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Harrison Waylee, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Sieh Bangura, Ohio
Placekicker – Jesus Gomez, Eastern Michigan
2022 All-MAC Third-Team Defense
Down Lineman – Zay West, Kent State
Down Lineman – Michael Kennedy, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – James Ester, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jack McCrory, Ohio
Linebacker – Kyle Moretti, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Matthew Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Keye Thompson, Ohio
Linebacker – Corvin Moment, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Jordan Riley, Ball State
Defensive Back – John Saunders Jr., Miami
Defensive Back – Tariq Drake, Ohio
Defensive Back – Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
Punter – Luke Elzinga, Central Michigan
2022 All-MAC Third-Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jalen Walker, Miami
Kickoff Return Specialist – De'Javion Stepney, Central Michigan
Wide receiver Odieu Hiliare, kick returner Ta'ron Keith and tight end Christian Sims were named to the second team. It is the second career nods for both Brooks and Sims. Last year Brooks earned third-team distinction and Sims was named to the first team. It is the first career accolades for Hiliare and Keith.
Brooks (Sr., Lansing, Mich.) was recently named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus and named to the final watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive end. Brooks is No. 8 in the nation with 10 sacks and No. 9 in the nation with 18 tackles for loss. Brooks led the nation with 47 hurries per PFF and his 63 total pressures rank No. 2 in the nation among all FBS defenders, applying pressure on 17.3 percent of his pass rush attempts. Brooks' 91.3 PFF grade on pass rush is No. 2 in the nation among all defenders with at least 300 pass rushes. He is also the only player in the nation with 25+ tackles, 10+ sacks, 18+ tackles for loss, 2+ passes defended and 1+ fumble recoveries.
For an offensive unit that had eight players with at least 10 receptions, Hiliare (Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) led BGSU with 54 receptions, 704 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdowns. He was named MAC East Offensive Player of the week after he had a career-high 246 receiving yards on eight receptions and two touchdowns in win at Toledo. The 246 receiving yards at Toledo are No. 3 on BGSU's single-game ledger and No. 11 on the MAC's single-game record list. His two touchdown catches against Marshall aided in BGSU's comeback overtime win over the Herd. Hiliare has a catch in 34-straight games, which currently is the 14th-best active streak in the nation.
Keith (So., DeLand, Fla.) is No. 19 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC with a 24.5 yards per kick return. He was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week for his 102 kick return yards on two returns against Western Michigan, including a career-long 83-yard return that set up the game-winning touchdown against the Broncos. Keith also scored three game-winning touchdowns for the Falcons on offense (vs. Marshall, vs. Miami (OH) and at Toledo).
Sims (Sr., Norcross, Ga.) turned in a comparable season to the 2021 campaign when he earned first-team accolades. Sims was second on the team with 41 receptions for 402 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His third-and-long catch for 35 yards in the closing minute at Toledo set up the game-winning score by Keith. He was third in the league among tight ends with 41 catches and had at least three receptions in 10 of the 11 games in which he played.
BGSU had the fewest all-league honorees of the MAC's 12 schools despite being one of the conference's five bowl-eligible teams and at one point being three quarters away from representing the East division at the MAC Championship game.
Bowling Green finished the regular season 6-6 and awaits its first bowl bid since 2015. A bowl announcement will be made on December 4.
2022 All-Mid-American Conference Team
2022 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: Tim Albin, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Offensive Player of the Year: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Defensive Player of the Year: Jose Ramirez, DL, Eastern Michigan
Special Teams Player of the Year: Alex McNulty, PK, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio
2022 All-MAC First-Team Offense
Quarterback – Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Marcellus Marshall, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Hagen Meservy, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Nick Rosi, Toledo
Tight End – Brady Hunt, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Alex Adams, Akron
Wide Receiver – Devontez Walker, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Dante Cephas, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Running Back – Carson Steele, Ball State
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Kent State
Placekicker – Alex McNulty, Buffalo
2022 All-MAC First-Team Defense
Down Lineman – Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Desjuan Johnson, Toledo
Linebacker – Bubba Arslanian, Akron
Linebacker – Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Linebacker – Dallas Gant, Toledo
Linebacker – Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Marcus Fuqua, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
2022 All-MAC First-Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jaylon Jackson, Eastern Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Keegan Wilburn, Ohio
2022 All-MAC Second-Team Offense
Quarterback – Dequan Finn, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Crowe, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Jamezz Kimbrough, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Sam Allan, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Rusty Feth, Miami
Tight End – Christian Sims, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Jayshon Jackson, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Odieu Hiliare, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Mac Hippenhammer, Miami
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Corey Crooms, Western Michigan
Running Back – Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Sean Tyler, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Nathanial Vakos, Ohio
2022 All-MAC Second-Team Defense
Down Lineman – DeVonte O'Malley, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jamal Hines, Toledo
Down Lineman – Andre Carter, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Brandon Fiske, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Clayton Coll, Ball State
Linebacker – James Patterson, Buffalo
Linebacker – Ryan McWood, Miami
Linebacker – Dyontae Johnson, Toledo
Defensive Back – Amechi Uzodinma, Ball State
Defensive Back – Nic Jones, Ball State
Defensive Back – Nico Bolden, Kent State
Defensive Back – C.J. Brown, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Nate Bauer, Toledo
Punter – Dom Dzioban, Miami
2022 All-MAC Second-Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ta'ron Keith, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ja'Shaun Poke, Kent State
2022 All-MAC Third-Team Offense
Quarterback – DJ Irons, Akron
Quarterback – Collin Schlee, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Whigan, Akron
Offensive Lineman – Gabe Wallace, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Desmond Bessent, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Logan Zschemitz, Northern Illinois
Tight End – Joel Wilson, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Shocky Jacques-Louis, Akron
Wide Receiver – Quian Williams, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Harrison Waylee, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Sieh Bangura, Ohio
Placekicker – Jesus Gomez, Eastern Michigan
2022 All-MAC Third-Team Defense
Down Lineman – Zay West, Kent State
Down Lineman – Michael Kennedy, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – James Ester, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jack McCrory, Ohio
Linebacker – Kyle Moretti, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Matthew Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Keye Thompson, Ohio
Linebacker – Corvin Moment, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Jordan Riley, Ball State
Defensive Back – John Saunders Jr., Miami
Defensive Back – Tariq Drake, Ohio
Defensive Back – Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
Punter – Luke Elzinga, Central Michigan
2022 All-MAC Third-Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jalen Walker, Miami
Kickoff Return Specialist – De'Javion Stepney, Central Michigan
Players Mentioned
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