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Lynch, Sims earn weekly MAC West honors

September 3, 2013
Jordan Lynch

Jordan Lynch

Northern Illinois University quarterback Jordan Lynch and kicker Mathew Sims garnered Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honors following the Huskies’ 30-27 victory over Iowa, the league office announced Monday.

Lynch picked up MAC West Offensive Player of the Week accolades, the fifth of his career, while Sims took MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the third such award of his career.

Lynch began his senior season by leading Northern Illinois to a 30-27 win at Iowa. He completed 25-of-41 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 56 yards on 22 carries to total 331 yards of offense on 63 plays. The Mt. Carmel product tied his career highs for both completions (25 vs. Toledo, 11-14-12) and attempts (vs. Florida State, Orange Bowl, 1-1-13).

Lynch’s 275 passing yards marked the third-highest total of his career.

The Chicago, Ill. native threw touchdown passes of 40 and 21 yards to Tommylee Lewis in the first half and led the Huskies on a game-tying touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. On that drive, he completed all five of his pass attempts for 84 yards, including the 33-yard touchdown to Da’Ron Brown with 5:05 to play.

Mathew Sims

Mathew Sims

Sims recorded the third game-winning field goal of his career when he made a three from 36 yards out with four seconds to give the Huskies a 30-27 win over Iowa Saturday in Iowa City. The game-winner was Sims’ third field goal of the game as earlier in the game he hit from 47 and 25 yards.

A native of Hannibal, Mo., Sims has made seven straight field goals dating back to last season. He also was three-for-three on extra points to extend his PAT streak to 58 consecutive made. Sims accounted for 12 points in the game. His previous game-winning threes came in 2011 as he made kicks to defeat Ball State at home (41-38) and to win the MAC Championship game over Ohio (23-20).

NIU returns to action Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Huskies travel to Moscow, Idaho, to face Idaho. The Huskies’ home opener against Eastern Illinois is set for Saturday, Sept. 21.

For more information on NIU football and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.