CBSSports.com Mid-American Conference All-Decade Team
Below is a list of Mid-American Conference All-Decade team, which was voted on by the writers and staff at CBSSports.com.
The team is highlighted by our offensive player of the decade, Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe. In just three seasons, Wolfe ran for 5,136 yards with 84 touchdowns, including a career-best 1,928 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2006.
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| Garrett Wolfe (Getty Images) |
"We had a real nice run there of outstanding running backs," said former coach Joe Novak. "I coached for 40 years and I don't think I was every around a more natural football player in my life than Garrett. He had tremendous instincts and everything came natural to Garrett."
| Pos. | Player |
| QB | Byron Leftwich, Marshall |
| RB | Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois |
| RB | Michael Turner, Northern Illinois |
| WR | Greg Jennings, Western Michigan |
| WR | Darius Watts, Marshall |
| TE | Tony Scheffler, Western Michigan |
| OL | Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green |
| OL | John Greco, Toledo |
| OL | Doug Free, Northern Illinois |
| OL | Nick Kaczur, Toledo |
| OL | Joe Staley, Central Michigan |
| DL | Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan |
| DL | Larry English, Northern Illinois |
| DL | Jonathan Goddard, Marshall |
| DL | Jason Babin, Western Michigan |
| LB | Red Keith, Central Michigan |
| LB | James Harrison, Kent State |
| LB | Terna Nande, Miami (Ohio) |
| DB | Dwight Smith, Akron |
| DB | Atari Bigby, UCF |
| DB | Janssen Patton, Bowling Green |
| DB | Dion Byrum, Ohio |
| K | Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan |
| P | Chris Miller, Ball State |
| Ret | Ryne Robinson, Miami (Ohio) |
Wolfe is joined on the All-Decade team by Michael Turner, who played for Northern Illinois from 2000-2003. Turner ran for a school record 1,915 yards and 19 touchdowns during his junior season and 1,648 and 14 touchdowns during his senior season.
Defensive end Jason Babin is CBSSports.com defensive player of the decade, after a tremendous career at Western Michigan.
He was named first-team all-conference in 2002 and 2003, while earning second team honors in 2001. He was also the conference's defensive player of the year twice. He finished his career as the school's all-time leader in sacks (38) and tackles for a loss (75).
One of the toughest decisions on the team was the choice at quarterback between Marshall's Byron Leftwich, Miami (Ohio)'s Ben Roethlisberger and current player Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan.
While Roethlisberger put together a fantastic career, throwing for 10,829 yards with 80 touchdowns and 23 interceptions, Leftwich's college career was slightly better.
Marshall, which is currently a member of Conference USA, was in the MAC from 1997-2005. Leftwich threw for 11,903 yards with 89 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in just three seasons (2000-2002), while guiding the Thundering Herd to two conference titles and three consecutive bowl victories.
Roethlisberger's current teammate, linebacker James Harrison, made the team after an excellent career at Kent State.
Note: UCF was a member of the MAC from 2001-2004, which allowed staff to vote for Atari Bigby, who was named to the MAC all-conference team in 2002 and 2003.
