HR1333 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1333 LRB097 23632 GRL 72696 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On December 1, 2012, the Northern Illinois University Huskies football team won the Mid-American Conference championship in a tense 44-37 double-overtime victory over Kent State; and

WHEREAS, With an undefeated conference record of 8-0, the Huskies went on to finish their season with a dominant overall record of 12-1; and

WHEREAS, On December 2, 2012, the Huskies learned that the team will face the Florida State Seminoles on New Year's Day in the 2013 Orange Bowl, becoming the first team from the Mid-American Conference to earn a berth in a BCS bowl game; and

WHEREAS, After not winning the Mid-America Conference championship since 1983, the Huskies have now won back-to-back Mid-America Conference championships after their victory against Kent State and their 2011 championship victory against Ohio; and

WHEREAS, The team was led by junior quarterback Jordan Lynch, who, with legitimate Heisman Trophy credentials passed for 2,962 yards and 24 touchdowns, led the NCAA in rushing yards and set the NCAA rushing record for quarterbacks with 1,771 yards, in addition to 19 touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, Northern Illinois University is nationally recognized for the success of its student athletes on the field and in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, A conference championship takes dedication from all members and coaches on the roster, as well as all the devoted Northern Illinois University students and Huskies fans; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend and applaud the 2012 Northern Illinois University Huskies for their accomplishments during the 2012 season, for the talent and teamwork displayed on the field, for their excellence and humility off the field, for the outstanding coaching staff leading team, and for becoming the first Mid-America Conference team to earn a berth in a BCS bowl game when the team plays the Florida State Seminoles in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to each member of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, the President and Athletic Director of Northern Illinois University, each member of the coaching staff and football program of the 2012 team, and each player on the 2012 roster of the Northern Illinois University Huskies football team.