NIU's Lynch Aiming For History With Poinsettia Bowl Appearance

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Jordan Lynch will make a run at history Thursday night when he suits up for the final time for No. 24 Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl against Utah State.

Lynch already owns the major college record for yards rushing for a quarterback with 1,881. With 119 yards to go, he can become the first player to rush for 2,000 yards and throw for 2,000.

NIU coach Rod Carey says he's "really proud" of Lynch.

Lynch has passed for 2,676 yards and 23 touchdowns. He's rushed for 22 scores and even caught a touchdown pass in leading the Huskies to a 12-1 record.

That prompted him to be named to The Associated Press All-America team as an all-purpose player.

Utah State coach Matt Wells knows Lynch has quite the supporting cast in fellow 1,000-yard rusher Cameron Stingily and wide receivers Tommylee Lewis and Da'Ron Brown.

He says he has a lot of respect for the quarterback.

The San Diego game will be NIU's sixth straight bowl game.

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