NIU AD Sean Frazier: School was working on Gator Bowl bid before Rutgers selected

NIU athletic director Sean Frazier was hoping that the seniors on the Huskie football team would get another final shot of going out the right way.

With Texas A&M being forced out of the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest because of COVID-19 issues Wednesday, a spot in a high-profile bowl game became available.

“We’re on that like a hungry dog on a hamburger,” Frazier said.

But the NCAA Football Oversight committee decided Thursday to follow policy, allowing 5-7 Rutgers to take the spot in the game as opposed to going with a team that already has played a bowl game.

The Scarlet Knights, who had the highest academic rating of the 5-7 teams, last played Nov. 27 against Maryland, a 40-16 loss. They have eight days to get ready for the game Dec. 31 against Wake Forest in Jacksonville.

Before the decision was made, Frazier said he realized NIU getting the berth was a long shot.

“Consistently, 5-7 APR teams have been what the committee has been always supportive of,” Frazier said. “I’m not naive on that. It’s just the timing. The safety issues. The fact the game is less than nine days away. That’s the only outside chance. It is what it is.”

NIU played in the Cure Bowl against Coastal Carolina, losing 47-41 on Dec. 17, and having a much shorter layoff than the one Rutgers is facing.

The bowl ended in controversy, with the Huskies unable to run a final play from Coastal Carolina’s 4-yard line. The clock started running before the center judge was clear of the ball, preventing the Huskies a chance at a winning play.

Conference USA, which provided the officials to the game, issued a statement that mistakes were made.

“We’re interested for a lot of reasons,” Frazier said. “The ending of our game, obviously, I won’t comment on all the issues around that. I can’t really comment, no sour grapes there. But I’m more concerned for my kids, my program, our brand and what we accomplished.

“My seniors did not get the experience, as they articulated to me, that they wanted,” he said. “I want to make sure that as papa bear, or papa dog, that they get the experience they deserve.”

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