Dec. 24, 2010

DEKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois University quarterback Chandler Harnish can add Mid-American Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Week to his list of accolades in 2010.

A three-time MAC West Player of the Week this season, Harnish garnered his latest conference honor after winning the Humanitarian Bowl MVP award as he led the Huskies to a 40-17 victory over Fresno State in the 14th annual uDrove Humanitarian Bowl.

A business management major who carries a 3.589 grade point average, Harnish accumulated 372 yards of total offense while rushing for a two touchdowns and throwing for another. Harnish rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries and his two rushing touchdowns tied a career-high.

Harnish posted his third career 300-yard passing day, throwing for 300 yards on 17-of-26 passing with no interceptions. The Bluffton, Ind. native established a new NIU record for most passing yards by a Northern Illinois quarterback in a bowl game, breaking the mark of 186 he set versus Louisiana Tech in the 2008 Independence Bowl.

Harnish's MAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week honor is the first for Northern Illinois and the second of his career. He earned scholar-athlete of the week honors as a freshman following his performance against Minnesota. NIU volleyball players Allison McGlaughlin and Kristin Hoffman earned MAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Week honors earlier this season.

-NIU-