Buffalo's Khalil Mack ties NCAA record for tackles for loss

Buffalo senior outside linebacker Khalil Mack tied the NCAA career mark for tackles for loss Friday in a 24-7 loss to Bowling Green.

Mack (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) had 2.5 tackles for loss, giving him 75 for his career; that ties the record held by former Western Michigan defensive end Jason Babin.

The victory gave Bowling Green (9-3) the MAC East Division title, and the Falcons will play Northern Illinois (12-0) next Friday in Detroit in the MAC championship game.

Mack already holds the NCAA career record for forced fumbles with 16 and almost certainly will get a chance to break the TFL record in a bowl game. Buffalo is 8-4, and Mack's presence will be a selling point to bowl committees. The MAC has three bowl tie-ins; in addition, the MAC has secondary deals with four bowls, and three will be looking for a fill-in team.

Mack wasn't the only MAC player to make news Friday. Ball State senior quarterback Keith Wenning (6-3, 220) was 27-of-33 for 445 yards and six TDs as the Cardinals blasted Miami (Ohio) 55-14. The Cardinals improved to 10-2 on the season and had three players finish with 100 receiving yards.

Wenning now has 3,933 yards, 34 TDs and six interceptions this season and has moved himself from a likely free agent to a prospect who could be drafted as early as the fifth round. Wenning has a strong arm and has cut down on his questionable decisions this season. He had thrown 35 interceptions in his first three seasons.

While Northern Illinois' Jordan Lynch will be the first-team All-MAC quarterback, Wenning is considered a much better pro prospect.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.