By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog

A fiercely independent publication covering all of Mid-American Conference sports! Formerly Hustle Belt.

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

Frank Solich getting the traditional French fry bath, as one does in Idaho. #PotatoBowl

[Eagle Spill @EagleSpill]

EMU Alum Max Schuemann with his first HR of the season for the Yankees today!

[Nathan Strauss @NathanPStrauss]

8 UMass-affiliated players were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, a new program record. Of course, always possible more players from this draft become Minutemen too.

UMass is bringing in a class with 7 drafted players and will have 12 drafted players rostered in ‘26-27…

[WMU Hockey @WMUHockey]

Congrats to Bobby and Cooper on being selected in the 2026 NHL Draft!

📰 https://t.co/eYEdaCvYhk

#BroncosReign

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

July 1st is the official departure, so EA is technically correct.

Which some day is the best kind of correct.

[MACFBEnthusiast @macfbenthusiast]

@bythebelt EA still thinks NIU is in the MAC on that website.

[Jack Dann @JackBDann]

Here are Sac State’s ten highest rated players on the upcoming College Football game:

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

The full ratings for all 9,013 players featured in EA Sports College Football 27 are now out to the public!

How do the players on your favorite #MACtion squad rank? We've compiled the top 10 from all 13 programs here: https://t.co/rqc5kCvg8S

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

@jeff_gluck It is hellacious trying to find some of our old content from before we went independent.

Really bad for maintaining brand presence.

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

@FBHnow It was undefeated Kent State in 2020, who had averaged ~27 points prior to this game.

Ultimately decided the MAC East division via H2H.

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

This is what I mean when I say “Run The Damn Ball”

[Back Then Football @BackThenFB]

This is what I mean when I say “Run The Damn Ball”

[Steve Helwick @s_helwick]

Miami (OH): @ColemanMikah
Toledo: @AndrewZock1
UMass: @isaiah_reed_14

Last year, the MAC's MVP was a transfer defensive end in Nadame Tucker. Here are the MAC defensive transfers that could provide similar impact in 2026:
https://t.co/gAfzJX8KGx

[The Cursive 𝓤 @TheCursiveU]

We agree that @isaiah_reed_14 will bring some added stability to the backend of the UMass🏈defense.

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

The NCAA adjusted its bowl-eligibility standard on Wednesday, allowing programs in their first year of FBS competition to be immediately eligible for the postseason.

That's significant news for the MAC's newest member Sacramento State: https://t.co/OqpDSWpqMs

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

The "Iceman" saga continues, as Caleb Williams has been denied trademark protection-- though the USPTO says it interferes with protections for a line of insulted boots made by LaCrosse, not George Gervin.

We discussed the initial filing back in March: https://t.co/SO9qP2x1Ph

[ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk]

The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has denied Caleb Williams's application for trademark protection as to the name "Iceman." https://t.co/GDSSBZkrKa

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

The 2025 MAC MVP was a transfer defensive end in Nadame Tucker.

From Toledo's Andrew Zock to Miami's Mikah Coleman, here are the MAC defensive transfers that could provide similar star impact in 2026:
https://t.co/FlsvlC3NQi

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

The 2026 MAC Defensive Player of the Year will get his chance to shine in the pros, as former BGSU guard Javontae Campbell signs a Summer League deal with the Philadelphia @sixers: https://t.co/lwRNk4A1kM

[FBSchedules.com @FBSchedules]

Sacramento State, Southern Utah reschedule future football game

https://t.co/IJ5VUJvIxT

[Eastern Michigan Football @EMUFB]

We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to team up with @CityofDetroit Parks and Rec to play some football out in the community last night!

#ETOUGH

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

Pete Suder, the hero of the March Madness darling Miami RedHawks, will begin his professional career as a two-way player for the Los Angeles @Lakers after going undrafted: https://t.co/Kf4iKritmX

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

@KeaneyBlueBlood Ya just gotta believe!

[By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt]

Huge news for Sac State. This would allow the Hornets eligibility for both the MAC Championship and any potential bowl in year one.

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

The NCAA DI Cabinet, meeting now, has approved a measure permitting teams transitioning from FCS to FBS - ND State and Sacramento State this year - to be immediately eligible for postseason competition, assuming they meet all FBS requirements, sources tell @YahooSports.