The conference's other nine teams began their respective 2011 seasons of NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) competition on Saturday, September 3.

dealt an emotional blow to the members of the team; star quarterback Chandler Harnish saying about Kill's departure, "I have a horrible taste in my mouth".

Additionally, besides the emotional impact, USA Today noted "The timing of the announcement further hurts the program due to Kill most likely taking the bulk of his staff to Minnesota.

[15] Haywood was arrested in South Bend, Indiana on December 31, 2010, on felony domestic violence charges arising from a custody dispute, and was fired by Pittsburgh hours after being released on bond the next morning.

[18] Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois Coach of the Year: Ron English, Eastern Michigan Offensive Player of the Year: QB Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois Defensive Player of the Year: DL Drew Nowak, Western Michigan Special Teams Player of the Year: K Matt Weller, Ohio Freshman of the Year: RB Anthon Samuel, Bowling Green [19] 2011 All-MAC First Team Offense Quarterback – Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois Center – Scott Wedige, Northern Illinois Offensive Linemen – Mike VanDerMeulen, Toledo Offensive Lineman – Trevor Olson, Northern Illinois Offensive Lineman – Joe Flading, Ohio Offensive Linemen – Pat Boyle, Temple Tight End – Evan Rodriguez, Temple Wide Receiver – Jordan White, Western Michigan Wide Receiver – Eric Page, Toledo Wide Receiver – Nick Harwell, Miami Wide Receiver – Kamar Jorden, Bowling Green Running Back – Bernard Pierce, Temple Running Back – Branden Oliver, Buffalo Placekicker – Mathew Sims, Northern Illinois 2011 All-MAC First Team Defense Outside Linebacker – Aaron Morris, Ball State Outside Linebacker – Khalil Mack, Buffalo Inside Linebacker – Brian Wagner, Akron Inside Linebacker – Dwayne Woods, Bowling Green Down Lineman – Roosevelt Nix, Kent State Down Lineman – Adrian Robinson, Temple Down Lineman – Chris Jones, Bowling Green Down Lineman – Drew Nowak, Western Michigan Defensive Back – Jahleel Addae, Central Michigan Defensive Back – Dayonne Nunley, Miami Defensive Back – Desmond Marrow, Toledo Defensive Back – Sean Baker, Ball State Punter – Brian Schmiedebusch, Bowling Green 2011 All-MAC First Team Specialists Kickoff Return Specialist – Eric Page, Toledo Punt Return Specialist – Eric Page, Toledo 2011 All-MAC Second Team Offense Quarterback – Alex Carder, Western Michigan Center – Zac Kerin, Toledo Offensive Lineman – Brandon Brooks, Miami Offensive Lineman – Jordan Hansel, Ball State Offensive Lineman – Brian Winters, Kent State Offensive Lineman – Eric Herman, Ohio Tight End – David Blackburn, Central Michigan Wide Receiver – LaVon Brazill, Ohio Wide Receiver – Briggs Orsbon, Ball State Wide Receiver – Perez Ashford, Northern Illinois Wide Receiver – Marcus Rivers, Buffalo Running Back – Adonis Thomas, Toledo Running Back – Jasmin Hopkins, Northern Illinois Placekicker – Matt Weller, Ohio 2011 All-MAC Second Team Defense Outside Linebacker – C.J.