NIU's Jordan Lynch has Heisman hopes like Johnny Football

• Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch enjoyed his time at the Manning Passing Academy
• Lynch%2C like Johnny Manziel%2C burst onto the national scene last fall
• He led Northern Illinois to 12 consecutive victories and a first-ever BCS berth in the Orange Bowl

DETROIT — Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch had a blast last month at the Manning Passing Academy.

Working out with Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli Manning. Rubbing elbows with NFL standouts and elite QBs.

One guy he didn't spend any time with: Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.

"I didn't really get a chance to talk to him," Lynch said Tuesday at Mid-American Conference Football Media Day. "There were tons of SEC players there. He was comfortable with those guys. I guess if there were a ton of MAC quarterbacks there I would talk to the MAC guys."

Manziel's controversial and abbreviated stay, cut short after he missed an assignment, was a factor as well.

Still, Lynch and Manziel plan to return to the Manning camp in 2014.

It's just one of many experiences both would like to improve upon.

Lynch, like Manziel, burst onto the national scene last fall, leading Northern Illinois to 12 consecutive victories and a first-ever BCS berth in the Orange Bowl.

The first player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to run for more than 1,500 yards and pass for more than 3,000 yards, Lynch was named second-team All-America as an all-purpose player and finished seventh in Heisman voting.

His numbers compare favorably with Johnny Football. Lynch threw for 3,138 yards, completed 60.2 percent of his passes, tossed 25 touchdown passes (with just six interceptions) and ran for 1,815 yards and 19 scores. Manziel compiled 3,706 yards passing with a 68 percent completion rate, 26 TD passes (9 INTS) and rushed for 1,410 yards, 21 for TDs.

Statistical similarities aside, the fact that Manziel made his hay in the almighty SEC while Lynch toiled in the much-maligned MAC left some trying to diminish the accomplishments of Northern Illinois' leader.

Particularly after the Huskies fell flat against Florida State, bowing 31-10 in the Orange Bowl.

After the game FSU linebacker Vince Williams called Lynch, "terrible" and "not good at all."

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said it was a joke that NIU was afforded the opportunity to face the Seminoles.

Hogwash said Lynch.

"I don't think we deserve any negative criticism," Lynch said. "All we did is our job, winning 12 straight games and finishing 12-2. Playing Florida State, it was 17-10 going into the fourth quarter. We stuck with them.

"It didn't end up the way we wanted it to but that's a team you see play on Saturdays on TV all the time. Northern Illinois stuck with them. I think we can grow from that and finish the fight this year. Go back to a BCS bowl and win the game."

Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey loves the way Lynch carries himself and sees a drive to complete what's been started.

"He was an instrumental part of what we did last year, there's no doubt about that," Carey said. "But it still wasn't his senior year. It still wasn't his team. Now he really feels it is his team. That's a hunger he has."

The Huskies and Lynch won't sneak up on anyone this season. Raising the pressure: NIU has launched a Heisman campaign for its quarterback dubbed "Lynch for 6."

Could he beat the odds and find himself face to face with Manziel again, this time at a ceremony in New York honoring the most outstanding player in college football?

"I don't know how much he cares about this stuff," Carey said. "He likes going and throwing the ball around and being with his guys."

Lynch sees the value of the Heisman hype, even if it's a bit awkward.

"It's good for Northern Illinois and the Mid-American Conference," he said. "It's tons of exposure and any time we're getting our school and our conference exposure it's good.

"I'm not too updated on the Twitter world or anything like that. I know I have a microscope on me now and the things I do. I feel like I don't do anything out of the ordinary to blow things up."

Lynch feels empathy seeing the scrutiny that Manziel has faced.

"I know on campus when I walk around it's kind of low key," Lynch said. "I do get some time away. I can only imagine getting hounded every second, when you are going to get something to eat or whatever. I guess at times it could be pretty tough. But you just have to make the right decisions."

And in Lynch's case, win the right games.