Mid-American Conference News and Notes

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) –

AKRON: After falling behind by 18 points in the first half, the Zips were unable to overcome the early deficit and lost, 42-24, at home to Ball State. Akron set a new season-high with 226 rushing yards on 44 carries with 166 yards coming courtesy of Jawon Chisholm’s 26 attempts. The junior tailback broke away for a 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and Kyle Pohl provided a rushing score with a 15-yard run in the third quarter. Pohl completed 17-of-35 attempts for 211 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off twice and sacked three times. Dylan Evans anchored Akron’s defense with 13 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The Zips lost by a significant margin despite outgaining BSU, 437-434, in total yards of offense. Akron will conclude its two-game homestand on Saturday when it hosts Kent State.

BALL STATE: The Cardinals (8-1, 5-0) continued their strong pursuit of the MAC Championship as they stayed perfect in conference play with a 42-24 rout of Akron on the road. Keith Wenning connected on 25-of-35 attempts for 240 yards and five touchdowns for Ball State as it collected its 14th win in 15 outings. Jordan Williams tallied 12 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Willie Sneed also made two catches for scores and compiled 100 yards on seven receptions. Jahwan Edwards paced the Cardinals on the ground with 120 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. BSU dominated despite being outgained, 437-434, in total yards. The defense registered three takeaways and allowed Akron to convert a third-down into a new set of plays on 6-of-16 tries. The Cardinals will have a bye week before they host Central Michigan on Nov. 6 for a mid- week bout in Muncie.

BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons (5-3, 3-1) overcame a 21-point deficit, but could not hold on as they were handed a 28-25 defeat by Toledo in a thrilling Battle of I-75 rivalry game at Doyt Perry Stadium. BGSU went ahead, 25-21, with just under six minutes remaining in regulation before the Rockets scored the game- winning touchdown with only 1:22 showing on the clock. Matt Johnson hit on 17- of-26 pass attempts for 208 yards for the Falcons, who had won all of their MAC games entering the matchup. Johnson also added 32 rushing yards and a touchdown despite being sacked six times. Travis Greene chimed in with 96 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Heath Jackson made seven catches for 72 yards. D.J. Lynch spearheaded the charge for the BGSU defense with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. The Falcons will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 5, when they play Miami-Ohio in Oxford.

BUFFALO: Branden Oliver continued to impress as he pushed Buffalo (6-2, 4-0) to a 41-21 win over Kent State at Dix Stadium with a career-high four touchdown runs. Oliver compiled 185 yards on 31 carries, while Joe Licata went 20-of-31 passing, for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Alex Neutz made three catches for 75 yards and a score. Fred Lee was also a factor in the aerial attack with six catches for 72 yards. Khalil Mack anchored the defensive unit with 10 tackles, one sack, one stop for loss and an interception. The Bulls outgained KSU, 491-363, in total yards of offense and converted 7-of-13 third- down plays. UB did not commit a turnover and picked off two passes en route to the 20-point win. The now-bowl eligible Bulls will take their six-game winning streak into their week 10 bye before they host Ohio University on Nov. 5.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN: The Chippewas (3-5, 2-2) had their first of two bye weeks following their 38-17 loss to Northern Illinois on Oct. 19. They will be out of action until their Nov. 6 matchup with the Cardinals at Ball State.

EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Eagles (1-7, 0-4) lost their seventh straight game as they were routed, 59-20, by Northern Illinois at Huskie Stadium. NIU outgained EMU, 658-337, in total yards as both sides avoided making any turnovers. True freshman Brogan Roback made his first career start under center and went 7- of-17 for 109 yards. Tyler Benz came off the bench to hit on 6-of-15 attempts for 64 yards and one touchdown. Javonti Greene and Bronson Hill combined for 131 rushing yards on 27 attempts. Tyreese Russell made four receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles will try to turn things around on Saturday when they conclude their two-game road swing at Toledo.

KENT STATE: Buffalo racked up 491 yards of total offense en route to a 41-21 decision over the Golden Flashes (2-7, 1-4) at Dix Stadium. Colin Reardon passed for 260 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-32 efficiency to lead KSU in the loss, but he was also picked off twice. Trayion Durham had 57 yards and a score on 12 carries, while Dri Archer had 70 yards of total offense and a touchdown. Chris Humphrey was Reardon’s main target as he finished with 73 yards on seven receptions. KSU had no answer for UB’s Branden Oliver, who rushed for a career-best four touchdowns. The Golden Flashes will try to end their four-game losing streak on Saturday when they hit the road to play Akron.

MASSACHUSETTS: Lorenzo Woodley scored on a two-yard run with 22 seconds left to bring UMass (1-7, 1-3) within a single point, but A.J. Doyle could not connect with Elgin Long on the ensuing two-point conversion try which allowed Western Michigan to claim a 31-30 victory in a cross-divisional bout at Gillette Stadium. Doyle went 15-of-24 passing for 194 yards and a touchdown, while Woodley tallied 58 yards on 16 totes. Tight end Rob Branchflower was unguardable, reeling in seven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. The Minutemen compiled 332 yards of total offense and surrendered 393 total yards to WMU, which trailed 21-10 at the intermission. UMass will stay at home this Saturday as it welcomes the two-time defending MAC Champion NIU Huskies to Foxboro.

MIAMI-OHIO: Once again, the RedHawks (0-8, 0-4) were overmatched as they were defeated, 41-16, by Ohio University at Peden Stadium. Austin Boucher threw for 120 yards and a touchdown but completed only 12-of-25 pass attempts and was intercepted once. Dawan Scott caught five passes for 48 yards and Dustin White had 38 yards and a score on three receptions. Miami trailed 28-10 at halftime and was outgained, 535-240, in total yards of offense in the contest. The RedHawks rushed 40 times for 85 yards compared to the Bobcats’ 229 yards on 42 carries. They will have week 10 off before their Nov. 5 matchup versus Bowling Green.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS: For the first time since 1965, the Huskies (8-0, 4-0) improved to 8-0 with a 59-20 victory over Eastern Michigan at home. The win marked the 21st consecutive conference win and 24th straight triumph at Huskie Stadium. Jordan Lynch was incredible once again as he threw four touchdown passes, rushed for a score and also caught a pass for six points. Lynch completed 16-of-20 passes for 223 yards and also rushed for 99 yards on 18 carries. Tommylee Lewis finished with 188 total yards and also threw a touchdown pass to Lynch and Da’Ron Brown added a pair of touchdown receptions. NIU outgained EMU, 658-337, in total yards of offense as both sides avoided making any turnovers. NIU will try to take one step closer towards its third- straight MAC Championship on Saturday as it takes on Massachusetts on the road.

OHIO UNIVERSITY: The Bobcats (6-2, 3-1) improved their chances of returning to Detroit for the MAC Championship by dispatching Miami-Ohio, 41-16, in an East Division tilt at Peden Stadium. Tyler Tettleton led Ohio with 306 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-32 passing efficiency. Donte Foster caught all three scoring passes and tallied 122 yards receiving. Matt Waters contributed 96 yards on six grabs, while Beau Blankenship powered the running game with 172 yards on 20 attempts. Defensively, the Bobcats recorded seven sacks. The win made them bowl eligible and rose the school’s all-time record to the .500 mark (531-531-48) for the first time since the start of the 1995 campaign. Ohio will have a bye before it challenges the East Division-leading Buffalo Bulls in week 11.

TOLEDO: Terrance Owens threw his third touchdown pass of the contest with only 1:22 left in regulation to lift the Rockets (5-3, 3-1) to a crucial, 28-25, win over Bowling Green at Doyt Perry Stadium. Owens finished 15-of-23 passing for 130 yards and chipped in 59 rushing yards on 10 attempts. Kareem Hunt contributed 114 yards and a score on 21 rushes, while David Fluellen gained 61 yards on just three carries before leaving the game with an ankle injury in the opening quarter. Alonzo Russell made two touchdown catches, including the game-winner, and tallied 56 yards receiving. Toledo jumped out to a 21-0 lead before allowing the Falcons to score 25 unanswered points. The Rockets held a narrow, 372-343, edge in total yards of offense. Junior Sylvestre anchored the defense with 12 tackles, 3.5 TFL and three sacks. Toledo will try for its fourth straight win on Saturday when it hosts Eastern Michigan.

WESTERN MICHIGAN: After eight fruitless efforts, coach P.J. Fleck earned his first career victory as the Broncos (1-8, 1-4) held on for a 31-30 decision over Massachusetts in a thriller at Gillette Stadium. WMU trailed 21-10 at halftime before rallying back over the final 30 minutes. UMass scored a touchdown with 22 seconds left to make it 31-30, but failed to convert a two- point conversion try. Zach Terrell had a strong showing as he completed 23- of-36 pass attempts for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Corey Davis was unstoppable, making 10 catches for 154 yards and two scores. Brian Fields and Dareyon Chance combined for 116 rushing yards. Justin Currie anchored WMU’s defense with 13 total tackles. Fleck will look for win number two after the Broncos enjoy a bye in week 10.

Categorized in: NCAA Football