Written by MikeSpinelli

---

Week four brought more upsets and surprises, with MAC wins over Big Ten, Big East, and Big 12 teams, and one former cellar dweller almost upsetting an SEC team. Several games weren’t decided until the last minute. This season has the makings of the most exciting ever.

The surprise of the week was Central Michigan upsetting Iowa. 

 

 

One of the better MAC teams, the Chippewas were still heavy underdogs to Iowa, especially after losing big to Michigan State. CMU’s attack was led by QB Ryan Radcliff, who threw for 283 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cody Wilson was his favorite receiver with 8 catches for 105 yards, while Titus Davis caught both TD passes. Iowa used a power running game, with Mark Weisman rushing for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 8 yards per carry. The teams traded the lead 5 times before David Harman kicked a 47 yard FG with three seconds left to put the Chippewas back on top 32-31. CMU improves to 2-1.

Another upset was Ball State beating South Florida 31-27. Again it was a last minute scoring drive that decided the game. Down 27-24, QB Keith Wenning hit Willie Snead on a 19 yard TD pass to retake the lead with just over a minute left. Wenning finished with 244 yards and 2 TD, Snead accounting for 135 of those yards and one of the scores. Jawan Edwards ran for just under 100 yards. The Cards improve to 3-1, and could make a lot of noise in the top-heavy West Division.

The Akron Zips gave Tennessee more than they could handle for three quarters, leading in the second quarter and tied at the half. Lack of depth, especially in the secondary, allowed Tennessee to dominate in the fourth quarter and end up with a 47-26 win. Dalton Williams threw for 229 yards, but tossed three to the men in orange which didn’t help. Quentin Hines ran for 76 yards and one touchdown, Marquelo Suel had 12 catches for 92 yards. Zach D’Orazio caught 6 passes for 72 yards before sustaining another season ending injury. The much improved Zips enter conference play at 1-3.

Kent State beat Buffalo on the road in the Wednesday night nationally televised game. These teams were chosen for the game simply because there were no better conference games to choose from. Kent jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, Buffalo only scoring on a half ending Hail Mary. Kent's QB-by-committee went 13 for 28 for 165 yards and one INT. Dri Archer rushed for 127 yards while Traiyon Durham gained 112 more. Durham led Kent receivers with 47 yards. Buffalo’s Alex Zordich was 4/22 for 92 yards, one TD and 2 INT’s. Branden Oliver rushed for 77. Kent didn’t make the Not-Top-10 this week, but did make the Top-10 by giving up the Hail Mary. That’s an improvement I guess. Kent wins 23 to 7 in the most unwatchable game on the four letter network, so far. Kent improves to 2-1 (1-0) and Buffalo falls to 1-2 (0-1).

Northern Illinois handled Kansas in another game that went back and forth until the fourth quarter when the Huskies turned it on for 17 points, winning 30-23. Jordan Lynch threw for 235 yards and ran for 105 more. He had two TD passes and one on the run. Martel Moore caught 5 passes for 105 yards and a score. The Huskies go into conference play at 3-1.

Ohio U dominated the Norfolk State Spartans 44-0 before putting the assistant coaches, cheerleaders, and hot dog salesmen, finishing up with a 44-10 win over the FCS school. Ohio improves to 4-0. The Bobcats did not make the Top 25 yet, but they did garner 40 votes.

Virginia Tech blanked Bowling Green in the other ESPNU game, as the Falcons continue their downward spiral. BG gave up 246 yards on the ground to the Hokies and drops to 1-3 (0-1).

Toledo allowed FCS Coastal Carolina hang around all day before finally putting them away late in the game. Terrance Owens threw for 290 yards with 3 touchdowns; Bernard Reedy was his top catcher with 122 yards. Toledo improves to 3-1 (1-0).

And last but not quite least, Eastern Michigan held 21^st ranked Michigan State to 23 points, allowing only 159 yards through the air. EMU scored a second quarter touchdown when Tyler Benz (137 yds.) connected with Donald Scott on a 23 yarder. The Eagles fall to 0-4 (0-1).

All games this week are on Saturday, and all but one are conference games from here on out. With an odd number of teams, one team will play non-con games each week, next week it’s Bowling Green hoping to get back on track hosting Rhode Island. All games will be on ESPN3.

Despite the surprises, I still finished 7-4 this week, and sit at 35-10 overall. Still no challengers for the “conference season”, so I guess I’ll trudge on alone.