Written by MikeSpinelli

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The Mid-American Conference finally cranked up full time conference play, with close games coming down to the last minute, including a couple that shouldn’t have. It all points to a very interesting season in the East.

 

First up is Kent State hosting Ball State. Ball State has been the surprise team of the MAC this year, while Kent has looked sloppy. And despite giving up 557 yards to Ball State, Kent was able to pull off the last second win. Ball State had scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to gain a 43-42 lead before Kent’s winning drive. Kent responded with a 15 play 86 yard drive that ended with a 25 yard Freddy Cortez field goal with six seconds left. Keith Wenning made one more try but Flash Sidney Saulter broke up the pass play as time ran out.

Spencer Keith threw for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns with one interception. Trayion Durham ran for 91 yards and two scores while Dri Archer rushed for 72. Archer led the Golden Flashes in receiving with 104 aerial yards and two touches. For the Cards Keith Wenning threw for 445 yards (averaging 10.3) with five touchdown passes. Willie Sneed again led Cardinal receivers with 216 yards and 2 scores. Brandon Newman had the game’s one INT.

Kent State travels to Eastern Michigan while Ball State hosts Northern Illinois Saturday.

The Ohio Bobcats have been trying to break into the Top 25 this season, and have been gaining more and more cred as the season went on. That all probably came to an end when they barely survived winless FCS convert UMass. The Minutemen ran up 34 points and 511 yards on the vaunted Bobcats, the most they have scored in their FBS history. Mike Wegzyn threw for 373 yards and four touchdowns, 1 to Deion Walker (162 yards) and three to Alan Williams (127 yards).

Ohio was behind 27-20 going into the fourth quarter and scored two touchdowns on Beau Blankenship runs and a Matt Weller field goal to go up 37-27. UMass answered with a late touchdown but was unable to score again. Blankenship led the Cats offense with 269 yards rushing (6.3 per) and 2 touchdowns. Tyler Tettleton threw for 229 yards and 2 more touchdowns.

Ohio hosts Buffalo Saturday in what should be an easy win, but this game has everyone asking
“What the hell?” At least we won’t have to listen to their overbearing fans this week.

UMass heads to Western Michigan, who should have Alex Karder back.

Northern Illinois ran over Central Michigan 55-24, with 622 total yards of offense. Jordan Lynch passed for 215 yards and 1 touchdown, and although he gained 144 on the ground (with a TD); he had help from Leighton Settle who gained another 152 yards and 3 touchdowns overland. The aerial attack was spread among seven receivers. Ryan Radcliff threw for 332 yards and 2 touches while Cody Wilson grabbed 8 passes for 111 yards.

The Huskies travel to Ball State next week while the Chippewas host Toledo.

Western Michigan had to face Toledo without their starting QB in a game that will go a long way toward deciding the West Division. Before the game Alex Karder was scratched from the lineup due to injury. The Rockets responded by running up a 20-0 score in the first half and never looking back. Terrence Owens threw for 243 yards and David Fluellen ran for 213 more (scoring 3 TD’s) in a balanced Rocket Attack. Karder’s  replacement, Tyler Van Tubbergen, was 24/46 for 232 yards and 1 touchdown to go with three INT’s. Dareyon Chance rushed for 102 yards and Jaime Wilson caught for 103.

Toledo improves to 2-0 in the MAC and hosts Central Michigan Saturday.

The Broncs fall to 0-1 in the MAC and host UMass Saturday.

Buffalo travelled to Connecticut to play the Huskies and showed improvement over the past few weeks. UConn led 24-7 in the third before the Bulls mounted a comeback attempt that fell short, losing 24-17. Alex Zordich went 13/30 throwing for 220 yards and 1 touchdown. He also led the Bulls in rushing with 76 yards. Alex Neutz caught 6 passes for 90 yards.

Da Bulls travel to Athens to face the Bobcats Saturday.

Bowling Green rounds out week 5 with a 48-8 win over Rhode Island. This game came at a great time for the Falcons, as they try to get back on track after a couple disappointing losses. Matt Schilz completed 74% of his passes for 281 yards and 2 scores. Anthon Samuel rushed for 127 yards (7.5 avg) and three touchdowns, while Shaun Joplin gained 71 yards through the air.

BG takes their 0-1 MAC record into Akron Saturday.

I had a rough week, going 4-3, which puts me at 39-13 overall.