This week the MAC had two division winners with their hands full against winless teams, “battles for relevance” in divisions, an overtime thriller, and a surprise contender rolling along.
Undefeated Ohio hosted Akron in its ongoing bid to join the ranked teams of the Football Bowl Series, and again they had their hands full. The Bobcats jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, before Akron scored just before halftime. The Zips carried that momentum into the second half, scoring on its first drive making it 20-14.. Ohio responded with two third quarter touchdowns. But Akron would not quit. They scored in the fourth to make the score 34-21. With over three minutes left, the Cats rolled out the backups to run down the clock, which backfired with a three-and-out and a dropped punt. Akron responded with Dalton Williams’ second TD pass of the quarter to Jerrod Dillard to make it a one score game. The onside kick off went out of bounds, and the game was over. Williams finished with almost 300 yards passing and 4 TD and 2 INT’s. Jawon Chisolm led the game with 177 yards rushing, and Dee Frieson edged Jawon for receiving honors with 57 yards. For Ohio Tyler Tettleton threw for 150 yards and 2 TD’s. Beau Blankenship ran up 108 yards on the Zips, Ryan Boykin ran for 96 more. Troy Hill had 5 catches for 52 yards and a score. Ohio visits Miami next week, while Akron hosts NIU.
Ohio wasn’t the only division leader to get a scare from a winless team, Toledo had a hell of a time with Eastern Michigan (0-6 0-3). They just would not go away. Every time Toledo built a lead, back came the Eagles. In the third quarter the teams combined for EIGHT touchdowns in this shootout. Final score Toledo 52 EMU 47. Toledo’s Terrance Owens finished with 401 yards and 3 TD’s, and 2 INT’s. David Fluellen ran up 188 yards and 2 TD’s, and Bernard Reedy had 11 receptions for 237 yards and 2 TD’s. The Eagles also put up big numbers, Tyler Benz threw for 301 yards and 2 TD’s, Bronson Hill ran for 283 yards and 4 TD’s, while Garrett Hoskins had 7 catches for 103 yards. Toledo hosts 21st ranked Cincinnati next week, Eastern Michigan hosts Army,
Two games were battles for relevance as the season rolls on, one from the West and one from the East.
In the west it was Western Michigan visiting Ball State. Ball State jumped out to an early lead with a Jahwan Edwards 11 yard run. It would be the last time they would lead until the fourth quarter. The Cards looked messy at times, disorganized. But they put it together in the fourth quarter with a scoring drive, retaking the lead 24-21. WMU’s Andrew Halderman kicked a 52 yard FG as time ran out to the game and sent it to overtime. IN OT Ball State won the toss and deferred. Western Michigan went three and out, with Halderman missing a 36 yard FG. It wouldn’t have mattered as Jahwan Edwards took over, rushing for 3 yards, then getting the first down. On the next play he broke loose for a 15 yard TD to end the game. And likely the Bronco’s hopes for a West Division title. WMU travels to Kent State next week, Ball State travels to Central Michigan.
In the East it was Miami visiting Bowling Green. This one wasn’t so close. Bowling Green scored early and scored often, while controlling Miami’s offense. The Falcon’s balanced attack was led by Matt Schilz 74% passing for 235 yards (2 TD’s 1 INT) and Anthon Samuel’s 7.8 yards per rush (171 yards). Matt hit 8 different receivers, including Ryan Burbrink 5 times for 49 yards. Miami’s Zac Dysert was held to under 200 yards passing and 2 INT’s to go with his 54% passing and 2 TD’s. Nick Harwell had 7 catches for 117 yards; no Red Hawk had more than 25 yards rushing. The win sets Bowling Green up as the second team in the East, waiting for Ohio to falter. They travel to UMass next week, while Miami tries to end the skid at home against those Bobcats.
One team that has something to say about BGSU having that status is the surprisingly competitive Kent State Golden Flashes. After a sloppy start Kent has put together a four game winning streak, dominating a hard hitting Army team today. Dri Archer was The Man again with 222 yards and a TD overland. He averaged 18.5 yards per carry and made the big plays when Kent needed them. Spencer Keith went 6/11 for 60 yards and a TD; Eric Adeyemi led Kent receivers with 2 catches for 46 yards. They’re not flashy (no pun intended) but get the job done. The 5-1 3-0 Golden Flashes host Western Michigan next week.
Northern Illinois keeps rolling along, blowing out Buffalo at home 45-3. Jordan Lynch had 232 yards and 2 TD via air and 129 yards and 2 TD via ground to lead the Huskies to a 3-0 MAC record. Martel Moore had 133 yards of that air attack with a TD. Alex Zordich threw for 177 yards and 2 INT’s. He also made up 47 of the Bulls 74 rushing yards. Devon Hughes had 9 catches for 105 yards. NIU continues its tour of destruction in Akron next week. Buffalo hosts Pittsburgh.
Rounding out this week’s action was Central Michigan’s stinker Friday night against Navy. The Chippewas are still having nightmares of Noah Copeland and Prentice Christian running over them. Ryan Radcliff was 11/19 for 139 yards and a score, in the fourth Cody Kater was given a chance to spark CMU’s offense. But that didn’t work either. Zurlon Tipton had 55 yards rushing, Titus Davis 48 yards receiving. CMU hosts Ball State next week.
I finished this week at 5-2 picking the winners, and that makes 50-16 overall.
Ohio, Toledo, and Northern Illinois are now bowl eligible.