# AKRON at BOWLING GREEN
# CENTRAL MICHIGAN at BALL STATE
# EASTERN MICHIGAN at NORTHERN ILLINOIS
# BUFFALO at KENT STATE
# TOLEDO at MIAMI
# = Click Read More for details . . .
* = Details to come
Saturday, Oct. 21 - 12:00 p.m. ET
Peden Stadium - Athens, OH
CBSSN
Last week's upset loss at Northern Illinois has cut into Ohio's margin for error, so the Bobcats have some extra urgency to get back in the win column. A victory over Western Michigan would set up the Bobcats showdown against MAC East-leading Miami next week.
Western Michigan, meanwhile, is coming off a home loss to MU. The Broncos are seeking MAC win No. 2.
WESTERN MICHIGAN
-- The Broncos (2-5, 1-2 MAC) split their first two MAC games, losing to Toledo 49-31 and defeating Ball State 42-21. They finished non-conference play with a 41-28 loss at Mississippi State before falling to Miami in Kalamazoo last week.
-- The Broncos never led against MU but stayed close. Hayden Wolff's 5-yard touchdown run at 10:59 of the fourth quarter left the Broncos seven points short at 28-21. Miami, however, added two field goals for the final margin.
-- WMU won the turnover battle, 2-0, picking off one Miami pass and recovering one fumble -- both in the second quarter.
-- The Broncos churned out 167 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground. Jalen Buckley led the way with 13 carries totaling 61 yards, Zahir Abdus -Salaam averaged 6.1 ypc with 43 yards and one TD among his seven carries.
-- Hayden Wolff relieved Treyson Bourguet at quarterback in the second half. Wolf completed 13 of 20 for 99 total yards. Bourguet hit 6 of 10 for 37 yards.
-- Kenneth Womack leads Bronco receivers on the year with 35 catches totaling 348 yards. Anthony Sambucci has four TDs among his 12 receptions for 209 yards.
-- Western Michigan ranks fourth in scoring (24.9 ppg) and 12th/last in scoring defense (36.3 ppg). It is second in rushing (172.1 ypg) and third in passing (205.3 ypg).
OHIO
-- Last week's 23-13 loss at Northern Illinois broke a five-game Ohio (5-2, 2-1 MAC) win streak.
-- Ohio was limited to one TD and two field goals -- all in the first half. After trailing 13-7 at intermission, Northern Illinois added 16 unanswered points.
-- The Bobcats committed three turnovers, while NIU played turnover-free football. The three interceptions came on three successive Ohio drives in the second half.
-- Ohio is now even in turnover margin - 12 turnovers gained and 12 turnovers lost -- through six games.
-- Ohio was out-gained 302-254.
-- Quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 22 of 36 passes, good for 159 yards with three interceptions. Rourke had only thrown two picks total over the previous five contests -- both against Florida Atlantic back on Sept. 9.-- Rourke scored the 'Cats only TD on a 1-yard run at 10:22 of the second stanza.
-- Ohio was limited to 95 yards rushing. O'Shaan Allison led the way with 11 carries for 43 yards.
-- Ohio ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (22.9 ppg) and is first in scoring defense (13.4 ppg).
-- The Bobcats are seventh in rushing (137.3 ypg) and yards per carry (3.8 ypg). They are fourth in passing offense (197. ypg) and third in pass offense efficiency (125.0).
Saturday, Oct. 21 - 2 p.m. ET
Doyt L. Perry Stadium - Bowling Green, OH
ESPN+
The Falcons have an opportunity to win back-to-back games for the first time this year when they host Akron (1-6, 0-3 MAC) Saturday. The Zips not only have lost five straight, they lost dynamic quarterback DJ Irons.
Bowling Green (3-4, 1-2 MAC) leads the all-time series with UA 19-10. The Falcons prevailed last year, 31-28, building up a 24-14 halftime lead and holding off the hosting Zips. Akron QB DJ Irons completed 20 of 33 pass attempts, good for 224 yards and ran 23 times for another 105 yards. However, he is out for the remainder of 2023 due to a recent injury.
AKRON
-- The Zips led 3-0 before Central Michigan scored 17 points during the middle quarters last week. Jeff Underfuffler Jr's 14-yard TD pass to Alex Adams at 12:35 of the fourth quarter pulled UA to within seven, but the final three UA possessions ended in punt, punt and downs.
-- Akron was outgained 298-193 overall. Central Michigan had a 21-10 advantage in first downs and both teams committed two turnovers.
-- The Zips were 3 of 13 on third down opportunities.
-- Undercuffler and Tahj Bullock combined to complete 16 of 33 pass attempts for 123 yards, 1 TD and two interceptions (both by Bullock).
-- Akron rushed 19 times for a total of 70 yards (3.7 ypc). Lorenzo Lingard led the way withy 10 trips totaling 45 yards. He also caught a team-high six receptions (16 yards).
-- Darrian Lewis (14) and Antavious Fish (13) combined for 27 tackles (12 solo) and two TFL.
-- The Falcons picked up their first MAC win last week with a 24-14 victory at Buffalo.
The Bulls scored first and last -- both touchdowns -- but BGSU tallied three TDs and a field goal before halftime. Defenses dominated the second half, with UB's third quarter TD accounting for the only score.
-- It was a game of turnovers, with the two teams combining for eight -- five by Buffalo and three by Bowling Green.
-- The Falcons out-gained UB 295-238, but Buffalo registered 18 first downs to 13 for BGSU.
-- Senior Camden Orth completed 9 of 16 passes, good for 77 yards with one TD and two interceptions. He also ran 10 times for another 72 yards and one score.
-- Terion Stewart led all rushers with 25 carries totaling 123 yards. He also had a 3-yard TD reception.
-- Bowling Green totaled 218 yards on the ground, averaging 5.1 ypc.
-- The Falcons final points came on PaSean Wimberly's 18-yard return of a blocked punt.
-- Bowling Green is No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the MAC with 10 team interceptions. CB Jalen Huskey leads BGSU with three, which ranks No. 12 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC in interceptions. Davon Ferugson, Avi McGary and Jordan Oladokun all rank No. 43 nationally with two each.
-- Bowling Green already has five rushing touchdowns by running backs which is two more than all last season. BGSU only had eight rushing touchdowns in 2022 with two by quarterbacks and four by tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Saturday, Oct. 21 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Scheumann Stadium -- Muncie, IN
ESPN+
The Chippewas go after their fourth win in five games Saturday when they visit Ball State in Muncie. The Cardinals have struggled to date, winning one thus far in 2023 and dropping their last four. They remain dangerous however, and battled MAC West leader Toledo to a 13-7 decision last Saturday.
The series is deadlocked at 27-27-1. Central Michigan owns a 15-13 record in games played in Muncie. Ball State prevailed last year, edging the Chippewas 17-16 in Mount Pleasant.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
-- After falling at Buffalo the previous week, CMU bounced back with a 17-10 victory over Akron last Saturday. The Zips led 3-0 before Central Michigan scored 17 points during the middle quarters.
-- The Chippewas out-gained UA 298-193 overall and owned a 21-10 advantage in first downs. They were also able to hold the ball for 37:51.
-- Both teams had two turnovers.
-- Jase Bauer completed 17 of 32 passes, good for 181 yards with two interceptions.
-- Nine different players caught at least one pass for CMU. Jesse Prewitt III and Myles Bailey combined for eight catches and 90 yards.
-- Dakota Cochran led Chippewa defenders with 10 tackles (5 solo, 1 TFL). Da'Raun McKinney and Trey Jones had interceptions.
-- Jake Walrath punted five times, averaging 52.2 yards per boot, with a long of 62.
-- On the year, and after seven games, Central Michigan has turned the ball over just 10 times. CMU has lost just one fumble this year, ranks No. 6 in the nation and leads the MAC in that category. Six of those turnovers have come in the last two games against Akron (two) and at Buffalo (four).
-- The Chippewas rank seventh among MAC teams in scoring (22.7 ppg) and are eighth in scoring defense (30.6 ppg).
-- CMU ranks fifth in rushing (143.6 ypg) and sixth in passing (192.4 ypg).
BALL STATE
-- The Cardinals are looking to break a four-game losing streak.
-- Despite being out-gained 276-205, the Cardinals stayed right with MAC West leader Toledo for most of last Saturday's contest. It was a 3-3 game at the half and 6-6 after Jackson Courville's 26-yard field goal with 4:56 remaining in the game. UT responded with a 5-play, 72-yard drive that ended on Peny Boone's 3-yard TD run for the winner. A final BSU drive ended on an interception.
-- Sophomore Kiael Kelly completed just 4 of 16 passes totaling 38 yards with one interception. He also ran 18 times for a team-high 98 yards. Marquez Cooper logged 16 trips, good for 60 yards.
-- Ball State is ranked 11th among MAC teams in scoring (15.0 ppg) and ninth in scoring defense (30.7 ppg).
-- The Cardinals are 10th in rushing (119.6 ypg) and ninth in passing (168.3 ypg).
-- WR Qian Magwood and TE Tanner Koziol are co-leaders in BSU receptions with 27 each. They have combined for 477 yards and three TDs.
-- Kicker Jackson Courville has connected on 7 of 9 field goals with a long of 37.
Saturday, Oct. 21 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Huskie Stadium - DeKalb, IL
ESPN+
Two teams chasing a third-straight win meet Saturday in DeKalb. Eastern Michigan capitalized on its home field by defeating Ball State and Kent State over the last two weeks. Northern Illinois bashed Akron on the road before upsetting MAC East co-leader Ohio on Huskie turf last Saturday.
Northern Illinois holds a 35-16-2 lead in the all-time series and has won the last two meetings, including a 38-10 decision in Ypsilanti in the last meeting, Oct. 15, 2022. In the last six meetings, two have gone into overtime. Furthermore, the two programs needed overtime in three consecutive seasons (2016-18) including a bout that went into three overtime periods (Sept. 29, 2018).
EASTERN MICHIGAN
-- The Eagles defeated Kent State 28-14 last week despite getting out-gained 343-218.
-- The game started with an Kent State onside kick. Kendric Nowling picked up the ball and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown.
-- Eastern Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC) scored one touchdown in each quarter and led 14-0 at halftime. Austin Smith's 18-yard pass to Tanner Knue midway through the third period put the hosts up 21-0. After a Flashes touchdown, the two teams then traded fourth quarter TDs.
-- EMU forced Kent State turnovers and committed one.
-- Junior QB Austin Smith completed 9 of 25 pass attempts totaling 118 yards with one TD.
-- Tanner Knue caught five passes, good for 85 yards and one score.
Samson Evans and Jaylon Jackson each carried 13 times, combining for 90 yards and two TDs.
-- Eastern Michigan punted 10 times, averaging 43.0 yards per boot.
-- Chase Kline (13) and Joe Sparacio (12) led Eagle defenders with a combined 25 hits.
-- Eastern Michigan ranks ninth among MAC teams in scoring (19.0 ppg) and is third in scoring defense (19.4 ypg).
-- The Eagles are 11th in rushing offense (111.1 ypg) and 12th/last in passing offense (142.0 ypg).
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
-- The Huskies authored last Saturday's big upset with a 23-13 win over MAC East power Ohio. Playing turnover-free football, Northern Illinois (3-4, 2-1 MAC) forced three Bobcat turnovers and limited the visitors to 254 yards of offense.
-- Ohio led 13-7 at intermission, but NIU did all the second half scoring - a 58-yard touchdown pass from Rocky Lombardi to Grayson Barnes and three Kanon Woodill field goals. Woodill, a member of the NIU ROTC program, was named MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week.
-- NIU forced three second half punts before intercepting the 'Cats on three consecutive drives. Cyrus McGarrell, Nate Valcarcel and Javaughn Byrd recorded picks.
-- Lombardi completed 15 of 23 passes, good for 172 yards with one TD.
-- Antario Brown caught five balls for a total of 31 yards. Barnes had two catches for 66 yards, including his 58-yard touchdown.
-- Gavin Williams led NIU rushing with 10 carries for 55 yards and a score, while Brown logged 12 carries for a total of 34 yards. The Huskies registered 130 yards on the ground.
-- Over the last three games, NIU has recorded 19 plays of 25 yards or longer after getting just five long plays in non-conference play. The Huskies have seven rushing, seven passing and five returns of 25-plus yards versus MAC opponents with 10 different players accounting for those plays.
-- NIU was flagged for just one penalty in the Ohio game, a season low.
-- The Huskies are currently ranked ninth nationally in passing yards allowed, 17th in pass efficiency defense and 23rd in total defense.
-- Northern Illinois is ranked fifth among MAC teams in scoring (24.9 ppg) and scoring defense (22.4 ypg).
-- The Huskies are fourth in rushing (159.7 ypg) and seventh in passing (191.6 ypg). They are fourth in pass offense efficiency (121.8).
Saturday, Oct. 21 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH
ESPN+
The Bulls will try to get back on the winning side Saturday when they host a Kent State squad with just one win on the campaign. The Flashes have lost four straight since defeating Central Connecticut back on Sept. 16. All four losses were by multiple scores, with the closest being last week's 28-14 loss at Eastern Michigan.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is looking at a tough stretch after this week as it visits Toledo and Miami, with a home game against Ohio in the middle.
The all-time series is tied at 14-14, but Kent State has won the last two meetings. Last year's encounter went to overtime, with Devontez Walker scoring a 7-yard TD to give KSU a victory.
BUFFALO
-- The Bulls are coming off a 24-14 home loss to Bowling Green. That ended a two-game win streak and handed UB (2-5, 2-1 MAC) its first conference loss.
-- The Bulls and Falcons combined for eight turnovers, with Buffalo commiting five. Neither team reached 300 yards of offense, and the Bulls managed just 238 yards (71 in the air).
-- CJ Ogbonna completed 4 of 14 passes totaling 41 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Cole Snyder connected on 5 of 15 tosses for a total of 30 yards with two picks.
-- Darnell Harding Jr. and Ron Cook Jr. combined for five catches, 57 yards and a TD.
-- Ron Cook Jr. and Mike Washington led UB rushers with a combined 22 carries for 86 yards and a TD. The Bulls registered 167 yards total on the ground.
-- Devin Grant led UB defenders with 11 hit (8 solo). Charles McCartherens and Jayden Oliver recorded interceptions.
-- . In the first three MAC games, the Bulls safety had 25 tackles, three interceptions and a blocked kick.
-- Buffalo has four multi-interception games this season, including each of the last two games. The last time the Bulls picked off 2+ passes in four different games was 2015.
-- The Bulls have forced 11 turnovers over the last four games, including seven in the last two outings.
-- Through three conference games, the Bulls have only allowed six points and have shut out two of their first three MAC opponents in the second half.
-- Anthony Venneri punted twice, averaging 45.5 yards per boot.
-- The Bulls are third among MAC teams in scoring (26.1 ppg) and 10th in scoring defense (32.1 ppg).
-- Buffalo is eighth in rushing (126.6 ypg) and fifth in passing (196.4 ypg).
KENT STATE
-- Kent State (1-6, 0-3 MAC) has not scored more than 17 points during its current four-game losing streak.
-- The Flashes fell at Eastern Michigan 28-14 last week. EMU led 14-0 at intermission and was up 21-0 before KSU scored on a 14-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski late in the third quarter. Eastern Michigan went up 28-7 midway through the final stanza before KSU closed scoring with a 43-yard pass from Ulatowski to Luke Floriea at 6:08.
-- The Flashes comitted three turnovers, while EMU lost one on a rainy day.
-- Ulatowski completed 12 of 28 passes totaling 169 yards with two scores. Michael Alaimo connected on 2 of 8 (11 yards).
-- Christian McCray topped KSU receivers with five catches for 70 yards. Floriea had two touchdowns among his three catches for 63 yards.
-- All three Kent State turnovers were fumbles. McCray remains among the leaders in the MAC, ranking second in receptions (30) and yards (397)
-- Josh Smith had a banner day punting, averaging over 45 yards per kick vs EMU...Smith boomed two kicks over 50 yards, including a 67
yarder and dropped four inside the EMU 15 including a pair inside the five.
-- The Flashes are last among MAC teams in scoring (13.4 ppg) and and 11th(of 12) in scoring defense (34.3 ppg).
-- Kent State is ninth in rushing (121.9 ypg) and 11th in pass offense (151.7 ypg).
Saturday, Oct. 21 - 4 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium -- Oxford, OH
ESPNU
This week's premier Mid-American Conference matchup is in Oxford, where division leaders Toledo and Miami clash on the RedHawks turf. Both teams are undefeated in MAC play and are riding six-game winning streaks after losing their season openers. Both teams are also among the conference leaders in numerous offensive and defensive categories.
Miami leads the all-time series 28-22-1 and is 16-8-1 against UT when playing in Oxford. However, its been a long time since the two teams met at all. Their last battle was back in 2011, so even MU Head Coach Chuck Martin has not faced the Rockets. He took the RedHawks coaching job in December of 2013 and has now coached more Miami games (111) than any coach in the program's history.
Toledo, who won the MAC title last year, was the MAC head coaches' preseason poll pick to win it all again in 2023. While Ohio was the coaches poll pick to win the MAC East, Miami was a strong second and picked for first in some other polls.
For what its worth, the RedHawks face Ohio next week in a battle that may well determine the 2023 MAC East title.
- Current Toledo head coach Jason Candle was the Rockets' receivers coach in 2011 (when UT and MU last met) under then-head coach
Tim Beckman.
-- One reason for preseason support was UT's wealth of experience and talent. Seven All-MAC players are among the returnees for Toledo in 2023, including 2022 first-team honorees Quinyon Mitchell (Jr./CB), Nick Rosi (Jr./OL), Dallas Gant (Sr./LB) and Maxen Hook (Jr./S). Second-team All-MAC returnees are Dequan Finn (Jr./QB), Jerjuan Newton (Jr./WR) and Nate Bauer (Sr./S).
-- The Rockets only loss of 2023 was in Week One when Illinois nipped UT 30-28.
-- Toledo leads the country for the fewest sacks allowed. The Rockets have allowed just two sacks in seven games this season, with one of them coming on an intentional grounding call vs. Illinois. Toledo will be tested by a Miami defense that leads the MAC in sacks (21).
-- The Rockets are coming off a 13-6 win over Ball State. The two teams were tied 3-3 at intermission. After trading fourth quarter field goals, Toledo scored the game winner when Peny Boone took a 3-yard run to the end zone with 1:31 remaining. Maxen Hook's interception ended a final Cardinal drive.
-- Junior QB Dequan Finn completed 15 of 27 passes totaling 166 yards against BSU. Junior Vandeross III led receivers with five catches for 49 yards. Jerjuan Newton added three receptions totaling 44 yards. Newton is tied for first in the country with three other players with
nine TD receptions.
-- Toledo leads the MAC in scoring offense (36.9), total offense (459.3), passing offense (216.1) and rushing offense (243.1). The Rockets are No. 4 in the nation in rushing.
-- Junior Peny Boone leads the MAC with 792 yards rushing and is fifth in the country in rushing yards per game (113.1). He leads the league and is sixth in yards per carry (7.40). He has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his past five games and is the only runner in the MAC to pass 100 yards five times in 2023.
-- The Rockets are averaging 5.8 yards per carry as a team, more than a full yard better than the No. 2 team in the MAC (Miami - 4.66).
-- Dequan Finn ranks third in the MAC in passing yards (180.7), second in passing efficiency (149.3) and No. 1 in total offense (243.3).
-- Senior defensive tackle Judge Culpepper is tied for second in the MAC with 5.0 sacks. Senior linebacker Dallas Gant is seventh in the MAC with 55 tackles.
MIAMI
-- Miami, currently riding a six-game win streak, has not done so since the 2016 RedHawks began the season 0-6 and won their next six to advance to the St. Petersburg Bowl.
-- Miami has not opened a season at 6-1 since the 2003 RedHawks lost their season opener at Iowa and rattled off 13-straight wins to close the season.
-- Miami is 64-36-4 (.635) all-time in Homecoming games. The RedHawks are currently riding a three-game Homecoming win streak.
-- The RedHawks are coming off a 34-21 win at Western Michigan. Brett Gabbert threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and added a career-best two rushing scores.
-- Gage Larvadain, MU's top receiving threat, returned to action after missing the past two weeks. He finished the game with five catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
-- Cade McDonald had a career-high six receptions for 78 yards and had a career-long 42 yard catch as well.
-- Brian Ugwu and Caiden Woullard each had two sacks for the Miami defense.
-- Miami’s defense ranks second in the MAC and 23rd nationally with 17 sacks this season. A majority of those sacks have come from Miami’s edge players. Defensive ends Caiden Woullard (6.0) and Brian Ugwu (4.5) rank first and fourth in the conference, while Ty Wise is sixth (4.0).
-- At times, Miami’s defense has surrendered yards between the 20’s, but once the opposition gets to the red zone, the RedHawks have turned them away. In 21 trips inside Miami’s 20-yard line, the RedHawks have allowed just eight touchdowns.
-- Miami’s defense has been downright frightening in conference play. Through three games, Miami ranks first in scoring (8.0), total defense (214.7), rushing (88.7), pass defense (126.0), time of possession (33:47) and sacks (5.0). Miami is second in third down conversions (23.1%).
-- Both Miami’s offense and defense rank near the top of every statistical category among the 12 MAC programs. Offensively, Miami ranks second in scoring (31.2), third in total offense (375.4), third in rushing (162.3) and second in passing (213.1). On the defensive side, Miami ranks second in scoring allowed (19.1), third in total defense (333.1) fourth in rushing (132.6) and sixth in passing (200.6).
-- Through seven games, the Miami offense is averaging 15.2 yards per completion, which ranks 11th in the country. On the season, Brett Gabbert has 1,455 yards passing on just 97 completions and seven different receivers are averaging over 14.0 yards per catch.