This week's honorees are:
MAC EAST: Sieh Bangura (Ohio), Michael Dowell (Miami), Graham Nicholson (Miami)
MAC WEST: DeQuan Finn (Toledo), Chase Kline (Eastern Michigan), Dane Partridge (Northern Illinois).
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Sieh Bangura, Ohio, RB
R-So., Bowie, Md. (Dematha Catholic)
Bangura played an integral part in the Bobcats' offense last Wednesday (Nov. 15), moving the ball down the field efficiently in Ohio's 34-20 victory over the Central Michigan Chippewas. The redshirt sophomore hit two season bests: rushing yards (126) and carries (21). While Bangura didn't score any of Ohio's three rushing touchdowns, he helped position the Bobcats to score throughout the game.
MAC Football East Division Defensive Player of the Week
Michael Dowell, Miami, DB
R-Sr., North Ridgeville, Ohio (St. Edwards)
Michael Dowell had seven tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and a forced fumble in Miami's 23-10 win over Buffalo. Dowell's fourth quarter game-saving forced fumble was at the Miami goal line, helping to send the RedHawks to the 2023 MAC Championship Game.
MAC Football East Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Graham Nicholson, Miami, Kicker
Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio (Summit Country Day)
Graham Nicholson was perfect on Wednesday, connecting of all three field goal attempts and both extra points. The junior connected from 37, 25 and 23 yards, helping to send the RedHawks to the 2023 MAC Championship Game. The Lou Grosa Award semifinalist added four touchbacks on six attempts.
MAC Football West Division Offensive Player of the Week
Dequan Finn, Toledo, QB
Detroit, Mich. (King)
Junior quarterback Dequan Finn completed 20-of-30 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-31 victory vs. Bowling Green in the annual Battle of I-75. Finn hit running back Jacquez Stuart for the game-winning 59-yard TD with 1:45 left ion the game. Finn also ran for 23-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
MAC Football West Division Defensive Player of the Week
Chase Kline, Eastern Michigan, LB
Senior, Chardon, Ohio / Chardon / Michigan State
Chase Kline recorded a career-high and FBS-leading 23 tackles against Akron, Nov. 14, moving him past Jason Henderson (Old Dominion), who recorded 22 against Coastal Carolina, Nov. 4, for the single-game lead. With those tackles, Kline is the first player to record 23+ tackles in a single game since A.J. Hauley (New Mexico) recorded 24 last year (Oct. 22) against Fresno State. By recording 21 against Western Michigan, Oct. 28, which ranks as the fourth-most in a single game this year, Kline is in rare company as one of only five players to record 20+ tackles in multiple games in the same season and the first since Henderson did so twice last year.
MAC Football West Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Dane Pardridge, NIU, Wide Receiver/Punt Returner
R-Freshman, DeKalb, Illinois (Marmion Academy)
Freshman Dane Pardridge recorded the first punt return touchdown (not off a blocked punt) by a Huskie since October 24, 2009 with a 55-yard return for a score in the third quarter of NIU's 24-0 shutout win over Western Michigan. Pardridge took the ball on the run and ran right before cutting back to the left and ran untouched into the end zone, giving NIU a 21-0 lead in the third quarter, giving the Huskies an insurmountable lead.