EASTERN MICHIGAN at CENTRAL MICHIGAN
MIAMI at KENT STATE
BOWLING GREEN at GEORGIA TECH
BALL STATE at WESTERN MICHIGAN
NORTHERN ILLINOIS at TOLEDO
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Saturday, Sept. 30 - 12 p.m. ET
Inforcision Stadium -- Akron, OH
ESPN+
Buffalo's search for its first 2023 win continues, but the Bulls could face another stiff test this week as they visit Akron. The Zips came oh-so-close to upsetting Indiana last week -- a win that would have left them 2-2 after non-conference play.
BUFFALO (0-4)
-- Two of the Bulls loses were one-score decisions. Buffalo is coming off a 45-38 setback at Louisiana.
-- UB trailed 17-0 and 31-7 before rallying against the Ragin Cajuns. Buffalo scored 31 of the final 45 points, beginning at 3:06 of the third quarter. However, Louisiana ended UB's final possession with an interception.
-- The teams combined for five turnovers (UB 2, UL 3).
-- Louisiana outgained the Bulls 518-373.
-- Senior QB Cole Snyder completed 17 of 34 passes, totaling 198 yards with one TD and two interceptions.
-- Cole Harrity grabbed six passes for 25 yards. Five other receivers had two catches each.
-- The Bulls ran for six TDs and 178 yards overall. Mike Washington and Ron Cook Jr. combined for 24 carries 136 yards and two scores.
-- Buffalo is third among MAC teams in offensive scoring (29.8 ppg) but last in scoring defense (44.5 ppg).
-- The Bulls lead MAC teams in passing yardage (242.5 ypg) and are eighth in rushing (121.0 ypg).
AKRON (1-3)
-- Two of UA's three losses were one-score decisions. The Zips opened with a 24-21 setback at Temple, fell to Kentucky 35-3 and were nipped by Indiana 29-27 last week in four overtimes.
-- UA forced overtime with a 71-yard run by Lorenzo Lingard with 3:34 remaining in regulation.
-- The Zips outgained Indiana 474-282
-- Quarterback D.J. Irons completede 22 of 35 passes totaling 194 yards with two interceptions. He also ran for a team-high 141 yards and two TDs on 18 trips. Lingard chipped in 113 yards on 14 carries with one score.
-- Irons earned MAC East Player of the Week honors for Week 4. He ranks fourth (MAC) in total offense (181.0 ypg).
-- Bryan McCoy led the defense with 12 tackles (8 solo)
-- Akron ranks eighth among MAC teams in scoring (18.8 ppg) and fifth in scoring defense (27.3 ppg).
-- The Zips are last in rushing (97.5 ypg) and fourth in passing (28.0 ypg).
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Kelly/Shorts Stadium -- Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPN+
A pair of 2-2 teams will square off Saturday in the MAC opener for both squads.
Central Michigan evened its non-conference record last week with a 34-30 road win at South Alabama. Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, was shutout at Jacksonville State.
EASTERN MICHIGAN (2-2)
-- The Eagles own wins over Howard (33-23) and UMass (19-17). Minnesota defeated EMU 25-6 in Week 2.
-- The Eagles offense struggled mightily at Jax State. Not only was EMU held to a total of 152 yards on offense, the Gamecocks forced three turnovers.
-- Austin Smith and Ike Udengwu III combined to complete 13 of 29 passes. However, that yielded just 95 total yards (3.3 ypc). They also combined for three interceptions.
-- EMU netted 57 yards rushing, even thought Jaylon Jackson gained 76 yards on 17 trips. The Gamecocks registered six sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
-- Mitchell Tomasek punted eight times, averaging 49.8 yards per boot with a long of 72.
-- Eastern Michigan ranks last among MAC teams in scoring offense (14.5 ppg). The Eagles defense is third, yielding 21.5 ppg).
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (2-2)
-- The Chippewas' two losses came at Michigan State (31-7) and No. 9 Notre Dame (41-17). The wins were against New Hampshire (45-42) and last week at South Alabama (34-30).
-- Down 14-0 after one period at USA, the Chippewas scored 27 of te game's next 30 points. When the Jaguars went back in front 30-27, CMU came back with Jase Bauer's game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds left.
-- Bauer completed 19 of 30 pass attempts good for 224 yards and one score. He also ran 15 times for a team-high total of 55 yards and four TDs.
-- Jesse Prewitt III had a big day against USA, catching 10 balls for a total of 142 yards with one TD.
-- Kyle Moretti led the CMU defense with 11 tackles (4 solo).
-- CMU ranks fourth among MAC teams in scoring offense (25.8 ppg) and is ninth in scoring defense (36.0 ppg).
-- The Chippewas offense ranks fourth in rushing offense (153.8 ypg) and ninth in pass offense (166.8 ypg).
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Dix Stadium -- Kent, OH
ESPN+
The RedHawks will be on the road for the fourth time in five weeks Saturday when they open conference play at Kent State. After an opening loss at Miami (FL), MU has reeled off three straight victories. Kent State, meanwhile, brings a 1-3 record to its second home game of 2023. The Flashes defeated Central Connecticut (38-10) in their only other home tilt.
Miami leads the all-time series 51-18 and prevailed 27-24 last year in Oxford. Kent State pulled out a 48-47 overtime victory at Dix Stadium in 2021. That contest gave the Flashes a MAC East crown.
MIAMI (3-1)
-- After pulling off the upset at Big 12 member Cincinnati two weeks ago, the RedHawks returned home to blast Delaware State 62-20 last Saturday. Head Coach Chuck Martin was able to rest a number of starters and give snaps to "tons" of backups.
-- One key starter was injured in the very first MU series. WR Gage Larvadain, who leads all RedHawk receivers, appeared to suffer an upper body injury while being tackled on a long run. However, Martin said Monday that coaches would monitor Larvadain's progress through the week before making a decision on his status for Saturday.
-- The RedHawks rolled up 646 yards of offense against Delaware State but allowed 351. Most of the Hornet's progress was through the air as Marqui Adams completed 21 of 33 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. The freshman also accounted for 60 of DSU's 77 rushing yards.
-- Miami QB Brett Gabbert completed 15 of 19 passes good for 180 yards and two TDs in limited duty. On the season, he is completing 62.2 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He leads the MAC in pass efficiency (177.8).
-- Rashad Amos (6-2, 234) leads a deep group of running backs, averaging 5.0 ypc on 44 trips totaling 222 yards with one TD.
-- With Larvadain missing time last week, former Notre Dame WR Joe Wilkins Jr. led the RedHawks with six catches for 74 yards. Reggie Virgil and Javon Tracy registered touchdowns with their only catch against DSU.
-- Special teams is a strength for MU. Kicker Graham Nicholson has hit all six field goal attempts (long of 48), as well as all 14 extra point tries. Although they did not punt against Delaware State, the RedHawks are averaging 43.7 yards per punt.
-- Miami ranks second among MAC teams in scoring (34.3 ppg) and is sixth in scoring defense (27.5 ppg).
-- Offensively, MU ranks third among MAC teams in rushing (195.5 ypg) and third in passing (220.8 ypg).
-- Defensively, Miami is ninth in total defense (422.0 ypg), eighth in run defense (165.5 ypg) and ninth in pass defense(256.5 ypg).
-- The RedHawks red zone defense played a key part in Miami's upset of Cincinnati, limiting the Bearcats to a pair of touchdowns and three field goals in eight red zone trips. A blocked field goal in the final minute and interception in overtime were also critical plays.
FURTHER MIAMI NOTES AVAILABLE HERE:
KENT STATE (1-3)
-- The Flashes are coming off a 53-10 loss at Fresno State. KSU's only scores were an 18-yard run by Xavier Williams in the first quarter and an Andrew Glass 46-yard field goal early in the second stanza.
-- Fresno State outgained the Flashes 513-231. Most of the Bulldogs damage came through the air as they completed 26 of 34 passes for 370 yards and five TD.
-- KSU quarterback Michael Alaimo completed 8 of 15 passes, good for 102 yards. The run game provided 129 yards and a score, with Williams and Gavin Garcia combining for 28 carries, 105 yards and the TD. No Flashes receiver had more than two catches.
-- Former Head Coach Sean Lewis left to join Deion Sanders staff at Colorado. He was replaced with Kenni Burns, who was on PJ Fleck's staff at Minnesota and, before that, Western Michigan. Matt Johnson, a record-setting quarterback at Bowling Green and member of Lewis' KSU staff, has moved into the offensive coordinator role. That has allowed KSU to continue its uptempo offense.
-- Non-conference play gave a new defensive coordinator and new personnel time to adjust, but the process is ongoing. Through four games, KSU is ranked 10th among MAC teams in scoring (36.8 ppg), 10th in total defense ((424.3 ypg), 10th in rushing defense (201.8 ypg) and sixth in passing defense (222.5 ypg). The Flashes are ninth among MAC teams in defensive efficiency.
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Bobby Dodd Stadium -- Atlanta, GA
ACCN
The Falcons got an early start on MAC play last week, falling hard at home to Ohio. They wrap up non-conference play this week with a trip to Georgia Tech.
GEORGIA TECH (2-2)
-- The Yellow Jackets fell to Louisville (39-34) and No. 17 Ole Miss (48-23. They hold wins over South Carolina State (48-13) and Wake Forest (30-16).
-- While the total yardage between GT and Wake Forest was nearly identical, the Jackets forced five turnovers -- three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
-- Sophomore Haynes King completed 16 of 27 pass attempts, good for 222 yards with two scores and one interception. He also contributed 53 yards rushing.
-- Jamal Haynes (5-9, 180) led Jackets rushers with 18 carries totaling 85 yards with one TD.
-- The GT offense is averaging 480.0 ypg -- 288.0 through the air and 192.0 on the ground. However, they are allowing 425.3 ypg.
BOWLING GREEN (1-3)
-- Ohio outgained the Falcons 328-211 in last week's MAC opener for both teams. Bowling Green compounded that by committing four turnovers and drawing 12 penalties for a total of 123 yards.
-- Bowling Green's only score against Ohio was Terion Stewart's 4-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
-- The Falcons converted just 2 of 11 third down opportunities.
-- Senior Connor Bazelak completed 16 of 31 passes, good for 109 yards with two interceptions. On the year, he has connected on 59.2 percent with three TDs and five intreceptions.
-- Sophomore Terion Stewart (5-9, 225) has averaged 6.7 ypc this year, totaling 215 yards with three TDs. He is second in BGSU receiving, recording 13 catches totaling 146 yards.
-- Odieu Hillare leads BGSU receivers with 15 catches totaling 179 yards with two scores.
-- Bowling Green ranks seventh among MAC teams in both scoring (18.8 ppg) and scoring defense (29.5 ppg).
-- The Falcons are seventh in rushing (128.8 ypg) and sixth in passing (183.3 ypg).
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Waldo Stadium -- Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN+
The last three weeks have been tough for Western Michigan. After lopsided losses at Syracuse (48-7) and No. 25 Iowa (4-10), the Broncos dropped their MAC opener at preseason favorite Toledo (49-31).
Ball State, meanwhile, has also struggled to a 3-1 record, albeit two of the losses were to SEC teams (Kentucky, 44-14 and No. 1 Georgia (45-3).
Western Michigan leads the all-time series 27-22. Ball State has won three of the past five meetings overall, with WMU last winning consecutive games between 2014 and 2017, when the Broncos’ four-game win streak matched their longest in the series for a third time.
WMU posted a 37-30 victory last year in Muncie. Sean Tyler's 60-yard run midway through the final period pulled the Broncos in front and they held on for the win.
BALL STATE (1-3)
-- The Cardinals are coming off a 40-3 home loss to Georgia Southern (3-1). The Eagles outgained BSU 530-197 and owned a 25-10 edge in first downs.
-- BSU's only score was a Jackson Courville 23-yard field goal midway through the final period.
-- Freshman Kadin Semonza completed 11 of 23 pass attempts totaling 123 yards with two interceptions. Kiael Kelly went 3 of 6 for another 37 yards.
-- Ball State was held to 37 yards rushing on 28 snaps (1.3 ypc).
-- BSU punted 10 times versus Georgia Southern.
-- Ball State ranks ninth among MAC teams in scoring (16.3 ppg) and is eighth in scoring defense (34.0 ppg).
-- The Cardinals are 10th in total offense (284.5 ypg), ninth in rushing (118.5 ypg) and 10th in pass offense (166.8 ypg).
-- Turnovers remain a bugaboo for the Cardinals, leading the turnover battle just once in the past eight games. Over 12 games since Oct. 1 last
year, Ball State has led the turnover equation against just UConn (+1) last season and Indiana State (+1) this season.
-- Marquez Cooper has rushed for more than 100 yards 14 times in his career.
WESTERN MICHIGAN (1-3, 0-1 MAC)
-- The Broncos are playing under new Head Coach Lance Taylor, who was offensive coordinator at Louisville in 2022. He also spent three years as running backs coach and run game coordinator at Notre Dame.
-- Western Michigan led UT 24-14 at intermission last week. However, Toledo outscored WMU 35-3 over the final two stanzas.
-- Both WMU and UT committed four turnovers.
-- Both teams had a big day rushing, with the Rockets churning out 269 yards and Western Michigan totaling 236 yards of its own. Freshman Jalen Buckley (5-11, 210) accounted for most of that number, carrying 29 times for a total of 196 yards with two touchdowns. His 507 yards on the ground rank him sixth in the NCAA. His 6.26 ypc is 24th in the nation.
-- Freshman Treyson Bourguet completed 12 of 22 against UT, totaling 160 yards with one interception.
-- Tate Hallock picked off two Toledo passes. Keni-H Lovely scored on a 16-yard fumble return that started a run of 21-straight Bronco second quarter points against UT.
-- Western Michigan ranks sixth (MAC) in scoring (20.8 ppg) and 11th in scoring defense (38.8 ppg).
-- The Broncos are second (MAC) in rushing (197.3 ypg) and seventh in passing (233.5 ypg). They are 10th in pass offense efficiency.
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Glass Bowl -- Toledo, OH
ESPNU
After picking up an early MAC win over Western Michigan last week, the Toledo Rockets will try to extend their three game win streak against Northern Illinois Saturday at the Glass Bowl. It's the fourth straight home game for UT.
The Huskies, meanwhile, will be trying to break a three-game losing streak. Their lone victory came in Week 1 when they nipped Boston College in overtime.
Toledo leads the series with Northern Illinois, 33-17 and the Rockets won last year in DeKalb, 55-32. However, the Huskies have enjoyed recent success in the Glass Bowl with five wins in the last six trips to Toledo, including two straight.
The winner of the NIU-Toledo match-up has gone on to play in the MAC Championship game 15 times in the 26-year history of the game.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (1-3)
-- The Huskies have been held to 14 points or less in each of their three losses (Southern Illinois, 14-11; Nebraska, 35-11; Tulsa (22-14).
NIU ranks 10th among MAC teams in scoring (15.8 ppg) and is fourth in scoring defense (23.8 ppg).
-- NIU recorded the longest drive - in number of plays and time elapsed - in FBS football this season with a 20-play, 11:03 minute drive for its first touchdown versus Tulsa. Ethan Hampton connected with Trayvon Rudolph for a six-yard score.
-- Northern Illinois led Tulsa 14-9 late in the third quarter, but UT scored the game's final 13 points.
-- Each team committed three turnovers.
-- Huskies QB Ethan Hampton completed 13 of 23 passes totaling 97 yards with one TD and two interceptions, while Rocky Lombardi was 4 of 6 for 31 yards.
-- Four different NIU players recorded three catches.
-- Northern Illinois rushed for 167 yards against Tulsa. Justin Lynch led the way with eight carries for 84 yards and a score, while Antario Brown logged 18 carries for 54 yards.
-- Senior DE Raishein Thomas led NIU defenders with 11 tackles (7 solo). He leads the Huskies with 25 hits on the year.
-- NIU’s defense gave up a season low 102 passing yards while holding Tulsa to 8-of-20 completions (40.0 percent). It was the lowest passing yardage total by a Huskie opponent since Akron gained just 51 yards passing in a 49-0 Huskie win on October 26, 2019
-- NIU’s defensive numbers are the best in head coach Thomas Hammock’s fiveyear tenure through the first five games as NIU ranks 24th nationally in total defense, 16th in team passing efficiency defense and third in the country in fewest passing yards allowed. Huskie opponents are averaging 23.8 points per game.
-- In 47 games under Thomas Hammock, the Huskies have attempted 24 two point conversions and been successful on 12, including a two-for-two mark in 2023.
TOLEDO (3-1, 1-0 MAC)
-- The Rockets trailed 24-14 at intermission and 31-28 early in the fourth quarter before rallying to defeat Western Michigan last week.
-- UT quarterback Dequan Finn completed 8 of 14 passes for 119 yards with two TDs and two interceptions before leaving with a third quarter upper body injury. Tucker Gleason relieved, completing 6 of 10 attempts, good for 109 yards and two TDs.
-- Each team committed four turnovers in their MAC opener.
-- Jerjuan Newton scored three touchdowns among his four receptions totaling 72 yards.
-- Junior Peny Boone, a 6-2, 242-pound running back, carried 24 times for a total of 211 yards and two touchdowns. . He accumulated the bulk of his yardage in the fourth quarter, rushing for 132 yards in the final period.
-- Three Toledo defenders recorded double digit tackles - Nate Bauer (13), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (13) and Daniel Bolden (12). McNeil-Warren and RJ Delancy III each picked off a Bronco pass.
-- Through four games this year, Toledo's defense is allowing an average of 66.5 yards in the fourth quarter. Over the past two games, UT's opponents have rushed the ball 17 times for eight yards in the final period.
-- Toledo's 42.2 ppg average ranks 11th nationally (1st MAC).
-- UT's offense ranks 34th nationally (447.8 ypg). The 5.3 yards per rush is 25th.