College football gets underway this week. In case you missed it, links to our MAC Reporter Online are posted below. Just click on the team name to check out that team's situation and prospects. Rockets reloading for repeat run STAFF REPORT ⚑ The cupboard is anything but empty for defending Mid-American Conference Toledo. However, one key piece is particular is missing, and that could be troublesome. Record-setting quarterback Logan Woodside is gone (Cincinnati Bengals), leaving some questions about getting the ball to the MAC’s best trio of receivers. All-MAC running back Terry Swanson, also departed, along with two all-league tackles. However, the Rockets have . . . Talented, experienced RedHawks still underdogs By MIKE SMITH The 2018 season COULD be a huge year for Miami, BUT … the big question is whether the RedHawks can consistently put things together on the field. Over the last two years, the RedHawks have generally fared well, especially in conference play, when quarterback Gus Ragland was on the field. Their fortunes fell dramatically, however, when Ragland was unavailable. He’s back for a final season in 2018, but with him or without him for any period of time, the RedHawks are challenged to take advantage of a special opportunity. This year’s mammoth senior class . . . Loaded Bobcats intent on grabbing elusive crown STAFF REPORT It has been 50 years since the last Ohio University Mid-American Conference football title. That’s right - a half century!! It’s hard to believe now, of course, because the Bobcats have enjoyed a successful run since Frank Solich took over as head coach. This is his 14th season at the helm, and OU has traveled to nine bowl games during “Solich Time.”. The ‘Cats have also made it to MAC championship tilts, but they ran into some strong Western Division competition and came up short. According to the . . . Health, line play among keys to Huskie title run By EVAN MEYER After a pair of 5-7 seasons, the Northern Illinois Huskies were one of the bigger surprises among MAC teams in 2017. With a bunch of talent coming back, NIU won’t be sneaking up on anybody this season. Indeed, Northern was a preseason MAC media pick to take the West Division. Sophomore QB Marcus Childers and . . . Injuries, defense could be keys to Broncos 2018 success By MIKE SMITH Before leaving for Minnesota, former Broncos coach P.J. Fleck had excelled in loading Western Michigan’s roster with a wealth of talented “rowers” for his “Row the Boat” mantra. The cupboard, in fact, was anything but empty when former Broncos QB Tim Lester took over as head coach. Western’s wealth of talent, however, took some significant hits - early and often -- in 2017. The “21 season-ending injuries was not expected, (but) we learned a lot. We grew closer,” Lester said. The most . . . Bulls have weapons to make MAC East run By MIKE SMITH It was a wild ride for the Bulls in 2017 as they sandwiched a four-game losing streak in between a pair of three-game win streaks. Finishing with an upset home win over preseason MAC East favorite Ohio, the Bulls got a little momentum for 2018. With some serious talent at several skills positions, UB is now considered a serious contender. While Ohio was a clear MAC East favorite (21 of 24 first place votes) in the preseason MAC Media poll. UB was second or third in most preseason publications. “There are a lot of pieces coming back to this puzzle, and now we are excited to see where it can take us,” Fourth-year head coach Lance Leipold said. Here’s more on the Bulls . . . Defense is there, but can Eagles' offense produce? By EVAN MEYER After starting 2017 with wins over Charlotte and Rutgers, much of Eastern Michigan’s mid-season might be characterized with three words -- OH, SO CLOSE!! The heartbreak started with an overtime loss at home to Ohio. Five straight losses (by a total of 23 points) followed before EMU finished with three victories in its last four outings. Just one more win and Eastern would have been bowl eligible. Despite the . . . New coach aims to raise Flashes’ fortunes By EVAN MEYER The Kent State Golden Flashes will have a new look to their game this year as they embark on the Sean Lewis era. Lewis takes over what has recently been a struggling Flashes program. After a 2-10 mark in 2017, KSU decided it was time for a change and brought in Lewis, who became the youngest head coach among college Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Lewis (now age 32) came . . . Can underdog Zips ‘finish the climb?’ By EVAN MEYER Looking back at the Akron Zips’ 2017 stats on their own, it’s sometimes difficult to see a team that won seven games, took the MAC Eastern Division title and participated in a bowl game. However, wins and losses don’t always follow the stat sheet and UA found ways to win -- such as surviving a deluge at Western Michigan to win the next day. The Zips also scored a late touchdown to defeat Buffalo by one point and nipped Ohio in a shootout to secure the Eastern Division title. As head coach Terry Bowden begins his seventh Zips season, . . . Former University at Buffalo men's basketball standout and Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP Wes Clark will continue his playing career in Italy as he has joined Happy Casa Brindisi based out of Brindisi, Apulia. It plays in the first division of the Lega Basket Series.
Clark, who won the . . . Can Falcons take that next step? STAFF REPORT BOWLING GREEN (2-10, 2-8 MAC in 2017) Putting wins on the board has been tough enough for BG in recent years. It won’t get any easier early in the season as the Falcons open at Oregon, followed by home games against Maryland, Eastern Kentucky and Miami (OH). That is followed by trips to Georgia Tech and rival Toledo. Throw in a home game against Western Michigan, and then BG meets Ohio in Athens. Tough schedule is probably an understatement. On the plus side, Bowling Green . . . If you are a MAC football fan, you probably like the new MAC Jolly Roger. I know I do. Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher announced what could become a tradition last week during football media day activities. The gist of it is that conference schools are encouraged to fly the MAC-themed pirate flag after wins over Power Five schools, or other big non-conference victories. Hence, bowl wins might be cause for hoisting the banner, as well. Steinbrecher indicated . . . |
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March 2024
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