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MRO PREVIEW: Western Michigan

8/14/2018

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 . . .

MRO PREVIEW: Buffalo

8/10/2018

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 . . .

MRO Preview: Eastern Michigan

8/8/2018

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 . . .

MRO Preview: Kent State

8/6/2018

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 . . .

MRO Preview: AKRON ZIPS

8/4/2018

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, . . .

Bulls' Clark will play pro ball in Italy

8/2/2018

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 . . .

MRO PREVIEW: Bowling Green

8/2/2018

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 . . .

Celebrating with MAC Jolly Rogers, recalling stymies!

8/1/2018

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 . . .

Football Preview: Ball State Cardinals

7/30/2018

Oft-injured Cardinals have weapons, need defense

By MIKE SMITH
BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-10, 0-8 MAC in 2017)
Injuries were a huge factor for Ball State last season, taking out a veteran quarterback, All-MAC running back, top receiver and two key offensive linemen even before conference play. Not surprisingly, the Cardinals struggled mightily on offense. Just how much they can recover this season is a big question mark. Certainly, the travails of 2017 provided other players with opportunities to gain valuable experience.

Versatile Johnson makes Walter Camp Award list

7/27/2018

Diontae Johnson is aiming for another big year. (Courtesy UT Athletics)

University of Toledo wide receiver and returner Diontae Johnson (Ruskin, Fla.) was named to the official watch list for the 2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award on Friday. Johnson is one of only 50 players in the nation and the only player from the Mid-American Conference to make the list.

Johnson, a junior, has also been named to watch lists for the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) and Hornung Award (most versatile). Last season, he caught 74 passes for a school-record 1,278 yards and 13 TDs. He was a first-team All-MAC selection at both wide receiver and punt returner, as well as a second-team all-league pick at kickoff returner. Johnson was the first Rocket to be named all-league at three positions since Eric Page in 2011.

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