TOLEDO 35, OHIO 23
MIAMI 34, BOWLING GREEN 7
YPSILANTI, MI (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan picked up its seventh win of the year with a win over in-state rival and Mid-American Conference rival Western Michigan in comeback-fashion, 22-21, Tuesday at Rynearson Stadium.
With the victory, the Eagles improved to 7-4 on the year and 4-3 in Mid-American Conference play. Prior to this year's squad, only 14 teams in the 130-year history of EMU Football had finished with seven or more wins.
No one had a bigger impact on the battle than junior kicker Chad Ryland, who knocked through 5-of-5 field goals and one extra point to give him 16 of EMU's 22 points.
The Eagles were paced by senior linebacker Terry Myrick with 11 stops, the second time this season he's reached double figures in the category. Additionally, sophomore Jose Ramirez tied his career-high in tackles 10 to go along with a solo sack.
Senior Jawon Hamilton proved to be the spark for Eastern's offense, racking up 179 yards on 19 attempts. Junior wide out Hassan Beydoun led the team in receptions with five for 48 yards and EMU's only touchdown of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a defensive battle in the first quarter, with both defenses stifling the opposing team's offense, resulting in a 0-0 ball game. Western Michigan struck first with a 74-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to open things up. Eastern Michigan responded with field goals on back-to-back positions to bring the score to 7-6 heading into halftime.
The Broncos found the endzone twice in the third quarter, while the Green and White were able to hit two field goals. Late in the third, Western boasted a 21-9 lead before sophomore Samson Evans connected with Beydoun for the Eagles' only touchdown of the game. From there, the defense caused two turnovers and Ryland knocked home two field goals to complete the comeback, 22-21.
ATHENS, OH - Every time Toledo needed a big play, junior running back Bryant Koback came through.
Koback rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns, including a game-breaker on fourth down in the third quarter, to lead Toledo to a 35-23 victory at Ohio on Tuesday.
Koback scored from 8, 4, 55 and 13 yards out, lifting Toledo (6-5, 4-3 MAC) to its second consecutive win. The 55-yarder came on fourth-and-one with Toledo holding a slim 14-9 lead midway the third quarter. Toledo led 35-9 before Ohio scored two late touchdowns, but it was too little, too late.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Dequan Finn completed 10-of-14 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, an 85-yarder to junior Matt Landers that gave Toledo a 28-9 lead late in the third quarter.
Senior linebacker Jonathan Jones tallied a career-high 14 tackles to lead Toledo and he was one of four Rockets to record double-digit stops. Senior safety Tycen Anderson, junior defensive end Desjuan Johnson, and freshman safety Maxen Hook all had 10 tackles.
First Quarter
Each team picked up four first downs but neither team threatened to score in the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Ohio drew first blood with a 34-yard field goal by Stephen Johnson. On the next series, Toledo put the ball in Bryant Koback's hands and he responded with 37 yards on four carries, the last going for three yards into the end zone to give Toledo a 7-3 lead. Koback made it 14-3 with a four-yard TD run with 4:15 left in the half. Ohio then cut the lead to 14-6 on a 41-yard field goal by Johnson on the final play of the half.
Third Quarter
Ohio made it 14-9 on a 32-yard field goal by Johnson, capping a 15-play drive that was extended thanks to a successful fake punt. But Koback struck again, this time going 55 yards on fourth-and-one to hit paydirt and increase Toledo's lead to 21-9. Moments later, Dequan Finn found wideout Matt Landers over the middle and Landers took it 85 yards for the score.
Fourth Quarter
Ohio missed a chance to chip away at the lead when Johnson's 25-yard field-goal attempt on the Bobcats' first possession of the quarter hit the left upright. Toledo recovered a muffed punt on the OU 16-yard line and the Rockets took advantage as Koback scored his fourth TD of the game from 13 yards out. The Bobcats scored their first touchdown of the night with 4:29 to go, capping a 14-play drive with a short rushing TD. OU recovered the ensuing onside kick, then scored again on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kurtis Rourke to Chase Cokley, putting the score at 35-23. However, Ohio's fourth quarter surge would end there, as Toledo was able to run out the clock and end the game.
MIAMI 34, BOWLING GREEN 7
By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- With bowl eligibility potentially riding on the outcome, the Miami RedHawks rode their defense and several big plays to defeat Bowling Green 34-7 Tuesday at Yager Stadium.
The Falcons led once, scoing on their own big play as Terion Stewart ripped off a 62-yard TD run midway though the second quarter.
A swarming BGSU defense held the RedHawks in check early, but special teams helped MU get on the scoreboard. Chris Cavalaris blocked a Falcon punt, with Caiden Woullard returning it 20 yards to the Bowing Green 3-yard line. Two plays later, Kevin Davis ran it, but the PAT was blocked.
The Falcons punted nine times on the night, including seven straight after their early touchdown as MU's defense showed why it is among the league leaders.
Miami took the lead at 11:31 of the second quarter when Brett Gabbert found Mac Hippenhammer deep over the middle for a 63-yard touchdown.
After forcing two three-and-outs, MU took over at the Falcons 35 later in the period. Five plays later, Gabbert hit Jack Sorenson for 25 yards. Tyre Shelton ran it in on the next play, and Miami was up 20-7.
It carried that score into intermission, and then struck for another TD on the first play of the third period. Gabbert found Sorenson again, this time for 83 yards and a TD. Now up 27-7, MU began to ride its defense and run game. It did, however, take quick advantage of a Falcon turnover.
Kameron Butler sacked BGSU quarterback Matt McDonald, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Matt Salopek at Bowling Green's 24. Shelton scored from 15 yards out two plays later to end scoring.
Shelton led Miami rushers with nine carries for 56 yards with two scores. In total, the run game yielded 119 yards and three scores
Brett Gabbert, meanwhile, completed 10 of 20 passes for 227 yards with two TDs and one interception.
The Falcons' McDonald conected on 13 of 28 for 108 yards. Nick Mosley BGSU rushing with 15 carries for 94 yards as Bowling Green totaled 150 yards on the ground.