TOLEDO 37, LONG ISLAND U. 0
TENNESSEE 59, BALL STATE 10
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 58, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 44
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 34, EASTERN ILLINOIS 27
AKRON, OH -- Cam Wiley scored on a one-yard run early in overtime and Tyson Durant ended the extra period with an interception as Akron edged St. Francis (PA) 30-23 Thursday night at Infocision Stadium.
The Red Flash had forced OT on Deondre Scott’s seven-yard scamper with 3:30 remaining in the contest. But after driving to UA’s three in overtime, Silwoski came up with the game’s only turnover.
Quarterback D.J. Irons completed 23-of-38 attempts, good for 270 yards and two scores for Akron. He was sacked six times, including a nine-yard loss to start overtime, but came back with a 28-yard completion to Jacques-Louis Shockey to keep the drive moving and set up the winning score.
UA’s Cam Wiley carried 21 times for 85 yards and two scores, while Irons added 61 yards on 12 trips. Shockey paced Zip receivers with eight catches for 102 yards, including a 41-yard third quarter strike.
TOLEDO, OH -- UT displayed a balanced offense and the Rocket offense pitched a shutout as Toledo blanked Long Island Thursday at the Glass Bowl.
Quarterback Dequan Finn completed 21-of-29 attempts totaling 216 yards and two TDs with one interception. Toledo added another 226 yards on the ground. Finn led the way with 64 yards, while Peny Boon and Jacquez Stewart combined for 109 yards.
Long Island managed just 36 yards through the air and another 45 rushing. Dallas Gant topped Rocket defenders with 10 tackles, while Rudy Silvera recorded a game high 11 hits to lead the Sharks.
Toledo led 6-0 midway through the second period, but scored two TDs before intermission for a 20-0 edge. After a scoreless third quarter, the hosts added 17 more points.
KNOXVILLE, TN -- The Volunteers rolled up 570 yards of offense and scored 38 first-half points on the way to a 59-10 win over visiting Ball State.
The Cardinals managed 343 yards of total offense, but were hampered by three turnovers.
BSU quarterback John Paddock completed 27-of-43 attempts, good for 269 yards and one TD. He was intercepted twice. Three Cardinal receivers had five catches each. Tanner Kozial tallied BSU’s only touchdown on a three-yard catch midway through the third quarter. Ben VonGunten his a late 25-yard field goal to close the scoring.
Ball State was limited to 74 yards rushing. Carson Steele paced the Cardinals with 11 carries totaling 27 yards.
Highly-touted quarterback Hendon Hooker passed for two TDs and ran for two more scores while leading the Volunteers attack.
STILLWATER, OK -- CMU quarterback Daniel Richardson’s huge night was not quite enough as No. 12 Oklahoma State defeated Central Michigan 58-44 Thursday evening at Boone Pickens Stadium.
OSU did most of its damage in the first half, building up a 44-15 advantage. Standout QB Spencer Sanders led the way, passing for 313 yards with three first half TDs through the air before intermission. He also ran for a pair of scores before the break and added another touchdown toss less than one month into the second half.
Central Michigan fought back from there, tallying four of the game’s final five touchdowns. The last was a 54-yard pass play from Richardson to former Ball State receiver Jalen McGaughy, who had two TDs among his six catches for 126 yards.
Richardson, meanwhile, completed 36-of-49 for a career-high 424 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
Overall, Central Michigan registered three more first downs and gained 15 more yards than the hosts.
DEKALB, ILL -- Northern Illinois’ penchant for winning close games continued Thursday as the Huskies held off Eastern Illinois 34-27 at Huskie Stadium.
NIU’s run to the MAC championship last year was marked by close wins. The Huskies were up 28-6 in Thursday’s 2022 season opener. However, the Panthers pulled within seven points following Jonah O’Brien’s eight-yard pass to Jay Vallie with 2:04 left. After Northern Illinois recovered an on-side kick, it missed a 43-yard field goal try with 58 ticks left. However, EIU was only able to reach the Huskies 36 before time expired.
A balanced Northern Illinois offense picked up 187 yards on the ground and 192 through the air. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi completed 14-of-22 passes, including a TD. Harrison Waylee and Antario Brown paced the Huskies rushing attack with a combined 27 carries for 153 yards and two scores. Sophomore linebacker Daveren Rayner led the defense with 14 tackles. Eric Rogers picked off two Panther passes.