PREVIEWS: TUESDAY. NOV. 11 FOOTBALL ACTION
# KENT STATE AT AKRON (7:30 P.M., ESPNU)
# OHIO AT WESTERN MICHIGAN (8 P.M, ESPN2)
• = Details to come
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# OHIO AT WESTERN MICHIGAN (8 P.M, ESPN2)
• = Details to come
# = Click Read More for details
KENT STATE AT AKRON (7:30 P.M., ESPNU)
It's Wagon Wheel rivalry time in northeast Ohio.
The Flashes and Zips will battle for possession of the Wheel Tuesday, with UA favored on its home field. Akron is going for three straight, having won the two most recent meetings. KSU last prevailed in 2022 (33-27).
In addition to the Wheel Trophy (and bragging rights), Akron could pull a game closer to reaching bowl eligibility. The Zips needed to win their last four to reach six wins, and they are halfway there. Should they beat KSU, the Zips would close their regular season Nov. 18 at Bowling Green.
Kent State, meanwhile, needs to win out against Akron, Central Michigan and a struggling Northern Illinois team.
• • • • • AKRON (4-6, 3-3 MAC) ranks eighth among MAC teams in scoring (21.3 ppg) and is nnth in scoring defense (27.1 ppg).
• The Zips offense is 10th in passing (136.5 ypg) and fifth in passing (202.8 ypg).
• The Zips defense ranks fourth in sacks (22).
• Akron has won two straight. It's most recent victory was a dominating 44-10 win over winless UMass.
• All 10 Massachusetts points came in the first quarter.
• UA outgained the Minutemen 467-169.
• Akron forced three turnovers while committing one.
• QB Ben Finley completed 12 of 20 passes for 197 yards and two TDs.
• Marcel Williams registered four receptions totaling 104 yards.
• Jordan Gant logged 28 carries for 153 yareds and two scores.
• • • • • KENT STATE (3-6, 2-3 MAC) has gone 2-4 over its last four games. Both wins were at home and both losses came on the road.
• After trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, Kent State took a 13-10 lead last week at Ball State. However, a Cardinals touchdown with 1:53 remaining set up a 17-13 BSU victory.
• The Flashes were held to 89 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Gavin Garcia ran for 59 yards on 12 trips.
• Dru DeShields completed 15 of 27 passes totaling 212 yards.
• Wayne Harris topped KSU receivers with five catches for 87 yards.
• The Flashes rank 10th in scoring (18.0 ppg) and 12th in scoring defense (34.3 ppg).
• Kent State's offense is 12th among MAC teams in rushing (87.8 ypg) and seventh in passing (184.0 ypg).
It's Wagon Wheel rivalry time in northeast Ohio.
The Flashes and Zips will battle for possession of the Wheel Tuesday, with UA favored on its home field. Akron is going for three straight, having won the two most recent meetings. KSU last prevailed in 2022 (33-27).
In addition to the Wheel Trophy (and bragging rights), Akron could pull a game closer to reaching bowl eligibility. The Zips needed to win their last four to reach six wins, and they are halfway there. Should they beat KSU, the Zips would close their regular season Nov. 18 at Bowling Green.
Kent State, meanwhile, needs to win out against Akron, Central Michigan and a struggling Northern Illinois team.
• • • • • AKRON (4-6, 3-3 MAC) ranks eighth among MAC teams in scoring (21.3 ppg) and is nnth in scoring defense (27.1 ppg).
• The Zips offense is 10th in passing (136.5 ypg) and fifth in passing (202.8 ypg).
• The Zips defense ranks fourth in sacks (22).
• Akron has won two straight. It's most recent victory was a dominating 44-10 win over winless UMass.
• All 10 Massachusetts points came in the first quarter.
• UA outgained the Minutemen 467-169.
• Akron forced three turnovers while committing one.
• QB Ben Finley completed 12 of 20 passes for 197 yards and two TDs.
• Marcel Williams registered four receptions totaling 104 yards.
• Jordan Gant logged 28 carries for 153 yareds and two scores.
• • • • • KENT STATE (3-6, 2-3 MAC) has gone 2-4 over its last four games. Both wins were at home and both losses came on the road.
• After trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, Kent State took a 13-10 lead last week at Ball State. However, a Cardinals touchdown with 1:53 remaining set up a 17-13 BSU victory.
• The Flashes were held to 89 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Gavin Garcia ran for 59 yards on 12 trips.
• Dru DeShields completed 15 of 27 passes totaling 212 yards.
• Wayne Harris topped KSU receivers with five catches for 87 yards.
• The Flashes rank 10th in scoring (18.0 ppg) and 12th in scoring defense (34.3 ppg).
• Kent State's offense is 12th among MAC teams in rushing (87.8 ypg) and seventh in passing (184.0 ypg).
OHIO AT WESTERN MICHIGAN (8 P.M, ESPN2)
Both Ohio and Western Michigan are coming off hard-fought wins. Both have 4-1 conference records. Most importantly, both are legit MAC championship game contenders, and this game could have a huge impact on that goal.
Heading into this week's action, four teams are tied (at 4-1) atop the MAC standings. Three more are on their heels with 3-2 marks.
For the Ohio vs Western Michigan loser, it doesn't look good. For the winner, the forecast is very favorable.
On paper, Ohio appears to be have more offensive threats. However, the Broncos rank second among MAC teams in scoring defense and total defense. Also, the game is in Kalamazoo, and WMU has not lost at Waldo Stadium since a Sept. 6 overtime loss to North Texas.
• • • • • OHIO (6-3, 4-1 MAC) has won three straight since the upset loss at Ball State. The last two wins were both one-score games, but Ohio still impressed.
• Actually, you could say the Bobcats impressed in all three phases while pulling out a 24-20 victory over rival Miami last week in Athens.
-- Special teams contributed a long kickoff return for one score and freshman David Dellenbach's somewhat rare field goal provided three big points.
-- The defense limited MU to 303 yards overall and 4 of 13 on third down. A diving interception ended Miami's last possession.
-- The offense, while limited to two TDs by a good Miami defense, came through with a game-winning score in the final minutes. It also sprung Sieh Bangura for 102 yards (1 TD) on 17 carries for a 6.0 ypc average.
• Bangura has a MAC-best 830 yards to his credit.
• The 'Cats rank second among MAC teams in scoring offense (28.7 ppg) and are sixth in scoring defense (24.2 ppg).
Ohio's offense leads the MAC in rushing (201.1 ypg) and is third in passing (222.9 ypg).
• Navarro tops the MAC in total offense (280.3 ypg).
• WR Chase Hendricks leads all MAC receivers, averaging 93.0 receiving yards per game.
• • • • • WESTERN MICHIGAN (5-4, 4-1 MAC) has won five of its last six games, with the only loss coming Oct. 25 to Miami (26-17).
• The Broncos bounced back last week, edging Central Michigan 24-21 in Kalamazoo. WMU trailed 14-7 at intermission but out-scored the Chippewas 17-7 in the second half.
• Western Michigan held CMU to 240 yards of total offense, including just 55 yards on the ground as the Chippewas averaged 1.6 ypc.
• Quarterback Broc Lowry completed 17 of 24 throws for 150 yards with one TD. He also led the team in rushing (22 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD).
• Talique Williams led WMU with seven catches for 48 yards (1 TD).
• Kicker Palmer Domschke has a long of 49 yards this year.
• The Broncos rank seventh among MAC teams in scoring (22.3 ppg) and second in defense (19.0 ppg).
• The WMU offense is sixth in rushing (157.9 ypg) and ninth in passing ((161.1 ypg).
Both Ohio and Western Michigan are coming off hard-fought wins. Both have 4-1 conference records. Most importantly, both are legit MAC championship game contenders, and this game could have a huge impact on that goal.
Heading into this week's action, four teams are tied (at 4-1) atop the MAC standings. Three more are on their heels with 3-2 marks.
For the Ohio vs Western Michigan loser, it doesn't look good. For the winner, the forecast is very favorable.
On paper, Ohio appears to be have more offensive threats. However, the Broncos rank second among MAC teams in scoring defense and total defense. Also, the game is in Kalamazoo, and WMU has not lost at Waldo Stadium since a Sept. 6 overtime loss to North Texas.
• • • • • OHIO (6-3, 4-1 MAC) has won three straight since the upset loss at Ball State. The last two wins were both one-score games, but Ohio still impressed.
• Actually, you could say the Bobcats impressed in all three phases while pulling out a 24-20 victory over rival Miami last week in Athens.
-- Special teams contributed a long kickoff return for one score and freshman David Dellenbach's somewhat rare field goal provided three big points.
-- The defense limited MU to 303 yards overall and 4 of 13 on third down. A diving interception ended Miami's last possession.
-- The offense, while limited to two TDs by a good Miami defense, came through with a game-winning score in the final minutes. It also sprung Sieh Bangura for 102 yards (1 TD) on 17 carries for a 6.0 ypc average.
• Bangura has a MAC-best 830 yards to his credit.
• The 'Cats rank second among MAC teams in scoring offense (28.7 ppg) and are sixth in scoring defense (24.2 ppg).
Ohio's offense leads the MAC in rushing (201.1 ypg) and is third in passing (222.9 ypg).
• Navarro tops the MAC in total offense (280.3 ypg).
• WR Chase Hendricks leads all MAC receivers, averaging 93.0 receiving yards per game.
• • • • • WESTERN MICHIGAN (5-4, 4-1 MAC) has won five of its last six games, with the only loss coming Oct. 25 to Miami (26-17).
• The Broncos bounced back last week, edging Central Michigan 24-21 in Kalamazoo. WMU trailed 14-7 at intermission but out-scored the Chippewas 17-7 in the second half.
• Western Michigan held CMU to 240 yards of total offense, including just 55 yards on the ground as the Chippewas averaged 1.6 ypc.
• Quarterback Broc Lowry completed 17 of 24 throws for 150 yards with one TD. He also led the team in rushing (22 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD).
• Talique Williams led WMU with seven catches for 48 yards (1 TD).
• Kicker Palmer Domschke has a long of 49 yards this year.
• The Broncos rank seventh among MAC teams in scoring (22.3 ppg) and second in defense (19.0 ppg).
• The WMU offense is sixth in rushing (157.9 ypg) and ninth in passing ((161.1 ypg).
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