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# CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT AKRON -- NOON, ESPN+
# MIAMI AT BOWLING GREEN -- NOON, ESPN+
# BUFFALO AT UMASS -- 1 P.M. ESPN3
# UCONN AT BALL STATE -- 2 P.M, ESPN3
# NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT EASTERN MICHIGAN -- 3:30 P.M.
# KENT STATE AT TOLEDO -- 3:30 P.M.
# OHIO AT WESTERN MICHIGAN -- 3:30 P.M. CBSSN
Two teams in need of a victory meet Saturday at Inforcision Stadium, where the Akron Zips host Central Michigan.
The Zips have just one win to their credit so far. That came in Week One when UA edged St. Francis (PA) 30-23 in overtime. Central Michigan, meanwhile, has gone three weeks since thrashing Bucknell (41-0) for its only victory of the season.
Akron and CMU last met in 2019, with the Chippewas posting a 45-24 victory in Mt. Pleasant. It was one of eight victories for Central Michigan that year as it won the West Division and earned a berth in the New Mexico Bowl.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS (1-5, 0-2)
>> CMU has lost both its MAC games, falling to Toledo (38-17) and Ball State (17-16) over the last two weeks.
>> The Chippewas owned an early 10-0 lead over BSU last Saturday. Ball State took a 14-0 lead before Central Michigan moved back in fron a final time on Daniel Richardson's 17-yard pass to Carlos Carriere last in the thrd period. The game-winner came early in the final stanza as Ben VonGunten nailed a 22-yard field goal in 12:14. Defenses prevailed the rest of the way.
>> Central Michigan lost despite holding a 340-236 edge in total offense.
>> Both teams had two turnovers. However, Ball State got seven quick points when Sidney Houston Jr. returned a fumble four yards for a third quarter touchdown.
>> Richardson completed 19 of 40 passes, good for 210 yards with one TD. Carriere and Joel Wilson topped Chippewas receivers with a combined 12 catches for 122 yards and a score.
>> Lew Nichols III was a workhorse, logging 31 carries for 97 yards (3.1 ypc) with one TD.
>> Richardson is third among MAC quarterbacks with an average of 264.3 passing yards per game. He is 10th in pass efficiency (120.2). Nichols is fifth in rushing (78.2 ypg).
AKRON ZIPS (1-5, 0-2 MAC)
>> The Zips conference losses were to Bowling Green (31-28) and Ohio (55-34) over the last two weeks.
>> Akron's offense produced 473 yards and 34 points while holding a 33-25 first downs edge in last week's road loss to the Bobcats. However, new Head Coach Joe Moorhead's team surrendered 561 yards and also committed the game's only two turnovers. One was a 13-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
>> Ohio scored 21 or the game's first 24 points. When UA pulled with eight at 28-20 early in the third quarter, the 'Cats tallied three straight touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
>> Akron Quarterback Kurtis Rourke 89 percent of his passes (24 of 27) against Akron. The Zips rank 10th among MAC teams in pass defense (294 ypg) and pass defense efficiency.
>> Overall, Akron is 11th in scoring deense (40.8 ppg) and last in scoring offense (18.3 ppg).
>> Shocky Jacques-Louis is third among MAC receivers (84.8 ypg) and total receptions (37).
>> Blake Hester and Jacques-Louis rank second and third among MAC kick returners. Tony Grimes Jr. tops all punt returners.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles will go for their third straight win Saturday while trying to keep Northern Illinois in the loss column. The Huskies are riding a five-game losing streak, with the last two coming in MAC West play.
NIU won last year's meeting with the Eagles by a 27-20 count.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES (1-5, 0-2)
>> After losing at Ball State 44-38 in overtime two weeks ago, NIU took a harder fall last Saturday as visiting Toledo dominated the Huskies through three quarters. The Rockets were up 45-7 heading into the final period.
>> NIU hurt its own cause with four turnovers, while Toledo played turnover-free football. That offset Huskie advantages in total yards (424-349), first downs (29-22) and time of possession (38:06 -- 21:52).
>> Quarterback Rocky Lombardi has missed the last three games with an injury. Freshman Ethan Hampton filled in against Toledo and went 30 of 49 for 284 yards with two TDs and four interceptions. Overall, he has seven TDs and six picks on the year while completing 59.0 percent of his pass attempts.
>> Harrison Waylee led Huskie receivers with 10 catches for 96 yards. Messiah Travis and Drew Cassens had one TD reception each.
>> Northern Illinois ranks fourth among MAC teams in rushing offense (177.3 ypg). The Huskies earned 140 yards against Toledo, with Antario Brown and Harrison Waylee combining for 30 caries, 111 yards and a score.
>> The Huskies are eighth in total defense (422.2 ypg), second against the run (130.7 ypg) and ninth while defending the pass (291.5 ypg). The Huskies are last among MAC teams in passing defense efficiency.
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (4-2, 1-1 MAC)
>> After dropping its MAC opener to Buffalo Oct. 1, EMU registered its first conference win last week with a decisive 45-23 victory over rival Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.
>> The Eagles took control early, rolling out to a 35-7 halftime lead. Overall, Eastern Michigan held a 413-299 advantage in total offense.
>> Senior quarterback Taylor Powell, who last played Sept. 17, ws back in the lineup against Western Michigan. He completed 20 of 30 pass attempts, totaling 293 yards with three TDs. He ranks third among MAC quarterbacks in completion percentage (66.1%).
>> Also returning from injury last week was WR Dylan Drummon recorded four receptions, including a touchdown.
>> Junior Darius Lassiter had a career-high six receptions with 104 yards against WMU.
>> Senior RB Samson Evans ranks 12th in the nation with 630 rushing yards. He is first in the MAC and 16th nationally with his 105-rushing yards per game average. He is also fourth MAC and 38th nationallin in all-purpose yards (117.5 ypg).
>> WR Hassan Beydoun has been a formidable weapon for the Eagles offense. He recently eclipsed 2,000 receiving yards (2,082).
>> Senior defensive end Jose Ramirez registered a career-high four sacks against WMU.
>> Mitchell Tomasek leads the MAC in punting (46.2 yards per kick).
After bouncing back from a damaging loss at Buffalo with a win over Kent State last week, the Miami RedHawks will seek to stay in the win column Saturday as they battle Bowling Green at the Falcons nest (Doyt L. Perry Stadium).
Nothing is guaranteed, especially on the road. Just ask Marshall University, who beat Notre Dame in South Bend one week, only to lose at Bowling Green the following Saturday. That overtime victory is one of two wins by the Falcons this season. They also edged Akron (on the road) two weeks ago. Like the RedHawks, BGSU is 1-1 in MAC play.
THE SERIES
Miami leads the all-time series 46-24-5 and has won four of the last five matchups. The RedHawks are 8-1 in their last nine trips to BGSU, including a 38-23 win in their most recent visit (2018).
LAST MEETING
Miami scored 34 unanswered points and defeated Bowling Green 34-7 in November 2021 to become bowl-eligible, extending the RedHawks’ Yager Stadium winning streak to 14 games. The Red and White sacked the Falcons eight times in the victory. Tyre Shelton ran for two scores and Brett Gabbert threw a pair of touchdowns to lead the Miami offense.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
>> The Falcons returned last Saturday after two weeks on the road. They went 1-1 on that road trip, finishing with a 31-28 victory at Akron. Last week, MAC-undefeated Buffalo came to northwest Ohio and cruised to a 38-7 victory at BGSU.
>> The Falcons committed four turnovers, while UB recorded one. Among the BGSU turnovers was a 97-yard fumble return that started as a fake field goal.
>> Bowling Green scored the game's final points, with Matt McDonald hitting Ta'ron Keith from 11-yards out. Mason Lawler added the PAT.
>> Buffalo owned a 466-380 edge in total yardage and had one more first down (20-19).
>> Falcon quarterback Matt Snyder completed 21 of 42 attempts for a total of 281 yards with one TD and one interception.
>> McDonald is tied for first among MAC quarterbacks in passing touchdowns (14). He is 10th in completion percentage (55.8%), fifth in passing avrage (243.6 ypg) and fifth in passing efficiency (131.8).
>> Senior CJ Lewis (6-3, 215) and Odieu Hiliare (6-0, 180) top Falcon receivers. They have a combined 38 catches, good for 515 yards and six touchdowns. Eight BGSU players have at least one touchdown reception.
>> Bowling Green averaged 3.4 ypc while producing 99 yards on the ground against Buffalo. Jaison Patterson led the way with three carries for 42 yards. He tops all Falcon rushers on the year with 45 carries for 191 yards and a score.
>> The Falcons have 13-different players who have recorded at least one full sack this season. That is the most in the nation. Bowling Green's 22 team sacks lead the MAC and are No. 4 in the nation. The Falcons are second nationally with eight fumble recoveries.
>> DL Karl Brooks is one of two players in the nation with 22+ tackles, 7.5+TFL, 4.5+ sacks, 2+ pass breakups and at least one fumble recovery. Linebacker JB Brown is No. 2 in the national and No. 1 in the MAC with three forced fumbles, two of which game inside BG's 5-yard line against Marshall.
>> TE Christian Sims in No. 8 nationally among tight ends with 4.0 catches per contest.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (3-3, 1-1 MAC)
>> Brett Gabbert passed for 227 yards and two TDs with one interception in last year's 34-7 Miami win over BGSU. However, the junior won't be available after sustaining a possible season-ending injury in the RedHawks opener at Kentucky. Aveon Smith has been at the helm since, with the freshman giving MU more of a run threat. Smith had a 73-yard touchdown run at Buffalo and his 31-yard scamper last week allowed Miami to keep the ball on its final clock-consuming drive to seal a RedHawks win over Kent State.
>> As a passer, Smith connected on 9 of 14 attempts for 179 yards with one interception against KSU. Two of his nine completions were key plays -- a 76-yard pass to Miles Marshall and a 41-yard sideline pass to Jack Coldiron. Both set up Miami touchdowns. Smith also sealed MU's victory with a 16-yard completion to Coldiron on fourth and six. "I know he's open, but you've got to hit him," Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin said. "The game is on the line."
>> Especially after the loss of Gabbert, Miami has worked hard to improve its overall run game. The RedHawks ran 50 times for 236 yards (4.7 ypc) and rushed for three touchdowns last Saturday. MU is now third among MAC teams in rushing (181.0 ypg).
>> Kevin Davis and Smith combined for 18 carries, 143 yards and 1 score against Buffalo. That touchdown was a 41-yard burst off the right side by Davis.
>> Former Penn State receiver Mac Hippenhammer has been Miami's top receiver. He has 22 catches for 314 yards and four of MU's six receiving catches.
>> The kicking game has been a Miami strength. Punter Dom Dzioban is second (MAC) with an average of 44.1 yards per boot. The sophomore's first kick last week covered 59 yards and pinned KSU at its own 1-yard line. Meanwhile, placekicker Graham Nicholson hit two crucial field goals from long distance (49 and 45 yards). "Special teams was huge," Martin said. He also noted the RedHawks had a "huge play" on punt returns when MU recovered a muffed reception. "We're sitting right there. He drops it, and we've got four guys waiting to pounce on it."
>> While the offense has been a work in progress, Miami has overcome some significant personnel losses on defense to again rank among the MAC's upper echelon. The RedHawks are first in scoring defense (25.2 ppg), first in total defense (351.2 ypg), first in rushing defense (88.8 ypg) and seventh against the pass (262.3 ypg). MU is third in pass defense efficiency.
>> Linebacker Ryan McWood returned this year and has overcome injury to rank third among MAC defenders, registering an average of 10.6 tackles per game. Matthew Salopek is sixth (MAC) in sacks and eighth in tackles (8.3 tpg).
>> In year’s past, when the RedHawks won the opening coin toss, head coach Chuck Martin would defer to the second half. This season, the RedHawks have won five coin tosses and chose to receive the ball to start the contest. Miami has scored on three of those five opening possessions, including touchdowns to begin the game at Kentucky and Cincinnati. In all, Miami has started all six contests this season with the ball.
After taking care of business through three weeks of MAC competition, the Buffalo Bulls will wrap up non-conference play Saturday at UMass. The Minutemen played in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of NCAA Division I before 2011 and won a national championship in 1998.
The Bulls have won three of the four meetings between the teams since both schools joined the FBS ranks.T his is the first meeting between the two teams since 2015. At that time, the Minutemen were playing as members of the Mid-American Conference. UMass is now one of four independents among FBS teams. The others are Army (West Point), Notre Dame and UConn. Three other schools have accepted conference affiliation going forward.
UMass has struggled in recent years and registered just one victory (against fellow independent UConn) in 2021. Through six games this year, the Minutemen are 1-5, with the sole win coming at home against Stony Brook (20-3) back on Sept. 17.
Buffalo, meanwhile, has completely turned the tide at just the right time. After opening with three non-conference setbacks, the Bulls have run off three straight MAC wins. That included a key 24-20 home victory over Miami two weeks ago. MAC West leader Toledo and MAC East leading Buffalo are the only two Mid-American Conference teams without a league loss.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
UMASS MINUTEMEN (1-5)
>> The Minutemen are coming off a 42-24 loss to Liberty last week. UMass scored first on a 53-yard run by Greg Desrosiers Jr., but Liberty tallied 35 of the game's next 38 points.
>> Each team had one turnover. UMass capitalized on its fumble recovery with a 22-yard return by Jordan Mahoney. In the win over Stony Brook, Mahoney had a 94-yard interception return for a TD.
>> Massachusetts has forced opponents into 11 turnovers this season, including six interceptions and five fumbles lost. The 11 turnovers gained and five fumble recoveries each rank tied for 25th in FBS. The Minutemen are +2 in turnover margin this season on 11 turnovers gained versus nine turnovers lost to rank tied 43rd in FBS (0.33).
>> Liberty owned a 453-233 advantage in total offense. Of its 223 yards, most (145) came on the ground. UMass quarterbacks went just 6 of 14 through the air, producing 88 yards and throwing one interception. QB Garrett Dzuro left last week's game with a leg injury. He was replaced by Gino Campiotti, who completed just one of seven passes and threw the pick.
>> UMass registered 145 yards on the ground. Desrosiers Jr. led the way with seven carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
>> Campiotti tops UMass rushers with 92 carries for 374 yards and two scores. George Johnson III tops receivers (15 catches, 168 yards).
>> UMass has just one passing touchdown through six games.
>> Head coach Don Brown returns to Massachusetts for his second stint with the football program. Brown was named head coach
on Nov. 22, 2021, by Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford, after spending a season with Arizona as the defensive coordinator. During his first stint as head coach with the Minutemen, he led UMass to the winningest five-year stretch in program history from 2004-2008, accumulating a 43-19 record and making two postseason appearances. He spent the previous 13 years guiding defenses at Maryland, Connecticut, Boston College, Michigan and Arizona.
>> The Minutemen have held opponents to a 22-for-68 mark on third down (.324), which ranks 35th in FBS.
BUFFALO BULLS (3-3, 3-0 MAC)
>> The Bull are coming off a 38-7 victory at Bowling Green. Buffalo totaled 466 yards of offense while holding the hosts to 380 yards and one touchdown. That score was with 5:57 left in the third quarter. The Bulls have not allowed points in the fourth quarter in any of their last three games.
>> The UB defense forced four turnovers -- one interception (by Marcus Fuqua) and three fumbles.
>> Buffalo has created four turnovers in two of the last four games with four at Coastal Carolina and four at Bowling Green. It’s the first time since the opener of the 2020 season that the Bulls have force four turnovers in a game. UB has created 11 turnovers through the first six games of the season. This is a vast improvement from a season ago when the Bulls created 12 turnovers the entire season.
>> Linebacker Shaun Dolac recorded 14 tackles (all solo) and one TFL. He currently leads all MAC defenders, averaging 11.2 stops per contest. James Patterson is 10th (8.0 per game).
>> The Bulls are third (MAC) in scoring defense (27.3 ppg) and sixth in total defense (412.2 ypg). UB is ninth in defending the run (177.5 ypg) and third against the pass (234.7 ypg).
>> Kicker Alex McNulty leads the MAC in scoring (8.8 ppg). He has converted 11 of 12 field goal attempts with a long of 52.
>> Buffalo has scored a touchdown on its opening possession in three straight games and have scored points on its opening possession in four straight.
>> The Bulls feature two of the best wide
receivers in the Mid-American Conference in Quian Williams and Justin Marshall. Williams has 33 receptions
for 404 yards and three touchdowns. Marshall has 29 receptions for 396 yards and four touchdowns.
>> This is Buffalo’s fifth road game over the first seven to start the season.
>> The Bulls welcomed 25 transfers this offseason, including 11 from power five programs.
The Huskies and Cardinals are both looking for a third straight win Saturday when Ball State hosts UConn.
Connecticut, one of four FBS independent programs, went 1-11 in 2021 and dropped four of its first five games this season. October has been better, with the Huskies picking up their second win with a 19-14 verdict over Fresno State. They followed that with a 33-12 win over Florida International last week.
Ball State, meanwhile, has now gone 2-0 in conference play since a 37-30 Week Two. After edging Northern Illinois 44-38 in double overtime Oct. 1, BSU edged Central Michigan 17-16 in Mt. Pleasant last week.
THE SERIES
Ball State and UConn have met on the gridiron three times in series history. The Cardinals have taken all three results in all three duels that have
taken place between 2000-02. The Huskies are in their second full season of being a FBS Independent, joining Army, BYU, Liberty, New Mexico State, Notre Dame and UMass. Ball State is 9-7 against teams that currently independent in the FBS. The Cardinals earned a 28-16 win over Army last season at Scheumann Stadium in their latest battle with a team outside of a conference.
Ball State and UConn have met on the gridiron three times in series history, with the Cardinals claiming all three victories. The most recent meeting was in 2002, when BSU prevailed 24-21 thanks to Mike Langford's 37-yard field goal in overtime.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
UCONN HUSKIES (3-4)
>> UConn scored the game's first 20 points last week, putting up two touchdowns and following with a pair of field goals in the last 1:03 before intermission. After an early third quarter touchdown by FIU, UConn limited the Panthers to five points the rest of the way and finished with a 33-12 win.
>> The Huskies forced three turnovers while playing turnover-free football.
>> UConn came into the game averaging 167.7 yards rushing and in the first half, rang up 172 on the ground led by Houston. The Huskies scored on all-four of their trips to the red-zone in the first half with Rosa capping off a pair of 11-play drives with touchdown
runs.
>> Freshman QB Zion Turner connected on 14 of 19 pass attempts for 102 yards against FIU. Justin Joly and Aaron Turner combined for 10 catches and 85 yards.
>> Most of the UConn offense against FIU came on the ground. The Huskies rushed 46 times for 295 yards while averaging 6.4 ypc. Sophomore Devontae Houston (5-9, 170) led the way with 12 carries for 135 yards. Victor Rosa logged 16 trips for 89 yards and two scores.
>> The rushing attack is ranked 40th in the NCAA averaging 185.9 yards per game. Sophomore Nate Carter piled up 405 yards through four games before seeing his season end due to injury. Houston stepped into the role, but he reportedly injured a leg last week and looks doubtful for this Saturday's matchup.
>> UConn senior defensive back Tre Wortham had a pair of first half interceptions.
>> Junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell is the Huskies top-tackler and is second in the country in total tackles with 75 stops this season. He is ranked eighth in tackles per game at 10.7. He is tied for 20th nationally with 28 solo tackles.
>> Sophomore kicker Nick Ruelas hit another pair of field goals in the win at FIU and has now hit five-straight and seven-of-eight on the season. His only miss was a blocked attempt in the win over CCSU. His season long is 54 yards.
>> The Huskies are among the least penalized teams in college football this season. UConn ranks 23rd in fewest penalties per game (5.00) and 23rd in fewest penalty yards per game (41.43)
BALL STATE CARDINALS
>> After spotting Central Michigan 10 points last week, the Cardinals rallied for a 17-16 victory. Central Michigan pulled back in front with a third quarter touchdown, but the extra point kick failed. That proved to be the difference after Ben VonGunten hit a 22-yard game-winning field goal at 12:14 of the final period. Neither team scored after that in what was a defensive battle. The teams combined for 16 punts, including nine by Ball State's Lucas Borrow. He averaged 45.6 yards per boot and left four inside the 20.
>> Visiting Ball State was able to pull out the victory despite getting outgained 340-236 on the day. The Cardinals also went 0 for 13 on third down conversions.
>> Junior John Paddock completed 15 of 27 pass attempts, good for 122 yards and one touchdown. On the season, he has connected on 63.8 percent with 12 TDs and six interceptions. He is second among MAC passers in passing average (267.7 ypg) and eighth in pass efficiency.
>> Carson Steele paced BSU rushers against Central Michigan, logging 28 carries for a total of 124 yards (4.4 ypc). However, the Cardinals netted just 114 rushing yards after losses. CMU had two sacks and eight TFL.
>> Although last week was a defensive battle, the Cardinals have been relatively strong on offense much of the year. They rank third in total offense (410.5 ypg) and passing offense (267.7 ypg).
>> Paddock is one of just two MAC quarterbacks (Ohio’s Rourke) to have multiple 300-yard passing games this season. In fact, Paddock has produced 30 percent of all the MAC’s 300-yard performances this season while leading one of the conference’s most outstanding offenses.
>> Jayshon Jackson ranks first among MAC receivers in catches per game (7.0) and is fourth in average yards (82.7 ypg).
>> Steele has racked up 610 yards on the ground with five touchdowns through 136 carries this season. Steele’s rushing total ranks second in the MAC and is 14th nationally. Yo'Heinz Tyler is sixth with 6.0 receptions per contest.
The Kent State Golden Flashes played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation, and things haven't been a whole lot rosier since starting league play. KSU managed to slip by a talented Ohio team 31-24 in overtime but fell to the Miami RedHawks 27-24 last week. Now Kent State faces MAC West-leading Toledo this Saturday.
UT leads the conference in scoring and is second in scoring defense. That is healthy a healthy combination that has helped the Rockets get off to a 4-2 mark overall and 2-0 start to conference play. Toledo and Buffalo, in fact, are the only MAC teams without a conference loss halfway though the 2022 campaign.
Toledo leads the series with Kent State, 27-21. The Rockets have won the last five meetings, most recently a 35-33 victory at the Glass Bowl in 2019.
Kent State, meanwhile, will look to end a 45-year streak on Saturday as the Flashes have not won at the Glass Bowl since November 19, 1977. The Flashes have dropped its last 12 games at Toledo.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
TOLEDO ROCKETS (4-2, 2-0 MAC)
>> Toledo will look to make it three straight MAC wins when it hosts Kent State at the Glass Bowl on Saturday. The Rockets (4-2, 2-0 MAC) are all alone in first place of the MAC West Division following their 52-32 victory at Northern Illinois on Oct. 8.
>> Toledo dominated the Huskies early, holding a 35-7 halftime lead and expanding that to 45-7 after three quarters.
>> The Rockets forced four turnovers, while committing none. Sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell grabbed four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Mitchell returned two of his three first-half interceptions for touchdowns The four interceptions were the first four of Mitchell’s career, tied the school record set back in 1950, and was the first time a Rocket had two pick sixes in one game.
>> Junior linebacker Dallas Gant ledToledo with a career-high 15 tackles.
>> Quarterback Dequan Finn completed 13 of 19 pass attempts totaling 167 yards with three touchdowns. Two of those scores went to Jerjuan Newton, who led UT with five catches for 89 yards and the two TDs. Newton and tight end Jamal Turner each have four touchdown catches on the campaign.
>> DeMeer Blankumsee leads Rocket receivers on the season. He has 29 catches for a total of 341 yards. However, he did not play last week.
>> Jacquez Stuart led Toledo rushers against NIU with 11 carries for 73 yards and a score. Finn, meanwhile, tops Rocket rushing on the season, carrying 57 times for 368 yards and five TDs.
>> Kicker Thomas Cluckey is second among among MAC scorers with 49 points. He has made all 28 PAT tries and is seven of nine on field goals, with a long of 45.
>> Toledo’s offense ranks first in the MAC in scoring (36.2), second in rushing (187.7) and sixth in total offense (387.8).
>> Toledo’s defense ranks second in the MAC in in points allowed (25.5) and total defense (353.2). The Rockets lead the MAC in passing yards allowed (199.8) and defensive passing efficiency (121.3).
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (2-4, 1-1 MAC)
>> The Flashes fell behind early last week at Miami. The RedHawks were up 17-0 after one quarter an 24-7 midway through three periods. KSU scored 17 of the game's final 24 points, but it couldn't quite stop Miami's final drive as the RedHawks ran out the clock.
>> Quarterback Collin Schlee completed 23 of 40 pass attempts, good for 306 yards and three TDs. Two went to Devontez Walker, who caught 11 balls for 159 yards. Dante Cephas added nine catches for 118 yards and a score.
>> Kent State leads the MAC in rushing with an average of 200.7 ypg. However, Miami held the Flashes to 109 yards rushing -- none on the ground. Bryan Bradford led the way with nine carries for 43 yards.
>> Khalil Saunders picked off a Miami pass, setting KSU for its only first half touchdown.
>> Kicker Andrew Glass hit one field goal (38 yards), while another attempt was blocked to end KSU's first possession.
>> Senior LB Marvin Pierre led Kent State defenders with 13 tackles vs MU. Safety Nico Bolden leads the team on the season, recording 49 hits.
>> Junior linebacker Dallas Gant ledToledo with a career-high 15 tackles.
>> Kent State became the ONLY team in FBS HISTORY to have a 240 yard rushers (Marquez Cooper) and 240 yard receiver (Dante Cephas) in the same game, doing so against Ohio.
>> The Golden Flashes have won eleven-straight home games, tied for the ninth-longest streak in the FBS and a new program record breaking the streak set September 1949 through October of 1951 and again October of 2011 through August of 2013
After getting stung by Eastern Michigan last week in Kalamazoo, the Western Michigan Broncos hope to bounce back Saturday when they host a potent Ohio team. The Bobcats are coming off a 55-34 victory over Akron. Both the 'Cats and Broncos are 1-1 in MAC play.
Western Michigan and Ohio have met 64 times, with WMU holding a 33-30-1 edge. Their last meeting was in 2019, when Ohio forced overtime on a touchdown with nine seconds left. However, WMU prevailed after LeVante Bellamy answered the 'Cats OT field goal with a 4-yard touchdown.
Here is more on the two teams . . .
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (2-4, 1-1 MAC)
>> The Broncos edged Ball State (37-30) with an early MAC game back in Week Two.
>> WMU was blitzed last week at home as visiting Eastern Michigan ran out to a 21-0 lead and was up 35-7 by intermission.
>>
>> QB Jack Salopek completed just 15 of 40 pass attempts, totaling 208 yards with two touchdowns. Corey Crooms tallied on a 25-yard pass in the third quarter and Blake Bosma caught a 4-yarder for the game's final score at 4:39.
>> Crooms leads Bronco receivers on the season with 27 catches for 365 yards and three scores. Jehlani Galloway is next with 16 receptions, 232 yards.
>> Overall, WMU totaled 299 yards of offense, while surrendering 413 yards to Eastern Michigan. On the season, Western Michigan ranks last among MAC teams in total offense (301.2 ypg). The Broncos are ninth in rushing (120.5 ypg) and 11th in passing offense (180.7 ypg).
>> WMU ranks 10th (MAC) in scoring (22.7 ppg) and is seventh in scoring defense (30.8 ppg).
>> Senior linebacker Zaire Barnes led the Broncos with 11 tackles against EMU, including 10 solos. Sophomore defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had 10 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.
OHIO BOBCATS (3-3, 1-1)
>> The Bobcats enter Week Seven with the top offense among MAC teams (445.8 ypg). Ohio is second in scoring (33.2 ppg), but the 'Cats have allowed 40.7 ppg (10th MAC).
>> Much of the Ohio offense comes through the air. The Bobcats top MAC teams in passing offense (334.0 ypg), while the ground game is good for 111.8 ypg (10th MAC).
>> Redshirt junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke finished the game 24-for-27 with 427 yards
in the air and three passing touchdowns.
>> Graduate student wide receiver Sam Wiglusz led the receivers, going for a personal-best 144 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman running back Sieh Bangura finished the game with four touchdowns, three of which were rushing, while recording 90 rushing yards and 25 receiving yards.
>> Defensively, redshirt senior linebacker Keye Thompson recorded the Bobcats’ first
interception and finished the day leading the team with 11 tackles. Redshirt senior defensive end Jack McCrory’s fumble recovery in the third quarter marked Ohio’s second defensive touchdown of the season.
>> Rourke leads MAC quarterbacks in passing yard average (324.0 ypg), TDs (14) and completion percentage (70.9%). Wigulsz is sixth in receiving (72.3 ypg) and tied for first in receiving TDs (5).