Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - AKRON: It was not easy this past weekend, but the Zips were able to grab a thrilling, 30-27 double-overtime victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes. The Zips took a three-point lead in the final two minutes of regulation, but the Golden Flashes evened the score with a field goal as time expired. After both teams exchanged field goals in the first overtime, the Zips benefited from a botched KSU kick in the second extra session en route to the win. Chris Jacquemain was up and down throughout the contest, as the quarterback threw for 243 yards and two scores, but also tossed three interceptions and was sacked twice. Andre Jones and Deryn Bowser did most of the damage downfield, as Jones grabbed five passes for 85 yards and one score, while Bowser finished with five receptions, 77 yards and one TD. The Zips will try to grab their second MAC victory this weekend when they host the Bowling Green Falcons.
BALL STATE: For the first time in their football program's history the Ball State Cardinals are ranked in the Top 25. Ball State used a convincing 31-0 victory over Toledo this past weekend to move into the 25th spot in the recent AP poll. Once again the Cardinals used a balanced attack, rushing for 240 yards, while also using another 242 yards through the air. MiQuale Lewis gashed the Rockets for 157 yards and two scores, while Cory Sykes rumbled for 90 yards and one TD on just seven totes. Nate Davis did not throw a touchdown in the win, but the quarterback managed the game well, completing 18-of-30 passes for 242 yards. The Cardinals will step out of league action this weekend when they take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons fell for the third time in the last four games, as the team was defeated by Eastern Michigan, 24-21. It was a heartbreaking loss for BGSU, which allowed a touchdown in the final seconds en route to the three-point loss. Despite the setback, the Falcons put forth a solid effort offensively, racking up 391 total yards. However, the majority of the damage was done through the air, as Tyler Sheehan threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately the ground game was not as successful, as BGSU rushed for just 94 yards n 3.2 ypc. Anthony Turner led the way out of the backfield with 55 yards on eight carries, while Chris Bullock added 43 yards in the loss. The Falcons will try to grab their first league win this upcoming weekend when they battle the Akron Zips.
BUFFALO: The Bulls were not on the field this past weekend, as the team will return to the gridiron this Saturday when Buffalo hosts the Western Michigan Broncos. The Bulls stumbled into their bye week, losing three of their previous four games, including two in a row.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN: The Chippewas were not in action this past weekend, as the team likely used its bye week to recover from some tough matchups. The last time CMU was on the field, the Chippewas earned a very tough, 27-25 victory over the Buffalo Bulls.
EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Eagles snapped their horrendous four-game losing skid this past weekend with a thrilling, 24-21 victory over Bowling Green. Eastern Michigan put forth a very balanced attack in the win, as the Eagles rushed for 147 yards, while adding another 263 yards through the air. Tyler Jones led the ground game with 60 yards on 13 carries, while Dwayne Priest added 45 yards and one score on 11 totes. Andy Schmitt was equally successful in the win, completing 21-of-29 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown. EMU will step out of conference action this weekend when the Eagles take on the Army Black Knights.
KENT STATE: The Golden Flashes' nightmare season continued this past weekend, as the team suffered a heartbreaking, 30-27, double-overtime loss to Akron. It was the fifth loss of the season for KSU, which is now 0-2 in conference play. Despite the loss, the Flashes racked up 413 total yards, including an outstanding 256 rushing yards on 4.4 ypc. Once again the majority of the damage was done by Julian Edelman, as the quarterback threw for 157 yards and two scores, while also leading the ground game with 113 yards on 18 carries. Andre Flowers added 85 yards on 24 totes, while Jacquise Terry rumbled for 60 yards and one touchdown. Kent State will try to get back into the win column this upcoming weekend when the Flashes host the Ohio Bobcats.
MIAMI-OHIO: Five games into the season and the RedHawks have just one victory. The team dropped its second consecutive contest this past weekend with a terrible 28-10 setback to Temple. Miami was its own worst enemy in the loss, as the RedHawks committed four turnovers and finished with just 303 total yards. Thomas Merriweather did a terrific job for the RedHawks however, rushing for 113 yards and one touchdown on 5.1 ypc. Unfortunately Clay Belton did not enjoy the same success, as the signal caller threw for just 147 yards. Belton was also intercepted in the loss and was sacked on three different occasions. The RedHawks will try to grab their first league win this weekend when they travel to DeKalb to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: After winning two straight games the Huskies returned to the loss column this past weekend with a tough 13-9 setback to Tennessee this past weekend. The Huskies put forth a tremendous defensive effort against a tough SEC squad, limiting the Vols to just 225 total yards, but the strong performance by NIU's defensive unit was wasted by a poor showing by the team's offense. The Huskies could only muster 194 total yards, including just 76 yards on 2.2 ypc. The passing game was just as pathetic, as Dan Nicholson threw for just 83 yards in the loss. Nicholson was also intercepted once and was sacked twice. The Huskies will try to return to the win column this weekend when they host the Miami-Ohio RedHawks.
OHIO: With six games behind them, the Bobcats have just one win to hold on to, and that came against VMI. This past weekend Ohio was no match for Western Michigan, as the Broncos dominated Ohio, 41-20. The Bobcats were once again embarrassed defensively, as the team surrendered 503 total yards, including 347 yards through the air. Offensively the Bobcats were marginally better, as Ohio racked up 356 total yards. The Bobcats committed three turnovers in the loss and also struggled to maintain drives, converting just 7-of-18 third down attempts. Boo Jackson was very inconsistent this past weekend, as the quarterback threw for 144 yards and three touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice and sacked four times. Donte Harden led the ground game with 65 yards, while Chris Garrett chipped in 27 yards on six totes. Ohio will try to collect its first league victory this weekend when the Bobcats take on the Kent State Golden Flashes.
TEMPLE: The Owls snapped a four-game losing skid this past weekend with a 28-10 victory over the Miami-Ohio RedHawks. It was the first league victory of the season for Temple, which tallied just 294 total yards. Chester Stewart was solid under center for the Owls, as the quarterback threw for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Bruce Francis only had two catches in the win, but both receptions went for touchdowns as the wideout finished with 49 yards. Temple will have a real test this weekend, as the Owls will fly to Mount Pleasant to battle the defending MAC champion Central Michigan Chippewas.
TOLEDO: The Rockets fell for the third straight time this past weekend, as Toledo was blanked by Ball State, 31-0. While the defense was torched for 482 total yards, the offense was no help, as Toledo was held to a pathetic 157 total yards. The ground game was down right embarrassing, finishing with just 14 yards on 19 carries. The passing attack was not much better, as Aaron Opelt threw for just 143 yards on 21-of-31 passing. Opelt also tossed an interception in the loss and was sacked once. Toledo will step out of conference play this upcoming weekend to take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.
WESTERN MICHIGAN: The Broncos grabbed their fifth consecutive win this past weekend with a convincing, 41-20 victory over the Ohio Bobcats. The Broncos were solid defensively, limiting Ohio to 356 total yards, while forcing three turnovers. On the offensive side of the football the Broncos racked up an impressive 503 total yards, including a whopping 347 yards through the air. Tim Hiller was outstanding in the win, throwing for 347 yards and four touchdowns. Jamarko Simmons had a huge showing as well, as the wideout grabbed eight passes for 87 yards and one touchdown. Not to be overlooked, however, was the play of running back Brandon West, who rushed for 107 yards and one score. West also contributed to the passing game, grabbing four passes for 72 yards and two scores. WMU will try to remain perfect in league play when the Broncos battle the Buffalo Bulls this upcoming weekend.
