Mid-American Conference 2017 Bowl Season Football Release

Football Contact: Ken Mather, Assistant Commissioner for Media & Public Relations ([email protected]) Mid-American Conference, 24 Public Square, 15th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44113, 216-566-4622, www.getsomemaction.com

Become a fan of the Mid-American Conference on Facebook. Follow the MAC On Twitter @MACSports, Snapchat (MACSports) and Instagram (MACSports) MAC Standings MAC Storylines Conference Overall • Toledo won the 2017 Marathon MAC Football Championship WEST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A N Game with a 45-28 win over Akron on Dec. 2. The win was To- !^*Toledo 7 1 .875 W2 4-0 3-1 11 2 .846 W3 6-0 4-2 1-0 ledo’s first championship since 2004 and the 11th football title in *Northern Illinois 6 2 .750 L1 4-0 2-2 8 4 .667 L1 5-1 3-3 program history. The Rockets have been a model of consistency *Central Michigan 6 2 .750 W5 2-2 4-0 8 4 .667 W5 3-2 5-2 in winning as Toledo has won at least nine games in six of the *Western Michigan 4 4 .500 L2 2-2 2-2 6 6 .500 L2 4-2 2-4 last seven years, and this year’s record of 11-2 is the ninth time Eastern Michigan 3 5 .375 W2 2-2 1-3 5 7 .417 W2 3-2 2-5 in Toledo history to win at least 10 games in a season. Ball State 0 8 .000 L8 0-4 0-4 2 10 .167 L9 2-4 0-6 Conference Overall • Five MAC programs received bowl invitations this 2017 bowl EAST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A N season -- Toledo (11-2), Akron (7-6), Ohio (8-4), Central Michi- #*Akron 6 2 .750 W2 4-0 2-2 7 6 .539 W2 5-1 2-4 0-1 gan (8-4) and Northern Illinois (8-4). The MAC record for bowl *Ohio 5 3 .625 L2 3-1 2-2 8 4 .667 L2 5-1 3-3 invitations in a single-season is seven in both the 2012 and 2015 *Buffalo 4 4 .500 W3 2-2 2-2 6 6 .500 W3 4-2 2-4 bowl seasons. Miami 4 4 .500 W1 2-2 2-2 5 7 .417 W1 3-3 2-4 Bowling Green 2 6 .250 L3 0-4 2-2 2 10 .167 L3 0-5 2-5 • Toledo (Dollar General Bowl), Akron (Cheribundi Tart Cherry Kent State 1 7 .125 L5 1-3 0-4 2 10 .167 L5 2-3 0-7 Boca Raton Bowl), Ohio (Bahamas Bowl), Central Michigan () and Northern Illinois (Quick Lane ! MAC Champion ^West Champion; #East Champion *Bowl Eligible Bowl) will represent the MAC this 2017 bowl season. MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE 2017 BOWL SCHEDULE Dec. 19: Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl – Boca Raton, Fla.; • This marks the 10th time in MAC history to have five or more 7:00 pm ET (ESPN); Akron (7-6, 6-2) vs. Florida Atlantic (10-3, 8-0, C-USA) programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, Note: Akron won the MAC East Division with a 7-6 overall record, 6-2 in the MAC 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) in a single-season. and made its first trip to the Marathon MAC Championship Game in Detroit since 2005. Akron suffered a 45-28 loss to Toledo on Dec. 2nd in the 2017 Marathon • In the previous six bowl seasons, the MAC has a record of 11-24 MAC Football Championship Game. Six-year Terry Bowden will be in 35 bowl games – 2016 (0-6); 2015 (3-4); 2014 (2-3); 2013 (0-5); leading his Zips to the program’s second bowl appearance in the last three seasons, 2012 (2-5); 2011 (4-1) as all 12 MAC programs have appeared in which is a program best. Bowden led the Zips to the program’s first-ever bowl win a during this span (2011-16). in 2015 with a 23-21 win over Utah State in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Dec. 22: Bahamas Bowl – Nassau, Bahamas 12:30 pm ET (ESPN) • Akron (7-6, 6-2) won the MAC East Division for the first time Ohio (8-4, 5-3) vs. UAB (8-4, 6-2, Conference USA) since 2005. Akron secured its third MAC East Division title as the Note: Ohio ended the regular season second in the MAC East Division with a 5-3 Zips are bowl eligible for the second time in the last three years, league-record, 8-4 overall. Bobcats head coach is in his 13th year also a program record. leading the Ohio football program and is the third-winningest head coach in MAC history with an 96-71 record at Ohio. Last season Ohio suffered a 28-23 loss to • Over the last three seasons, the MAC has witnessed six different Troy in the Dollar General Bowl. The Bobcats have been bowl eligible in 11 of the programs participate in the Marathon MAC Football Champion- 13 years under Solich and will be making their ninth bowl appearance during his ship Game. In 2015 Bowling Green defeated NIU, 34-14, while coaching tenure. Ohio will be making its 11th bowl appearance in school history. 2016 witnessed Western Michigan with a 29-23 win over Ohio Dec. 22: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Boise, Ida. 4:00 pm ET (ESPN) and Toledo defeated Akron, 45-28 in the 2017 Marathon MAC Central Michigan (8-4, 6-2) vs. Wyoming (7-5, 5-3, Mountain West) Football Championship Game. Note: Central Michigan wrapped up the 2017 season on a five-game winning streak to finish 8-4 overall, 6-2 in the MAC West Division. Third-year head coach John • This year the MAC has 11 FBS wins, including four wins over Bonamego led the Chippewas this season to a non-conference win over Kansas. Autonomous Conferences with two wins vs. Big Ten opponents The program will be making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance, its fifth in (Nebraska, Rutgers) and two wins over Big 12 opponents (both the last six years and the ninth in the last 12 seasons. wins over Kansas). Dec. 23: Dollar General Bowl – Mobile, Ala. 7:00 pm ET (ESPN) Toledo (11-2, 7-1) vs. Appalachian State (8-4, 7-1, ) Note: Toledo won the 2017 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game with a Follow MAC football 45-28 win over Akron on Dec. 2, its first MAC Championship since 2004. Toledo with the MAC Digi- completed the season with a 11-2 overall record, 7-1 in the MAC West. Second- tal Network at www. year head coach Jason Candle led Toledo to another successful season and will mac-sports.com. be leading the Rockets to his third-bowl game. Toledo will be making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance and its seventh bowl game in the last eight years. Toledo will be making a MAC-best 17th bowl appearance (11-5 record). Dec. 26: – Detroit, Mich. 5:15 pm ET (ESPN) Northern Illinois (8-4, 6-2) vs. Duke (6-6, 3-5, Atlantic Coast Conference) Note: Northern Illinois finished the 2017 season in second-place in the MAC West Division with a 6-2 league record, 8-4 overall. The Huskies return to the The MAC has partnered with collegepressbox.com to continue bowl season after missing a bowl appearance last year, which snapped a MAC media services and provide access to information on the confer- record streak of eight consecutive bowl appearances (2008-15). Fifth year head ence and our membership including rosters, bios, game notes, coach Rod Carey and the Huskies defeated Nebraska from the Big Ten earlier this season. NIU is making its 12th bowl appearance (4-7 record in bowl games). depth charts, stats, quotes, flipcards, media schedules and more. Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017 MAC BOWL HISTORY Since the conference inception in 1946, the MAC has played in 106 bowl games MAC Year-By-Year Bowl Results with a 42-64 (.396) overall bowl record. In the early years, bowl games were few 1947 Sun - Cincinnati 18, Virginia Tech 8 1948 Sun - Miami 13, Texas Tech 12 and far between before the consistency of a single-bowl game became into exis- 1950 Salad - Miami 34, Arizona State 21 tence in 1981. However, over the last decade the MAC has witnessed a signifi- 1951 Sun - West Texas State 14, Cincinnati 13 1954 Refrigerator Bowl - Delaware 19, Kent State 7 cant increase in the number of bowl invitations both from primary and secondary 1961 Aviation Bowl - New Mexico 28, Western Michigan 12 bowl partnerships, but also several at-large bowl selections as well. 1961 Mercy - Fresno State 36, Bowling Green 6 1962 Tangerine - Houston 49, Miami 21 1962 Sun - West Texas State 15, Ohio 14 From 1946 to 1980, the MAC appeared in a total of 17 bowl games in the first 1968 Tangerine - Richmond 49, Ohio 42 1969 Tangerine - Toledo 56, Davidson 33 35 years of the Conference in operation. Then from 1981 to 2000, the MAC 1970 Tangerine - Toledo 40, William & Mary 12 witnessed twenty consecutive years of receiving only one bowl invitation each 1971 Tangerine - Toledo 28, Richmond 3 football season. 1972 Tangerine - Tampa 21, Kent State 18 1973 Tangerine - Miami 16, Florida 7 1974 Tangerine - Miami 21, Georgia 10 The MAC forged a bowl partnership with Detroit from 1997-2013 (Motor City 1975 Tangerine - Miami 20, South Carolina 7 1981 California Raisin - Toledo 27, San Jose State 25 Bowl and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl). The MAC added Mobile in 2001 (GMAC 1982 California Raisin - Fresno State 29, BGSU 28 Bowl, GoDaddy Bowl and now Dollar General Bowl) and Boise in 2010 (Hu- 1983 California Raisin - NIU 20, Cal State Fullerton 13 1984 California Raisin - UNLV 30, Toledo 13* manitarian, now named Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) as primary bowl partners. 1985 California Raisin - Fresno State 51, BGSU 7 1986 California Raisin - San Jose State 37, Miami 7 1987 California Raisin - EMU 30, San Jose State 27 Beginning in 2004, the Conference witnessed increased bowl participation in at- 1988 California Raisin - Fresno State 35, WMU 30 large selections as the 2004 bowl season witnessed five MAC programs receive a 1989 California Raisin - Fresno State 27, Ball State 6 bowl invitation and that number was matched during the 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 1990 California Raisin - San Jose State 48, CMU 24 1991 California Raisin - BGSU 28, Fresno State 21 and 2014 bowl seasons. The Confernece sent four programs to bowls in 2006 1992 Las Vegas - BGSU 35, Nevada 24 and 2010. The MAC set a Conference record with seven bowl invitations in both 1993 Las Vegas - Utah State 42, Ball State 33 1994 Las Vegas - UNLV 52, CMU 24 the 2012 and 2015 bowl seasons. 1995 Las Vegas - Toledo 40, Nevada 37 OT 1996 Las Vegas - Nevada 18, Ball State 15 1997 Motor City - Ole Miss 34, Marshall 31 MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher joined the Conference in 2009 and 1998 Motor City - Marshall 48, Louisville 29 added Boise as a primary bowl partner in 2010, while adding secondary bowl 1999 Motor City - Marshall 21, BYU 3 2000 Motor City - Marshall 25, Cincinnati 14 agreements ranging from Gildan New Mexico; St. Petersburg and the Birming- 2001 GMAC - Marshall 64, East Carolina 61 2OT ham Bowl in order to provide MAC members the opportunity to represent the 2001 Motor City - Toledo 23, Cincinnati 16 2002 GMAC - Marshall 38, Louisville 15 Conference and receive additional bowl invitations. 2002 Motor City - Boston College 51, Toledo 25 2003 GMAC - Miami 49, Louisville 28 The 2012 bowl season witnessed the conference earn its first BCS Bowl invita- 2003 Motor City - BGSU 28, Northwestern 24 2004 Motor City - Connecticut 39, Toledo 10 tion with Northern Illinois gaining a No. 15 BCS ranking and an invite to the 2004 GMAC - Bowling Green 52, Memphis 35 Discover to face Florida State. 2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic - NIU 34, Troy 21 2004 - Iowa State 17, Miami 13 2004 PlainsCapital Forth Worth Bowl - Cincinnati 32, Marshall 14 In 2014, the MAC announced primary bowl partnerships with the newly created 2005 Motor City Bowl - Memphis 38, Akron 31 2005 GMAC - Toledo 45, UTEP 13 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.), Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, 2006 Motor City - Central Michigan 31, MTSU 14 Bahamas) and the Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.). In addition, the MAC 2006 Poinsettia - TCU 37, Northern Illinois 7 2007 GMAC - Southern Miss 28, Ohio 7 secured a secondary bowl partnership with the Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit) dur- 2007 International - Cincinnati 27, Western Michigan 24 ing this span. 2007 Motor City - Purdue 51, Central Michigan 48 2008 - Rutgers 52, Ball State 30 2008 GMAC - Tulsa 63, Bowling Green 7 In 2016, Western Michigan’s invitation to the Goodyear to 2008 Motor City - FAU 24, Central Michigan 21 face Wisconsin on Jan. 2nd was the MAC’s second New Year’s Six Bowl Game 2008 Independence - La. Tec. 17, Northern Illinois 10 2008 Texas - Rice 38, Western Michigan 14 appearance. 2009 International - Connecticut 38, Buffalo 20 2009 GMAC - Tulsa 45, Ball State 13 2009 Little Caesars Pizza - Marshall 21, Ohio 17 In the last six bowl seasons, the MAC has an 11-24 overall bowl record in 35 2009 EagleBank - UCLA 30, Temple 21 bowl games -- 2016 (0-6); 2015 (3-4); 2014 (2-3); 2013 (0-5); 2012 (2-5); 2011 2009 Roady’s Humanitarian - Idaho 43, Bowling Green 42 2010 International - South Florida 27, Northern Illinois 3 (4-1). In 2011 the MAC won the ESPN Challenge Cup with a 4-1 record for the 2010 GMAC - Central Michigan 44, Troy 41 (2OT) best FBS Conference record in bowl games. 2010 uDrove Humanitarian - Northern Illinois 40, Fresno State 17 2010 R+L Carriers New Orleans - Troy 48, Ohio 21 2010 Little Caesars Pizza - Florida International 34, Toledo 32 2011 GoDaddy.com - Miami 35, Middle Tennessee 21 2011 Gildan New Mexico - Temple 37, Wyoming 15 MAC Bowl Records 2011 Famous Idaho Potato - Ohio 24, Utah State 23 Team W L T PCT. Last Appearance 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl - Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32 Akron 1 1 0 .500 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 2011 - Toledo 42, Air Force 41 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl - Northern Illinois 38, Arkansas State 20 Ball State 0 7 0 .000 2014 GoDaddy Bowl 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State 41, Toledo 15 Bowling Green 5 8 0 .385 2015 GoDaddy Bowl 2012 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg - UCF 38, Ball State 17 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl - Central Michigan 24, W. Kentucky 21 Buffalo 0 2 0 .000 2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - San Jose State 29, Bowling Green 20 Central Michigan 3 7 0 .300 2016 Miami Beach Bowl 2012 Advocare V100 Independence - Ohio 45, Louisiana-Monroe 14 2013 Discover Orange Bowl - Florida State 31, Northern Illinois 10 Eastern Michigan 1 1 0 .500 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl - Arkansas State 17, Kent State 13 Kent State 0 3 0 .000 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl 2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - San Diego State 49, Buffalo 24 2013 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl - East Carolina 37, Ohio 20 Miami 7 4 0 .636 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl 2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl - Pittsburgh 30, Bowling Green 27 Northern Illinois 4 7 0 .364 2015 S.D. Poinsettia Bowl 2013 S. D. County Credit Union Poinsettia-Utah State 21, NIU 14 2013 GoDaddy Bowl - Arkansas State 23, Ball State 20 Ohio 2 8 0 .200 2016 Dollar General Bowl 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Air Force 38, Western Michigan 24 Toledo 11 5 0 .688 2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl 2014 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl - Bowling Green 33, South Alabama 28 Western Michigan 1 7 0 .125 2017 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic 2014 Boca Raton Bowl - Marshall 52, Northern Illinois 23 2014 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl - Western Kentucky 49, Central Michigan 48 Current Members 35 60 0 .368 2015 GoDaddy Bowl - Toledo 63, Arkansas State 44 2015 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl - Appalachian State 31, Ohio 29 Former MAC Members 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Akron 23, Utah State 21 2015 Marmot Boca Raton Bowl - Toledo 32, Temple 17 Cincinnati 1 1 0 .500 1951 Sun Bowl 2015 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl - Boise St. 55, NIU 7 Marshall 5 2 0 .714 2004 Plains Capital 2015 GoDaddy Bowl - Georgia Southern 58, Bowling Green 27 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl - Western Michigan 45, Middle Tennessee 31 Temple 1 1 0 .500 2011 Gildan 2015 Quick Lane Bowl - 21, Central Michigan 14 Former Members 7 4 0 .636 2016 Raycom Media Camellia - Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28 2016 Miami Beach Bowl - Tulsa 55, Central Michigan 10 Totals W L T PCT. 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl - Old Dominion 24, Eastern Michigan 20 2016 Dollar General Bowl - Troy 28, Ohio 23 Current Members 35 60 0 .368 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl - Mississippi State 17, Miami 16 Past Members 7 4 0 .636 2017 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - No. 8 Wisconsin 24, No. 12 WMU 16 Overall 42 64 0 .396 *1984 game was forfeited to Toledo because of ineligible players by UNLV Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

TOLEDO WINS MARATHON MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Statistical Leaders (TOP 25) -- Where they rank The Toledo Rockets capped an historic season with a resounding 45-28 victory over Akron at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday to claim their Nationally in Bowl Subdivision (FBS) 11th Mid-American Conference Championship and first since 2004. Rushing Yards: 22nd Terry Swanson-Toledo: 1,319 yards, 231 attempts, 14 TDs In the 100th anniversary season of their founding as a football program, 26th Jarvion Franklin-Western Michigan: 1,228 yards, 235 attempts, 11 TD and the two-year anniversary of the hiring of Jason Candle as head coach, the Rockets (11-2) dominated the game from start to finish, scoring three Rushing Touchdowns: 2nd Nathan Rourke-Ohio: 21 TDs, 882 yds., 134 attempts times in the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead into the locker room at t-15th Terry Swanson-Toledo: 14 TDs, 1,319 yds., 231 attempts halftime. The Rockets outgained the Zips, 561-396, holding them to just t-30th Shakif Seymour-Toledo: 12 TDs, 704 yds., 113 attempts 98 yards of total offense in the first half. The 561 yards of total offense t-36th Jarvion Franklin-Western Michigan: 11 TD, 1,228 yds., 235 attempts are the third-most by a team in a MAC Championship Game. Total Passing Yards: Senior Logan Woodside, who threw for 307 yards and four 8th Logan Woodside-Toledo: 3,758 yds., 248-382 passing, 28 TDs touchdowns, was named the Offensive Player of the Game. Sophomore 29th Shane Morris-Central Michigan: 2,908 yds., 226-407 passing, 26 TDs Diontae Johnson led the receiving corps with nine receptions for 118 yards 30th Brogan Roback-Eastern Michigan: 2,890 yds., 245-409 passing,19 TD and two scores, followed by junior Jon’Vea Johnson (six receptions, 103 Passing Touchdowns: yards, and a touchdown). Senior running back Terry Swanson piled up t-12th Logan Woodside-Toledo: 28 TDs, 3,758 yds., 248-382 passing 180 yards and two TDs t-16th Shane Morris-Central Michigan: 26 TD, 2,908 yds., 226-407 passing On the other side of the ball, senior defensive end Zach Quinn led the Passing Efficiency: Rockets with 10 tackles, junior defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi added 5th Logan Woodson-Toledo: 169.1 rating; 248-382 pass, 3,758 yds, 28 TDs three tackles for loss and a forced , and senior cornerback Trevon Mathis came up with an and a key pass breakup. Receiving Yards Per Game: 3rd Anthony Johnson-Buffalo: 76 rec., 1,356 yds., 14 TDs, (113.0 avg.) FOUR MAC STUDENTS TOPS IN THE NATION IN SACKS 13th Diontae Johnson-Toledo: 72 rec., 1,257 yds., 13 TDs, (96.7 avg.) The MAC is home to four of the top students in the nation in quarterback 39th James Gardner-Miami: 47 rec., 927 yds., 11 TDs, (77.3 avg.) sacks. Northern Illinois sophomore Sutton Smith leads the nation with Total Receiving Yards 14.0 sacks (1.17 per game), while Central Michigan senior Joe Ostman 3rd Anthony Johnson-Buffalo: 1,356 yds., 76 rec., 14 TDs ranks third in the country with 12.0 sacks (1.20 per game). Ball State 7th Diontae Johnson-Toledo: 1,257 yds., 72 rec., 13 TDs senior Anthony Winbush ranks tied for fourth in the nation with 11.5 32th James Gardner-Miami: 927 yds., 47 rec., 11 TDs sacks (0.96 per game) and Eastern Michigan sophomore Maxx Crosby is tied for sixth in the country with 11.0 sacks (0.92 per game). Receiving Touchdowns 3rd Anthony Johnson-Buffalo: 14 TDs In addition, NIU’s Smith leads the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss for t-4th Diontae Johnson-Toledo: 13 TDs t-9th James Gardner-Miami: 11 TDs an average of 2.4 per game. Toledo defensive end ranks tied t-20th Sergio Bailey II-Eastern Michigan: 9 TDs for seventh in the country with 19.5 tackles for loss for 1.5 per game. t-20th Corey Willis-Central Michigan: 9 TDs THREE MAC STUDENTS CLIMB CAREER RECORD BOOK Receptions Per Game: Three MAC seniors continue to climb up the MAC career record book this 14th Justin Hall-Ball State: 78 rec., 801 yds., 3 TDs, (6.5 per game) 2017 season. Quarterback Logan Woodside (Toledo), along with running 16th Anthony Johnson-Buffalo: 76 rec., 1,356 yds., 14 TDs, (6.3 per game) back Jarvion Franklin (Western Michigan) and defensive back (Western Michigan) rank among career leaders in league history. Scoring: t-3rd Nathan Rourke-Ohio: 132 points, (11.0 ppg) 8th Jameson Vest-Toledo: 131 points, (10.1 ppg) Toledo QB Logan Woodside t-31st Louie Zervos-Ohio: 101 points, (8.4 ppg) • Career Passing TDs – 93 (5th MAC history) • Career Pass Completion Percentage - 65.3% (743-1,137) (7th MAC) Points Responsible For: • Career Yards Passing – 10,390 (12th MAC history) t-9th Nathan Rourke-Ohio: 222 points • Career Completions – 743 (20th MAC history) t-25th Logan Woodside-Toledo: 178 points • Career Attempts – 1,137 (23rd MAC history) t-27th Shane Morris-Central Michigan: 176 points Western Michigan RB Jarvion Franklin • Career Yards Rushing – 4,867 (5th MAC history) Total Tackles: • Career Rushing TDs – 52 (tied for 4th MAC history) 2nd Khalil Hodge-Buffalo: 173 tackles, 13.3 tackles per game • Career Most TDs – 56 (52 rush; 4 rec.) (4th MAC history) 18th Ulysees Gilbert - Akron: 127 tackles, 9.8 tackles per game • Career Rushing Attempts – 942 (3rd MAC history) : • Career Points – 336 (11th MAC history) t-4th Josh Cox-Central Michigan: 6 interceptions Western Michigan DB Darius Phillips t-8th Sean Bunting-Central Michigan: 5 interceptions • Career Kickoff Return Yards - 3,145 (1st MAC history) t-8th Demetrius Monday-Kent State: 5 interceptions • Career Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns - 5 (1st MAC history) t-8th Jawuan Johnson-Northern Illinois: 5 interceptions • Career Interceptions Returned For TDs – 5 (1st MAC history) t-8th Jordan George-Akron: 5 interceptions 2017 MAC Specialty Award Winners Passes Defensed: t-2nd Bradd Ellis-Ohio: 20 passes defensed, 1.7 per game Coach of the Year: Jason Candle, Toledo 30th Clint Stephens-Bowling Green: 12 passes defensed, 1.2 per game Offensive Player of the Year: QB Logan Woodside, Toledo Defensive Player of the Year: DE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois Total Sacks: Special Teams Player of the Year: KR Darius Phillips, Western Michigan 1st Sutton Smith-NIU: 14.0 sacks, 1.17 per game Freshman of the Year: QB Marcus Childers, Northern Illinois 3rd Joe Ostman-Central Michigan: 12.0 sacks, 1.20 per game Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Logan Woodside, Toledo t-4th Anthony Winbush-Ball State: 11.5 sacks, 0.96 per game t-6th Maxx Crosby-Eastern Michigan: 11.0 sacks, 0.92 per game KENT STATE CHANGE IN FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP On Nov. 22, 2017 Kent State University Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen Tackles For Loss Per Game: 1st Sutton Smith-NIU: 28.5 tackles for loss, 2.4 per game announced that football head coach Paul Haynes’ contract will not be t-7th Olasunkanmi Adeniyi-Toledo: 19.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 per game renewed. Haynes completed his fifth season as head coach and finished t-9th Joe Ostman-Central Michigan: 18.5 tackles for loss, 1.9 per game his tenure with an overall record of 14-45, 9-30 in MAC play. A national t-16th Anthony Winbush-Ball State: 16.5 tackles for loss, 1.4 per game search has begun. t-16th Maxx Crosby-Eastern Michigan: 16.5 tackles for loss, 1.4 per game Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

MAC PROGRAMS IN BOWL GAMES NIU’S SMITH NAMED CONSENSUS 2017 ALL-AMERICAN In the last seven bowl seasons, every MAC football program will Northern Illinois University defensive end Sutton Smith is a 2017 have received a bowl invitation. Leading the way are Toledo, Ohio Consensus All-American, as determined by the NCAA. Smith be- and Northern Illinois with bowl invitations in six of the last seven comes the ninth MAC player earn Consensus All-American status. bowl seasons. To be selected as a Consensus All-American, a player must be named 2011-17 MAC Programs and Years Invited to Bowl Games to the first team of at least two of the five selected All-America teams, Northern Illinois (6): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2017 announced over the last week by the Coaches As- Ohio (6): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2015; 2016; 2017 sociation (AFCA), Associated Press, Football Writer’s Association of Toledo (6): 2011; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 America (FWAA), The Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation. Central Michigan (5): 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 Second team selections are used to break ties. Players who earned the Bowling Green (4): 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015 honor were listed on the most first team All-America teams, compet- Western Michigan (4): 2011; 2014; 2015; 2016 ing against players at that position only. Ball State (2): 2012; 2013 Akron (2): 2015; 2017 Smith is actually one of five defensive linemen on the 2017 Consensus Buffalo (1): 2013 All-America team as he and Maurice Hurst of Michigan tied for the Kent State (1): 2012 final spot. The St. Charles, Mo. native was named a first team All- Eastern Michigan (1): 2016 American by Walter Camp and the FWAA, and was a second team Miami (1): 2016 selection on the AP, AFCA and Sporting News teams. He and Johnson former member Temple (1): 2011 are the only NIU players to be named to either the first or second unit of all five teams. Year; MAC Programs Invited to Bowl Games 2011: Northern Illinois; Ohio; Toledo; Western Michigan; Temple Smith is the fourth NIU player – joining Lynch, Ward and Lurry – to 2012: Northern Illinois; Kent State; Ohio; Bowling Green; Ball garner first team All-America recognition in the last five seasons, sur- State; Central Michigan; Toledo passing the total number of Huskie All-Americans in the school’s FBS 2013: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Ball State; Ohio; Buffalo history. He is the most decorated defensive player in NIU Football his- 2014: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Toledo; Central Michi- tory and in addition to the five All-America teams mentioned above, gan; Western Michigan was selected to six more All-America teams by media organizations. 2015: Bowling Green; Northern Illinois; Toledo; Western Michi- gan; Central Michigan; Ohio; Akron The 2017 MAC Defensive Player of the Year was also a finalist for 2016: Western Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Cen- the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s best defensive end. He needs tral Michigan, Miami 3.5 tackles for loss to tie the NCAA single season record of 32, set by 2017: Toledo, Akron, Ohio, Central Michigan; Northern Illinois. Western Michigan’s Jason Babin in 2003. He and the Huskies will close out the season in the 2017 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in 2017 MAC ALL-AMERICANS Detroit when they take on Duke on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Since the conclusion of the regular season, the MAC has been rep- resented with several post-season All-American honors. MAC Consensus All-Americans 1971 Mel Long, Toledo, DT The Associated Press: 1995 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 1996 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P USA Today: 1997 Randy Moss, Marshall, WR • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 2000 Dwight Smith, Akron, DB Sports Illustrated: 2010 , Toledo, KR/AP • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 2012 Dri Archer, Kent State, KR/AP CBS Sports: 2016 Corey Davis, Western Michigan, WR • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 2017 Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois, DE Walter Camp Football Foundation: • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith WESTERN MICHIGAN’S OKORAFOR GARNERS AWARDS • Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan OT Chukwuma Western Michigan senior left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was named Okorafor by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) First-Team The Sporting News: All-American and Walter Camp Second Team All-American. • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith Football Writers Association of America (FWAA): The 6-6, 330-pound Okorafor has been a three-year starter for Western • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith Michigan. Prior to this season he was named the No. 4 tackle to watch • First-Team All-American: Western Michigan OT Chukwuma in the nation by Mel Kiper. Towards the end of the 2017 season he was Okorafor named one of six semifinalists for the Outland Trophy. Okorafor is a American Football Coaches Association (AFCA): two-time Mid-American Conference First Team selection. • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith The Broncos have had one of the top rushing offenses over the last 146 STUDENTS NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-MAC TEAM three years. WMU ranked 29th in the nation in 2015, 24th in 2016 and The MAC announced its 2017 Football Academic All-MAC team 23rd in the nation this season, averaging 224.8 yards per game. as a total of 146 students were named to the 2017 Academic All- MAC team. Eastern Michigan topped the 2017 Academic All- It is the second year in the row that Western Michigan has produced MAC squad with 18 selections. Western Michigan was second FWAA and Walter Camp recognition. Last season Western Michigan with 16 selections, while Ohio was third with 14 selections. wide receiver Corey Davis was named FWAA First Team All-Ameri- can. For the Walter Camp award, Okorafor becomes the third Bronco There were 11 students named as four-time selections with Vin- ever to earn the honor. Wide receiver Corey Davis was a second team nie Palazeti (Ball State), Joseph Davidson (Bowling Green), Ryan selection last season and wide receiver Jordan White was a second Hunter (Bowling Green), Nate Locke (Bowling Green), Mark team pick in 2012. Chapman (Central Michigan), Jeff Perry (Central Michigan), Ran- dy Heideman (Miami), Shane Wimann (Northern Illinois), Dorian Western Michigan finished the season 6-6 overall, 4-4 in the MAC, Brown (Ohio), Cody Grilliot (Ohio) and Quentin Poling (Ohio). however were one of three bowl eligible teams not selected for a bowl game. Okorafor and Bronco teammate, defensive back/kick returner There were 16 students named as three-time selections, while 43 Darius Phillips, have both officially accepted invitations to play in the students were named as two-time Academic All-MAC selections. 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan. 27, 2018 in Mobile, Ala. Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 CHERIBUNDI TART CHERRY BOCA RATON BOWL Akron (7-6, 6-2 MAC) vs. Florida Atlantic (10-3, 8-0 C-USA) Tuesday, December 19, 2017 • 7:00 pm ET • Boca Raton, Fla. • FAU Stadium (30,000) ESPN Announcers: Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline) Akron Florida Atlantic Head Coach: Terry Bowden Head Coach: Lane Kiffin Career: 170-104-2 (24th year) Career: 45-24 (6th year) at Akron: 30-42 (6th year) at Florida Atlantic: 10-3 (1st year)

Akron Zips Notes: Florida Atlantic Notes: Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron stands • FAU is playing in its first bowl game since 2008. 7-6 overall following a 45- 28 loss to Toledo in the MAC Championship • The Owls have never played Akron. game on Dec. 2. Akron returns 57 lettermen, including 15 starters. The • A note on the teams: Head Coaches Lane Kiffin and Terry Bowden as Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense. the sons of legendary head coaches. Both will be in attendance. • FAU is coming off a 41-17 win over North Texas in the C-USA Cham- Senior RB Manny Morgan is the team’s leading rusher with 393 yards pionship game on Dec. 2. and four touch- downs on 99 carries. Under center, redshirt freshman Kato Nelson is 61-of-125 for 909 yards and eight touchdowns. Redshirt Singletary Sets School Rushing Record: Florida Atlantic sophomore senior WR Tra’Von Chapman is the top receiver with 50 receptions for running back Devin “Motor” Singletary has a school-record 29 rushing 456 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert touchdowns this season, tied with his running backs coach, Kevin Smith, III leads the Zips with 128 tackles, five sacks, five hurries, four break- who had 29 rushing scores for UCF in 2007. Smith had, arguably, the ups, three in- terceptions, and a fumble recovery. Junior WR Kwadarrius best season a C-USA running back has ever had, as he set and still holds Smith is the Zips’ scoring leader with seven touchdowns for 42 points. the league’s single-season records for attempts (450 – an NCAA record), rushing yards (2,567), rushing touchdowns (29) and total touchdowns • Claimed its third MAC East title and first since 2005. (30). • Won at least five games for five consecutive seasons (2013-17). • Finished with six MAC victories (the most since joining the league in Owls Soar: FAU has tallied 518 points, an average of 39.84 per game. 1992) for the second time. The total is the most scored by any Owl squad in the program’s 17 year • Appeared in its second MAC Championship game and first since 2005. existence. If you exclude the first two games of 2017 (Navy and Wiscon- • Accepted a bowl invitation for the second time in three seasons, a pro- sin) FAU is averaging 44.1 points per game. gram first. Perfect in C-USA Play: Florida Atlantic finished regular-season C-USA Akron Against Conference USA: Over the years, Akron has faced six play with a perfect 8-0 mark. The Owls are the seventh team in C-USA’s teams from Conference USA. Since Division I FBS play began in 1987, 22 seasons to finish conference play undefeated and the fourth to finish Akron is 5-9 against C-USA teams. The most recent contest was Akron’s 8-0 (Three schools were 6-0 in the early years of the league when the 65-38 win at Marshall on Sept. 17, 2016. league schedule featured six conference games). FAU is the first to finish 8-0 since WKU did so in 2015. Akron Coaching Staff is Bowl Experienced: Strolling the Akron side- lines is a very experienced coaching staff. Led by sixth-year head coach Most Improved: Florida Atlantic is tied with Michigan State as the Terry Bowden, the Zips’ staff boasts 143 combined bowl appearances, second-most improved team in the FBS in terms of win increase, with including 34 bowl appearances by defensive coordinator . a seven-game improvement from last season’s finish. Fresno State leads All of the Zips’ coaches are former players. the way with an eight-game improvement from the 2016 season. Nelson Takes Over at QB: Three-star recruit Kato Nelson redshirted First-Year Success: There were 22 new head coaches hired for the 2017 last year while learning under three-year starter Thomas Woodson. In his season in the FBS. Eight have won at least seven games. Only Okla- first collegiate start at Miami on Nov. 7, Nelson went 19-of-38 for 218 homa’s Lincoln Riley won more games than Florida Atlantic’s Lane Kif- yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 12 yards and a touchdown. fin and just five have won more games than FIU’s Butch Davis (through Both touchdowns were career firsts. In his second career start in as many Nov. 25): weeks, Nelson went 22-of-38 for a career-high 322 yards and career-best four touchdowns while guiding the Zips to a 37-34 win over Ohio on 2017 First-Year FBS Head Coaches Nov. 14 to stay atop the MAC East standings. In the 24-14 win over Kent 12-1 Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma State on Nov. 21, Nelson went 6-of-20 for 69 yards and a 25-yard touch- 9-2 Charlie Strong, South Florida pass while guiding the Zips to the MAC East title. In the MAC 10-3 Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic Championship game against Toledo on Dec. 2, Nelson started the game. 9-3 , LSU He went 8-of-18 for 177 yards and two touchdowns. In nine games this 9-4 Jeff Tedford, Fresno State season, Nelson is 61-of-125 for 909 yards and eight touchdowns. He has 8-4 Butch Davis, FIU rushed 81 times for 177 yards and a touchdown. 7-4 Major Applewhite, Houston 7-5 Willie Taggart, Oregon Gilbert Leads Zips Defense: The Zips’ defense is led by linebacker Ulysees Gilbert. After 13 games, Gilbert is the Zips’ top defender with Driskel Shining Under Center: As a starter, redshirt junior quarterback 128 tackles, 8.5 TFL, a team-best five sacks, five hurries, four break-ups, Jason Driskel is 9-1 on the season and a perfect 8-0 in 2017 C-USA play. three interceptions, and a fumble recovery. He also has two touchdowns He has managed the team, ran the ball, and most recently his passing for 12 points. Gilbert was named All-MAC First Team. game has been a factor. Experienced O-Line Provides Protection: Five new starters took the This season, he is the only quarterback in FBS play to rush for four scores line to start the 2016 with a combined nine total starts. In 2017, four of in a game (versus ODU) and to pass for four scores (FIU). Wake Forest five linemen return to their starting roles, led by junior RG Kyle Ritz, quarterback John Wolford has one game with three rushing TDs (Syra- who has started 31 career games. Other starters returning include senior cuse) and five passing TDs (Louisville). Penn State’s Trace McSorley C LaVonne Gauthney, senior LG Stephen Ericksen, and senior RT Jo- had a game (Michigan) with three rushing TDs and another game (Geor- vann Letuli. New to the starting line-up is sophomore LT Trevor Brown. gia State) with four passing TDs. Contact: Cathy Bongiovi, 330-972-6106, [email protected] Contact: Katrina McCormack, 561-297-3163, [email protected] Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 BAHAMAS BOWL Ohio (8-4, 5-3 MAC) vs. UAB (8-4, 6-2 Conference USA) Friday, December 22, 2017 • 12:30 pm ET • Nassau, Bahamas • Thomas A. Robinson Stadium (15,000) ESPN Announcers: (play-by-play), (analyst), Laura Rutledge (sideline) Ohio UAB Head Coach: Frank Solich Head Coach: Bill Clark Career: 154-90 (19th year) Career: 25-14 (3rd year) at Ohio: 96-71 (13th year) at UAB: 14-10 (2nd year)

Ohio Bobcats Notes: UAB Notes: • Ohio became bowl eligible for the ninth straight year and will make its eighth bowl appearance in that span with a trip to the 2017 Bahamas Blazers Cap Historic 2017 In The Bahamas: In one of college foot- Bowl to face UAB. ball’s biggest stories this season, the UAB football team will cap off its • This marks the first meeting between Ohio and UAB. historic 2017 season by playing Ohio University in the 2017 Bahamas • Ohio sophomore quarterback Nathan Rourke set the single-season re- Bowl. The Blazers are playing in just their second bowl game in program cord with 21 rushing touchdowns for the Bobcats. history along with the 2004 Sheraton . If UAB wins, it will • Rourke needs one more touchdown to tie the Ohio record for touch- be its first bowl victory ever. downs responsible for. • Ohio RS senior cornerback Bradd Ellis recorded his 18th pass breakup A Year To Remember: Led by Conference USA Coach of the Year Bill to tie the Ohio single-season record with T.J. Wright. Clark, not only did UAB return to the field after a two year hiatus, but • With his four solo tackles against Miami, Ohio RS senior linebacker the Blazers re-wrote the record books, highlighted by setting a program Quentin Poling became the all-time leader in solo tackles at Ohio. Poling record for single season FBS wins (8) and Conference USA wins (6). ranks 10th on the Ohio single-season tackle chart with 370 career tackles. UAB led Conference USA in attendance with a school record average of He needs 18 more to move into a tie with Scott Zele (1990-92) with 388. 26,375. The Blazers finished 6-0 at home for the firs time ever. • Ohio has had a 100-plus yard rusher in eight of its last nine games (Rourke vs. CMU, BG, Toledo, Akron - Ouellette vs. UMass, EMU, Williams Among Nations Elite: Senior cornerback Darious Williams Kansas - Brown vs. Kent State, Toledo). put together an All-American worthy season as a lockdown corner. The • Rourke ranks second in the country in rushing touchdowns and is the Jacksonville native finished the regular season ranking second -nation top ranked QB on the list. He ranks third nationally with 20 total touch- ally in passes defended with 20 (1.7/game). He led Conference in both downs (rushing+receiving). interceptions (5) and pass breakups (15). His five interceptions is tied • RS junior running back A.J. Ouellette needs 20 yards to become the for seventh nationally. Williams had a career-high four pass breakups at first Ohio rusher to reach 1,000 -yards since Beau Blankenship in 2012. Florida. He was named a First Team All-American by Pro Football Focus • Head Coach Frank Solich is third in All-Time career MAC wins with and a First Team All-Conference USA performer. 96. He will need 14- more wins to tie Bill Hess for No. 2 on the list. • Ohio has 467 total points this season which set the single-season record. Brown Named C-USA Freshman of the Year: Conference USA Fresh- The previous record of 427 was set during the 2011 season in 14 games. man of the Year Spencer Brown shattered the UAB record books in his • Ohio landed 12 players on the All-MAC list led by RS senior LB Quen- first collegiate season. Brown is the nation’s third leading rusher among tin Poling on the first team. freshmen averaging 107.7 yards per game. His rushing total of 1,292 • Head Coach Frank Solich is the third-longest tenured head coach in yards ranks third in a single season and UAB and he needs 97 yards to set the NCAA behind (1999, Iowa) and (2000, the C-USA freshman rushing record held by Damien Fletcher of South- TCU). ern Miss in 2006 (1,388 yards). Brown has six 100-yard rushing games • Ohio is the only program in the NCAA to have had the same head this year with a career high of 209 yards coming at Southern Miss. coach, offensive and defensive coordinator over the last 12 years. Erdely Has Record Setting Year: Quarterback A.J. Erdely accounted Ohio Bowl History: This marks the 11th bowl appearance for the Ohio for 29 total touchdowns in the regular season with 16 through the air football program and the ninth under head coach Frank Solich. Ohio is and 13 on the ground. He needs three total touchdowns to tie and four to 2-8 in those bowl games with its first bowl win coming in a 24-23 win pass Joe Webb for the most touchdowns accounted for in a single season over Utah State at the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Ohio’s last bowl (Webb, 32 in 2009). win was in 2012, 45-14, over Louisiana-Monroe at the Advocare V100 Independence Bowl. In last year’s bowl Ohio dropped a 28-23 loss to Redzone Efficient: The Blazers have made 45 trips to the redzone this Troy at the 2017 Dollar General Bowl in Mobile, Ala. season and have come away with points on 41 of those trips, good for an 91 percent conversion rate. Of those 45 trips, 34 have resulted in touch- Bobcats Vs. C-USA: Ohio is 36-22-6 against the current membership of downs. UAB ranks 18th nationally in redzone offense. C-USA having played Marshall the most with a 33-20-6 record against the Thundering Herd. Ohio is 2-0 against North Texas, 0-1 against South- Conversely, the UAB defense has also been very good in the redzone and ern Miss and 1-1 against Western Kentucky. Ohio has been paired up ranks 25th nationally in that category. Opponents have made 37 trips to with a C-USA team three times facing Marshall, Southern Miss and East- the red zone have scored on touchdowns on 19 of those trips. ern Carolina. Ohio is 0-3 against the C-USA in bowl appearances includ- ing a 37-20 loss to Eastern Carolina at the 2013 Beef O’Brady Bowl. Moving The Chains: UAB has done a tremendous job moving the chains on third down this season, converting 48 percent of its attempts. Record Year For Poling: Ohio RS senior linebacker Quentin Poling has The Blazers are tied for 7th nationally in third down conversion percent- set two career records this season setting new marks with 219 solo tack- age and are 81-for-170 overall. UAB leads Conference USA in that cat- les and 45.0 tackles for loss. Polling ranks 10th on the career tackle chart egory and was 10-of-16 in its last game out vs. UTEP. (370) and needs 18 more to move into ninth. 30+ Points: The UAB offense is on pace to put together one of its most Rourke’s Records: Ohio sophomore quarterback Nathan Rourke set the prolific offensive seasons in program history. The Blazers are averag- Ohio single-season record with 21 rushing touchdowns this season. The ing 29.6 points per game and have scored at least 30 points in six of 12 previous mark was held by Ohio hall of famer Kalvin McRae. Rourke games. The 2014 team has the record for averaging 33.2 points per game. needs one more touchdowns to move into a tie with Tyler Tettleton with 38 touchdowns responsible for. Contact: Ted Feeley, 205-934-0722, [email protected] Contact: Anthony Reynolds, 740-593-1298, [email protected] Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL Central Michigan (8-4, 6-2 MAC) vs. Wyoming (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West) Friday, December 22, 2017 • 4:00 pm ET • Boise, Ida. • Albertsons Stadium (32,000) ESPN Announcers: Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Tom Ramsey (analyst), Alex Corddry (sideline) Central Michigan Wyoming Head Coach: John Bonamego Head Coach: Craig Bohl Career: 21-17 (3rd year) Career: 125-61 (15th year) at Central Michigan: 21-17 (3rd year) at Wyoming: 21-29 (4th year)

Central Michigan Notes: Wyoming Notes: • Central Michigan plays in a postseason bowl game for the fourth con- • Wyoming and Central Michigan were the two leading teams in the na- secutive season when it takes on Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato tion in 2017 in forcing turnovers. Central Michigan ranked No. 1 in the Bowl on Friday, Dec. 22 in Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Kickoff NCAA with 31 takeaways. Wyoming forced 30 opponent turnovers in is set for 2 p.m. MT/4 p.m. ET. 2017 to tie for No. 2 in the nation with Miami (Fla.) and Memphis. • The Chippewas averaged 41.2 points per game and scored 29 touch- • The Cowboys and Chippewas have played two previous times. Wyo- downs in their five-game winning streak. ming defeated CMU 31-10 in Laramie on Sept. 16, 2000. Central Michi- • It’s CMU’s longest winning streak in the regular season since 2009. gan defeated the Cowboys 32-20 on Sept. 7, 2002, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. • A victory against Wyoming would give the Chippewas nine victories, • Wyoming is appearing in a bowl game for the second consecutive sea- their most since the 2009 squad finished 12-2. son. The Cowboys appeared in the 2016 San Diego County Credit Union • A victory would be CMU’s first in a bowl game since the 2012 Little Poinsettia Bowl. Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit when the Chippewas beat Western Ken- • This will be Wyoming’s first appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato tucky, 24-21. Bowl. The 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl marks the 21st consecutive year of the game in Boise, Idaho. Ostman Among Sack Leaders: Senior defensive end Joe Ostman aver- ages 1.2 sacks per game, the best in the nation. He has 12 sacks – the Bowl Eligible For Second Consecutive Season: The Cowboys recorded third-best total in the nation – even though an injury kept him out of their sixth win of the season in the 16-13 victory over Colorado State on two games. He picked up his first sack of the season at Kansas. He re- Nov. 4. That made the Cowboys bowl eligible for the second straight corded two against Miami (Ohio) and had two more against Ohio and season. Wyoming added a seventh win at Air Force on Nov. 11. The last four against Ball State. He had one sack against Toledo. He did not play time Wyoming earned bowl eligibility in consecutive seasons was 1998 against Western Michigan or Eastern Michigan because of an injury, then and ‘99 when they posted records of 8-3 in ‘98 and 7-4 in ‘99. That was returned against Kent State to record a career-high 11 tackles, including a 19 seasons ago. Unfortunately, due to the lack of bowl bids available to sack. Ostman is second in CMU history with 26 career sacks, a half sack conference teams those years, Wyoming did not receive a bowl invitation ahead of Frank Zombo, who played at CMU from 2006-09 and now is either of those two seasons. It has been since the 1987-88 seasons, 30 with the . years ago, that Wyoming has appeared in bowl games in back-to-back seasons. Wyoming played in the in both 1987 and ‘88. Willis Among CMU’s All-Time Best: Senior wide receiver Corey Wil- lis has eight touchdown receptions in the last five games and nine for the Building A Program: The Wyoming Cowboys are enjoying another suc- season. He missed three games with a hand injury he suffered Sept. 9 cessful season in 2017 as head coach Craig Bohl and his staff strive to against Kansas. Willis has 23 career touchdowns catches, the third-best build Wyoming into a consistently winning program. Wyoming enters total in CMU history and one ahead of Antonio Brown (2007-09). the bowl season with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 Mountain West Con- ference record. A year ago, the Cowboys posted an 8-6 overall record and Willis had three touchdown receptions against Ball State, starting with a 6-2 MW mark. Wyoming will be seeking its eighth win of the season in a 31-yard TD pass from Shane Morris in the second quarter. He had a this year’s bowl appearance. In the history of Cowboy football, 20 teams 63-yarder in the third quarter, then sprinted to the end zone on a 4-yard have won eight games in a season. The last time Wyoming won eight toss from Morris in the fourth quarter. The three-TD game was a first for games in back-to-back seasons was 1997 and ‘98. Willis. He had 1,091 receiving yards in 2016, the sixth-best single season in CMU history. He has 2,350 career receiving yards, seventh-best in Offense Continues To Generate Clutch Drives: There have been many CMU history, 379 yards behind Cody Wilson, who played from 2009-12. clutch offensive drives by the Wyoming Cowboys over the past couple of seasons. The ability to generate those drives in key situations was never Shane Morris Steps In, Takes Lead: Shane Morris, a graduate transfer more evident than in Wyoming’s last two wins of the 2017 season. Trail- quarterback from Michigan, is second in the MAC in total offense. He ing 13-9 with 7:09 remaining in the game vs. rival Colorado State, the averages 252.9 total yards of offense per game and enters the bowl game Cowboys would drive 69 yards in seven plays and score the go-ahead with 3,035 total – 127 rushing yards and 2,908 passing. Toledo quarter- touchdown with only 4:21 remaining in the game to win 16-13 on Nov. back Logan Woodside is first in the MAC at 294.1 yards of total offense 4. At Air Force on Nov. 11, the Cowboy offense had two big drives. The per game. Morris has been steady since a two interception game against first was a 10-play, 69-yard drive led by Allen to take a 21-0 lead over the Toledo on Oct. 14. He is 72-of-128 passing for 1,141 yards, 14 touch- Falcons. The second drive was led by backup quarterback Nick Smith. downs and two interceptions in CMU’s five-game winning streak. After Allen went out with an injury, Smith came in and guided the Cow- boys 67 yards in six plays to seal a 28-14 win at the Academy. Ward Is CMU’s Dual Threat: Sophomore running back Jonathan Ward is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and has rushed for 990 yards and nine Redzone Results: Both the Cowboy offense and defense have been pro- touchdowns. Ward established career game highs in rushing yards (159) ductive in the red zone this season. The offense has converted 29 of 30 and longest run (79) against Eastern Michigan. He matched his 159-yard of its red-zone opportunities (96.7 percent) in 2017, ranking No. 1 in effort against Northern Illinois. Ward had a career-high 81 receiving the Mountain West and No. 3 in the nation in that category. Wyoming’s yards against Western Michigan along with 132 rushing yards. Ward is offense has converted 20 of 30 red-zone opportunities into touchdowns fourth in the MAC in all-purpose yardage at 112.6 per game. He has 361 and 9 of 30 into field goals. Defensively, Wyoming is ranked No. 2 in the receiving yards on 41 catches and two TDs. Mountain West and No. 20 in the NCAA, allowing opponents to convert only 75.8 percent (25 of 33) of their red-zone chances -- 17 TDs and 8 CMU Defense With 19 Interceptions: The CMU defense is tied for field goals. second in the nation with Akron and Iowa in interceptions with 19. Only Florida Atlantic (20) has more. Contact: Tim Harkins, 307-766-2321, [email protected] Contact: Jim Knight, 989-774-3277, [email protected] Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL Toledo (11-2, 7-1 MAC) vs. Appalachian State (8-4, 7-1 Sun Belt) Saturday, December 23, 2017 • 7:00 pm ET • Mobile, Ala. • Ladd Peebles Stadium (40,646) ESPN Announcers: David Neal (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline) Toledo Appalachian State Head Coach: Jason Candle Head Coach: Scott Satterfield Career: 21-6 (2nd year) Career: 40-22 (5th year) at Toledo: 21-6 (2nd year) at Appalachian State: 40-22 (5th year)

Toledo Notes: Appalachian State Notes: For the seventh time in the last eight seasons, Toledo is going bowling. The Mountaineers are 3-for-3 in making bowl appearances as a full- But this time, the Rockets are going as champions. Toledo (11-2, 7-1 fledged FBS member. Marshall is the only other team to have done that. MAC) plays Sun Belt co-champion Appalachian State (8-4, 7-1 SBC) App State is the only team in history to win bowl games in its first two in the Dollar General Bowl on Dec. 23 in Mobile, Ala. The contest is a years after the complete transition to FBS, having claimed Camellia rematch of last year’s Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, which the Moun- Bowl victories over Ohio in 2015 (31-29) and Toledo in 2016 (31-28). taineers won by a 31-28 score. Both of those games were in Montgomery, Ala. Roughly two and a half hours southeast of Montgomery, App State will face Toledo in a rematch The Rockets come to Mobile for the third time but the first time as Mid- of the 2016 Camellia Bowl. American Conference Champions. Toledo defeated MAC East champion Akron, 45-28, in the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit. Clash of the Champions: The App State-Toledo matchup in the Dollar It was Toledo’s 11th MAC title but first since 2004. General Bowl is one of only three bowl games pitting conference champs against each other. Big 12 champion Oklahoma will face SEC champion The Rockets are led by senior quarterback and MAC Offensive Player Georgia in the at the Rose Bowl, and Big Ten of the Year Logan Woodside. Woodside, who threw for 307 yards and champ Ohio State will face Pac-12 champion USC in the Goodyear Cot- four touchdowns in the MAC title game, has completed 64.9 percent of ton Bowl Classic. his passes this year for 3,758 yards and 28 TDs. He is Toledo’s all-time leader in career passing yards (10,390), TD passes (93) and passing effi- In Elite Company: App State’s Taylor Lamb has 27 ciency (165.2). Toledo’s other big weapons on offense are senior running touchdown passes and only six interceptions this year. The only FBS back Terry Swanson (1,319 yards, 14 TDs) and sophomore wide receiver quarterbacks with more than 25 TD passes and less than eight INTs are Diontae Johnson (72 receptions, 1,257 yards, 13 TDs). The defense is Lamb, Toledo’s Logan Woodside and 2017 winner Bak- led by junior defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (19.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks). er Mayfield of Oklahoma. Lamb threw for 119 yards, rushed for a career- high 126 and had a hand in two TDs during last year’s Camellia Bowl. Rocket Roundup: Woodside threw for 242 yards with two TDs and no INTs. • Toledo (11-2, 7-1 MAC) won the 2017 Marathon MAC Football Cham- pionship Game with a 45-28 victory over Akron. Coaching Connection: App State head coach Scott Satterfield and To- • This was Toledo’s 11th MAC championship and first since 2004. ledo head coach Jason Candle worked together as offensive assistants for • Toledo won the MAC West Division title, one game ahead of Northern the Rockets in 2009, Satterfield’s first year away from Boone following Illinois and Central Michigan. It was the11th time Toledo has earned at an 11-year stint as an assistant coach at his alma mater. Satterfield and least share of the MAC West title, but its first outright crown since 1998. offensive line coach Matt Campbell (currently Iowa State’s head coach) • This is the fifth time in UT history that a Rocket team has won at least coordinated Toledo’s offense, which improved from 84th to 13th nation- 11 games in a season, most recently an 11-0-1 mark in 1995. The school ally by averaging 437.9 yards, including 278.5 through the air. Candle record is 12 wins, set in 1970 and 1971 (12-0 records both years). coached the Rockets’ slot receivers and tight ends that season. • Toledo has won at least nine games in six of the last seven years. • This will be Toledo’s 17th bowl appearance and seventh in the last eight Senior Leaders: App State has three players who have made at least years. The Rockets are 11-5 in bowl games. 40 consecutive starts: quarterback Taylor Lamb (48), right guard Colby • Toledo is 2-0 in bowl games played in Mobile when the Dollar General Gossett (45) and linebacker Eric Boggs (44). Two more seniors have Bowl was known by different names. The Rockets beat UTEP in 2005 made at least 40 career starts: linebacker Devan Stringer (42) and right GMAC Bowl by a score of 45-13, and Arkansas State, 63-44, in January tackle Beau Nunn (40). Another senior, safety A.J. Howard, has 37 starts. of 2015 (2014 season) in the GoDaddy Bowl. Lamb, Boggs and Howard have all played in 50 career games for the • Senior quarterback Logan Woodside was named the MAC Offensive Mountaineers. With the seniors leading App State to a 36-14 record over Player of the Year, the Vern Smith Award (MAC MVP) winner and the the last four years, it’s the best four-year run in Sun Belt history. Offensive Player of the Game in the MAC Championship Game. • Senior Terry Swanson has rushed for 1,319 yards and now ranks fourth Class Of His Own: Senior linebacker Eric Boggs has 342 career tackles, at UT with 3,557 career rushing yards. 12.0 sacks and eight INTs. No other FBS player with at least 12 sacks and • Second-year head coach Jason Candle was named 2017 MAC Coach eight INTs has more than 325 career tackles. of the Year. • Toledo’s offense has averaged 509.9 yards and 39.2 points per game in Pick Party: Since the start of 2015, led by its “Legion of Boone” second- 2017. Both figures rank second in school history. ary, App State is second place nationally with 53 interceptions. San Di- • Toledo has had at least nine wins in six of the last seven years. This is ego State leads the nation with 62 INTs, including 29 by its cornerbacks. the ninth time Toledo has won at least 10 games in a season and fifth time For App State, 29 of its picks since the start of 2015 have also come from with at least 11 victories. its corners, who are coached by Bryan Brown. Sophomore CB Clifton Duck has 10 of those INTs. Woodside Career Leader in TDs & Yards: Toledo senior quarterback Logan Woodside set two career passing marks toward the end of the Three Strikes And Your Out: With 55 three-and-outs in 149 posses- 2017 season. Woodside tossed two TD passes in Toledo’s 66-37 win over sions, App’s defense is third among peer conference teams and 14th na- Bowling Green on Nov. 15, giving him 87 for his career and breaking tionally with 4.58 per game. Indiana leads FBS teams at 6.5. App had ’s career mark of 85 set from 2002-05. He added four them on 8 of 13 possessions vs. Wake Forest, 9 of 12 vs. Savannah State, more TD tosses vs. Akron on Dec. 2, moving his total to 93. Woodside 10 of 18 vs. UMass, 5 of 12 at Georgia and 6 of 14 at Idaho. surpassed Bruce Gradkowski’s career passing yardage mark of 9,225 with a 361-yard performance vs. NIU on Nov. 2. Following his 307-yard Double Trouble on Defense: App State is tied for 18th nationally in in- performance vs. Akron, Woodside now has 10,390 career yards. terceptions per game (1.25) and 20th nationally in sacks per game (2.83). Contact: Paul Helgren, 419-530-4918, [email protected] Contact: Joey Jones, 828-964-7183, [email protected] Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 QUICK LANE BOWL Northern Illinois (8-4, 6-2 MAC) vs. Duke (6-6, 3-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) Tuesday, December 26, 2017 • 5:15 pm ET • Detroit, Mich. • Ford Field (65,000) ESPN Announcers: Mike Couzens (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter) Northern Illinois Duke Head Coach: Rod Carey Head Coach: Career: 44-23 (5th year) at Northern Illinois: 44-23 (5th year) at Duke: 58-67 (10th year)

Northern Illinois Notes: Duke Notes: The NIU Huskies make another postseason visit to Detroit’s Ford Field, • Duke finished the 2017 season with a 6-6 overall record, which marked their first for a bowl game, when NIU and Duke meet for the first time, in the fifth time in 10 campaigns under head coach David Cutcliffe reaching the fourth Quick Lane Bowl. the six-win plateau. • Prior to Cutcliffe’s arrival in 2008, the Blue Devils had not won six • NIU is playing in a postseason bowl game for the ninth time in the last games in a season since posting eight victories in 1994. 10 seasons and the 10th time since 2006. • Duke will face Northern Illinois in the 2017 Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. • The Huskies’ are 3-4 in seven previous games in Ford Field - all for 26th, the program’s fifth bowl game in six years. Marathon MAC Championship Games - beginning in 2005 and then in • The Blue Devils had never been to consecutive bowls until accomplish- six consecutive seasons from 2010-15. ing the feat from 2012-15. • Entering bowl season, NIU ranks in the Top 25 nationally in six defen- • Prior to Cutcliffe’s arrival in 2008, Duke had not been to a bowl game sive statistical categories, including total defense (18th), rushing defense since the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl against Wisconsin. (11th), pass efficiency defense (25th) and third down conversion percent- • Duke was in two bowl games from 1962-2011. age defense (6th). • Duke has tallied 43 wins during the past five-plus seasons. In the previ- • Behind NCAA individual leader and consensus All-American Sutton ous 17 seasons, from 1995- 2011, Duke recorded 37 victories. Smith, NIU leads the nation in team tackles for loss (8.8/game) and ranks • Ten true freshmen have played this season, the most by a Cutcliffe second nationally in sacks per game (3.4) with 41 on the year. squad, topping nine in 2012. • Smith became just the second consensus All-American in NIU history, after running back LeShon Johnson, who was a unanimous All-American Close Defeats: Duke has suffered six losses this year, four by seven or in 1993 after leading the nation in rushing and all-purpose yards. fewer points. In the four losses, Duke had the ball with a one-score game • Smith leads the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in quarterback sacks in its final drive of the contest. Trailing by seven, the Blue Devils reached with 14 and in tackles for loss with 28.5. He broke the NIU school re- Virginia’s 40-yard line, Florida State’s 30-yard line and Pittsburgh’s 22- cords in both categories and also set the school mark with two fumble yard line on their final drives. Down by five at Army West Point, Duke return touchdowns in 2017. stalled at its own 20. Duke has suffered four losses by seven or fewer • MAC Freshman of the Year Marcus Childers makes his eighth career points this year. It is the most games decided by seven or fewer points start at quarterback for the Huskies in the Quick Lane Bowl. Childers since four in 2011. took over under center for NIU early in the MAC opener vs. Kent State and has thrown for 1,440 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 454 Three Named Academic All-District: Duke had three on the CoSIDA yards and five scores on the season. Academic All-District III First Team with redshirt senior offensive tackle • NIU Head Coach Rod Carey owns a 44-23 record (.657%) in five plus Gabe Brandner, redshirt junior tight end Davis Koppenhaver and senior seasons as the Huskies’ head coach and ranks fourth all-time at NIU safety Alonzo Saxton II. The Blue Devils have had 22 CoSIDA Aca- in wins, winning percentage and games coached. Carey made his head demic All-District picks in the last six seasons. Duke led the ACC with coaching debut with NIU in the 2013 Orange Bowl. three All-District selections. • With its trip to the Quick Lane Bowl, NIU looks for its first bowl win since the 2011 season when the Huskies defeated Arkansas State in the Six Year Run For Duke: Duke’s last five-plus years have been some of 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl. the best in program history. A closer look at some of the accomplishments for the Blue Devils since the beginning of the 2012 campaign: Huskies In Bowls: NIU will play in its 12th bowl game as a Division I FBS program and its 17th bowl all-time with this year’s trip to the Quick • 42 wins; 41 All-America accolades; 8 All-Americans; 7 Academic All- Lane Bowl. The Huskies appeared in a MAC-record eight consecutive Americans; 5 Senior Bowl participants; 5 AFCA Good Works Team se- bowl games from 2008-15. NIU will be playing in its 11th bowl game in lections; 4 bowl appearances; 4 NFF National Scholar-Athletes; 4 ACC the last 14 seasons dating back to a 2004 appearance in the Silicon Valley Jim Tatum Awards; 4 NFL Draft picks; 2 consensus All-Americans; 1 Classic. NIU is 4-7 (FBS) and 5-11 overall in bowl games. The Huskies’ National Coach of the Year; 1 William V. Campbell Trophy; 1 FWAA modern bowl history began in 1983 at the California Bowl under head Courage Award; 1 ACC Defensive Player of the Year; 1 New Era Pin- coach Bill Mallory. stripe Bowl victory and one 1st round NFL Draft pick. NIU-ACC Bowl History: NIU’s bowl match-up with Duke is its second Duke’s Wins Last Five Years: Duke is in the midst of one of the win- all-time versus an opponent from the ACC and the first since the Huskies ningest five-year stretches in program history. The Blue Devils’ 37 wins faced off against Florida State in the Discover Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, in the last four-plus seasons put them in the top 10 in program history. 2013. The Seminoles won that meeting, 31-10, after scoring a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to break open a 17-10 game. Four ACC Players of the Week: So far this season, Duke has had four ACC Player of the Week selections. Turning Over Points: The Huskies have converted 13 of the 21 turn- • Evan Lisle: ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (September 11 after overs forced on the season into 83 points. Last season, NIU tallied just defeating Northwestern 41-17). 33 points off 15 turnovers. NIU has turned three fumble recoveries into • Mike Ramsay: ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week (September 18 touchdowns – either on the actual recovery itself, or subsequently by the after defeating Baylor 34-20). offense. In addition to its three INT return touchdowns, the Huskies have • Bryon Fields Jr.: ACC Defensive Back of the Week (September 25 after come up with touchdowns on three drives after interceptions. defeating North Carolina 27-17). • Joe Giles-Harris: ACC Linebacker of the Week (October 9 after falling Sack-Sational Defense: NIU’s 41 sacks this season rank second all-time at Virginia 28-21). in school history. The school record for sacks in a season is 47 set in 2002. NIU’s defense tied the 2012 team with three sacks at Central Michigan. Contact: Art Chase, 919-684-2614, [email protected] Contact: Donna Turner, 815-753-9513, [email protected] Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

SEVENTY-FIVE (75) FORMER MAC STUDENTS ON NFL ROSTERS

Arizona (2) Indianapolis (3) Philadelphia (2) LB Bryson Albright-PS 1 Miami DE Tarell Basham R Ohio OL Brandon Brooks 6 Miami (Ohio) DB Ronald Zamort-IR 1 Western Michigan DB Rashaan Melvin 5 Northern Illinois DE Steven Means 3 Buffalo OL Isaiah Williams 1 Akron (1) Pittsburgh (7) DE JT Jones-PS R Miami Jacksonville (2) LB Keion Adams-IR R Western Michigan LB Blair Brown R Ohio WR Antonio Brown 8 Central Michigan Carolina (1) DB Barry Church 8 Toledo LB James Harrison 15 Kent State OL Taylor Moton R Western Michigan FS Mike Mitchell 9 Ohio Kansas City (3) FB Roosevelt Nix 3 Kent State Chicago (1) OL Eric Fisher 5 Central Michigan QB Ben Roethlisberger 14 Miami (Ohio) OL 10 Central Florida RB Kareem Hunt R Toledo DL L.T. Walton 3 Central Michigan LB Frank Zombo 8 Central Michigan Cincinnati (1) San Francisco (3) TE Mason Schreck-IR R Buffalo Los Angeles Chargers (4) DT -IR 4 Bowling Green DB Jahleel Addae 5 Central Michigan OT Joe Staley 11 Central Michigan Cleveland (2) LB Jatavis Brown 2 Akron DB Jimmie Ward 4 Northern Illinois RB Darius Jackson-IR 2 Eastern Michigan TE Antonio Gates 15 Kent State OL Andrew Wylie-PS R Eastern Michigan RB Branden Oliver 4 Buffalo Seattle (1) RB Thomas Rawls 3 Central Michigan Dallas (4) Minnesota (1) DT Richard Ash-PS 2 Western Michigan RB Bronson Hill-PS 1 Eastern Michigan Tampa Bay (2) S Kavon Frazier 2 Central Michigan WR Bernard Reedy 1 Toledo LB -Lillard 3 Akron New England (1) DL Pat O’Connor-PS R Eastern Michigan QB Cooper Rush R Central Michigan WR Julian Edelman-IR 9 Kent State Tennessee (6) Denver (1) New Orleans (4) WR Corey Davis R Western Michigan K Brandon McManus 4 Temple OL John Greco 10 Toledo RB David Fluellen 1 Toledo WR Tommylee Lewis 2 Northern Illinois P 10 Toledo Detroit (8) WR 2 Ball State OL Josh Kline 5 Kent State LB Nick Bellore 7 Central Michigan OL Martin Wallace-IR 2 Temple TE Tim Semisch-PS 1 Northern Illinois WR Kenny Golladay R Northern Illinois WR Tajae Sharpe-IR 2 UMass OL Zac Kerin-IR 3 Toledo N.Y. Giants (3) OL T.J. Lang 9 Eastern Michigan LB Cap Capi 1 Akron PS - Practice Squad; IR - Injured-Reserve List DB Rolan Milligan-PS 1 Toledo WR Roger Lewis 2 Bowling Green (As of NFL Rosters on Oct. 17, 2017) K Matt Prater 11 Central Florida WR Brandon Marshall-IR 12 Central Florida Currently there are 75 former MAC students on TE Michael Roberts R Toledo rosters across the . LB Tahir Whitehead 6 Temple N.Y. Jets (4) LB Freddie Bishop 2 Western Michigan In the 2017 NFL Draft, Western Michigan WR Co- Green Bay (3) WR JoJo Natson-PS 1 Akron rey Davis was selected as the fifth overall selection DL Izaah Lunsford-PS R Bowling Green DT Muhammad Wilkerson 7 Temple in the 1st round by Tennessee. Davis marks the third DB Quinten Rollins-IR 3 Miami (Ohio) OL Brian Winters 5 Kent State P Jacob Schum - IR 3 Buffalo time in the last five years to have a MAC student Oakland (3) selected in the top five overall of the first round. Houston (2) DB Travis Carrie 4 Ohio DB Bryce Jones-PS R Akron DL Treyvon Hester R Toledo Buffalo LB Khalil Mack was the fifth overall selec- OL Greg Mancz 2 Toledo LB Khalil Mack 4 Buffalo tion by Oakland in the 2014 NFL Draft. Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher became the first MAC Philadelphia (2) football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 OL Brandon Brooks 5 Miami (Ohio) selection in the NFL Draft. Kansas City selected DE Steven Means 2 Buffalo Fisher as No.1 choice in the 2013 NFL Draft. MAC EAST VS. MAC WEST MAC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS CONTACTS In 2017, the East and West Divisions faced each other in 18 crossover regular season games as the West Division holds a 11-7 advantage. Mid-American Conference: Ken Mather, [email protected] (216-566-4622) Over the previous 10 years (2008-2017), the MAC West has had the upper hand in crossover regular season games against the MAC East, East Division winning the head-to-head regular season series in nine of the last Akron: Cathy Bongiovi, [email protected] (330.972.6106) 10 years. The West holds a 120-60 (.667%) regular season record in Bowling Green: Jason Knavel, [email protected] (419.372.7075) crossover games over the East during that span. Buffalo: Jon Fuller, [email protected] (716.645.6762) Kent State: Aaron Chimenti, [email protected] (330.672.8468) The West Division has a 5-4 lead in the last nine Marathon MAC Miami: Dave Meyer, [email protected] (513.529.4329) Football Championship Games. From the West Division, Western Ohio: Anthony Reynolds, [email protected] (740.593.1298) Michigan (2016), Northern Illinois (2011, 2012, 2014) and Central Michigan (2009) have won the Conference Championship five times, West Division while the East Division has won four crowns with Bowling Green Ball State: Michael Clark, [email protected] (765.285.8904) (2015, 2013), Miami (2010) and Buffalo (2008). Central Michigan: Jim Knight, [email protected] (989.774.3277) Eastern Michigan: Greg Steiner, [email protected] (734.487.0318) Year; Regular Season East vs. West; MAC Champion Northern Illinois: Donna Turner, [email protected] (815.753.9513) 2017 West 11-7; Championship Game -- TBD Toledo: Paul Helgren, [email protected] (419.530.4918) 2016 West 12-6; Western Michigan (West) def. Ohio (East), 29-23. Western Michigan: Kristin Keirns, [email protected] (269-387- 2015 West 11-7; Bowling Green (East) def. NIU (West), 34-14. 4123) 2014 West 15-3; NIU (West) def. Bowling Green (East), 51-17. 2013 West 12-6; Bowling Green (East) def. NIU (West), 47-27. 2012 West 12-6; NIU (West) def. Kent State (East) 44-37 in 2 OT. 2011 West 14-4; NIU (West) def. Ohio (East), 23-20. 2010 West 12-6; Miami (East) def. NIU (West), 26-21. 2009 East 11-7; Central Michigan (West) def. Ohio (East), 20-10. 2008 West 14-4; Buffalo (East) def. Ball State (West), 42-24.

Weekly Coaches Teleconference The Mid-American Conference football coaches will be available each Monday beginning Aug. 29 through Nov. 21 for a weekly media conference call. There will be an additional football championship teleconference Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. All times listed below are Eastern. Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 Akron Zips (7-6, 6-2) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 2 at No. 6 Penn State Noon ET ABC L, 0-52 Sat., Sept. 9 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 52-3 Sat., Sept. 16 Iowa State Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 14-41 Sat., Sept. 23 at Troy 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 17-22 Sat., Sept. 30 *at Bowling Green 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 34-23 Sat., Oct. 7 *Ball State 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 31-3 Sat., Oct. 14 *at Western Michigan 3:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 14-13 Sat., Oct. 21 *at Toledo Noon ET ESPN3/WTOL Toledo/WUAB Cleveland L, 21-48 Sat., Oct. 28 *Buffalo 11:30 am ET CBS Sports Network W, 21-20 Tue., Nov. 7 *at Miami 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 L, 14-24 Tue., Nov. 14 *Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 W, 37-34 Tue., Nov. 21 *Kent State 7:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 24-14 Sat., Dec. 2 vs. Toledo - Marathon MAC Football Championship ESPN L, 28-45 2017 (2-10, 0-8) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat, Sept. 2 at Illinois Noon ET Big Ten Network L, 21-24 Sat., Sept. 9 UAB 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 51-31 Sat., Sept. 16 Tennessee Tech 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 28-13 Sat., Sept. 23 at Western Kentucky 7:00 pm ET Stadium/C-USA TV L, 21-33 Sat., Sept. 30 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 3-55 Sat., Oct. 7 *at Akron 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 3-31 Sat., Oct. 21 *Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 9-56 Thur., Oct. 26 *Toledo 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 17-58 Thur., Nov. 2 *at Eastern Michigan 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 14-56 Thur., Nov. 9 *at NIU 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 17-63 Thur., Nov. 16 *Buffalo 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 24-40 Tue., Nov. 21 *Miami 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 7-28 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Bowling Green Falcons (2-10, 2-6) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 2 at Michigan State Noon ET ESPNU L, 10-35 Sat., Sept. 9 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 27-25 Sat., Sept. 16 at Northwestern 7:30 pm ET Big Ten Network L, 7-49 Sat., Sept. 23 at Middle Tennessee 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 13-24 Sat., Sept. 30 *Akron 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 23-34 Sat., Oct. 7 *at Miami 2:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 37-29 Sat., Oct. 14 *Ohio 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 30-48 Sat., Oct. 21 *NIU 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 17-48 Tue., Oct. 31 *at Kent State 8:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 44-16 Tue., Nov. 7 *at Buffalo 7:30 pm ET ESPNU L, 28-38 Wed., Nov. 15 *Toledo 8:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 37-66 Tue., Nov. 21 *at Eastern Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 31-34 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Buffalo Bulls (6-6, 4-4) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 31 at Minnesota 7:00 pm ET Big Ten Network L, 7-17 Sat., Sept. 9 at Army Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 17-21 Sat., Sept. 16 Colgate 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 33-10 Sat., Sept. 23 Florida Atlantic 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 34-31 Sat., Sept. 30 *at Kent State 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 27-13 Sat., Oct. 7 *Western Michigan 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 68-71 (7OT) Sat., Oct. 14 *Northern Illinois 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 13-14 Sat., Oct. 21 *at Miami 2:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 14-24 Sat, Oct. 28 *at Akron 11:30 am ET CBS Sports Network L, 20-21 Tue., Nov. 7 *Bowling Green 7:30 pm ET ESPNU W, 38-28 Thur., Nov. 16 *at Ball State 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 40-24 Fri., Nov. 24 *Ohio 1:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 31-24 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Central Michigan Chippewas (8-4, 6-2) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 31 Rhode Island 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 30-27 (3OT) Sat., Sept. 9 at Kansas 4:00 pm ET FSN W, 45-27 Sat., Sept. 16 at Syracuse 3:30 pm ET ACC Network Extra L, 17-41 Sat., Sept. 23 *Miami 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 14-31 Sat., Sept. 30 at Boston College 1:00 pm ET ACC Network Extra L, 8-28 Sat., Oct. 7 *at Ohio 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 26-23 Sat., Oct. 14 *Toledo 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 10-30 Sat., Oct. 21 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 56-9 Wed., Nov. 1 *at Western Michigan 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 W, 35-28 Wed., Nov. 8 *Eastern Michigan 8:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 42-30 Tue., Nov. 14 *at Kent State 7:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 42-23 Fri., Nov. 24 *Northern Illinois Noon ET CBS Sports Network W, 31-24 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-7, 3-5) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Sept. 1 Charlotte 6:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 24-7 Sat., Sept. 9 at Rutgers 3:30 pm ET Big Ten Network W, 16-13 Sat., Sept. 23 *Ohio 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 20-27 (2OT) Fri., Sept. 30 at Kentucky 4:00 pm ET SEC Network L, 20-24 Sat., Oct. 7 *at Toledo Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 15-20 Sat., Oct. 14 at Army Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 27-28 Sat., Oct. 21 *Western Michigan 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 17-20 (OT) Thur., Oct. 26 *at Northern Illinois 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 27-30 (OT) Thur., Nov. 2 *Ball State 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 56-14 Wed., Nov. 8 *at Central Michigan 8:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 30-42 Wed., Nov. 15 *at Miami 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 27-24 Tue., Nov. 21 *Bowling Green 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 34-31 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 Kent State Golden Flashes (2-10, 1-7) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 2 at No. 5 Clemson 12:00 pm ET ESPN L, 3-56 Sat., Sept. 9 Howard 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 38-31 Sat., Sept. 16 at Marshall 6:30 pm ET Stadium L, 0-21 Sat., Sept. 23 at No. 19 Louisville Noon ET ACC Reg. Sports Network L, 3-42 Sat., Sept. 30 *Buffalo 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 27-13 Sat., Oct. 7 *at Northern Illinois 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 3-24 Sat., Oct. 14 *Miami 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 17-14 Sat., Oct. 21 *at Ohio 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 3-48 Tue., Oct. 31 *Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 16-44 Wed., Nov. 8 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 20-48 Tue., Nov. 14 *Central Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 23-42 Tue., Nov. 21 *at Akron 7:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 14-24 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Miami RedHawks (5-7, 4-4) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 2 at Marshall 6:30 pm ET Stadium L, 26-31 Sat., Sept. 9 Austin Peay 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 31-10 Sat., Sept. 16 Cincinnati 8:00 pm ET WXIX TV; WUAB TV/ESPN3 L, 17-21 Sat., Sept. 23 *at Central Michigan 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 31-14 Sat., Sept. 30 at No. 22 Notre Dame 5:00 pm ET NBCSN L, 17-52 Sat., Oct. 7 *Bowling Green 2:30 pm ET ESPN3 L, 29-37 Sat., Oct. 14 *at Kent State 3:30 PM ET ESPN3 L, 14-17 Sat., Oct. 21 *Buffalo 2:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 24-14 Tue., Oct. 31 *at Ohio 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 28-45 Tue., Nov. 7 *Akron 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 W, 24-14 Wed., Nov. 15 *Eastern Michigan 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 24-27 Tue., Nov. 21 *at Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 28-7 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Northern Illinois Huskies (8-4, 6-2) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Sept. 1 Boston College 9:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 20-23 Sat., Sept. 9 Eastern Illinois 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 38-10 Sat., Sept. 16 at Nebraska Noon ET Fox Sports 1 W, 21-17 Sat., Sept. 30 at No. 19 San Diego State 10:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 28-34 Sat., Oct. 7 *Kent State 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 24-3 Sat., Oct. 14 *at Buffalo 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 14-13 Sat., Oct. 21 *at Bowling Green 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 48-17 Thur., Oct. 26 *Eastern Michigan 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 30-27 (OT) Thur., Nov. 2 *at Toledo 6:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 17-27 Thur., Nov. 9 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 63-17 Wed., Nov. 15 *Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT ESPN2 W, 35-31 Fri., Nov. 24 *at Central Michigan Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 24-31 *Mid-American Conference game 2017 Ohio Bobcats (8-4, 5-3) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 2 Hampton 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 59-0 Fri., Sept. 8 at Purdue 8:00 pm ET Fox Sports Net L, 21-44 Sat., Sept. 16 Kansas Noon ET ESPNU W, 42-30 Sat., Sept. 23 *at Eastern Michigan 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 27-20 (2OT) Sat., Sept. 30 at UMass 3:30 pm ET Eleven Sports W, 58-50 Sat., Oct. 7 *Central Michigan 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 23-26 Sat., Oct. 14 *at Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 48-30 Sat., Oct. 21 *Kent State 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 48-3 Tue., Oct. 31 *Miami 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 W, 45-28 Wed., Nov. 8 *Toledo 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 W, 38-10 Tue., Nov. 14 *at Akron 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 34-37 Fri., Nov. 24 *at Buffalo 1:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 24-31 2017 Toledo Rockets (11-2, 7-1) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 31 Elon 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 47-13 Sat., Sept. 9 at Nevada 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 37-24 Sat., Sept. 16 Tulsa 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 54-51 Sat., Sept. 23 at No. 14 Miami (Fla.) 3:30 pm ET ACC Reg. Sports Network L, 30-52 Sat., Oct. 7 *Eastern Michigan Noon ET CBS Sports Network W, 20-15 Sat., Oct. 14 *at Central Michigan 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 30-10 Sat., Oct. 21 *Akron Noon ET ESPN3/WTOL Toledo/WUAB Cleveland W, 48-21 Thur., Oct. 26 *at Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 58-17 Thur., Nov. 2 *NIU 6:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 27-17 Wed., Nov. 8 *at Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 10-38 Wed., Nov. 15 *at Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 66-37 Fri., Nov. 24 *Western Michigan 11:30 am ET ESPNU W, 37-10 Sat., Dec. 2 vs. Akron - Marathon MAC Football Championship ESPN W, 45-28 2017 Western Michigan Broncos (6-6, 4-4) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 2 at No. 4 USC 5:15 pm ET PAC-12 Network L, 31-49 Sat., Sept. 9 at Michigan State 3:30 pm ET BigTen Network L, 14-28 Sat., Sept. 16 Idaho 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 37-28 Sat., Sept. 23 Wagner 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 49-14 Sat., Sept. 30 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 55-3 Sat., Oct. 7 *at Buffalo 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 71-68 (7OT) Sat., Oct. 14 *Akron 3:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 13-14 Sat., Oct. 21 *at Eastern Michigan 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 20-17 (OT) Wed, Nov. 1 *Central Michigan 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 28-35 Wed., Nov. 7 *Kent State 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 48-20 Sat., Nov. 15 *at Northern Illinois 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 31-35 Fri., Nov. 25 *at Toledo 11:30 am ET ESPNU L, 10-37 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football DECEMBER, 2017

2017 Non-Conference Opponents MAC Students on 2017 Preseason Watch Lists WALTER CAMP AWARD (Best College Football Player) ACC (6): (0-6) RB Jarvion Franklin (Western Michigan) Boston College (2) (NIU; Central Michigan): (0-2; L, 20-23; L, 8-28) Clemson (Kent State): (0-1, L, 3-56) MAXWELL AWARD (Outstanding College Football Player) Louisville (Kent State): (0-1, L, 3-42) RB James Gilbert (Ball State) QB Logan Woodside (Toledo) Miami (Toledo): (0-1, L, 30-52) Syracuse (Central Michigan): (0-1; L, 17-41) CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) DB Heath Harding (Miami) American Athletic (2): (1-1) DE Joe Ostman (Central Michigan) Cincinnati (Miami): (0-1; L, 17-21) DE John Sutton (Northern Illinois) Tulsa (Toledo): (1-0), W, 54-51) BILETNIKOFF AWARD (Top Wide Receiver) Sergio Bailey II (Eastern Michigan) Big Ten (9): (2-7) James Gardner (Miami) Illinois (Ball State): (0-1, L, 21-24) Anthony Johnson (Buffalo) Michigan State (2) (BGSU; WMU): (0-2, L, 10-35; L, 14-28) Diontae Johnson (Toledo) Jon’Vea Johnson (Toledo) Minnesota (Buffalo): (0-1, L, 7-17) Scott Miller (Bowling Green) Nebraska (NIU): (1-0), W, 21-17) Cody Thompson (Toledo) Northwestern (Bowling Green): (0-1, L, 7-49) Corey Willis (Central Michigan) Penn State (Akron): (0-1, L, 0-52) Purdue (Ohio): (0-1, L, 21-44) BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) DB Shawun Lurry (NIU) Rutgers (Eastern Michigan): (1-0, W, 16-13) DB Heath Harding (Miami) LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Akron) Big 12 (3): (2-1) Iowa State (Akron): (0-1, L, 14-41) LOU GROZA AWARD (Outstanding Kicker) Kansas (2) (Central Michigan; Ohio): (2-0, W, 45-27; W, 42-30) Louie Zervos (Ohio) PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (Most Versatile Player) Conference USA (7): (3-4) DB Darius Phillips (Western Michigan) Charlotte (Eastern Michigan): (1-0, W, 24-7) Florida Atlantic (Buffalo): (1-0, W, 34-31) MANNING AWARD (Best Quarterback) Marshall (2) (Miami; Kent State): (0-2, L, 26-31; L, 0-21) Logan Woodside, Toledo Middle Tennessee (Bowling Green): (0-1, : L, 13-24) Brogan Roback, Eastern Michigan Nathan Rourke, Ohio UAB (Ball State): (1-0, W, 51-31) Western Kentucky (Ball State): (0-1, L, 21-33) JOHN MACKEY AWARD (Best Tight End) Tyler Conklin (Central Michigan) Mountain West (2): (1-1) Donnie Ernsberger (Western Michigan) Nevada (Toledo): (1-0, W, 37-24) Troy Mangen (Ohio) Ryan Smith (Miami) San Diego State (NIU): (0-1, L, 28-34) Shane Wimann (NIU) Pac 12 (1): (0-1) DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD (Top Quarterback) USC (Western Michigan): (0-1, L, 31-49) Logan Woodside (Toledo) OUTLAND AWARD (Top Interior Lineman) SEC (1): (0-1) C John Keenoy (Western Michigan) Kentucky (Eastern Michigan): (0-1, L, 20-24) C Jake Pruehs (Ohio) RG Jimmy Leatiota (Eastern Michigan) Sun Belt (2): (1-1) RT (Toledo) Idaho (Western Michigan): (1-0, W. 37-28) LT Chukwuma Okorafor (Western Michigan) Troy (Akron): (0-1, L, 17-22) OL Max Scharping (NIU) RIMINGTON TROPHY (Most Outstanding Center) Independent (3): (0-3) LaVonne Gauthney (Akron) Army (2) (Buffalo; Eastern Michigan): (0-2, L, 17-21; L, 27-28) Tim McAuliffe (Bowling Green) Notre Dame (Miami): (0-1, L, 17-52) James O’Hagan (Buffalo) Austin Doan (Central Michigan) Dakota Tallman (Eastern Michigan) FCS Opponents (I-AA) Nathan Puthoff (Kent State) Danny Godlevske (Miami) Colonial Athletic (2): (2-0) Luke Shively (NIU) Elon (Toledo): (1-0, W, 47-13) Jake Pruehs (Ohio) Rhode Island (Central Michigan): (1-0, W, 30-27 (3OT) John Keenoy (Western Michigan) RAY GUY AWARD (Best College Punter) MEAC (2): (2-0) Joseph Davidson, Bowling Green Hampton (Ohio): (1-0, W, 59-0) Derek Adams (Kent State) Howard (Kent State): (1-0, W, 38-31) JIM THORPE AWARD (Best Defensive Back) Shawun Lurry (NIU) Missouri Valley (1): (0-1) Amari Coleman (Central Michigan) South Dakota (Bowling Green): (0-1, L, 27-35) Heath Harding (Miami) Northeast (1): (1-0) DOAK WALKER AWARD (Top Running Back) Wagner (Western Michigan): (1-0, W, 49-14) Jarvion Franklin (Western Michigan) Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan) James Gilert (Ball State) Ohio Valley (3): (3-0) Terry Swanson (Toledo) Austin Peay (Miami): (1-0, W, 31-10) Shaq Vann (Eastern Michigan) Eastern Illinois (NIU): (1-0), W, 38-10) Tennessee Tech (Ball State): (1-0, W, 28-13) WUERFFEL TROPHY (Best Community Service) WR A.J. Coney (Akron) DB Zach Guiser (Akron) Patriot League (1): (1-0) OL Vinnie Palazeti (Ball State) Colgate (Buffalo): (1-0, W, 33-10) DL Joe Ostman (Central Michigan) DL Jeremiah Harris (Eastern Michigan) Southwestern Athletic Conference (1): (1-0) LB Matt Bahr (Kent State) Arkansas Pine-Bluff (Akron): (1-0, W, 52-3) WR James Gardner (Miami) OL Max Scharping (NIU) WR Cody Thompson (Toledo)