Mid-American Conference Football Weekly Release November 5, 2018

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

Become a fan of the Mid-American Conference on Facebook (GetSomeMACtion). Follow the MAC On Twitter @MACSports, Snapchat (MACSports) and Instagram (MACSports) MAC Standings MAC Storylines Conference Overall • Week 11 features the continuation of midweek MACtion with WEST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A three midweek games and two Saturday contests. Week 11 be- Northern Illinois 5 0 1.000 W5 2-0 3-0 6 3 .667 W5 2-1 4-2 gins with one game on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm with Kent Western Michigan 4 2 .667 L2 1-2 3-0 6 4 .600 L2 2-3 4-1 State at Buffalo (ESPNU), and two games on Wednesday, Nov. Toledo 3 2 .600 W2 2-1 1-1 5 4 .556 W2 4-2 1-2 7 with Ohio at Miami in the ‘Battle of the Bricks’ at 7:00 pm ET Eastern Michigan 3 3 .500 W2 2-1 1-2 5 5 .500 W1 3-2 2-3 (ESPNU) and Toledo at Northern Illinois at 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm Ball State 2 4 .333 L3 1-2 1-2 3 7 .300 L3 2-3 1-4 CT (ESPN2). Saturday, Nov. 10 will witness Akron at Eastern Central Michigan 0 6 .000 L6 0-3 0-3 1 9 .100 L6 1-4 0-5 Michigan at Noon ET (ESPN3) and Bowling Green at Central Conference Overall Michigan at 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+). EAST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A Buffalo 5 0 1.000 W5 3-0 2-0 8 1 .889 W4 4-1 4-0 • Northern Illinois (6-3) and Ohio (6-3) join Buffalo (8-1) and Ohio 4 1 .800 W3 2-0 2-1 6 3 .667 W3 4-0 2-3 Western Michigan (6-4) as MAC programs bowl eligible. Miami 3 2 .600 L1 1-1 2-1 3 6 .333 L2 1-3 2-3 Northern Illinois became bowl eligible with a 36-26 win at Akron Akron 2 3 .400 L1 1-2 1-1 4 4 .500 L1 2-2 2-2 on Nov. 1, as the Huskies are bowl eligible for the 10th time in the Kent State 1 4 .200 W1 0-2 1-2 2 7 .222 W1 1-2 1-5 last 11 seasons. Ohio became bowl eligible with a 59-14 win at Bowling Green 0 5 .000 L5 0-3 0-2 1 8 .111 L6 1-4 0-4 Western Michigan on Nov. 1. The Bobcats are bowl eligible for the 10th consecutive year. Both Toledo (5-4) and Eastern Michigan (5-5) need one more win to reach bowl eligibility. MIDWEEK MACTION CONTINUES DURING WEEK 11 Midweek MACtion continues this week with games on Tuesday and Wednesday • In MAC crossover games this season, the East and West Divi- with three games during the week and two games on traditional Saturday afternoon. sions are tied, 6-6. In each of the last eight consecutive years The week begins on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm ET with Kent State at Buffalo (2010-2017), the MAC West Division has topped the East Division (ESPN2), while Wednesday, Nov. 7 will feature Ohio at Miami at 7:00 pm ET in regular season head-to-head crossover games. (ESPNU) and Toledo at Northern Illinois at 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT (ESPN2). The MAC began midweek football in 1999 and this season marks the 20th year of playing during the week. During the 2018 season, the MAC will have 16 games This Week’s MAC Schedule nationally televised on either ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network on Tuesday, Tuesday, November 6 Wednesday or Thursday during the last five weeks of the regular season. *Kent State at Buffalo, 7:30 pm ET (ESPNU) Wednesday, November 7 MAC WEEKLY NOTES *Ohio at Miami, 7:00 pm ET (ESPNU) • Northern Illinois (6-3, 5-0) won its fifth consecutive game with a 36-26 win *Toledo at NIU, 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT (ESPN2) at Akron on Thursday, Nov. 1 as the Huskies remain in first place in the MAC Saturday, November 10 West Division and became bowl eligible for the 10th time in the last 11 years. *Akron at Eastern Michigan, Noon ET (ESPN3) NIU quarterback Marcus Childers was 21-28 passing for 188 yards and running *Bowling Green at Central Michigan, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+) back Tre Harbison had a career-high 169 yards rushing and one touchdown. The Tuesday, November 13 Huskies defense totaled five sacks, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and *Western Michigan at Ball State, 6:00 pm ET (ESPN2) limited Akron to 35 yards rushing. Wednesday, November 14 • Ohio (6-3, 4-1) posted a convincing 59-14 win at Western Michigan on Nov. 1 *Buffalo at Ohio, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN2) as the Bobcats scored 45 points in the first half alone and totaled six turnovers to *Miami at NIU, 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT (ESPNU) become bowl eligible for the 10th consecutive year. The win marked Ohio’s first Thursday, November 15 win over Western Michigan since Oct. 7, 2006. The Bobcats totaled 420 yards of *Toledo at Kent State, 6:00 pm ET (CBS Sports Network) total offense as quarterback Nathan Rourke accounted for five touchdowns, three Saturday, November 17 passing and two rushing. Rourke has 64 total touchdowns in his career, which *Bowling Green at Akron, 3:30 pm ET (ESPN3) ranks third-most in school history, with 34 career passing touchdowns, 29 career rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. Last Week’s MAC Games • Buffalo (8-1, 5-0) scored a season high 51 points with 505 yards of offense in *Kent State 35, Bowling Green 28 a 51-42 win over Miami on Oct. 30. Bulls wide receiver Anthony Johnson set *Buffalo 51, Miami 42 a school single-game record with 238 yards receiving on eight catches and three *Toledo 45, Ball State 13 touchdowns. Quarterback Tyree Jackson accounted for six touchdowns, with *NIU 36, Akron 26 three rushing touchdowns and three passing scores on 358 yards passing. *Ohio 59, Western Michigan 14 • Toledo (5-4, 3-2) posted a 45-13 win over Ball State on Oct. 31 as the Rockets *Eastern Michigan 17, Central Michigan 7 scored a touchdown on their first three drives and posted 531 yards of offense *Mid-American Conference contest and forced five turnovers. Toledo quarterback Eli Peters was 25-34 passing for 327 yards and two touchdowns. • Eastern Michigan’s defense was dominant in a 17-7 win over Central Michigan as the Eagles totaled four sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in holding Central Michigan to only 138 yards of total offense. The Eagles were led by running back Shaq Vann with 13 carries for 114 yards. The MAC has partnered with collegepressbox.com to continue • Kent State earned a 35-28 win at Bowling Green on Oct. 30 as running back Jo- media services and provide access to information on the confer- El Shaw rushed for 128 yards and two rushing touchdowns, and added 28 yards ence and our membership including rosters, bios, game notes, receiving and one touchdown. depth charts, stats, quotes, flipcards, media schedules and more. Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

AKRON ADDS ROAD GAME AT SOUTH CAROLINA ON DEC. 1 Akron and South Carolina have agreed to play a football game on Dec. 1, MAC Players of the Week 2018, at Noon ET in Williams-Brice Stadium. The game replaces Akron’s Sept. 1 contest at Nebraska, which was canceled due to lightning, and South East Division Carolina’s Sept. 15 contest against Marshall, which was canceled due to Hurricane Florence. Tyree Jackson, Offensive Player of the Week Buffalo, Junior, Quarterback “What a great opportunity to play at South Carolina against the Gamecocks,” said Akron seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden. “Our young men were so Buffalo junior quarterback Tyree Jackson (Nor- disappointed when the Nebraska game was cancelled due to lightning. We felt ton Shores, Mich.) accounted for six touchdowns it was important to give them a game in such a great venue.” in a 51-42 win over Miami on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Jackson threw for three touchdowns and ran for a “This gives us the best opportunity to earn a bowl bid,” Akron Director of career-best three more. Jackson went 20-of-34 for Athletics Larry Williams said. “It will be a first-class trip that gives us the a season-high 358 yards passing and three touch- chance to match up against a quality opponent that evaded us in the opening downs, passes of 75, 20 and 10 yards. weekend. Our student-athletes look forward to the opportunity.”

The game will be televised on the SEC Network Alternate channel and can be Dalton Hicks, Defensive Player of the Week; streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN App on connected devices. The Kent State, Junior, Linebacker game will be broadcast on the Akron-IMG Sports Radio Network. Kent State junior linebacker Dalton Hicks (Del- phos, Ohio) led the Flashes with a career-high 14 OHIO AT MIAMI AND THE’ BATTLE OF THE BRICKS’ ON NOV. 7 tackles in a 35-28 win at Bowling Green on Tues- The Ohio Bobcats and Miami RedHawks rivalry dates back to 1908 and the day, Oct. 30. Hicks made six solo tackles and had Bobcats and RedHawks will meet for the 95th time on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in a pass breakup as Kent State held Bowling Green Oxford, Ohio at 7:00 pm ET on ESPNU. to just 86 yards rushing. The Ohio-Miami rivalry is known as the ‘Battle of the Bricks’ as Miami leads the series 52-40-2. However, Ohio has won the last five straight meetings and 11 of the last 12 meetings, including a 45-28 win vs. Miami last season. Alvin Floyd, Special Teams Player of Week; Ohio, Redshirt Freshman, Safety MAC PROGRAMS WITH SUSTAINED FOOTBALL SUCCESS Ohio redshirt freshman safety Alvin Floyd (North Three MAC programs – NIU, Ohio and Toledo -- have sustained success over Miami Beach, Fla.) returned a blocked punt for a a 10 and 15-year period and currently rank among the FBS leaders in the MAC touchdown in a 59-14 win at Western Michigan on and college football, while a fourth program, Western Michigan, joins these Thursday, Nov. 1. Floyd became the first Bobcat MAC programs among the FBS leaders in college football and the MAC over to return a blocked punt for a touchdown since the recent five-year period. Melvin Payne ran one back for a score in 2009 at Akron. All four programs have been no stranger to college football’s postseason bowl system. NIU (6-3) is bowl eligible for the 10th time in the last 11 years, while Ohio (6-3) is bowl eligible for the 10th consecutive year. Toledo (5-4) is one win away from eligibility this year and has been bowl eligible for the last eight West Division consecutive years, with seven bowl invitations. Western Michigan (6-4) has Tre Harbison, Offensive Player of the Week been bowl eligible in each of the last five straight years. Northern Illinois, Sophomore, Running Back

Most Wins in FBS – 15 years (2004-18) Northern Illinois sophomore running back Tre Har- FBS Rank MAC Program No. Wins bison (Shelby, N.C.) ran for a career high 169 yards 21st NIU 122 wins on 23 carries with a two-yard touchdown run to note: Toledo (113 wins) and Ohio (107 wins) during this time frame. power the Huskies’ offense in a 36-26 win at Ak- ron on Thursday, Nov. 1. Harbison averaged 7.3 Most Wins in FBS – 10 years (2009-18) yards per carry as he picked up yardage and added a career-high three catches for 18 yards to total 187 FBS Rank MAC Program No. Wins all-purpose yards, the most by a Huskie in a game t-13th NIU 91 wins this year. t-23rd Toledo 82 wins 25th Ohio 80 wins Jalen McKie, Defensive Player of the Week; Northern Illinois, Most Wins in FBS – 5 years (2014-18) Redshirt Freshman; Defensive Back FBS Rank MAC Program No. Wins t-9th Toledo 44 wins Northern Illinois redshirt freshman Jalen McKie (Gurnee, Ill.) made three huge plays in the Huskies’ t-21st Western Michigan 41 wins 36-26 win at Akron, including a pair of fourth-quar- Note: NIU (37) and Ohio (36 wins) during this time frame. ter interceptions, the first of which he returned for 23 yards for a touchdown to extend NIU’s lead to 10 TWO MAC RECEIVERS LEAD NATION IN RECEPTION STREAK points with 9:05 to play. The MAC has two of college football’s leading wide receivers with the lon- gest current reception streak in the nation. Ohio’s Papi White (39 games) is third in the country, while Bowling Green’s Scott Miller (33 games) is tied Jameson Vest, Special Teams Player of the Week; for 11th in the country. Toledo, Senior; Kicker White currently ranks sixth in Ohio career receiving yards with 2,009 yards. In Toledo senior kicker Jameson Vest (Peachtree City, 2018, White has 42 receptions for 706 yards (16.8 avg.) and seven touchdowns. Ga.) broke two career records in a 45-13 win over Ball State on Wednesday night. He connected on Miller has 2,579 career receiving yards and has posted 10 games with 100 or the 69th field goal of his career, breaking the previ- more yards receiving in a single-game. This season Miller has played in eight ous school record held by Rusty Hanna (1989-92) games with 54 receptions for 860 yards (15.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns. and he successfully converted his 212th career extra point, topping Jason Robbins (2002-05) for the most in school history. Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Statistical Leaders (TOP 25) -- Where they rank Other Top Performers (WEEK TEN) Nationally in Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Rushing Touchdowns: t-11th Jamauri Bogan- Western Michigan: 11 TDs, 534 yds., 117 attempts OFFENSE t-24th Bryant Koback- Toledo: 9 TDs, 512 yds., 89 attempts • Ohio QB Nathan Rourke threw for three touchdowns and ran for t-36th Jaret Patterson- Buffalo: 8 TDs, 576 yds., 113 attempts two more in a 59-14 win at Western Michigan on Nov. 1. Rourke t-36th A.J. Ouellette- Ohio: 8 TDs, 609 yds., 128 attempts was 12-14 passing for 149 yards and three scores. He also added 68 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The performance marked Rushing Yards: the second time he has accounted for at least five total touchdowns 19th LeVante Bellamy-Western Michigan: 907 yds., 140 attempts, 5 TDs in one game this season. Total Passing Yards: • Eastern Michigan RB Shaq Vann had 114 yards rushing and a 23rd Jarret Doege-Bowling Green: 2,285 yds., 202-322 passing, 23 TDs touchdown in a 17-7 win over Central Michigan on Nov. 3. Vann 28th Tyree Jackson-Buffalo: 2,227 yds., 159-280 passing, 23 TDs opened the scoring with a 26-yard touchdown in the first quarter and then sealed the game with a 46 yard sprint on the final drive to Passing Touchdowns: ice the victory. It was Vann’s first 100+ yard rushing performance t-9th Tyree Jackson-Buffalo: 23 TDs, 2,227 yds., 159-280 passing this season and the fourth of his career. t-9th Jarret Doege-Bowling Green: 23 TDs, 2,285 yds., 202-322 passing 25th Nathan Rourke-Ohio: 17 TDs, 1,769 yds., 116-185 passing • Toledo RB Art Thompkins had a season-high 84 rushing yards Passing Efficiency: and one touchdowns in a 45-13 win over Ball State on Oct. 31. 8th Nathan Rourke-Ohio: 167.4 rating; 117-186 pass, 1,766 yds, 17 TDs 12th Mitchell Guadagni-Toledo: 162.0 rating; 69-120 pass, 1,053 yd, 13 TDs • Akron WR Kwadarrius Smith four receptions for 115 yards 34th Jon Wassink-WMU: 146.7 rating; 151-245 pass, 1,994 yds, 16 TDs and two touchdowns in a 36-26 loss to Northern Illinois on Nov. 1.

Total Receiving Yards DEFENSE 9th Scott Miller-Bowling Green: 860 yds., 54 rec., 7 TDs • Eastern Michigan DE Maxx Crosby had seven tackles, four 35th K.J. Osborn-Buffalo: 730 yds., 44 rec., 6 TDs tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in a 17-7 win over 40th Riley Miller-Ball State: 713 yds., 51 rec., 5 TDs Central Michigan on Nov. 3. His pair of sacks moved him into third 41st Papi White-Ohio: 706 yds., 42 rec., 7 TDs all-time for career sacks (19) in the Eastern Michigan record books. The forced fumble helped set up the Eagles’ second score for a 14-7 Receiving Touchdowns lead in the fourth quarter. Was part of a defense that held Central t-5th Cody Thompson-Toledo: 10 TDs Michigan to 39 yards of offense in the second half, the fewest yards t-13th Anthony Johnson-Buffalo: 8 TDs the defense has yielded in a half this season. t-13th Jayden Reed-Western Michigan: 8 TDs t-29th Scott Miller-Bowling Green: 7 TDs • Central Michigan LB Malik Fountain led with 13 tackles, one t-29th Diontae Johnson-Toledo: 7 TDs interception, one recovered fumble and 1.5 tackles for loss in a 17-7 t-29th Papi White-Ohio: 7 TDs loss at Eastern Michigan on Nov. 3. Receiving Yards Per Game: 4th Scott Miller-Bowling Green: 54 rec., 860 yds., 7 TDs, (107.5 avg.) • Toledo DE Terrance Taylor tallied five tackles, three tackles 27th Anthony Johnson-Buffalo: 32 rec., 673 yds., 8 TDs, (84.1 avg.) for loss and 1.5 sacks in a 45-13 win over Ball State on Oct. 31. Taylor had a strip-sack that was recovered for a touchdown in the Receptions Per Game: first quarter. 13th Scott Miller-Bowling Green: 54 rec., 860 yds., 7 TDs, (6.8 cpg) • Ohio S Kylan Nelson had four tackles and recorded his first Scoring: interception this year and fourth of his career in a 59-14 win at t-14th Jameson Vest-Toledo: 83 points, (9.2 ppg) Western Michigan on Nov. 1. Nelson’s interception marked one of 26th Louie Zervos-Ohio: 77 points, (8.6 ppg) six takeaways by the Ohio defense and special teams. Points Responsible For: • Akron LB Brian Bell had a career-high 14 tackles, two tackles 8th Tyree Jackson-Buffalo: 168 points for loss and one sack in a 36-26 loss to Northern Illinois on Nov. 1. t-11th Jarret Doege-Bowling Green: 156 points 13th Nathan Rourke-Ohio: 150 points SPECIAL TEAMS 23rd Jon Wassink-Western Michigan: 132 points • Buffalo K Adam Mitcheson converted a 37-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to secure a 51-42 win over Miami on Oct. 30. Total Tackles: The kick was also the 45th of Mitcheson’s career, breaking the 4th Malik Fountain-Central Michigan: 126 tackles, 12.6 tackles per game 6th Khalil Hodge-Buffalo: 111 tackles, 12.3 tackles per game school record for field goals made in a career. He was also 6-for-7 9th John Lako-Akron: 92 tackles, 11.5 tackles per game on extra points in the game. 13th Brandon Harris-Bowling Green: 100 tackles, 11.1 tackles per game • Eastern Michigan KR Blake Banham returned six punts and a Interceptions: kickoff for a combined 96 yards in a 17-7 win over Central Michigan t-4th Alvin Davis-Akron: 4 interceptions on Nov. 1. Banham’s 96 returning yards were the most by an Eagle t-16th Cameron Lewis-Buffalo: 3 interceptions since Jaron Johnson returned four kickoffs for 100 yards against t-16th Brandon Williams-Buffalo: 3 interceptions Central Michigan on Nov. 22, 2016. He registered 200 all-purpose t-16th Brad Koenig-Miami: 3 interceptions yards in the victory.

Sacks: • Northern Illinois DT Ben LeRoy made a key play in a 36-26 win 11th Sutton Smith-NIU: 8.0 sacks, 0.89 per game at Akron on Nov. 1. LeRoy blocked Akron’s Nick Gasser’s PAT t-13th Chuck Harris-Buffalo: 6.0 sacks, 0.86 per game attempt late in the third quarter and Jalen McKie’s recovery and t-13th Josh Corcoran-NIU: 6.0 sacks, 0.86 per game return for two points turned a potential tie game into a three-point 15th Mike Danna-Central Michigan: 8.5 sacks, 0.85 per game NIU lead, 29-26, and a major momentum swing. LeRoy’s block was 31st Maxx Crosby-Eastern Michigan: 6.5 sacks, 0.72 per game the first of his career, the fourth blocked kick of the season for NIU and the first blocked PAT since Nov. 1, 2016. McKie’s points were Tackles For Loss: the first scored by the Huskies off a defensive two-point conversion t-10th Maxx Crosby-Eastern Michigan: 14.5 tackles for loss, 1.6 per game since NIU’s victory at Alabama in 2003. t-14th Sutton Smith-NIU: 14.0 tackles for loss, 1.6 per game Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

MAC MEDIA/TV TIMEOUT CLOCK MAC COLLABORATIVE REPLAY SYSTEM This marks the second season for the MAC with a Media/TV The 2018 football season is the first time the MAC is using a confer- Timeout clock. The MAC is the first FBS Conference to mandate ence-wide collaborative replay system. In conjunction with the Big this league-wide with a Media/TV Timeout clock visible in each Ten, all MAC stadiums will have two (2) monitors on the sideline stadium to assist with pace of play. The Media/TV Timeout Clock to assist with replay of game action during reviews, similar to the enhances the in-game experience for fans while also providing the NFL. The MAC experimented with sideline monitors the past two institutions a true stoppage time -- from beginning of the television seasons during select games at the University of Akron and Central commercial break to returning to play. Following the success of this Michigan University. The monitor allows the referee to view video pilot program, other FBS conferences have followed suit in 2018, while in conversation with the replay official. The decision is still including the Big Ten. The 2017 season saw the MAC’s average made by the replay official in the booth. The Big Ten and MAC are game time reduced to 3:20, shaving nearly five minutes from the the only FBS conferences utilizing this program. previous season MAC BOWL NOTES AND 2017 SEASON MAC WITH ONE NEW HEAD COACH FOR 2018 • Toledo won the 2017 Marathon MAC Football Championship Kent State named Sean Lewis as head coach on Dec. 21, 2017 to Game with a 45-28 win over Akron on Dec. 2, 2017. The win was replace Paul Haynes, who was Kent State’s head coach for five Toledo’s first championship since 2004 and the 11th football title seasons (2013-17). in program history. The Rockets have been a model of consistency in winning as Toledo has won at least nine games in six of the last Kent State: Sean Lewis: Kent State named Sean Lewis to lead seven years, and the 2017 record of 11-3 is the ninth time in Toledo the Golden Flashes on Dec. 21, 2017. Lewis became the 22nd history to win at least 10 games in a season. head football coach at Kent State after serving as the co-offensive • Five MAC programs received bowl invitations in the 2017 bowl coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Syracuse. His background season -- Toledo (11-3), Akron (7-7), Ohio (9-4), Central Michigan stretches from his four-year playing career at Wisconsin under Barry (8-5) and Northern Illinois (8-5). The MAC record for bowl invita- Alvarez, to winning the 2015 Marathon MAC Championship as the tions in a single-season is seven in both the 2012 and 2015 bowl co-offensive coordinator at Bowling Green. seasons. • Toledo (Dollar General Bowl), Akron (Cheribundi Tart Cherry Lewis’ ascension has led him to become the youngest Football Bowl Boca Raton Bowl), Ohio (Bahamas Bowl), Central Michigan (Fa- Subdivision (FBS) head coach in the nation at the age of 31. That mous Idaho Potato Bowl) and Northern Illinois (Quick Lane Bowl) distinction was previously held by Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley at represented the MAC in the 2017 bowl season. age 34. Lewis has spent his last six seasons alongside head coach • This marked the 10th time in MAC history to have five or more Dino Babers at Syracuse (2016-17), Bowling Green (2014-15) and programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, Eastern Illinois (2012-13). 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) in a single-season. • In the previous seven bowl seasons, the MAC has a record of 12- Lewis’ coaching career began as the offensive coordinator for his 28 in 40 bowl games – 2017 (1-4); 2016 (0-6); 2015 (3-4); 2014 alma mater Richards High School in Illinois. He transitioned to the (2-3); 2013 (0-5); 2012 (2-5); 2011 (4-1) as all 12 MAC programs college level in 2010 as tight ends coach at Division II University of have appeared in a bowl game during this span (2011-17). Nebraska Omaha. He made his first MAC stop in 2011 as a gradu- • Akron (7-7, 6-2) won the MAC East Division for the first time ate assistant for the University of Akron. Lewis earned a bachelor’s since 2005. Akron secured its third MAC East Division title as the degree from Wisconsin in agricultural sciences in 2007. Zips were bowl eligible for the second time in the last three years, also a school record. MAC PROGRAMS IN BOWL GAMES • Over the last three seasons, the MAC has witnessed six different In the last six bowl seasons, every MAC football program has programs participate in the Marathon MAC Football Champion- received a bowl invitation. Leading the way are Toledo, Ohio and ship Game. In 2015 Bowling Green defeated NIU, 34-14, while Northern Illinois with bowl invitations in six of the last seven bowl 2016 witnessed Western Michigan with a 29-23 win over Ohio and seasons. Toledo defeated Akron, 45-28 in the 2017 Marathon MAC Foot- ball Championship Game. 2011-17 MAC Programs and Years Invited to Bowl Games • In 2017 the MAC had 11 FBS wins, including four wins over Northern Illinois (6): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2017 Autonomous Conferences with two wins vs. Big Ten opponents Ohio (6): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2015; 2016; 2017 (Nebraska, Rutgers) and two wins over Big 12 opponents (both Toledo (6): 2011; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 wins over Kansas). Central Michigan (5): 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 Bowling Green (4): 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015 MAC 2017 BOWL RESULTS Western Michigan (4): 2011; 2014; 2015; 2016 • Cheribundi Tart Bowl Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.) Florida Akron (2): 2015; 2017 Atlantic 50, Akron 3 Ball State (2): 2012; 2013 • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.) Wyoming 37, Central Buffalo (1): 2013 Michigan 14 Kent State (1): 2012 • Bahamas Bowl (Nassau) Ohio 41, UAB 6 Eastern Michigan (1): 2016 • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) Appalachian State 34, Toledo 0 Miami (1): 2016 • Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) Duke 36, Northern Illinois 14 former: Temple (1): 2011 MAC NON-CONFERENCE WINS Year; MAC Programs Invited to Bowl Games This season the MAC has eight FBS wins with wins over Purdue, 2011: Northern Illinois; Ohio; Toledo; Western Michigan; Temple Northwestern and Rutgers from the Big Ten Conference; Temple 2012: Northern Illinois; Kent State; Ohio; Bowling Green; Ball (American Athletic Conference); Nevada (Mountain West), Geor- State; Central Michigan; Toledo gia State (Sun Belt Conference) and independent BYU and UMass. 2013: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Ball State; Ohio; Buffalo The MAC concluded its non-conference regular season schedule 2014: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Toledo; Central Michigan; last season with 11 FBS wins. The MAC record is 16 FBS wins Western Michigan in 2012, while the Conference posted 14 FBS wins in both the 2015: Bowling Green; Northern Illinois; Toledo; Western Michigan; 2016 and 2008 seasons. In 2017, the MAC also has four ‘Autono- Central Michigan; Ohio; Akron mous Conference’ wins over Nebraska and Rutgers (Big Ten) and 2016: Western Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Central Kansas twice (Big 12). Among peer Conferences during the 2017 Michigan, Miami regular season, the MAC posted a 1-1 record against the American 2017: Toledo, Akron, Ohio, Central Michigan; Northern Illinois. Athletic, Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences, along with a record 3-4 vs. Conference USA. Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

OHIO’S SOLICH THIRD ON MAC CAREER WINS LIST MAC 2018 BOWL PARTNERS Ohio head coach Frank Solich and his Bobcats finished 2017 with 2018 Bowl Season: a 9-4 overall record and a second-place finish in the East Division. • Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl/PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (College Foot- Ohio is 6-3 overall this year, 4-1 in the MAC East. Solich contin- ball Playoff Host Bowls) ues to rise up the MAC career head coaching win list with 103 • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) wins, which ranks third most in MAC history. • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) • Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Solich has been the model for consistency in coaching in the MAC. • Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. Confer- Solich arrived in Athens, Ohio in 2005 and now is in his 14th sea- ence USA) son running the Bobcats program. Solich and the Ohio Bobcats • Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas; vs. American Athletic Conference) have garnered a bowl appearance in eight of the last nine seasons • Secondary to Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (Boca and nine of his 13 seasons at Ohio. Solich has a 103-74 career Raton, Fla.) coaching record at Ohio. • Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) • Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games Most MAC Head Coaching Wins, Career 1. 110, Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan, 1978-93 2019 Bowl Season: 2. 108, Bill Hess, Ohio, 1958-77 • College Football Playoff Host Bowls 3. 103, Frank Solich, Ohio, 2005-present • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) MAC VS BIG TEN OPPONENTS • Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Buffalo’s 42-13 win at Rutgers on Sept. 22, Akron’s 39-34 win at • Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.; vs. Northwestern on Sept. 15 and Eastern Michigan’s 20-19 win at American Athletic Conference) Purdue on Sept. 8, 2018, the MAC extended its streak of a regular • Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (vs. Conference USA) season win vs. Big Ten opponents in each of the last 13 consecu- • Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) tive seasons (2006-2018), the longest streak in MAC history. • Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games

During this 13-year stretch, MAC teams have defeated 12 differ- ent Big Ten teams—Illinois (3); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland NIU’S SUTTON SMITH CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Nebraska Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith was a 2017 Consensus (1); Northwestern (3); Penn State (1), Purdue (6) and Rutgers (2) All-American, as determined by the NCAA. Smith became the ninth for a total of 29 wins during this span of time. MAC player earn Consensus All-American status. In 2017, the MAC had two wins vs. Big Ten opponents -- NIU’s To be selected as a Consensus All-American, a player must be named 21-17 win at Nebraska on Sept. 16, 2017 and Eastern Michigan’s to the first team of at least two of the five selected All-America 16-13 win at Rutgers on Sept. 9, 2017. teams, announced over the last week by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, Football Writers 2006: Ohio beat Illinois Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News and Walter 2007: BGSU beat Minnesota; WMU defeated Iowa Camp Foundation. Second team selections are used to break ties. 2008: WMU beat Illinois; CMU beat Indiana; Toledo beat Michi- Players who earned the honor were listed on the most first team gan; Ball State beat Indiana All-America teams, competing against players at that position only. 2009: NIU beat Purdue; Central Michigan beat Michigan State 2010: Toledo beat Purdue; NIU beat Minnesota Smith is actually one of five defensive linemen on the 2017 Consen- 2011: Ball State beat Indiana sus All-America team as he and Maurice Hurst of Michigan tied for 2012: Ohio beat Penn St.; Ball State beat Indiana; CMU beat Iowa the final spot. The St. Charles, Mo. native was named a first team 2013: NIU beat Purdue; NIU beat Iowa All- American by Walter Camp and the FWAA, and was a second 2014: BGSU beat Indiana; NIU beat NW; CMU beat Purdue team selection on the AP, AFCA and Sporting News teams. 2015: BGSU beat Maryland and Purdue 2016: WMU beat Northwestern and Illinois Smith is the fourth NIU player – joining Jordan Lynch, Jimmie Ward 2017: NIU beat Nebraska; Eastern Michigan beat Rutgers and Shuwan Lurry – to garner first team All-America recognition 2018: EMU beat Purdue; Akron beat Northwestern; Buffalo beat in the last five seasons, surpassing the total number of Huskie All- Rutgers Americans in the school’s FBS history. 2017 MAC ALL-AMERICANS Smith is the most decorated defensive player in NIU football history The MAC was represented in 2017 with All-American honors. and in addition to the five All-America teams mentioned above, was selected to six more All-America teams by media organizations. The Associated Press: • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith Smith was the 2017 MAC Defensive Player of the Year was also a USA Today: finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s best defensive • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith end. He finished the season and led the MAC with 29.5 tackles for Sports Illustrated: loss and 16 sacks. He was 2.5 tackles for loss shy of the NCAA single • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith season record of 32, set by Western Michigan’s Jason Babin in 2003. CBS Sports: • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith MAC Consensus All-Americans Walter Camp Football Foundation: 1971 Mel Long, Toledo, DT • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 1995 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P • Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan OT Chukwuma 1996 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P Okorafor 1997 Randy Moss, Marshall, WR The Sporting News: 2000 Dwight Smith, Akron, DB • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 2010 Eric Page, Toledo, KR/AP Football Writers Association of America (FWAA): 2012 Dri Archer, Kent State, KR/AP • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith 2016 Corey Davis, Western Michigan, WR • First-Team All-American: Western Michigan OT Chukwuma 2017 Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois, DE Okorafor American Football Coaches Association (AFCA): • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith

FBS HEAD COACHES LEADING THEIR ALMA MATER The MAC has three of the 22 FBS head coaches that are leading their alma mater’s football programs this 2018 season. Western Michigan second-year head coach Tim Lester posted a 6-6 overall record during his first season in Kalamazoo. Lester joined Western Michigan after serving as quarterbacks coach at Purdue. Lester was a four-year starter at quarterback at Western Michigan from 1996-99, leading the Broncos to a Marathon MAC Football Championship game appearance his senior season.

Central Michigan fourth-year head coach John Bonamego was named the program’s 28th head coach on Feb. 9, 2015. Bonamego Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

MAC 2018 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS WINS OVER NON-CONFERENCE FBS OPPONENTS The 2018 football schedule will feature 16 nationally televised In 2017 the MAC earned 11 non-conference FBS wins. The MAC games during late October and November on ESPN2, ESPNU, set the Conference single-season record with 16 wins over FBS ESPN+, ESPN3 and CBS Sports Network as the conference race opponents during the 2012 season, and also posted 14 wins in both unfolds in both the East and West divisions. the 2008 and 2016 seasons. The regular season will conclude with the 22nd Marathon MAC Regular Season Wins vs. non-conference FBS opponents: Football Championship game on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:00 pm ET Year: Wins; FBS Opponents Defeated: (ESPN2) in Detroit. This will mark the 15th Marathon MAC Foot- 2018: 8: Purdue, Temple; Northwestern; Rutgers; Nevada; Geor- ball Championship game at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, gia State; UMass; BYU Super Bowl XL, and 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four. 2017: 11; Nebraska, Rutgers, Kansas (2); Charlotte, UAB; Ne- vada; Tulsa; Idaho; Florida Atlantic; UMass For the 11th year in a row, league schools will face a formidable 2016: 14; Northwestern, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Oklahoma non-conference slate of opponents from the following Football State, Kansas, Illinois, Fresno State, UNLV, Marshall, Charlotte, Bowl Subdivision conferences – ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, Army, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Wyoming SEC, Notre Dame and BYU. In addition, the Conference will also 2015: 12; Arkansas; Maryland; Iowa State; Purdue; FAU; Mar- face opponents from the American Athletic Conference, Confer- shall; Wyoming; UNLV; Idaho; Arkansas State; Louisiana; FIU ence USA, Mountain West Conference, Sun Belt Conference and 2014: 8; Purdue; Northwestern; Indiana; Idaho (2); UNLV, Pitt; Independents Army and UMass. Army 2013: 10; Iowa; Purdue; Virginia; UConn; Tulsa; Marshall; Army; MAC programs will face five non-conference foes that finished in North Texas; Idaho; Navy the final AP Top 25 poll: Penn State (9), Notre Dame (11), Miami- 2012: 16; Penn State; Wyoming; Idaho; New Mexico St.; Army Fla. (13), Michigan State (15) and Northwestern (17). (4); UConn; Marshall; Indiana; Iowa; South Florida; Kansas; Cin- cinnati; Rutgers A total of 12 non-conference games will feature a Big Ten oppo- 2011: 10; Indiana; Army (4); UConn; Idaho; New Mexico State; nent (Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Maryland; Michigan; Michigan State; Marshall; Maryland Minnesota; Nebraska; Northwestern; Penn State; Purdue; Rutgers). 2010: 7; Minnesota; Purdue; Marshall; Colorado State; UConn; The MAC will face foes from the ACC (5—Florida State, Georgia Army; Louisiana-Lafayette Tech, Miami (Fla.), Syracuse, Virginia), SEC (2—Kentucky, Ole 2009: 9; Michigan State; Purdue; Colorado; Florida International; Miss), Pac-12 (2-Oregon, Utah), Big 12 (2—Iowa State; Kansas); Troy; UTEP; North Texas; Army; Navy and Independent Notre Dame, BYU, Army (3 games) and UMass. 2008: 14; Navy; Indiana (2); Western Kentucky; Michigan; Idaho; Illinois; Syracuse; Army (3); Pittsburgh; Wyoming; UTEP The MAC will also face opponents from the American Ath- 2007: 10; Navy; Army (2); Idaho; Iowa State (2); Iowa; Minne- letic Conference (3— Cincinnati (2), Temple), Mountain West sota; Syracuse; La-Lafayette (3—Fresno State, Nevada, San Diego State), Conference USA 2006: 11; Temple (5); Kansas; Virginia; North Carolina State; (2—Marshall, Western Kentucky) and Sun Belt Conference (1— North Texas; FIU; Illinois Georgia State). The MAC will host 10 games against FBS non- 2005: 9; Army; Louisiana-Lafayette; Temple (4); Pittsburgh; Mid- conference opponents. dle Tennessee State; Cincinnati 2004: 3; Temple (2); Kentucky MAC WITH SIX STUDENTS PICKED IN 2017 NFL DRAFT 2003: 9; Kansas State; Northwestern; Colorado State; Cincinnati; The MAC had six draft selections in the 2018 NFL Draft. Western Purdue; Maryland; Alabama; Iowa State; Pittsburgh Michigan OT Chukwuma Okorafor was the highest player selected 2002: 10; Rutgers; Troy; North Carolina; Cincinnati; UConn; Mis- as the Pittsburgh Steelers made him a third-round selection, 92nd souri; Kansas; Wyoming; Wake Forest; UNLV overall. Also from the Broncos, DB Sam Beal was selected by the 2001: 11; UConn (2); Army; Cincinnati; Missouri; Temple (2); New York Giants during the July NFL Supplemental Draft. Minnesota; Northwestern; South Florida; Navy 2000: 9; Central Florida (2); Vanderbilt; Minnesota; UConn (2); In recent years the MAC had students selected among the top five Navy; Penn State; Iowa overall in the NFL Draft. In the last six years (2013-18), the MAC has had three players selected in the top five in the NFL Drafts. MAC HEAD COACHES IN HIGH DEMAND Football programs continue to take notice of MAC head coaches. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Western Michigan wide receiver Corey There are 11 former head coaches from the MAC in a current FBS Davis was selected as the fifth overall selection in the first round head coaching position–including three of the last four National by the Tennessee Titans. Davis’ selection was the highest ever for Champion’s with 2017 and 2015 Alabama’s Nick Saban (Toledo) Western Michigan and tied the second-highest in MAC history. and 2014 Ohio State’s Urban Meyer (Bowling Green), and nearly one-third of the ACC (four total). In 2014, Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack was the fifth overall selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft. Mack’s For the 2018 season, 23 of the 131 FBS coaches (17.6%) will be selection was the highest ever for the Buffalo program and the sec- either current or former MAC head coaches. The 23 current ond-highest ever selection for a MAC student-athlete. FBS coaches include the current 12 MAC head football coaches and 12 former MAC head football coaches. In 2013, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher became the first MAC football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 selec- ACC – Steve Addazio-Boston College (Temple), Dave Doeren- tion in the NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Fisher as NC State (Northern Illinois), Dave Clawson-Wake Forest (Bowl- No.1 choice in the 2013 NFL Draft. The previous highest player ing Green), Dino Babers-Syracuse (Bowling Green). drafted from the MAC was Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, Big Ten – Urban Meyer-Ohio State (Bowling Green), P.J. Fleck- who was selected No. 7 overall by Jacksonville in 2003. Minnesota (Western Michigan). Big 12 – Matt Campbell-Iowa State (Toledo). MAC Students Selected In 2018 NFL Draft Ind. – Brian Kelly-Notre Dame (Central Michigan), Mark Whip- 3rd (92) OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Western Mich.) by Pittsburgh ple (UMass). 5th (157) TE Tyler Conklin (Central Michigan) by Minnesota SEC-Nick Saban-Alabama (Toledo). 5th (170) DB/KR Darius Phillips (Western Mich.) by Cincinnati Sun Belt – Doug Martin-New Mexico State (Kent State). 7th (227) LB Quentin Poling (Ohio) by Miami 7th (249) QB Logan Woodside (Toledo) by Cincinnati MAC Students Selected In 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft 3rd DB Sam Beal (Western Michigan) by the New York Giants Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

MAC MEDIA 2018 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL ESPN+ TO FEATURE MAC EVENTS IN 2018 Earlier this summer members of the media selected Ohio and ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video ser- Northern Illinois to win the East and West Divisions respectfully in vice from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and the 2018 MAC Football Media Preseason Poll. Ohio was selected International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers to win the 2018 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital In the East Division, Ohio was selected first with a league-best networks. 140 total points. Following the Bobcats, the Buffalo Bulls finished second with 112 points, while the Miami RedHawks finished third Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per with 95 points. Defending MAC East Champion Akron Zips fin- year) through the ESPN App or ESPN.com. The ESPN App also ished fourth with 74 points, followed by Bowling Green and Kent provides fans separate access to all of ESPN’s “TV Everywhere” State. streaming of its linear television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ES- PNU, etc.) and ESPN3 – to fans with a pay TV subscription. In the West Division, Northern Illinois was selected first in the ESPN+ and ESPN’s authenticated streaming is also available on Division with 133 total points. Following the Huskies, defend- ESPN.com. ing West Champion Toledo finished second with 125 points, while the Western Michigan Broncos were third with 87 points. East- MAC fans who have any questions about the new ESPN App or ern Michigan ranked fourth with 67 points, followed by Central ESPN+, may contact ESPN customer care: Michigan and Ball State. • Online: support.espn.com 2018 MAC MEDIA Football Preseason Poll • Phone: 1-888-549-ESPN MAC East Division • ESPN App: Live Chat Feature Team (First Place Votes) Points • ESPN Customer Support Available: 9am-1am ET, 7 days a week 1. Ohio (21) 140 2. Buffalo (1) 112 FORMER MAC ALUM RANDY MOSS INDUCTED INTO 3. Miami (2) 95 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 4. Akron 74 Joining the list of MAC alum heading to the Pro Football Hall 5. Bowling Green 58 of Fame in Canton, Ohio, former Marshall wide receiver Randy 6. Kent State 25 Moss will increase this number to three, as Moss will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2018 Hall MAC West Division of Fame Class. Moss, who was named MAC Offensive Player of Team (First Place Votes) Points the Year in 1997, posted 78 catches for 1,709 yards and 28 touch- 1. Northern Illinois (15) 133 downs with Marshall in 1996 and added 96 receptions for 1,820 2. Toledo (7) 125 yards and 26 touchdowns in 1997. 3. Western Michigan (1) 87 4. Eastern Michigan 67 Moss was selected in the first round, 21st overall, of the 1998 NFL 5. Central Michigan (1) 58 Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Moss spent 14 seasons in the NFL 6. Ball State 34 with Minnesota, Oakland, New England, Tennessee and San Fran- cisco and amassed 982 career receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 MAC FOOTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL touchdowns and was selected to five Pro Bowls. Moss becomes MAC Head Football Coaches have provided their own 2018 Pre- the third former MAC football standout to be selected to the Pro season Poll and based upon voting by all 12 head coaches Ohio Football Hall of Fame. and NIU have been selected to win the East and West Divisions re- spectfully, with Ohio winning the Marathon MAC Football Cham- Moss joins Jason Taylor of Akron and former Kent State lineback- pionship Game. er Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Moss was a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd, who competed in the MAC before In the East Division, a margin of 11 points separated first-place and departing after the 2004 season. second-place. Ohio was selected first with 70 total points followed by second-place Buffalo with 59 points. Miami was selected third MAC PART OF NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ERA followed by Akron, Bowling Green and Kent State. The 2018 college football season enters the fifth year of the current four-team playoff era with the College Football Playoff. The two In the West Division, the margin was also only one point as North- College Football Playoff Semifinals will be played in bowl games ern Illinois was selected in first-place with 61 points followed by this year (Capital One Orange Bowl; Goodyear Cotton Bowl Clas- second-place Toledo with 60 points. Western Michigan was picked sic) and the College Football Playoff National Championship will third followed by Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Ball be played in the Bay Area (Levi Stadium) on Jan. 7. State. The two Semifinals and four other premier bowl games AllState 2018 MAC HEAD COACHES Football Preseason Poll Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1), Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual MAC East Division (Jan. 1), PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1) and the Chick-fil-A Peach Team (First Place Votes) Points Bowl (Dec. 29) highlight the annual bowl season calendar. The 1. Ohio (10) 70 Semifinal games will rotate among these six different bowls. All 2. Buffalo (2) 59 MAC programs will join every FBS team in college football with 3. Miami 42 equal access to the playoff based upon its performance. No team 4. Akron 36 will qualify automatically. 5. Bowling Green 29 6. Kent State 16 The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will choose four teams for the playoffs based on body of work, strength of schedule, MAC West Division head-to-head results, comparison of results against common op- Team (First Place Votes) Points ponents, championships won and other factors. 1. Northern Illinois (5) 61 2. Toledo (3) 60 The highest ranked program by the Selection Committee from either 3. Western Michigan (1) 45 the MAC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West 4. Eastern Michigan (1) 35 or Sun Belt Conferences will play annually in one of the premier 5. Central Michigan (1) 33 bowl games. 6. Ball State (1) 18 Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

MAC Week Ten Quick Recaps: MAC Week Ten Quick Recaps: NIU 36, Akron 26 -- NIU got big plays on offense, defense and Buffalo 51, Miami 42 -- Buffalo scored a season-high 51 points in special teams to post its fifth straight win, 36-26, over Akron, and a 51-42 win over Miami at UB Stadium on Tuesday night. It was in the process became bowl eligible for the 10th time in the last 11 the Bulls fourth straight win to keep them atop the MAC East Divi- years. NIU (6-3, 5-0 MAC) rushed for 296 yards on 69 carries and sion standings at 5-0 and 8-1 overall. The Bulls rolled up a season- quarterback Marcus Childers completed 21-of-28 passes for 188 high 505 yards of total offense, mostly through the air thanks to yards, hitting a season-high eight receivers, to lead the Huskies to a record-breaking performance by Anthony Johnson. The senior their best offensive output of the season in total yards (484) and wideout finished with a single-game school record 238 receiving points. Tre Harbison led the way with a career high 169 rushing yards on eight catches and had three touchdowns grabs. yards for his third 100-yard day of the season. Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson accounted for six touchdowns Defensively, walk-on cornerback Jalen McKieintercepted two in the game. The junior signal-caller threw for three touchdowns passes, returning his first career interception 23 yards for a touch- and ran for a career-best three more. Jackson threw for a season- down with 9:05 to play in the fourth quarter. His interception high 358 yards in the game. Trailing 7-0, the Bulls struck quickly, turned the Huskies three-point lead into a 10-point margin, and he as Jackson connected with Johnson on a 75-yard touchdown pass added a second pickoff on Akron’s last drive to seal the win. The on the Bulls’ second play of the game to quickly tie the contest at Huskies totaled five sacks and eight tackles for loss while limiting 7-7. Following a Miami touchdown on its next possession, Jackson the Zips to 35 rushing yards, the lowest total by an NIU opponent used his feet to score on a 7-yard touchdown run to once again tie this season. the game at 14-14. Ohio 59, Western Michigan 14 -- Ohio junior quarterback Na- Despite giving up 42 points, the Bulls played good defense down than Rourke threw three touchdowns and ran for two more, and the stretch, when it mattered most. Kadofi Wright had a strip sack the defense and special teams combined for six takeaways and a that was recovered by James Patterson to helped seal the win. blocked punt returned for a touchdown as the Ohio football team Khalil Hodge had 11 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss to lead (6-3, 4-1 MAC) rolled to a 59-14 win over MAC West Division foe the Bulls. Buffalo tied a season high with six sacks in the game. Western Michigan (6-4, 4-2 MAC) Thursday at Waldo Stadium. Kent State 35, Bowling Green 28 -- Kent State earned its first The victory clinched Ohio’s 10th-straight season of bowl eligibil- MAC victory of the FlashFAST era Tuesday night by finishing ity. The Bobcats have now won four of their last five games -- in- strong in a 35-28 win over Bowling Green at Doyt Perry Stadium. cluding each of the last three. The victory marked Ohio’s first over It was Kent State’s first win in their last six tries vs. the Falcons. Western Michigan since a 27-20 triumph on Oct. 7, 2006 and their first win in Kalamazoo since a 37-35 victory on Sept. 26, 1998. The Flashes dominated the ground game, including two big runs late in the fourth quarter with the score tied 28-28. On a pivotal The Bobcats scored 45 first-half points en route to the victory – the third down, sophomore Woody Barrett scrambled 34 yards to the most scored in one half during 14th-year head coach Frank Sol- left side. On the very next play, junior Jo-El Shaw darted 18 yards ich’s tenure – and matched the high water mark for points scored for his third touchdown of the game. With the clock winding down, in a game under Solich with 59. Ohio’s offense racked up 420 total Bowling Green took the ball to its 46 yard line, before linebacker yards – including 256 on the ground. Kesean Gamble made a diving interception to seal the win. It was Gamble’s first career pick. Ohio has scored at least 50 points in each of the last two con- tests. The Bobcats beat Ball State, 52-14, last Thursday (Oct. 25) Defensively, the Flashes were led by linebacker Dalton Hicks, who at Peden Stadium. The last time Ohio scored at least 50 points in made a career-high 14 tackles in just his second start of the season. back-to-back games was 2002. Rourke was efficient once again, Barrett has rushed for a touchdown and thrown a touchdown pass completing 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 149 yards and three in the same game four times this season. He has had a hand in scores. He also added 68 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. three touchdowns twice this season. Toledo 45, Ball State 13 -- Toledo sophomore quarterback Eli Antwan Dixon, who led Kent State with six catches for 73 yards, Peters led the Rocket offense to 531 yards of total offense but it has made three or more catches in each of the eight games he’s was the Toledo defense that shined most in a 45-13 victory over played in this season. Behind 225 total rushing yards, the Flashes Ball State at the Glass Bowl Wednesday night. The Rockets forced improved to 2-0 with 50 or more rushing attempts in a game. Kent five turnovers, including a forced fumble that was recovered for State’s 35 points were the most against an FBS opponent since a touchdown, in leading Toledo to victory over its West Division 2016. It was also the program’s first road win since 2016. foe. Toledo also had four sacks and limited the Cardinals to just 94 yards rushing in 35 attempts. Eastern Michigan 17, Central Michigan 7 -- Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Wieger’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Blake Peters, stepping in for the injured Mitchell Guadagni, completed Banham with 7:33 left in the fourth quarter opened a 14-7 lead for 25-of-34 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns. He had three the Eagles as they held on for a 17-7 win over Central Michigan first-half interceptions but settled down in the final 30 minutes, on Saturday afternoon at Rynearson Stadium. With the win Eastern guiding the Rockets to victory in Guadagni’s place for the second Michigan improves to 5-5 overall, 3-3 in the MAC, while Central time this season. Sophomore Art Thompkins led the rushing attack Michigan falls to 1-9 overall, 0-6 in league play. with 84 yards and one touchdown, while redshirt freshman Bryant Koback added 78 yards and two scores. Senior wide receiver Cody Eastern Michigan opened the scoring on its opening possession Thompson had six receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown, as Shaq Vann scored on a 26 yard run to open a 7-0 lead at 12:30 while Diontae Johnson had five grabs for an even 100 yards. in the first quarter. Just before the half, Central Michigan’s de- fense made a big play as Mike Danna recovered a fumble and ran The defense was led by junior safety DeDarallo Blue and junior 68-yards for the touchdown with seven second left in the half to tie linebacker Jordan Fisher, each of whom had seven tackles. Fresh- the game, 7-7. Eastern Michigan’s Chad Ryland added a 26 yard man defensive end Terrance Taylor had three tackles for loss for 28 field goal with 4:47 left in regulation for the 17-7 final. yards and senior linebacker Richard Olekanma added two tackles for loss. Eastern Michigan’s defense held Central Michigan to only 138 yards of offense, forced two interceptions and added four sacks. The victory keeps Toledo (5-4, 3-2 MAC) in the race for the MAC For Eastern Michigan, Vann rushed for 114 yards and one touch- West title behind Northern Illinois (5-0) and Western Michigan (4- down on 13 carries, while Wiegers threw for 150 yards and one 2). touchdown. Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Kent State (2-7; 1-4 MAC) at Buffalo (8-1; 5-0; MAC) Tuesday, November 6, 2018 • 7:30 pm ET • Buffalo, N.Y. • UB Stadium (29,013) ESPNU Series: Buffalo leads 12-11 Head Coach: Sean Lewis Defense: Career: 2-7 (1st year) at Kent State: 2-7 (1st year) Tackles: LB Matt Bahr (68 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 1.0 sacks) Football Contact: Aaron Chimenti, 330-672-8468, [email protected] Sacks: DL Theo Majette (21 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Jamal Parker (62 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Justin Rankin (109 att., 560 rushing yds; 4 TDs) Notes: Kent State won 35-28 at Bowling Green on Oct. 30...Kent State’s Pass: QB Woody Barrett (187-310 passing, 1,905 yards, 10 TDs) 35 points were the most against an FBS opponent since 2016 and it was Rec.: WR Isaiah McKoy (39 rec., 394 yds., 2 TDs) also the program’s first road win since 2016...RB Jo-El Shaw totaled three touchdowns and rushed for 128 yards...QB Woody Barrett threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another. Head Coach: Lance Leipold Defense: Career: 130-30 (11th year) at Buffalo: 21-24 (4th year) Tackles: LB Khalil Hodge (110 tackles, 7.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Jon Fuller, 716-645-6762, [email protected] Sacks: DE Chuck Harris (34 tackles, 7.0 tfl, 7.0 sacks) Int.: DB Cameron Lewis (20 tackles, 0.5 tfl, 3 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Kevin Marks (113 att., 579 yds., 7 TDs) Notes: Buffalo won 51-42 over Miami on Oct. 30...The 51 points and Pass: QB Tyree Jackson (159-280 passing, 2,227 yards, 23 TDs) 505 yards of total offense were both season-highs...WR Anthony John- Rec.: WR K.J. Osborn (44 rec., 730 yds., 6 TDs) son set a single-game school record with 238 yards receiving on eight catches and added three touchdowns...QB Tyree Jackson threw for a season-high 358 yards and three scores, while rushing for three more. Ohio (6-3, 4-1; MAC) at Miami (3-6, 3-2; MAC) Wednesday, November 7, 2018 • 7:00 pm ET • Oxford, Ohio • Yager Stadium (24,286) ESPNU Series: Miami leads 52-40-2 Head Coach: Frank Solich Defense: Career: 161-93 (20th year) at Ohio: 103-74 (14th year) Tackles: LB Evan Croutch (55 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 1.0 sack, 2 INT) Contact: Mike Ashcraft, 740-593-1299, [email protected] Sacks: DL Kent Berger (23 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 4.0 sacks) Int.: S Javon Hagan (55 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB AJ Ouellette (128 att., 637 yards, 8 TDs) Notes: Ohio won 59-14 at Western Michigan on Nov. 1...Ohio has held Pass: QB Nathan Rourke (116-185 passing, 1,769 yds., 17 TDs) the opposition to just 14 points in each of the last three games...Ohio Rec.: WR Papi White (42 rec., 706 yds., 7 TDs) finished plus-six in turnover margin -- including plus-five in the first half...Ohio’s 45 first-half-points marked the most in a half in the Solich era...Ohio has outscored its opponents 160-42 over the last three games. Head Coach: Chuck Martin Defense: Career: 92-46 (11th year) at Miami: 18-39 (5th year) Tackles: LB De’Andre Montgomery (55 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Dave Meyer, 513-529-4329, [email protected] Sacks: DL Doug Costin (4` tackles, 8.5 tfl, 5.0 sacks) Int.: LB Brad Koenig (83 tackles, 10.0 tfl, 4.0 sacks, 3 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Alonzo Smith (85 att., 405 yds., 4 TDs) Notes: Miami lost 51-42 at Buffalo on Oct. 30...QB Gus Ragland Pass: QB Gus Ragland (180-299 passing, 2,082 yds., 15 TDs) completed 20-35 passes for 313 yards and one touchdown, and added Rec.: WR Jack Sorenson (39 rec., 593 yds., 2 TDs) 53 yards and three touchdowns rushing...RB Alonzo Smith also had a multi-touchdown game, rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns...LB Brad Koenig led with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Toledo (5-4; 3-2 MAC) at Northern Illinois (6-3, 5-0; MAC) Wednesday, November 7, 2018 • 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT • DeKalb, Ill. • Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium (23,595) ESPN2 Series: Toledo leads 31-14 Head Coach: Jason Candle Defense: Career: 26-11 (3rd year) at Toledo: 26-11 (3rd year) Tackles: DB Kahlil Robinson (56 tackles) Contact: Paul Helgren, 419-530-4918, [email protected] Sacks: DL Tuzar Skipper (43 tackles, 8.0 tfl, 7.0 sacks) Int.: DB Tycen Anderson (35 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Bryant Koback (89 att., 512 yds., 9 TDs) Notes: Toledo won 45-13 over Ball State on Oct. 31...Rockets had Pass: QB Eli Peters (73-136 passing, 998 yds., 11 TDs) four sacks vs. Ball State, giving them 14 over the last three games... Rec.: WR Diontae Johnson (33 rec., 583 yds., 7 TDs) WR Cody Thompson caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown, bringing his career receiving yardage total to 3,090 and moved into third place all-time in career receiving yards. Head Coach: Rod Carey Defense: Career: 50-27 (6th year) at NIU: 50-27 (6th year) Tackles: LB Antonio Jones-Davis (84 tackles, 9.0 tfl, 4.0 sacks) Football Contact: Donna Turner, 815-753-9513, [email protected] Sacks: DE Sutton Smith (35 tackles, 14.0 tfl, 8.0 sacks) Int.: DB Trayshon Foster (42 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Tre Harbison (124 att., 665 rushing yds., 4 TDs) Notes: NIU won 36-26 at Akon on Nov. 1...NIU extended its winning Pass: QB Marcus Childers (149-263 passing, 1,252 yds., 9 TDs) streak to five games...QB Marcus Childers was 21-28 passing for 188 Rec.: WR D.J. Brown (40 rec., 348 yds., 3 TDs) yards, hitting a season-high eight receivers, to lead the Huskies to their best offensive output of the season in total yards (484) and points...RB Tre Harbison had a career high 169 rushing yards for his third 100-yard day of the season. Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Akron (4-4; 2-3 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (5-5; 3-3; MAC) Saturday, November 10, 2018 • Noon ET • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200) ESPN3 Series: Akron leads 19-12 Head Coach: Terry Bowden Defense: Career: 175-110-2 (25th year) at Akron: 35-48 (7th year) Tackles: LB John Lako (92 tackles, 5.5 tfl) Contact: Cathy Bongiovi, 330-972-6106, [email protected] Sacks: DL Jamal Davis (56 tackles, 7.0 tfl, 4.0 sacks) Int.: DB Alvin Davis (51 tackles, 4 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Van Edwards (101 att., 417 rushing yds., 3 TDs) Notes: Akron lost 36-26 to NIU on Nov. 1...QB Kato Nelson was 18-26 Pass: QB Kato Nelson (123-234 passing, 1,647 yards, 11 TDs) passing for a season-high 299 yards and two touchdowns, and threw for Rec.: WR Andre Williams (36 rec., 540 yds., 5 TDs) 238 yards in the first half alone...WR Andre Williams led with a career- high eight receptions for a career-high 129 yards and one touchdown... LB John Lako led with 14 tackles. Head Coach: Chris Creighton Defense: Career: 159-85 (22nd year) at Eastern Michigan: 20-39 (5th year) Tackles: LB Kyle Rachwal (95 tackles, 8.5 tfl, 1.0 sack, 2 INT) Football Contact: Greg Steiner, 734-487-0317, [email protected] Sacks: DE Maxx Crosby (49 tackles, 14.5 tfl, 7.0 sacks) Int.: DB Kevin McGill (30 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Shaq Vann (130 att., 553 yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Eastern Michigan won 17-7 over Central Michigan on Nov. 3... Pass: QB Tyler Wiegers (143-215 passing, 1,619 yds., 11 TDs) Defense held Central Michigan to 138 total yards of offense, while forc- Rec.: WR Blake Banham (51 rec., 682 yds., 5 TDs) ing four turnovers...QB Tyler Wiegers was 17-25 passing for 150 yards and one touchdown...RB Shaq Vann earned his first 100-yard rushing effort on the season, tallying 114 yards on 13 carries. Bowling Green (1-8, 0-5; MAC) at Central Michigan (1-9; 0-6 MAC) Saturday, November 10, 2018 • 3:00 pm ET • Mt. Pleasant, Mich. • Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255) ESPN+ Series: Bowling Green leads 22-18 Interim Head Coach: Carl Pelini Defense: Tackles: LB Brandon Harris (100 tackles, 2.5 tfl) Football Contact: Jason Knavel, 419-372-7075, [email protected] Sacks: DL Roland Walder (24 tackles, 4.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Marcus Milton (37 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Andrew Clair (105 att., 495 rushing yds., 4 TDs) Notes: Falcons lost 35-28 vs. Kent State on Oct. 30...QB Jarret Doege Pass: QB Jarret Doege (202-322 passing, 2,285 yards, 23 TDs) threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns...Doege has multiple touch- Rec.: WR Scott Miller (54 rec., 860 yds., 7 TDs) down passes in eight of nine games and has also thrown for 200+ yards eight times...WR Scott Miller led with six catches and 75 yards...De- fense allowed a season-low 382 total yards of offense. Head Coach: John Bonamego Defense: Career: 22-27 (4th year) at Central Michigan: 22-27 (4th year) Tackles: LB Malik Fountain (126 tackles, 7.5 tfl, 1.0 sack, 2 INT) Football Contact: Rob Wyman, 989-774-3041, [email protected] Sacks: DL Mike Danna (52 tackles, 13.5 tfl, 9.0 sacks) Int.: DB Sean Bunting (29 tackles, 3.0 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Jonathan Ward (72 att., 199 rushing yds., 0 TDs) Notes: Central Michigan lost 17-7 at Eastern Michigan on Nov. 3...De- Pass: QB Tommy Lazzaro (68-141 passing, 711 yds., 5 TDs) fense forced three turnovers and produced the Chippewas’ only points Rec.: WR Julian Hicks (25 rec., 251 yds., 3 TDs) when DL Mike Danna scooped up a fumble and raced 68 yards for a touchdown...LB Malik Fountain had 13 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception. Western Michigan (6-4, 4-2; MAC) at Ball State (3-7, 2-4; MAC) Tuesday, November 13, 2018 • 6:00 pm ET • Muncie, Ind. • Scheumann Stadium (22,500) ESPN2 Series: Western Michigan leads 25-19 Head Coach: Tim Lester Defense: Career: 52-33 (8th year) at Western Michigan: 12-10 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Alex Grace (66 tackles, 8.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Contact: Kristin Keirns, 269-387-4123, [email protected] Sacks: DL Ali Fayad (24 tackles, 7.5 tfl, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Anton Curtis (15 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB LeVante Bellamy (140 att., 907 yards, 5 TDs) Notes: Western Michigan lost 59-14 to Ohio on Nov. 1...Freshman QB Pass: QB Jon Wassink (151-245 passing, 1,994 yards, 16 TDs) Kaleb Eleby went 10-for-19 passing for 152 yards and one touchdown... Rec.: WR Jayden Reed (46 rec., 667 yards, 8 TDs) WR D’Wayne Eskridge led with three receptions for 50 yards...Broncos totaled 118 rushing yards...RB Chase Brown had a career-high 15 car- ries for 52 yards. Head Coach: Mike Neu Defense: Career: 9-25 (3rd year) at Ball State: 9-25 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Jaylin Thomas (70 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Contact: Mike Clark, 765-285-8904, [email protected] Sacks: LB Christian Albright (47 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Ray Wilborn (67 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB James Gilbert (133 att., 586 yards rushing, 5 TDs) Notes: Ball State lost 45-13 at Toledo on Oct. 31...Ball State had five Pass: QB Riley Neal (194-335 passing, 1,917 yds., 11 TDs) interceptions – the most picks for the Cardinals defense in 48 years...QB Rec.: WR Riley Miller (51 rec., 713 yds., 5 TDs) Drew Plitt made his first collegiate start and threw for a career-high 340 yards...WR Riley Miller had 106 yards receiving and one touchdown... Miller now has a touchdown in five of the last six games. Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

SEVENTY-SEVEN (71) FORMER MAC STUDENTS ON NFL ROSTERS

NFL Team Yr. MAC School Indianapolis (1) Pittsburgh (8) Arizona (1) DE Tarell Basham 2 Ohio LB Keion Adams-PS 2 Western Michigan LB Gabe Martin-IR 2 Bowling Green DE Ola Adeniyi-IR R Toledo Jacksonville (2) WR Antonio Brown 9 Central Michigan Baltimore (1) LB Blair Brown 2 Ohio RB Jarvion Franklin-PS R Western Michigan WR Willie Snead 4 Ball State DB Barry Church 9 Toledo FB Roosevelt Nix 4 Kent State OL Chukwuma Okorafor R Western Michigan Carolina (1) Kansas City (4) QB Ben Roethlisberger 15 Miami (Ohio) OL Taylor Moton 2 Western Michigan OL Eric Fisher 6 Central Michigan DL L.T. Walton 4 Central Michigan RB Kareem Hunt 2 Toledo Chicago (1) OL Ryan Hunter-PS R Bowling Green San Francisco (2) LB Khalil Mack 5 Buffalo OL Andrew Wylie 1 Eastern Michigan OT Joe Staley 12 Central Michigan DB Jimmie Ward 5 Northern Illinois Cincinnati (2) Los Angeles Chargers (3) DB Darius Phillips R Western Michigan DB Jahleel Addae 6 Central Michigan Seattle (2) TE Mason Schreck 2 Buffalo LB Jatavis Brown 3 Akron WR Brandon Marshall 13 Central Florida TE Antonio Gates 16 Kent State OL Elijah Nkansah-PS R Toledo Cleveland (2) DB T.J. Carrie 5 Ohio Miami (2) Tampa Bay (3) LB Justin Currie-IR 2 Western Michigan LB Quentin Poling-PS R Ohio WR Sergio Bailey-IR R Eastern Michigan OL Josh Sitton 11 Central Florida DL Demone Harris-PS R Buffalo Dallas (3) DL Pat O’Connor-PS 1 Eastern Michigan S Kavon Frazier 3 Central Michigan Minnesota (3) LB Justin March-Lillard 4 Akron WR Chad Beebe-PS R Northern Illinois Tennessee (7) QB Cooper Rush 2 Central Michigan TE Tyler Conklin R Central Michigan WR Corey Davis 2 Western Michigan OT Storm Norton-PS 1 Toledo RB David Fluellen 2 Toledo Denver (1) P Brett Kern 11 Toledo K Brandon McManus 5 Temple New England (1) OL Josh Kline 6 Kent State WR Julian Edelman 10 Kent State WR Tajae Sharpe 3 UMass Detroit (6) LB Robert Spillane-PS R Western Michigan LB Nick Bellore 8 Central Michigan New Orleans (1) QB Logan Woodside-PS R Toledo WR Kenny Golladay 2 Northern Illinois WR Tommylee Lewis 3 Northern Illinois OL T.J. Lang 10 Eastern Michigan PS - Practice Squad; IR - Injured-Reserve List DB Rolan Milligan-PS 1 Toledo N.Y. Giants (4) (As of NFL Rosters on Sept. 6, 2018) K Matt Prater 12 Central Florida DB Sam Beal-IR R Western Michigan Currently there are 71 former MAC students on TE Michael Roberts 2 Toledo OL John Greco 11 Toledo rosters across the National Football League. WR Alonzo Russell-PS 1 Toledo Green Bay (4) DT Kristjan Sokoli-IR 2 Buffalo In the 2017 NFL Draft, Western Michigan WR RB Darius Jackson 3 Eastern Michigan Corey Davis was selected as the fifth overall selec- RB Joel Bouagnon-PS 1 Northern Illinois N.Y. Jets (1) tion in the first round by Tennessee. Davis marks DB Quinten Rollins-IR 4 Miami (Ohio) OL Brian Winters 6 Kent State DL Muhammad Wilkerson 8 Temple the third time in the last five years to have a MAC Oakland (2) student selected in the top five overall of the first Houston (1) DB Rashaan Melvin 6 Northern Illinois round. OL Greg Mancz 3 Toledo LB Tahir Whitehead 7 Temple Buffalo LB Khalil Mack was the fifth overall selec- Philadelphia (2) tion by Oakland in the 2014 NFL Draft. Central OL Brandon Brooks 7 Miami (Ohio) Michigan OT Eric Fisher became the first MAC DL Joe Ostman-PS R Central Michigan football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 selection in the NFL Draft. Kansas City selected Fisher as No.1 choice in the 2013 NFL Draft. MAC EAST VS. MAC WEST MAC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS CONTACTS The East and West are currently tied 6-6 in crossover games in 2018. In 2017, the East and West Divisions faced each other in 18 crossover Mid-American Conference: regular season games and the West Division finished with an 11-7 Ken Mather, [email protected] (216-566-4622) advantage. Over the previous 10 years (2008-2017), the MAC West has had the upper hand in crossover regular season games against East Division the MAC East, winning the head-to-head regular season series in Akron -- Cathy Bongiovi ([email protected]) -- 330.972.6106 nine of the last 10 years. The West holds a 120-60 (.667%) regular Bowling Green -- Jason Knavel ([email protected]) -- 419.372.7075 season record in crossover games over the East during that span. Buffalo -- Jon Fuller ([email protected]) -- 716.645.6762 The West Division has a 6-4 lead in the last 10 Marathon MAC Foot- Kent State -- Aaron Chimenti ([email protected]) -- 330.672.8468 ball Championship Games. From the West Division, Toledo (2017), Miami -- Dave Meyer ([email protected]) -- 513.529.4329 Western Michigan (2016), Northern Illinois (2011, 2012, 2014) and Ohio -- Mike Ashcraft ([email protected]) -- 740.593.1299 Central Michigan (2009) have won the Conference Championship six times, while the East Division has won four crowns with Bowling West Division Green (2015, 2013), Miami (2010) and Buffalo (2008). Ball State -- Mike Clark ([email protected]) -- 765.285.8242 Central Michigan--Rob Wyman ([email protected])--989.774.3041 Year; Regular Season East vs. West; MAC Champion Eastern Michigan --Greg Steiner ([email protected]) --734.487.0318 2018 Tied 6-6; TBD on Nov. 30, 2018 Northern Illinois -- Donna Turner ([email protected]) -- 815.753.9513 2017 West 11-7; Toledo (West) def. Akron (East), 45-28. 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]) -- 2015 West 11-7; Bowling Green (East) def. NIU (West), 34-14. 269.387.3065 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 NOVEMBER 5, 2018

2018 Akron Zips (4-4, 2-3) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Nebraska 8:00 pm ET FOX Cancelled due to weather Sat., Sept. 8 Morgan State 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 41-7 Sat., Sept. 15 at Northwestern 7:30 pm ET Big Ten Network W, 39-34 Sat., Sept. 22 at Iowa State Noon ET FSN L, 13-26 Sat., Oct. 6 * Miami 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 17-41 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Buffalo Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 6-24 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Kent State 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 24-23 (OT) Sat., Oct. 27 *Central Michigan Noon ET ESPN3 W, 17-10 Thur., Nov. 1 *NIU 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 26-36 Sat., Nov. 10 *at Eastern Michigan Noon ET ESPN3 Akron leads 19-12 Sat., Nov. 17 *Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 BGSU leads 16-8 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Ohio TBA TBA Ohio leads 20-13-1 Sat., Dec. 1 at South Carolina Noon ET SEC Network First Meeting *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Ball State Cardinals (3-7, 2-4) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 30 Central Connecticut State 7:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 42-6 Sat., Sept. 8 at Notre Dame 3:30 pm ET NBC L, 16-24 Sat., Sept. 15 at Indiana Noon ET Big Ten Network L, 10-38 Sat., Sept. 22 Western Kentucky 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 20-28 Sat., Sept. 29 *Kent State 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 52-24 Sat., Oct. 6 *NIU 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 16-24 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 24-23 Sat., Oct. 20 *Eastern Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 20-42 Thur., Oct. 25 *at Ohio 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 14-52 Wed., Oct. 31 *at Toledo 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 L, 13-45 Tue., Nov. 13 *Western Michigan 6:00 pm ET ESPN2 WMU leads 25-19 Tue., Nov. 20 *at Miami 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ Miami leads 18-12-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Bowling Green Falcons (1-8, 0-5) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Oregon 8:00 pm ET Pac-12 Network L, 24-58 Sat., Sept. 8 Maryland 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 14-45 Sat., Sept. 15 Eastern Kentucky 4:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 42-35 Sat., Sept. 22 *Miami 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 23-38 Sat., Sept. 29 at Georgia Tech Noon ET ACC RSN L, 17-63 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Toledo 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 36-52 Sat., Oct. 13 *Western Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 35-42 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Ohio 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 14-49 Tue., Oct. 30 *Kent State 8:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 28-35 Sat., Nov. 10 *at Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ BGSU leads 21-19 Sat., Nov. 17 *at Akron 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 BGSU leads 16-8 Fri., Nov. 23 *Buffalo TBA TBA BGSU leads 11-4 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Buffalo Bulls (8-1, 5-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 Delaware State 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 48-10 Sat., Sept. 8 at Temple 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 36-29 Sat., Sept. 15 *Eastern Michigan 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 35-28 Sat., Sept. 22 at Rutgers Noon ET Big Ten Network W, 42-13 Sat., Sept. 29 Army Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 13-42 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Central Michigan Noon ET CBS Sports Network W, 34-24 Sat., Oct. 13 *Akron Noon ET CBS Sports Network W, 24-6 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Toledo Noon ET Raycom/ESPN+ W, 31-17 Tue., Oct. 30 *Miami 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 W, 51-42 Tue., Nov. 6 *Kent State 7:30 pm ET ESPNU Buffalo leads 12-11 Wed., Nov. 14 *at Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 Ohio leads 14-10 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 11-4 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Central Michigan Chippewas (1-9, 0-6) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Kentucky 3:30 pm ET ESPNU L, 20-35 Sat., Sept. 8 Kansas 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 7-31 Sat., Sept. 15 *at NIU 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 16-24 Sat., Sept. 22 Maine 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 17-5 Sat., Sept. 29 at Michigan State Noon ET FS1 L, 20-31 Sat., Oct. 6 *Buffalo Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 24-34 Sat., Oct. 13 *Ball State 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 L, 23-24 Sat., Oct. 20 *Western Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 10-35 Sat., Oct. 27 *at Akron Noon ET ESPN3 L, 10-17 Sat., Nov. 3 *at Eastern Michigan Noon ET ESPN3 L, 7-17 Sat., Nov. 10 *Bowling Green 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ BGSU leads 22-18 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 25-18-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-5, 3-3) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Aug. 31 Monmouth 6:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 51-17 Sat., Sept. 8 at Purdue Noon ET Big Ten Network W, 20-19 Sat., Sept. 15 *at Buffalo 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 28-35 Sat., Sept. 22 at San Diego State 10:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 20-23 OT Sat., Sept. 29 *NIU 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 23-26 (3OT) Sat., Oct. 6 *at Western Michigan Noon ET ESPN+ L, 24-27 Sat., Oct. 13 *Toledo Noon ET ESPN+ W, 28-26 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 42-20 Sat., Oct. 27 Army Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 22-37 Sat., Nov. 3 *Central Michigan Noon ET ESPN3 W, 17-7 Sat., Nov. 10 *Akron Noon ET ESPN3 Akron leads 19-12 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Kent State TBA TBA Kent State leads 17-13 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

2018 Kent State Golden Flashes (2-7, 1-4) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Illinois 12:00 pm ET Big Ten Network L, 24-31 Sat., Sept. 8 Howard 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 54-14 Sat., Sept. 15 at Penn State Noon ET FS1 L, 10-63 Sat., Sept. 22 at Ole Miss Noon ET SEC Network L, 17-38 Sat., Sept. 29 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 24-52 Sat., Oct. 6 *Ohio 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 26-27 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Miami 2:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 6-31 Sat., Oct. 20 *Akron 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 23-24 (OT) Tue., Oct. 30 *at Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 35-28 Tue., Nov. 6 *at Buffalo 7:30 pm ET ESPNU Buffalo leads 12-11 Thur., Nov. 15 *Toledo 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 25-21 Fri., Nov. 23 *Eastern Michigan TBA TBA KSU leads 17-13 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Miami RedHawks (3-6, 3-2) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 Marshall 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 28-35 Sat., Sept. 8 Cincinnati (at Paul Brown Stadium) 8:00 pm ET Raycom/ESPN3 L, 0-21 Sat., Sept. 15 at Minnesota 3:30 pm ET Big Ten Network L, 3-26 Sat., Sept. 22 *at Bowling Green 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 38-23 Sat., Sept. 29 *Western Michigan 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 39-40 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Akron 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 41-17 Sat., Oct. 13 *Kent State 2:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 31-6 Sat., Oct. 20 at Army Noon ET CBS Sports Network L, 30-31 (2OT) Tue., Oct. 30 *at Buffalo 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 42-51 Wed., Nov. 7 *Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 Miami leads 52-40-2 Wed., Nov. 14 *at NIU 8:00 pm ET ESPNU NIU leads 9-7 Tue., Nov. 20 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ Miami leads 18-11-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Northern Illinois Huskies (6-3, 5-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Iowa 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT Big Ten Network L, 7-33 Sat., Sept. 8 Utah 7:30 pm ET/6:30 pm CT ESPNews L, 6-17 Sat., Sept. 15 *Central Michigan 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPN+ W, 24-16 Sat., Sept. 22 at Florida State 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPNU L, 19-37 Sat., Sept. 29 *at Eastern Michigan 6:00 pm ET/5:00 pm CT ESPN+ W, 26-23 (3OT) Sat., Oct. 6 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET/2:00 pm CT ESPN3 W, 24-16 Sat., Oct. 13 *Ohio 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPN+ W, 24-21 Sat., Oct. 27 at BYU 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPNU W, 7-6 Thur., Nov. 1 *at Akron 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT CBS Sports Network W, 36-26 Wed., Nov. 7 *Toledo 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT ESPN2 Toledo leads 31-14 Wed., Nov. 14 *Miami 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT ESPNU NIU leads 9-8 Tue., Nov. 20 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT ESPNU/ESPN+ WMU leads 24-19 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Ohio Bobcats (6-3, 4-1) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 Howard 2:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 38-32 Sat., Sept. 15 at Virginia 3:00 pm ET ACC Network Extra L, 31-45 Sat., Sept. 22 at Cincinnati Noon ET ESPNU L, 30-34 Sat., Sept. 29 UMass 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 58-42 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Kent State 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 27-26 Sat., Oct. 13 *at NIU 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 21-24 Sat., Oct. 20 *Bowling Green 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 49-14 Thur., Oct. 25 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network W, 52-14 Thur., Nov. 1 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPNU W, 59-14 Wed., Nov. 7 *at Miami 7:00 pm ET ESPNU Miami leads 52-40-2 Wed., Nov. 14 *Buffalo 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 Ohio leads 13-11 Fri., Nov. 23 *Akron TBA TBA Ohio leads 19-14-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Toledo Rockets (5-4, 3-2) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 VMI 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 66-3 Sat., Sept. 15 Miami (Fla.) Noon ET ESPN2 L, 24-49 Sat., Sept. 22 Nevada Noon ET CBS Sports Network W, 63-44 Sat., Sept. 29 at Fresno State 10:30 pm ET ESPNU L, 27-49 Sat., Oct. 6 *Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 52-36 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Eastern Michigan Noon ET ESPN+ L, 26-28 Sat., Oct. 20 *Buffalo Noon ET Raycom/ESPN+ L, 17-31 Thur., Oct. 25 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 W, 51-24 Wed., Oct. 31 *Ball State 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 W, 45-13 Wed, Nov. 7 *at NIU 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 Toledo leads 31-14 Thur., Nov. 15 *at Kent State 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 25-21 Fri., Nov. 23 *Central Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 25-18-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Western Michigan Broncos (6-4, 4-2) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Aug. 31 Syracuse 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 42-55 Sat., Sept. 8 at Michigan Noon ET FS1 L, 3-49 Sat., Sept. 15 Delaware State 7:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 68-0 Sat., Sept. 22 at Georgia State 2:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 34-15 Sat., Sept. 29 *at Miami 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 40-39 Sat., Oct. 6 *Eastern Michigan Noon ET ESPN+ W, 27-24 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Bowling Green 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 42-35 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 35-10 Thur., Oct. 25 *Toledo 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 L, 24-51 Thur., Nov. 1 *Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPNU L, 14-59 Tue., Nov. 13 *at Ball State 6:00 pm ET ESPN2 WMU leads 25-19 Tue., Nov. 20 *NIU TBA TBA WMU leads 24-18 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football NOVEMBER 5, 2018

2018 Non-Conference Opponents MAC Students on 2018 Preseason Watch Lists WALTER CAMP AWARD (Best College Football Player) ACC (5): (0-5) WR Diontae Johnson (Toledo) Florida State (NIU): L, 19-37 Georgia Tech (Bowling Green): L, 17-63 MAXWELL AWARD (Outstanding College Football Player) Miami (Toledo): L, 24-49 RB James Gilbert (Ball State) Syracuse (Western Michigan): L, 42-55 WR Anthony Johnson (Buffalo) WR James Gardner (Miami) Virginia (Ohio): L, 31-45 QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) American Athletic (3): (1-2) CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Cincinnati (Miami; Ohio): L, 0-21; L 30-34 LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Akron) Temple (Buffalo): W, 36-29 LB Khalil Hodge (Buffalo) DE Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) LB Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) Big Ten (12): (3-8) Illinois (Kent State): L, 24-31 BILETNIKOFF AWARD (Top Wide Receiver) Indiana (Ball State): L, 10-38 James Gardner (Miami); Justin Hall (Ball State); Iowa (NIU): L, 7-33 Anthony Johnson (Buffalo); Diontae Johnson (Toledo); Maryland (Bowling Green): L, 14-45 Scott Miller (Bowling Green); Kwadarrius Smith (Akron); Michigan (Western Michigan): L, 3-49 Cody Thompson (Toledo); K.J. Osborn (Buffalo) Michigan State (Central Michigan): L, 20-31 BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Minnesota (Miami): L, 3-26 DE Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) Nebraska (Akron): Cancelled LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Akron) Northwestern (Akron): W, 39-34 LB Khalil Hodge (Buffalo) Penn State (Kent State): L, 10-63 DE Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) Purdue (Eastern Michigan): W, 20-19 DICK BUTKUS AWARD (Best Linebacker) Rutgers (Buffalo): W, 42-13 Khalil Hodge (Buffalo) Big 12 (2): (0-2) EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD (Top Offensive Player) Iowa State (Akron): L, 13-26 QB Jarret Doege (Bowling Green) Kansas (Central Michigan): L, 7-31 LOU GROZA AWARD (Outstanding Kicker) Jameson Vest (Toledo) Conference USA (2): (0-2) Louie Zervos (Ohio) Marshall (Miami): L, 28-35 Western Kentucky (Ball State): L, 20-28 TED HENDRICKS AWARD (Top Defensive End) Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) Mountain West (3): (1-2) Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) Fresno State (Toledo): L, 27-49 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (Most Versatile Player) Nevada (Toledo): W, 63-44 RB Andrew Clair (Bowling Green) San Diego State (Eastern Michigan): L, 20-23 OT RB Malik Dunner (Ball State) WR Diontae Johnson (Toledo) Pac-12 (2): (0-2) Oregon (Bowling Green): L, 24-58 MANNING AWARD (Best Quarterback) Utah (NIU): L, 6-17 Nathan Rourke (Ohio); Tyree Jackson (Buffalo); Gus Ragland (Miami); Jon Wassink (Western Michigan) SEC (2): (0-2) JOHN MACKEY AWARD (Best Tight End) Kentucky (Central Michigan): L, 20-35 Nate Becker (Miami) Ole Miss (Kent State): L, 17-38 Nolan Givan (Ball State) Tyler Mabry (Buffalo) Sun Belt (1): (1-0) Giovanni Ricci (Western Michigan). Georgia State (Western Michigan): W, 34-15 DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD (Top Quarterback) Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) Independent (6): (2-4) QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) Army (3) (Buffalo; Miami; EMU): L, 13-42; L, 30-31 (2OT); L, 22-37 BYU (NIU); W, 7-6 OUTLAND AWARD (Top Interior Lineman) Notre Dame (Ball State): L, 16-24 OG Luke Juriga (Western Michigan); C John Keenoy (Western Michigan); UMass (Ohio): W, 58-42 OG Jimmy Leatiota (Eastern Michigan); OT Joe Lowery (Ohio); OT Max Scharping (NIU) RIMINGTON TROPHY (Most Outstanding Center) FCS Opponents (I-AA) Andrew Poenitsch (Ball State); James O’Hagan (Buffalo); Dakota Tallman (Eastern Michigan); Danny Godlevske (Miami); Big South (1): (1-0) Luke Shively (Northern Illinois); John Keenoy (Western Michigan) Monmouth (Eastern Michigan): W, 51-17 RAY GUY AWARD (Best College Punter) Derek Adams (Kent State) Colonial Athletic (1): (1-0) Maine (Central Michigan): W, 17-5 JIM THORPE AWARD (Best Defensive Back) S Kyron Brown (Akron) MEAC (5): (5-0) S Javon Hagan (Ohio) Delaware State (Buffalo; Western Michigan): W, 48-10; W, 68-0 JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD (Top Quarterback) Howard (Ohio; Kent State): W, 38-32; W, 54-14 Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) Morgan State (Akron): W, 41-7 Gus Ragland (Miami) Northeast (1): (1-0) DOAK WALKER AWARD (Top Running Back) Central Connecticut (Ball State): W, 42-6 LeVante Bellamy (Western Michigan); Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan); Andrew Clair (Bowling Green); Ian Eriksen (Eastern Michigan); Ohio Valley (1): (1-0) Emmanuel Reed (Buffalo); Kenny Young (Miami) Eastern Kentucky (Bowling Green): W, 42-35 WUERFFEL TROPHY (Best Community Service) QB Riley Neal (Ball State); DL Mitch Stanitzek (Central Michigan); Southern (1): (1-0) OL Jeremy Hickey (Eastern Michigan); LB Matt Bahr (Kent State); VMI (Toledo): W, 66-3 WR James Gardner (Miami); OL Max Scharping (NIU); WR Cody Thompson (Toledo); RB Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan); DB Justin Tranquill (Western Michigan)