Mid-American Conference Football Weekly Release August 29, 2016

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.mac-sports.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 • MAC football continues its 70th season of competition and will WEST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A hold its 20th championship game in 2016. This year’s MAC Foot- Ball State 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 ball Championship game will be Friday, Dec. 2 at Ford Field in Central Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Detroit. Bowling Green is the defending MAC Champion as the Eastern Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Falcons defeated Northern Illinois, 34-14, last season. Northern Illinois 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Toledo 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 • The 2016 football season will bring the transition of three new Western Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 head coaches into the Conference. Bowling Green named former Conference Overall Texas Tech associate head coach Mike Jinks as head coach. EAST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A Toledo named associate head coach/ Jason Akron 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Candle as the program’s head coach. Ball State introduced New Bowling Green 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Orleans Saints coach as head coach, as he Buffalo 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 returns to Muncie where he played from 1990-93. Kent State 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Miami 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 • The MAC will open the season by hosting five games and playing Ohio 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 on the road in seven others. Central Michigan helps kickoff the season by hosting Presbyterian on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 pm ET (ESPN3). MAC programs will play four games on Friday, Sept. 2 and seven others on Saturday, Sept. 3. MAC TO FACE TOP RANKED NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS Earlier in August the 2016 preseason polls were released including the Associated • MAC programs will face opponents from the Big Ten (Iowa, Press Top 25 and USA Today Amway Coaches Poll Top 25. The MAC will face Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State), Mountain West (Wyoming) five of the top ranked teams this season from the 2016 postseason polls in non- and Sun Belt (Arkansas State, Georgia State, Texas State) Confer- conference play (AP ranking/Amway ranking): ences in Week One. The MAC will also face four FCS opponents.

No. 1/No. 1 Alabama vs. Kent State on Sat., Sept. 24 (time TBA); This Week’s MAC Schedule No. 6/No. 5 Ohio State vs. Bowling Green on Sat., Sept. 3 at Noon ET; No. 9/No. 10 Tennessee vs. Ohio on Sat., Sept. 17 at Noon ET; Thursday, September 1 No. 17/No. 15 Iowa vs. Miami on Sat., Sept. 3 at 3:30 pm ET; Presbyterian at Central Michigan, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN3) No. 21/No. 19 Oklahoma State vs. Central Michigan on Sat., Sept. 10 at Noon ET. Friday, September 2 MAC VS. BIG TEN OPPONENTS Albany at Buffalo, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN3) This opening week the MAC will face four Big Ten opponents -- Iowa, Ohio State, Ball State at Georgia State, 7:00 pm ET (American Sports Network/ Northwestern and Penn State. The MAC has won a regular season game vs. Big ESPN3) Ten opponents in each of the last 10 consecutive seasons (2006-2015), the longest Mississippi Valley State at Eastern Michigan, 6:00 pm ET (ESPN3) streak in MAC history. Toledo at Arkansas State, 9:00 pm ET (ESPNU) During this 10-year span, MAC teams have defeated 10 different Big Ten teams— Saturday, September 3 Illinois (2); (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State Bowling Green at Ohio State, Noon ET (Big Ten Network) (1); Minnesota (2); Northwestern (1); Penn State (1) and Purdue (5) -- for a total Western Michigan at Northwestern, Noon ET (ESPNU) of 22 wins during this span. Miami (13), Bowling Green (8), Toledo (6), Central Kent State at Penn State, 3:30 pm ET (Big Ten Network) Michigan (6) and Northern Illinois (5) have the most wins vs. Big Ten opponents. Miami at Iowa, 3:30 pm ET (ESPNU) Texas State at Ohio, 3:30 pm ET (CBS Sports Network) HERB DEROMEDI NAMED TO CFP SELECTION COMMITTEE Virginia Military Institute at Akron, 6:30 pm ET (ESPN3) Herb Deromedi, the winningest football coach in MAC and Central Michigan NIU at Wyoming, 10:30 pm ET (CBS Sports Network) history, was named this past January as one of four new members on the Playoff Selection Committee. Follow MAC football with the MAC Digi- Deromedi will serve a three-year term on the 13-member committee that ranks the tal Network at www. top 25 teams and determines the matchups for the four-team football playoff and mac-sports.com. the host bowls. Deromedi was selected by members of the Management Committee, which is made up of all 10 Football Bowl Subdivision commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick.

Deromedi, who was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007, started at Central Michigan in 1967 as an assistant coach under Roy Kramer. He suc- ceeded Kramer as head coach in 1978 and compiled a 110-55-10 record, including 90 MAC victories. His teams earned three MAC titles and beat Michigan State The MAC has partnered with collegepressbox.com to continue in 1991 and 1992. Deromedi is also a member of the Central Michigan Athletic media services and provide access to information on the confer- Hall of Fame (2000), the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (2004) and the MAC ence and our membership including rosters, bios, game notes, Hall of Fame (2012). depth charts, stats, quotes, flipcards, media schedules and more. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

MAC BOWL NOTES AND 2015 SEASON MAC WITH THREE NEW HEAD COACHES FOR 2016 • The MAC tied a Conference record with seven teams bowl eli- Three new head football coaches have joined the MAC for the 2016 gible during the 2015 bowl season. The seven MAC bowl invi- season. Toledo named head coach on Dec. 2, 2015, tations for Bowling Green (10-4), Northern Illinois (8-6), Toledo while Bowling Green tabbed Mike Jinks to lead the Falcons program (10-2), Ohio (8-5), Central Michigan (7-6), Western Michigan (8- on Dec. 9, 2015. Ball State named Mike Neu as head football coach 5) and Akron (8-5) matched the Conference record for programs on Jan. 7, 2016. receiving a bowl invitation in a single season, which also occurred during the 2012 bowl season. Toledo: Jason Candle: Candle was named head football coach at Toledo on Dec. 2. Candle, who previously served as Toledo’s as- • Bowling Green (GoDaddy), Northern Illinois (San Diego Coun- sociate head coach/offensive coordinator, replaces Matt Campbell, ty Credit Union Poinsettia), Toledo (Marmot Boca Raton), Ohio who left after four seasons as the Rockets’ leader to become the head (Raycom Media Camellia), Central Michigan (Quick Lane), West- coach at Iowa State. Candle becomes the 27th head football coach ern Michigan (Popeyes Bahamas) and Akron (Famous Idaho Po- in the 95-year history of Toledo football. tato) represented the MAC during the 2015 bowl season. Candle, 36, has been on the Rocket staff since 2009, when he was • This marked the eighth time in MAC history for the Conference hired by former Toledo head coach to coach the to have five or more programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, receivers. Candle was named the team’s offensive coordinator in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) in a single-season. 2012 shortly after Campbell assumed the head coaching position. Candle assumed the title of associate head coach in 2014. Under • In the previous five bowl seasons, the MAC has a record of 11-18 Candle’s guidance, the Toledo offense has been prolific. In 2015, in 29 bowl games – 2015 (3-4); 2014 (2-3); 2013 (0-5); 2012 (2- the Rockets ended the regular season ranked second in the MAC 5); 2011 (4-1) – as 11 different MAC programs have appeared in a in scoring offense (35.3) and third in total offense (463.3 yards bowl game in that span (2011-15). per game). In 2014, Toledo led the MAC in just about every major offensive category, including scoring offense (36.6), total offense • Bowling Green won the 2015 Marathon MAC Football Cham- (490.5) and rushing offense (256.4). pionship with a 34-14 win over NIU on Dec. 4 at Ford Field in Detroit. This marked the second MAC Championship for Bowling Bowling Green: Mike Jinks: Bowling Green tabbed Texas Tech Green in the last three seasons and the programs 12th overall Con- Associate Head Coach Mike Jinks to lead the defending MAC ference Championship (2015, 2013, 1992, 1991, 1985, 1982, 1965, Champion football program. Jinks, who also coached running backs 1964, 1962, 1961, 1959 and 1956). Bowling Green (10-4, 7-1 in for the Red Raiders, will become the 19th head coach in program the MAC) also clinched the East Division title for the program’s history. Jinks, who comes to Bowling Green after spending the 2015 third consecutive East Division crown. season as Associate Head Coach, has coached the Red Raiders’ run- ning backs for the past three seasons. • Northern Illinois (8-6, 6-2) won its sixth consecutive MAC West Division title as the Huskies won the tie-breakers in the four-way Prior to his time at Texas Tech, he was a National Coach of the tie for first place in the West with NIU, Toledo, Western Michigan Year finalist while winning the 2010 Texas State Championship and and Central Michigan. All four teams are considered 2015 Co- compiling a record of 43-4 in his final three seasons at West Division Champions, NIU won the tie-breaker to represent powerhouse, Steele High School. Known for their prolific offense, the West in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. Texas Tech has seen great success in 2015 under Jinks. The Red Raiders own the second-best offense in the country, totaling 7,134 • 2015 marked the third consecutive season that Bowling Green yards in 12 games (594.5 yards per game). Texas Tech also had the faced NIU in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. second-best passing offense. The Red Raiders averaged 46.6 points In 2013, Bowling Green upset No. 14 ranked NIU, 47-27. In 2014, per game (second in FBS) and had 33 touchdown drives under two NIU defeated Bowling Green, 51-17, while the Falcons won the minutes last season. Texas Tech also ranked inside the top five 2015 Championship with a 34-14 win over NIU. nationally for third-down conversions (.519), first downs offense (346), and offensive plays (1,002). • Northern Illinois has won six consecutive MAC West Division titles and appeared in the Marathon MAC Football Champion- Mike Neu, Ball State: welcomed back one of ship Game since 2010. From the East Division, there have been its own as Mike Neu was named the new head coach for the Cardinal four different programs during this period – Miami (2010); Ohio football program. Neu played collegiate football at Ball State where (2011); Kent State (2012) and Bowling Green (2013, 2014, 2015). he was named 1993 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. MAC 2015-16 BOWL RESULTS Neu has 15 years of coaching experience with stops in the National • Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Appalachian State 31, Ohio 29 Football League, Division I FBS football and the arena leagues. Most • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron 23, Utah State 21 recently, Neu served the previous two seasons as the • Marmot Boca Raton Bowl: Toledo 32, Temple 17 coach for the . In 2014 under Neu’s guidance, • San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia: Boise State 55, NIU 7 quarterback Drew Brees was selected to his franchise-record eighth • GoDaddy Bowl: Georgia Southern 58, Bowling Green 27 Pro Bowl as a Saint. Brees led the league in completions (456), tied • Popeyes Bahamas: Western Michigan 45, Middle Tennessee 31 for first in passing yardage (4,952), ranked second in completion • Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota 21, Central Michigan 14 percentage (69.2) and tied for fifth in touchdown passes (33). In 2015, Brees once again led the NFL in passing yardage (4,870) MAC PROGRAMS IN BOWL GAMES while ranking second in completion percentage (68.3) and comple- In the last five bowl seasons, 11 different MAC programs have tions (428). received a bowl invitation, as Northern Illinois leads the MAC with five invitations during this span. Bowling Green (2012, 2013, Neu, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, started 38-of-41 games at 2014, 2015), Ohio (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015) and Toledo (2011, quarterback in his four seasons at Ball State (1990-93). He was 2012, 2014, 2015) rank second with four invitations. honored with the MAC’s Vern Smith Award as the league’s most valuable player and the MAC Offensive Player of the Year award Central Michigan (2012, 2014, 2015), and Western Michigan as a senior. That year, Neu and the Cardinals went 8-3-1 overall and (2011, 2014, 2015) each received three invitations in the last five 7-0-1 in league action to capture the MAC championship. In one of years. Ball State (2012, 2013) had two bowl appearances, while his greatest games as a collegiate quarterback, Neu threw for a Ball Akron (2015), Buffalo (2013), Kent State (2012) and former State record 469 yards and completed 28-of-40 passes against Toledo MAC-member Temple (2011) received one bowl invite during the in 1993 to help the Cardinals rally from a 30-3 deficit and record the last five seasons. The only two members to not receive a bowl largest comeback in Ball State history, a 31-30 Homecoming victory. invitation in the last five years are Eastern Michigan and Miami. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

MAC WITH FOUR ‘POWER FIVE’ WINS LAST SEASON THREE MAC STUDENTS CLIMB CAREER RECORD BOOK In 2015 the MAC had four wins over ‘Power Five’ Conference Three MAC seniors have the opportunity to continue to climb up opponents with wins over Arkansas (SEC), Iowa State (Big-12); the MAC career record book this 2016 season. Senior quarterbacks Maryland (Big Ten) and Purdue (Big Ten). MAC East Champion Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) and Zach Terrell (Western Bowling Green defeated both Maryland and Purdue from the Big Michigan) rank among career leaders in total offense, attempts, Ten, while Toledo recorded its first ever win over an SEC opponent completions, yards passing, touchdowns and completion percentage. with a win at Arkansas. Also, Western Michigan senior wide receiver Corey Davis needs only 403 receiving yards to set the MAC career receiving record. The Rockets also defeated Iowa State from the Big 12. Overall in 2015 the MAC earned 12 wins vs. FBS non-conference opponents, Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush which ranked third most for the Conference going back to 2000. • Total Offense – 9,267 yards (22nd MAC history) The MAC’s top two years for FBS non-conference wins came in • Career Attempts – 1,183 (20th MAC history) 2012 (16) and 2008 (14). • Career Completions – 744 (18th MAC history) • Career Yards Passing – 9,354 (14th MAC history) NIU HUSKIES A LEADER FOR MOST WINS SINCE 2003 • Career Passing TDs – 67 (t-17th MAC history) Northern Illinois has built an impressive resume over the last decade. • Career Pass Completion % - 62.9 (744-1,183) (20th MAC history) Specifically, NIU has won the MAC West Division for the last six consecutive years, winning three Marathon MAC Football Cham- Western Michigan QB Zach Terrell pionship Games (2011, 2012, 2014) and extending its MAC record • Total Offense – 8,926 yards (26th MAC history) with eight consecutive bowl invitations. • Career Completions – 645 (27th MAC history) • Career Yards Passing – 8,555 (24th MAC history) The Huskies have racked up 57 wins over the last five years which • Career Passing TDs – 63 (t-21st MAC history) ranks fourth among all FBS football programs behind Oregon (60), • Career Pass Completion % - 63.9 (645-1,010) (10th MAC history) Alabama (58) and Florida State (58). Western Michigan WR Corey Davis Since 2003, NIU ranks 18th in the nation with 113 wins among the • Career Receptions – 235 (t-15th MAC history) current 128 FBS football programs. Ranking: 1. Boise State (146); • Career Receiving Yards – 3,785 (4th MAC history) 2. Ohio State (140); 3. Oklahoma (136); 4. LSU (133); t5. USC (130); • Career TD Receptions – 33 (6th MAC history) t5. Alabama (130); 7. Oregon (128); 8. TCU (127); t9. Florida State (125); t9. Wisconsin (125); t9. Georgia (125); 12. Virginia Tech (121); 2015 ANOTHER HISTORIC OFFENSIVE YEAR 13. Florida (119); t14. Texas (118); t14. Clemson (118); t16. Auburn The 2015 season witnessed several special historical accomplish- (115); t16. Utah (115); 18. Northern Illinois (113); t19. BYU (112); ments in league history, including the prolific Bowling Green offense t19. West Virginia (112); 21. Navy (111); 22. Nebraska (110); t23. that set a new MAC single-season record with 7,293 yards of total Missouri (109); t23. Louisville (109); 25. Cincinnati (108). offense (7,277 by NIU in 2013), while the 564 points scored by the Falcons ranked second most in a single-season (602, Miami, 2003). In addition, the Huskies have earned wins against non-conference opponents from the larger conferences, or so-called ‘Power Five’ Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson offensive numbers: Conferences. Since 2003, NIU, along with the Toledo Rockets, • 4,700 yds passing: 1st in MAC (4,486, Roethlisberger, MIA, 2003) have each won nine games against opponents from the ‘Power • 43 passing TDs: 1st in MAC (41, Omar Jacobs, BGSU, 2004) Five’ Conferences, which ranks tied for eighth most among FBS • 4,857 yds offense: 2nd in MAC (4,953, Jordan Lynch, NIU, 2012) Conferences. Ranking: 1. Navy (22); 2. BYU (17); 3. Fresno State • 368 completions: 2nd in MAC (373, Tyler Sheehan, BGSU, 2009) (14); t4. Boise State (12); t4. East Carolina (12); t4. Houston (12); • 535 passing attempts - 3rd in MAC history (575, Tyler Sheehan, 7. Hawaii (10); t8. Northern Illinois (9); t8. Toledo (9). BGSU, 2009; 543, Dan LeFevour, CMU, 2007) NIU has won a game vs. the ‘Power Five’ programs in three of the Bowling Green wide receiver Roger Lewis numbers: last four years and five of the last seven years. NIU wins vs. ‘Power • 1,476 yards receiving - 7th in MAC history Five’ programs since 2003: 2014 at Northwestern; 2013 at Iowa; at • 15 receiving touchdowns - tied for 6th most in MAC history Purdue; 2012 vs. Kansas; 2010 at Minnesota; 2009 at Purdue; 2003 Northern Illinois running back Joel Bouagnon offensive numbers: vs. Maryland; at Alabama; vs. Iowa State. • 18 rushing touchdowns - tied for 21st in MAC history UMass wide receiver Tajae Sharpe offensive numbers: In 2015 Toledo defeated both Arkansas and Iowa State. Toledo had • 111 receptions - 4th most in MAC history a stretch of five consecutive years with wins over ‘Power Five’ Con- • 1,319 receiving yards - 16th most in MAC history ference opponents from 2006-2010. Toledo wins vs. ‘Power Five’ programs since 2003: 2015 vs. Arkansas and Iowa State; 2012 vs. 2015 MAC ALL-AMERICANS Cincinnati; 2010 at Purdue; 2009 vs. Colorado; 2008 at Michigan; The MAC was represented in 2015 with All-American honors. 2007 vs. Iowa State; 2006 vs. Kansas; 2003 vs. Pittsburgh. Walter Camp Football Foundation: • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DB Shawun Lurry SIX MAC STUDENTS SELECTED IN 2016 NFL DRAFT; • Second-Team All-American: UMass WR Tajae Sharpe MAC WITH 104 FORMER STUDENTS IN NFL CAMPS The Associated Press: This past Spring the MAC witnessed six former students selected • Third-Team All-American: Bowling Green WR Roger Lewis in the 2016 NFL Draft. Leading the way was Western Michigan of- • Third-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DB Shawun Lurry fensive tackle Willie Beavers, who was selected by the Minnesota Football Writers Association of America (FWAA): Vikings in the fourth round, 121st overall. Beavers and the six MAC • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DB Shawun Lurry draft choices will pursue their professional careers in the NFL and join • Second-Team All-American: Bowling Green WR Roger Lewis the lengthy list of former MAC students now in the NFL. Beavers is Sports Illustrated.com: one of 104 former MAC students on current NFL rosters. • Honorable Mention: Bowling Green QB Matt Johnson; • Honorable Mention: Bowling Green WR Roger Lewis; MAC Students Selected In 2016 NFL Draft • Honorable Mention: Northern Illinois DB Shawun Lurry 4th rd. (121): OT Willie Beavers (Western Michigan) by Minnesota 5th rd. (140): WR Tajae Sharpe (UMass) by Tennessee Lurry led the nation with nine interceptions and set the NIU modern 5th rd. (175): LB Jatavis Brown (Akron) by San Diego day (FBS) school record for interceptions in a season, and broke 6th rd. (212): S Kavon Frazier (Central Michigan) by Dallas both the NIU and single season records for interception return yards 6th rd. (216): RB Darius Jackson (Eastern Michigan) by Dallas with 273. He averaged 30.3 yards per interception return, another 7th rd. (230): WR Daniel Braverman (Western Michigan) by Chicago school record, scored on a 64-yard interception return in the MAC Championship game. Lurry broke up 14 passes to lead NIU. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

HUSKIES EXTEND MAC CONSECUTIVE BOWL MARK FBS HEAD COACHES LEADING THEIR ALMA MATER Northern Illinois extended its MAC record for consecutive bowl The MAC has three of the 13 FBS head coaches that are leading appearances by a member of the Conference. The Huskies were their alma mater’s football programs this 2016 season. bowl eligible for the eighth straight year and faced Boise State in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. Central Michigan second year head coach John Bonamego was 23. Their current eight consecutive bowl appearances is the best- named the program’s 28th head coach on Feb. 9, 2015. Bonamego ever in the 70-year history of the MAC. Beyond appearing in eight led the Chippewas to a 7-6 overall record last season, along with a consecutive bowl games, the Huskies will have done so with four share of the West Division title and an invitation to the Quick Lane different head coaches-- (2008, 2009), interim Tom Ma- Bowl. Bonamego was a wide receiver/quarterback as a walk-on tukewicz (2010), (2011) and current Head Coach who earned varsity letters in 1985-86 and twice earned the Iron Rod Carey (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Man Award as the defensive scout team player of the year. He brings 27 years of coaching experience, with 16 years in the NFL. Eight (8) Northern Illinois Consecutive Bowl Appearances: 2008: Independence Bowl: 17-10 loss to Louisiana Tech Kent State fourth-year head coach Paul Haynes has a 9-26 overall 2009: International Bowl: 27-3 loss to South Florida record since being named the program’s 21st head coach on Dec. 2010: Humanitarian Bowl: 40-17 win over Fresno State 18, 2012. Haynes walked on at Kent State in 1987 and played four 2011: GoDaddy.com Bowl: 38-20 win over Arkansas State seasons for the Golden Flashes (1987-91) and ended his career 2012: Discover Orange Bowl: 31-10 loss to Florida State with 440 tackles, seventh-best in school history. 2013: S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia: 21-14 loss to Utah St. 2014: Boca Raton Bowl: 52-23 loss to Marshall Ball State first year head coach Mike Neu returns to Muncie where 2015: S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia: 55-7 loss to Boise St. he played quarterback for four seasons (1990-93) and was the 1993 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Neu has 15 years of coaching OHIO’S SOLICH MOVING UP MAC CAREER WINS LIST experience with stops in the , Division Ohio head coach and his Bobcats finished 2015 with I FBS football and the arena leagues. Most recently, Neu served an 8-5 overall record. Solich continues to rise up the MAC career the previous two seasons as the quarterback coach for the New head coaching win list with 80 wins, which ranks third most in Orleans Saints. MAC history. Last year he surpassed former Toledo head coach, (73 career victories), former Bowling Green head FBS Head Coaches Leading Their Alma Mater coach (77 career wins) and former Marshall head coach Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Bryan Harsin, Boise State; Mike Neu, Bob Pruett (79 career wins) on this list. Ball State; John Bonamego, Central Michigan; Paul Haynes, Kent State; Jim Harbaugh, Michigan; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwest- Solich has been the recent model for consistency in coaching in the ern; Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State; David Shaw, Stanford; Kliff MAC. Solich arrived in Athens, Ohio in 2005 and now in his 12th Kingsbury, Texas Tech; Matt Wells, Utah State; Sean Kugler, season running the Bobcats program has garnered a bowl appear- UTEP; and Paul Chryst, Wisconsin. ance in six of the previous 10 seasons. During his coaching career at Ohio, Solich has a record of 80-60. MAC 2016 BOWL PARTNERS Most MAC Head Coaching Wins, Career In 2014 the MAC announced the creation of newly created bowl 1. 110, Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan, 1978-93 games in Boca Raton, Fla., Nassau, Bahamas and Miami Beach, 2. 108, Bill Hess, Ohio, 1958-77 Fla. for a six-year period (2014-2019), in addition to the Raycom 3. 80, Frank Solich, Ohio, 2005-present Media Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. 4. 79, Bob Pruett, Marshall, 1997-03 These new bowl games increase the guaranteed bowl invita- MAC VS BIG TEN OPPONENTS tions for the MAC to five each football season. With Bowling Green’s 35-28 win at Purdue on Sept. 26, 2015 and the Falcons 48-27 win at Maryland on Sept. 12, 2015, the MAC The Marmot Boca Raton Bowl, Popeyes Bahamas Bowl and Ray- has won a regular season game vs. Big Ten opponents in each of com Media Camellia Bowl join MAC bowl partners Dollar Gen- the last 10 consecutive seasons (2006-2015), the longest streak in eral Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) and Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, MAC history. Ida.) as primary bowl partners. During this 10-year span, MAC teams have defeated 10 different The MAC is a partner with the San Diego County Credit Union Big Ten teams—Illinois (2); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (1); Poinsettia Bowl as a primary partner in 2017 and 2019, and a sec- Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Northwestern ondary partner in 2016 and 2018 bowl seasons. The MAC will play (1); Penn State (1) and Purdue (5) -- for a total of 22 wins during the Mountain West in both the 2017 and 2019 bowl seasons, played this span. at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. 2006: Ohio beat Illinois In the fall of 2014, the MAC announced a six-year (2014-9) back- 2007: BGSU beat Minnesota; WMU defeated Iowa up agreement with the newly-formed Quick Lane Bowl, owned 2008: WMU beat Illinois; CMU beat Indiana; Toledo beat Michi- and operated by the Detroit Lions and Ford Field. The MAC also gan; Ball State beat Indiana is a backup to various ESPN owned and operated bowl games (St. 2009: NIU beat Purdue; Central Michigan beat Michigan State Petersburg, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.). 2010: Toledo beat Purdue; NIU beat Minnesota 2011: Ball State beat Indiana 2016 Bowl Season: 2012: Ohio beat Penn St.; Ball State beat Indiana; CMU beat Iowa Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) 2013: NIU beat Purdue; NIU beat Iowa Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) 2014: BGSU beat Indiana; NIU beat NW; CMU beat Purdue Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) 2015: BGSU beat Maryland and Purdue Miami Beach Bowl (Miami, Fla.; vs. American Athletic) Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. AAC/C-USA) In 2015, the MAC finished with a 2-10 overall record against Big Marmot Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla., vs. AAC/C-USA) Ten opponents -- with two wins by Bowling Green over Purdue *Secondary in San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl and Maryland. In 2014, the MAC had three wins vs. Big Ten op- *Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games ponents — Purdue, Northwestern and Indiana, which marked the *Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) fourth time in MAC history with three wins vs. Big Ten opponents (2000, 2003, 2012 and 2014). The most wins in a single season by the MAC over Big Ten opponents is four games (2008). 2017 Bowl Season: Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. Conference USA) San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia (vs. Mountain West) *Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games *Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) 2018 Bowl Season: Mobile Alabama Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Marmot Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.; vs. Conference USA) Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

MAC 2016 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS WINS OVER NON-CONFERENCE FBS OPPONENTS The 2016 football schedule will feature 17 nationally televised In 2015 the MAC had 12 non-conference FBS wins and topped the games during the months of October and November slated for na- 2014 non-conference win total (8) vs. FBS opponents during the tional television on ESPN2, ESPNU and CBS Sports Network as regular season. The MAC set the Conference single-season record the Conference race unfolds in both the East and West divisions. with 16 wins over FBS opponents during the 2012 season. Dating ESPN3, which is available in more than 99 million homes, will back to the 2000 season, the previous mark for MAC’s number of also stream a select number of games late in the season. wins vs. FBS opponents was 14 regular season wins in the 2008 season. The regular season will conclude with the 20th Marathon MAC Football Championship game on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:00 pm ET at Regular Season Wins vs. non-conference FBS opponents: Ford Field in Detroit on ESPN2. This will mark the 13th Mara- Year: Wins; FBS Opponents Defeated: thon MAC Football Championship game at Ford Field, home of 2015: 12; Arkansas; Maryland; Iowa State; Purdue; FAU; Mar- the Detroit Lions, Super Bowl XL, and the 2009 NCAA Men’s shall; Wyoming; UNLV; Idaho; Arkansas State; Louisiana; FIU Final Four. 2014: 8; Purdue; Northwestern; Indiana; Idaho (2); UNLV, Pitt; Army For the ninth year in a row, league schools will face a formida- 2013: 10; Iowa; Purdue; Virginia; UConn; Tulsa; Marshall; Army; ble non-conference slate of opponents from the following Foot- North Texas; Idaho; Navy ball Bowl Subdivision conferences – ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and 2012: 16; Penn State; Wyoming; Idaho; New Mexico St.; Army SEC. In addition, the conference will also face opponents from (4); UConn; Marshall; Indiana; Iowa; South Florida; Kansas; Cin- the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mountain cinnati; Rutgers West Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Independent Army 2011: 10; Indiana; Army (4); UConn; Idaho; New Mexico State; and BYU. Marshall; Maryland 2010: 7; Minnesota; Purdue; Marshall; Colorado State; UConn; MAC programs will face eight non-conference foes that finished Army; Louisiana-Lafayette in the final AP Top 25 poll: Alabama (1), Ohio State (4), Iowa (9), 2009: 9; Michigan State; Purdue; Colorado; Florida International; Oklahoma State (20), Wisconsin (21), Tennessee (22), Northwest- Troy; UTEP; North Texas; Army; Navy ern (23) and Western Kentucky (24). 2008: 14; Navy; Indiana (2); Western Kentucky; Michigan; Idaho; Illinois; Syracuse; Army (3); Pittsburgh; Wyoming; UTEP A total of seven non-conference games will feature a Big Ten op- 2007: 10; Navy; Army (2); Idaho; Iowa State (2); Iowa; Minne- ponent (Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Northwestern; Ohio State; Penn sota; Syracuse; La-Lafayette State; Wisconsin). The MAC will face foes from the ACC (2— 2006: 11; Temple (5); Kansas; Virginia; North Carolina State; Boston College, Virginia), SEC (3—Alabama, Missouri, Tennes- North Texas; FIU; Illinois see), Big 12 (2—Kansas, Oklahoma State); and Independent Army 2005: 9; Army; Louisiana-Lafayette; Temple (4); Pittsburgh; Mid- and BYU. dle Tennessee State; Cincinnati 2004: 3; Temple (2); Kentucky The MAC will also face opponents from the American Athletic 2003: 9; Kansas State; Northwestern; Colorado State; Cincinnati; Conference (3— Cincinnati, Memphis, South Florida), Mountain Purdue; Maryland; Alabama; Iowa State; Pittsburgh West (6—Fresno State, Nevada, San Diego State, UNLV, Wyo- 2002: 10; Rutgers; Troy; North Carolina; Cincinnati; UConn; Mis- ming (2)), Conference USA (5—Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Mar- souri; Kansas; Wyoming; Wake Forest; UNLV shall, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky) and Sun Belt Con- 2001: 11; UConn (2); Army; Cincinnati; Missouri; Temple (2); ference (5—Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Minnesota; Northwestern; South Florida; Navy Georgia State, Texas State). 2000: 9; Central Florida (2); Vanderbilt; Minnesota; UConn (2); Navy; Penn State; Iowa FLECK SECOND YOUNGEST FBS HEAD COACH For the fourth consecutive year, Western Michigan’s P.J. Fleck, MAC HEAD COACHES IN HIGH DEMAND 36, is one of the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I (FBS). Football programs continue to take notice of MAC head coaches. Fleck is entering his fourth year at the helm of the Broncos with a There are 12 former head coaches from the MAC in a current FBS 17-21 record as head coach. In 2016 Fleck is the second youngest head coaching position–including each of the last two National head coach at the FBS level, only to Memphis’ new head coach Champion’s with 2015 Alabama’s (Toledo) and 2014 Mike Norvell. The previous three seasons (2013-15) Fleck was the Ohio State’s (Bowling Green), and nearly one-third youngest head coach at the FBS level. of the ACC (four total). Fleck led the Broncos to the program’s first ever bowl win with a For the 2016 season, 25 of the 128 FBS coaches (19.5%) will 45-31 win over Middle Tennessee in the 2015 Popeyes Bahamas be either current or former MAC head coaches. The 25 current Bowl and finished the season with an 8-5 overall record, 6-2 in the FBS coaches include the current 12 MAC head football coaches MAC with a tie for first place in the West Division. and 13 former MAC head football coaches. Western Michigan was bowl eligible for the second consecutive ACC – Steve Addazio-Boston College (Temple), Dave Doeren- year for the first time in program history. In 2014, Western Michi- NC State (Northern Illinois), -Wake Forest (Bowl- gan posted an impressive turnaround season with an 8-5 overall ing Green), -Syracuse (Bowling Green). record, including an invitation to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Big Ten – Urban Meyer-Ohio State (Bowling Green), Darrell Ha- after a 1-11 record in 2013. zell-Purdue (Kent State). Big 12 – Jim Grobe-Baylor (Ohio), Matt Campbell-Iowa State Coach, School, Age (Date of Birth) (Toledo). Mike Norvell, Memphis 34 (11-11-81) Ind. – Brian Kelly-Notre Dame (Central Michigan), Mark Whip- P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan 35 (11-29-80) ple (UMass). Neal Brown, Troy 36 (3-11-80) SEC-Nick Saban-Alabama (Toledo), Butch Jones-Tennessee Kliff Klingsbury, Texas Tech 36 (8-9-79) (Central Michigan) Matt Campbell, Iowa State 36 (11-29-79) Sun Belt – Doug Martin-New Mexico State (Kent State). Bryan Harsin, Boise State 39 (11-1-76) , Virginia Tech 39 (9-30-76) Willie Taggert, South Florida 39 (8-27-76) Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

MAC MEDIA 2016 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL MAC AND CBS SPORTS NETWORK REACH MULTI- Earlier this summer members of the media selected Western YEAR DEAL THROUGH 2018-19 Michigan and Bowling Green to win the West and East Divisions In June of 2015, the MAC and CBS Sports Network announced a respectfully in the 2016 MAC Football Media Preseason Poll. multi-year deal to televise college football and basketball games Western Michigan was selected to win the 2016 MAC Football from the Mid-American Conference. The deal, which begins this Championship Game. season and continues through 2018-19, is through a sublicense agreement with ESPN. In the East Division, three-time defending East Division Cham- pion Bowling Green was selected first with 136 total points, only CBS Sports Network will air up to 12 football and 12 basketball two points greater that second-place selection Ohio Bobcats with games per year, with the first year calling for six football games 134 total points. Akron finished third with 107 points followed by and up to seven basketball games. CBS Sports Network, the 24- Buffalo, Miami and Kent State. hour home of CBS Sports, is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV In the West Division, Western Michigan was selected first in the Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. Division and led the entire poll with 144 total points. Following the Broncos there was a narrow race for second as the Toledo Rock- MAC AND ESPN ANNOUNCE HISTORIC 13-YEAR ets ranked second with 113 points, while the NIU Huskies finished RIGHTS EXTENSION DEAL THROUGH 2016-27 SEASON third with 112 total points. Central Michigan ranked fourth with In 2014, the MAC and ESPN announced a 13-year rights agree- 98 points, followed by Ball State and Eastern Michigan. ment that will be the largest and most extensive agreement in the history of the Conference. The extension, which adds provisions 2016 MAC MEDIA Football Preseason Poll to the remaining three years of the original national rights agree- ment and adds an additional 10 years to the deal with ESPN, brings MAC East Division long-term security for the Conference through the 2026-27 aca- Team (First Place Votes) Points demic year. 1. Bowling Green (12) 136 2. Ohio (10) 134 This agreement provides ESPN with exclusive television and digi- 3. Akron (4) 107 tal distribution rights for all MAC sporting events, and guarantees 4. Buffalo 75 coverage of every football game, and select men’s and women’s 5. Miami 52 basketball and Olympic sporting events through the 2026-27 aca- 6. Kent State 42 demic season. MAC West Division The MAC Football Championship Game and the MAC football Team (First Place Votes) Points regular season is the foundation for the national deal with ESPN. 1. Western Michigan (19) 144 The 2016 MAC football regular season will be highlighted by na- 2. Toledo (2) 113 tional coverage of 17 mid-week games during the month of No- 3. Northern Illinois (3) 112 vember on ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 as the Conference race 4. Central Michigan (2) 98 unfolds in both the East and West divisions. The MAC Football 5. Ball State 44 Championship Game on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 pm ET will be tele- 6. Eastern Michigan 35 vised nationally on ESPN2. The agreement also follows the recent trend of several of the most MAC FOOTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL successful athletic seasons in the MAC combined with record tele- MAC Head Football Coaches have provided their own 2016 Pre- visions audiences on ESPN. The success by MAC athletic pro- season Poll and based upon voting by all 12 head coaches Bowling grams is a collective effort by MAC membership across multiple Green and Western Michigan have been selected to win the East sports. and West Divisions respectfully. In the East Division a narrow margin of only two points separated MAC PART OF NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ERA first-place and second-place. Bowling Green was selected first with The 2016 college football season enters the third year of the current 66 total points followed by second-place Ohio with 64 points. Ak- four-team playoff era with the College Football Playoff. The two ron was selected third followed by Buffalo, Miami and Kent State. College Football Playoff Semifinals will be played in bowl games this year (Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl; Vizio Fiesta Bowl) and the In the West Division, only two points separated the top three spots College Football Playoff National Championship will be played in with Western Michigan gathering 60 points, followed by second- Tampa Bay on Jan. 9. place NIU with 59 points and third-place Toledo with 58 points. The two Semifinals and four other premier bowl games (Capital One 2016 MAC HEAD COACHES Football Preseason Poll Orange Bowl; Goodyear Cotton Bowl; All-State Sugar Bowl; and Rose Bowl) will be played on New Year’s Eve and Jan. 2nd. The MAC East Division Semifinal games will rotate among these six different bowls. All Team (First Place Votes) Points MAC programs will join every FBS team in college football with 1. Bowling Green (7) 66 equal access to the playoff based upon its performance. No team 2. Ohio (4) 64 will qualify automatically. 3. Akron (1) 49 4. Buffalo 34 The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will choose four 5. Miami 23 teams for the playoffs based on body of work, strength of schedule, 6. Kent State 16 head-to-head results, comparison of results against common op- ponents, championships won and other factors. MAC West Division Team (First Place Votes) Points The highest ranked program by the Selection Committee from either 1. Western Michigan (4) 60 the MAC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West 2. Northern Illinois (6) 59 or Sun Belt Conferences will play annually in one of the premier 3. Toledo (1) 58 bowl games. 4. Central Michigan (1) 37 5. Ball State 23 6. Eastern Michigan 15 Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

Presbyterian (0-0, 0-0; Big South) at Central Michigan (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Thursday, September 1, 2016 • 7:00 pm ET • Mt. Pleasant, Mich. • Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255) ESPN3 Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Harold Nichols Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 17-58 (8th year) at Presbyterian: 17-58 (8th year) Tackles: S Kevin Green (46 tackles) Contact: Davis Simpson, 864-833-7095, [email protected] Sacks: DL Obinna Ntiasagwe (41 tackles, 5.5 sacks) Offense: (top returnees listed) Notes: Blue Hose return 55 lettermen and 12 starters (7 off./ 5 def.) Rush: RB Darrell Bridges (224 att., 1,065 yards, 8 TDs) from last year’s team that finished 2-9 overall, 1-5 in the Big South... Pass: QB Ben Cheek (30 completions, 277 yards, 2 TDs) RB Darrell Bridges named first team All-Big South selection last season Rec.: WR Daryl Wilson (11 rec., 184 yards) after rushing for over 1,000 yards last season, the first running back to do so in Presbyterian’s Division I history.

Head Coach: John Bonamego Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 7-6 (2nd year) at Central Michigan: 7-6 (2nd year) Tackles: DB Tony Annese (84 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 2 INT) Football Contact: Jim Knight, 989-774-3277, [email protected] Sacks: DE Mitch Stanitzek (16 tackles, 3.0 tfl, 1.5 sacks) Int.: DB Tony Annese (84 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Romello Ross (54 att., 247 yds., 4 TDs) Notes: Chippewas return 17 starters (8 off./8 def./1 spec.) and 42 let- Pass: QB Cooper Rush (324-489 passing, 3,848 yards, 25 TDs) terwinners from last year’s team that was 7-6 overall, 6-2 MAC...Chips Rec.: WR Jesse Kroll (61 rec., 866 yds., 4 TDs) shared West Division crown with 6-2 record, first crown since 2009... QB Cooper Rush ranks on school’s career top 10 list: 2nd in TD passes (67), 3rd in yds passing (9,354), completions (744) and attempts (1,183). Albany (0-0, 0-0; Colonial Athletic) at Buffalo (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Friday, September 2, 2016 • 7:00 pm ET • Buffalo, N.Y. • UB Stadium (29,013) ESPN3 Series: Albany leads 7-5 Head Coach: Greg Gattuse Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 107-45 (15th year) at Albany: 10-13 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Julian Cox (94 tackles, 6.0 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Football Contact: Lizzie Barlow, 518-442-3359, [email protected] Sacks: DL Malachi Hoskins (51 tackles, 8.5 tfl, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Rayshan Clark (76 tackles, 3 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Elliot Croskey (141 att., 523 yds., 4 TDs) Notes: The Great Danes enter their fourth season in the CAA under Pass: QB D.J. Cook (111-208 passing, 1,168 yards, 8 TDs) the direction of third-year head coach Greg Gattuso...Coming off a 3-8 Rec.: WR Zee Roberson (46 rec., 431 yds., 2 TDs) overall record and 2-6 mark in the highly competitive CAA, Albany returns all 11 starters on offense and eight starters on defense.

Head Coach: Lance Leipold Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 114-13 (10th year) at Buffalo: 5-7 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Brandon Berry (104 tackles, 11.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Jon Fuller, 716-645-6762, [email protected] Sacks: DL Brandon Crawford (34 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Boise Ross (52 tackles, 2 INT, 20 pbu) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Jordan Johnson (172 att., 811 yds., 12 TDs) Notes: Buffalo returns 15 starters (6 off./ 8 def./ 1 sp.) and 49 letterwin- Pass: NA ners from last year that finished 5-7 overall, 3-5 in the MAC...RB Jordan Rec.: WR Marcus McGill (50 rec., 581 yds., 4 TDs) Johnson rushed for 811 yards on 172 carries (4.7 ypc) and 12 TDs in 2015 - good for 10th in school history for a single season...In the first two starts, Johnson rushed for 147 yards against Ohio and 123 yards against Miami. Ball State (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Georgia State (0-0, 0-0; Sun Belt) Friday, September 2, 2016 • 7:00 pm ET • Atlanta, Ga. • Georgia Dome American Sports Network/ESPN3 Series: Georgia State leads 1-0 Head Coach: Mike Neu Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 0-0 (1st year) at Ball State: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: LB Sean Wiggins (95 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Football Contact: Mike Clark, 765-285-8904, [email protected] Sacks: DL Joshua Posley (58 tackles, 9.0 tfl, 2.5 sacks) Int.: DB Tyree Holder (24 tackles, 2 INT, 4 pbu) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Darian Green (145 att., 730 rushing yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Ball State returns 18 starters (6 off./9 def./3 sp.) and 37 letter- Pass: QB Riley Neal (228-391 passing, 2,276 yards, 16 TDs) winners from last year’s team that went 3-9 overall, 2-6 in the MAC... Rec.: WR KeVonn Mabon (70 rec., 745 yds., 2 TDs) First-year head coach Mike Neu returns to Ball State where he was MAC Offensive Player of the Year (1993)...Sophomore QB Riley Neal appeared in 11 games last season and threw for 2,276 yards and 16 TDs. Head Coach: Trent Miles Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 7-30 (4th FBS year) at Georgia State: 7-30 (4th year) Tackles: LB Alonzo McGee (70 tackles, 12.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Football Contact: Allison George, 404-413-4032, [email protected] Sacks: DL Mackendry Cheridor (34 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Int.: DB Chandon Sullivan (50 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Glen Smith (89 att., 356 rushing yds., 1 TD) Notes: Georgia State returns 16 starters (7 off./ 9 def.) and 52 letterwin- Pass: QB Emiere Scaife (0-8 passing, 0 yards) ners from last year’s team that went 6-7 overall, 5-3 in the Sun Belt... Rec.: WR Robert Davis (61 rec., 980 yds., 6 TDs) Program received its first ever bowl invitation with a 27-16 loss to San Jose State in the inaugural Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla...Last season Pan- thers defeated Ball State in first ever meeting with a 31-19 road win in Muncie, Ind. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

Mississippi Valley State (0-0, 0-0; SWAC) at Eastern Michigan (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Friday, September 2, 2016 • 6:00 pm ET • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200) ESPN3 Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Rick Comegy Contact: LaMonica Scott, 662-254-3011, [email protected] Notes: DB Marquis Green was named SWAC first team defensive team...Green finished the season with 34 solo tackles and 13 assists for Offense: (top returnees listed) a total of 47 tackles and seven interceptions...DB Farrean Toney was Rec.: WR Booker Chambers (15 rec., 194 yards) named SWAC second-team as he recorded four interceptions, returning them for 62 yards and one touchdown...Return specialist Booker Cham- Defense: (top returnees listed) bers was named to the second team special teams unit as he tallied 79 Tackles: DB Marquis Green (47 tackles, 7 INT) yards on punt returns and 777 yards on kick returns...In his role at wide Int.: DB Farrean Toney (4 INT) receiver, Chambers recorded 194 yards on 15 receptions.

Head Coach: Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 142-67 (20th year) at Eastern Michigan: 3-21 (3rd year) Tackles: DB Jason Beck (80 tackles, 1 INT) Football Contact: Greg Steiner, 734-487-0317, [email protected] Sacks: DL Luke MacLean (46 tackles, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Jason Beck (80 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Shaq Vann (100 att., 586 yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Eastern Michigan returns 18 starters (8 off./ 7 def./ 3 sp.) and 45 Pass: QB Brogan Robach (2,304 yards passing, 16 TDs) letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished 1-11 overall...RB Shaq Rec.: TE Sam Browning (24 rec., 326 yds., 3 TDs) Vann named Doak Walker Award Preseason Candidate and appeared in all 12 games last season and finished second on the team with 586 yards rushing on 100 carries, as well and five touchdowns. Toledo (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Arkansas State (0-0, 0-0; Sun Belt) Friday, September 2, 2016 • 9:00 pm ET • Jonesboro, Ark. • Centennial Bank Stadium ESPNU Series: Toledo leads 4-0 Head Coach: Jason Candle Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 1-0 (1st year) at Toledo: 1-0 (1st year) Tackles: LB Ja’Wuan Woodley (50 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Contact: Paul Helgren, 419-530-4918, [email protected] Sacks: DT Treyvon Hester (34 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks) Int.: DB DeJuan Rogers (67 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Kareem Hunt (178 att., 973 yds., 12 TDs) Notes: Rockets return 15 starters (8 off./4 def./3 sp.) and 48 letterwin- Pass: QB Logan Woodside ners from last year’s 10-2 squad, 6-2 in the MAC...Toledo named Jason Rec.: WR Corey Jones (55 rec., 577 yds., 5 TDs) Candle as head coach and led the Rockets to a 32-17 win over Temple in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl... On offense the Rockets return a pair of All-MAC running backs Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson. Head Coach: Blake Anderson Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 16-10 (3rd year) at Arkansas State: 16-10 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Xavier Woodson (71 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Jerry Scott, 870-972-3405, [email protected] Sacks: DE Ja’Von Rolland (38 tackles, 13.0 tfl, 9.0 sacks) Int.: DB Cody Brown (65 tackles, 3 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Warren Wand (117 att., 709 yards rushing, 5 TDs) Notes: Arkansaas St. returns 15 starters (6 off./7 def./2 sp.) and 48 letter- Pass: QB Chad Voytik (transfer from Pittsburgh) winners from last year’s team that went 9-4 overall, 8-0 in the Sun Belt... Rec.: WR Dijon Paschal (28 rec., 541 yds., 3 TDs) Lost 47-28 to Louisiana Tech in R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl... Marks third straight year for Toledo and Arkansas St. to face each other: 2015 Toledo won 37-7 & 2015 GoDaddy Bowl won by Toledo, 63-44. Bowling Green (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Ohio State (0-0, 0-0; BigTen) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • Noon ET • Columbus, Ohio • Ohio Stadium (104,944) Big Ten Network Series: Ohio State leads 4-0 Head Coach: Mike Jinks Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 0-0 (1st year) at Bowling Green: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: LB Trenton Greene (127 tackles, 8.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Football Contact: Jason Knavel, 419-372-7075, [email protected] Sacks: DE Terrance Bush (68 tackles, 8.0 tfl, 6.0 sacks) Int.: DB Alfonso Mack (56 tackles, 6 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Fred Coppet (145 att., 825 rushing yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Return 12 starters (4 off./6 def./2 sp.) and 43 letterwinners from Pass: QB James Knapke (14-20 passing, 173 yards, 1 TD) last year’s team that finished 10-4 overall, 7-1 in the MAC...Won third Rec.: WR Ronnie Moore (72 rec., 954 yds., 6 TDs) straight MAC East title, won the 2015 Marathon MAC Football Cham- pionship and received an invitation to the GoDaddy Bowl...Last season Falcons defeated both Maryland and Purdue from the Big Ten. Head Coach: Urban Meyer Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 154-27 (14th year) at Ohio State: 50-4 (5th year) Tackles: LB Raekwon McMillan (119 tackles, 4.0 tfl, 1.5 sacks) Football Contact: Jerry Emig, 614-688-0343, [email protected] Sacks: DE Tyquan Lewis (54 tackles, 14.0 tfl, 8.0 sacks) Int.: DB Gareon Conley (49 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: QB JT Barrett (115 att., 682 rushing yds., 11 TDs) Notes: Ohio State returns 6 starters (3 off./ 3 def.) and 39 letterwin- Pass: QB JT Barrett (93-147 passing, 992 yards, 11 TDs) ners from last year’s team that went 12-1 overall, 7-1 in the Big Ten... Rec.: WR Corey Smith (5 rec., 62 yds., 0 TDs) Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 44-28 in last year’s Fiesta Bowl...Ohio State head coach was Bowling Green’s head coach in 2001-02 and led the Falcons to consecutive 8-3 and 9-3 overall records. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

Western Michigan (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Northwestern (0-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • Noon ET • Evanston, Ill. • Ryan Field (47,129) ESPNU Series: Northwestern leads series 1-0 Head Coach: P.J. Fleck Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 17-21 (4th year) at Western Michigan: 17-21 (4th year) Tackles: S Asante Brown (103 tackles, 3.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Contact: Robert Beuerlein, 269-387-4138, robert.beuerlein@wmich. Sacks: DE Keion Adams (40 tackles, 9.0 tfl, 4.5 sacks) edu Int.: DB Darius Phillips (48 tackles, 6 INT)

Offense: (top returnees listed) Notes: Broncos return 13 starters (8 off./5 def.) and 48 letterwinners Rush: RB Jamauri Bogan (162 att., 1,051 yards rushing, 16 TDs) from last year’s team that went 8-5 overall, 6-2 in the MAC for a share Pass: QB Zach Terrell (262-391 passing, 3,510 yds., 29 TDs) of the MAC West and won the program’s first bowl win (45-31 win over Rec.: WR Corey Davis (90 rec., 1,436 yds., 12 TDs) Middle Tennessee, Popeyes Bahamas Bowl)...WR Corey Davis needs only 403 yards receiving to set MAC career receiving yards record. Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 70-56 (11th year) at Northwestern: 70-56 (11th year) Tackles: LB Anthony Walker (120 tackles, 20.0 tfl, 4.0 sacks) Contact: Paul Kennedy, 847-467-2028, [email protected] Sacks: DE Ifeadl Odenigbo (19 tackles, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Matthew Harris (48 tackles, 4 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Justin Jackson (312 att., 1,418 yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Northwestern returns 12 starters (6 off./6 def.) and 57 letterwin- Pass: QB Clayton Thorson (150-295 passing, 1,522 yds., 7 TDs) ners from last year’s squad that finished 10-3 overall, 6-2 in the Big Rec.: WR Austin Carr (16 rec., 302 yds., 2 TDs) Ten...Wildcats suffered a 45-6 loss to Tennessee in the 2015 Outback Bowl and finished the year ranked No. 23 in the country...Last year’s squad doubled their win total from the previous season (5-7 in 2014). Kent State (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Penn State (0-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • 3:30 pm ET • University Park, Pa. • Beaver Stadium (106,572) Big Ten Network Series: Penn State leads series, 4-0 Head Coach: Paul Haynes Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 9-26 (4th year) at Kent State: 9-26 (4th year) Tackles: DB Nate Holley (141 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Football Contact: Aaron Chimenti, 330-672-8468, [email protected] Sacks: DE Terence Waugh (57 tackles, 12.0 tfl, 9.0 sacks) Int.: DB Demetrius Monday (35 tackles, 6 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Raekwon James (76 att., 261 rushing yds) Notes: Kent State returns 21 starters (12 off./ 8 def./ 1 spec.) and 50 Pass: QB George Bollas (94-167 passing, 756 yards, 2 TDs) letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished 3-9 overall, 2-6 in the Rec.: WR Johnny Woods (22 rec., 170 yds., 1 TD) MAC...DB Demetrius Monday’s six interceptions ranked tied for sec- ond in the MAC and sixth in the nation last year...DE Terence Waugh ranked third in the MAC last season with 9 sacks. Head Coach: James Franklin Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 38-27 (6th year) at Penn State: 14-12 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Jason Cabinda (100 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks) Football Contact: Kris Petersen, 814-865-2497, [email protected] Sacks: LB Brandon Bell (65 tackles, 12.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks) Int.: DB John Reid (29 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Saquon Barkley (182 att., 1,076 yds., 7 TDs) Notes: Penn State returns 14 starters (9 off./ 5 def.) and 41 letterwinners Pass: QB Trace McSorley (20-40 passing, 185 yds., 2 TDs) from last year’s squad that finished 7-6 overall, 4-4 in the Big Ten... Rec.: WR Chris Godwin (69 rec., 1,101 yds., 5 TDs) Suffered a 24-17 loss to Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl...Penn State lost the final four games last season...Nittany Lions are 4-0 vs. Kent State and have posted shutouts in previous two matchups in 2010 and 2013. Miami (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Iowa (0-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • 3:30 pm ET • Iowa City, Iowa • Kinnick Stadium (70,397) ESPNU Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Chuck Martin Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 79-26 (9th year) at Miami: 5-19 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Paul Moses (71 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Football Contact: Dave Meyer, 513-529-4329, [email protected] Sacks: DE JT Jones (52 tackles, 14.5 tfl, 10.0 sacks) Int.: DB Tony Reid (35 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Alonzo Smith (124 att., 498 yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Miami returns 16 starters (10 off./6 def.) and 46 letterwinners Pass: QB Billy Bahl (98-220 passing, 1,409 yds., 8 TDs) from last year’s team that went 3-9 overall, 2-6 in the MAC...RedHawks Rec.: WR Rokeem Williams (33 rec., 543 yds., 2 TDs) last season had 62 freshman (true or redshirt) on the program’s 110 man roster, including freshmen starters at quarterback, running back, tight end and two starting offensive linemen. Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 139-108 (22nd year) at Iowa: 127-87 (18th year) Tackles: LB Josey Jewell (126 tackles, 7.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks, 4 INT) Football Contact: Steve Roe, 319-335-9411, [email protected] Sacks: DL Jaleel Johnson (45 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks) Int.: LB Josey Jewell (126 tackles, 7.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks, 4 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB LaShun Daniels (145 att., 646 yds., 8 TDs) Notes: Iowa returns 13 starters (5 off./8 def.) and 41 letterwinners Pass: QB C.J. Beathard (223-362 passing, 2,809 yds., 17 TDs) from last year’s team that went 12-2 overall, 8-0 in the Big Ten...Lost Rec.: WR Matt VandeBerg (65 rec., 703 yds., 4 TD) to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship game and suffered a 45-16 loss to Stanford in the Rose Bowl...Open the season with three consecutive home games (Miami, Iowa State, North Dakota State). Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

Texas State (0-0, 0-0; Sun Belt) at Ohio (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • 3:30 pm ET • Athens, Ohio • Peden Stadium (24,000) CBS Sports Network Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Everett Withers Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 25-13 (4th year) at Texas State: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: S Damani Alexcee (79 tackles, 3.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Football Contact: Rick Poulter, 512-245-2966, [email protected] Sacks: LB Karee Berry (39 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Int.: S Stephen Johnson (27 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: QB Tyler Jones (139 att., 583 rushing yds., 10 TDs) Notes: Texas State returns 10 starters (4 off./6 def.) and 40 letterwinners Pass: QB Tyler Jones (223-382 passing, 2,517 yds., 14 TDs) from last year’s 3-9 team, 2-6 in the Sun Belt...Texas State, also known as the Bobcats, open the year with road games at Ohio and Arkansas, before hosting Houston and Incarnate Word...Former head coach Den- nis Franchione retired in late December, 2015. Head Coach: Frank Solich Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 138-80 (18th year) at Ohio: 80-61 (12th year) Tackles: LB Quentin Poling (69 tackles, 10.5 tfl, 4.0 sacks, 4 INT) Contact: Anthony Reynolds, 740-593-1298, [email protected] Sacks: DL Tarell Basham (43 tackles, 10.0 tfl, 5.5 sacks) Int.: LB Quentin Poling (69 tackles, 10.5 tfl, 4.0 sacks, 4 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB AJ Ouellette (151 att., 692 rushing yds., 6 TDs) Notes: Bobcats return 20 starters (10 off./7 def./3 sp.) and 54 letterwin- Pass: QB Greg Windham (19-40 passing, 298 yds., 1 TD) ners from last year’s 6-6 team, 4-4 in the MAC...Bobcat program had Rec.: WR Sebastian Smith (65 rec., 779 yds., 7 TDs) only two winning seasons in the previous 22 years before head coach Frank Solich took over the program in 2005...Under Solich, Bobcats have been bowl eligible in each of the last seven consective years. Virginia Military Institute (0-0, 0-0; Southern) at Akron (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • 6:30 pm ET • Akron, Ohio • InfoCision Stadium -- Summa Field (27,881) ESPN3 Series: Series Tied 1-1 Head Coach: Scott Wachenheim Defense: (top returnees listed) at VMI: 2-9 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Ryan Francis (115 tackles, 9.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Wade Branner, 540-464-7515, [email protected] Sacks: LB Tony Richardson (49 tackles, 10.0 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Int.: LB Alijah Robinson (74 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Brice Tucker (82 att., 355 rushing yds., 3 TDs) Notes: VMI redshirt junior quarterback Al Cobb was named to the pre- Pass: QB Al Cobb (238-389 passing, 2,736 yards, 14 TDs) season first team All- squad and was joined by WR Rec.: WR Aaron Sanders (84 rec., 892 yds., 2 TDs) Aaron Sanders, KR Dane Forlines...Two others were named to the pre- season second team including OL Andrew Lewis and LB Ryan Francis.

Head Coach: Terry Bowden Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 159-92-2 (23rd year) at Akron: 19-30 (5th year) Tackles: S Zach Guiser (59 tackles, 2 INT) Contact: Cathy Bongiovi, 330-972-6106, [email protected] Sacks: DL Jamal Marcus (30 tackles, 12.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks) Int.: DB DeAndre Scott (32 tackles, 6 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: QB Thomas Woodson (135 att., 591 rushing yds., 3 TDs) Notes: Akron returns 10 starters (3 off./4 def./3 sp.) and 48 letterwinners Pass: QB Thomas Woodson (162-307 passing, 2,202 yards, 16 TDs) from last year’s squad that finished 8-5 overall, 5-3 in MAC play...Zips Rec.: WR Jerome Lane (39 rec., 782 yds., 3 TDs) won program’s first-ever bowl game with 23-21 win over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl...DB DeAndre Scott ranked tied for second in the MAC with six interceptions. NIU (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Wyoming (0-0, 0-0; Mountain West) Saturday, September 3, 2016 • 10:30 pm ET • Laramie, Wy. • War Memorial Stadium (33,500) CBS Sports Network Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Rod Carey Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 31-12 (4th year) at NIU: 31-12 (4th year) Tackles: DB Brandon Mayes (87 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 3 INT) Football Contact: Donna Turner, 815-753-9513, [email protected] Sacks: DE Ladell Fleming (31 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Int.: DB Shawun Lurry (45 tackles, 9 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Joel Bouagnon (283 att., 1,285 rushing yds., 18 TDs) Notes: NIU returns 16 starters (6 off./6 def./4 sp.) and 56 letterwin- Pass: QB Drew Hare (164-257 passing, 1,962 yds., 14 TDs; 252 rush ners from last year’s team that finished 8-6 overall, 6-2 in the MAC... yds, 1 TD) NIU won the MAC West for the sixth straight year and lost to Bowling Rec.: WR Kenny Golladay (73 rec., 1,129 yds., 10 TDs) Green, 34-14 in MAC Football Championship...Suffered a loss to Boise St. in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Head Coach: Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 6-18 (3rd year) at Wyoming: 6-18 (3rd year) Tackles: S Andrew Wingard (122 tackles, 7.0 tfl, 1 INT) Football Contact: Tim Harkins, 307-766-2321, [email protected] Sacks: LB D.J. May (69 tackles, 1.0 sack) Int.: S Andrew Wingard (122 tackles, 7.0 tfl, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Brian Hill (281 att., 1,631 rushing yds., 6 TDs) Notes: Wyoming returns 17 starters (9 off./8 def.) and 50 letterwinners Pass: QB Josh Allen (4-6 passing, 51 yds., 0 TDs) from last year’s team that finished 2-10 overall, 2-6 in the Mountain Rec.: WR Jake Maulhardt (57 rec., 653 yds., 8 TDs) West...This is the first meeting between both programs...Wyoming is 19-3 in home openers...Will also face MAC opponent Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Sept. 23. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

2016 Akron Zips Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 Virginia Military Institute 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 Series tied 1-1 Sat., Sept. 10 at Wisconsin 3:30 pm ET Big Ten Network Wisconsin leads 2-0 Sat., Sept. 17 at Marshall Noon ET CBS Sports Network Akron leads 9-4 Sat., Sept. 24 Appalachian State TBA TBA First Meeting Sat., Oct. 1 *at Kent State 3:30 pm ET TBA Akron leads 32-24-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *Miami 3:00 pm ET TBA Miami leads 16-8-1 Sat., Oct. 15 *Western Michigan TBA TBA Akron leads 13-4 Sat., Oct. 22 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET TBA Akron leads 11-10-1 Thur., Oct. 27 *at Buffalo 7:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network/ESPN3 Buffalo leads 9-6 Wed., Nov. 2 *Toledo 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 Series tied 9-9 Wed., Nov. 9 *Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 15-7 Tue., Nov. 22 *at Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN3 Ohio leads 19-12-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Sept. 2 at Georgia State 7:00 pm ET American Sports Network/ESPN3 GSU leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 10 at Indiana 4:00 pm ET ESPNews Indiana leads 4-3 Sat., Sept. 17 Eastern Kentucky 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 E. Kentucky leads 3-0 Sat., Sept. 24 at Florida Atlantic 6:00 pm ET TBA First Meeting Sat., Oct. 1 *Northern Illinois TBA TBA NIU leads 21-20-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *at Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET TBA BSU leads 25-22-1 Sat., Oct. 15 *at Buffalo TBA TBA BSU leads 8-1 Sat., Oct. 22 *Akron 3:00 pm ET TBA BSU leads 11-10-1 Tue., Nov. 1 *Western Michigan 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU WMU leads 23-19 Tue., Nov. 8 *Eastern Michigan 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network BSU leads 34-21-2 Wed., Nov. 16 *at Toledo 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 21-19-12 Tue., Nov. 22 *at Miami 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN3 Miami leads 16-12-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Bowling Green Falcons Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 at Ohio State Noon ET Big Ten Network Ohio State leads 4-0 Sat., Sept. 10 North Dakota 3:30 pm ET American Sports Network/ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 17 Middle Tennessee Noon ET American Sports Network/ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 24 at Memphis TBA TBA Series tied 1-1 Sat., Oct. 1 *Eastern Michigan 3:00 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 25-11-1 Sat., Oct. 8 *at Ohio 2:00 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 40-25-2 Sat., Oct. 15 *at Toledo 3:30 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 39-37-4 Sat., Oct. 22 *Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 42-23-5 Tue., Nov. 1 *at NIU 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 12-7 Wed., Nov. 9 *at Akron 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 15-7 Tue., Nov. 15 *Kent State 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 58-19-6 Fri., Nov. 25 *Buffalo TBA TBA BGSU leads 10-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Buffalo Bulls Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Sept. 2 Albany 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 Albany leads 7-5 Sat., Sept. 17 at Nevada 9:00 pm ET Mountain West Network Nevada leads 2-0 Sat., Sept. 24 Army TBA TBA Series tied 2-2 Sat., Oct. 1 at Boston College TBA TBA Boston College leads 6-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *Kent State 3:30 pm ET TA Buffalo leads 11-10 Sat., Oct. 15 *Ball State TBA TBA Ball State leads 8-1 Sat., Oct. 22 *at Northern Illinois 3:30 pm ET TBA NIU leads 9-1 Thur., Oct. 27 *Akron 7:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network or BCSN/TW/ESPN3 UA leads 10-5 Thur., Nov. 3 *at Ohio 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Ohio leads 13-9 Sat., Nov. 12 *Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 12-6 Sat., Nov. 19 *at Western Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 5-2 Fri., Nov. 25 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 10-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Central Michigan Chippewas Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Sept. 1 Presbyterian 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 10 at Oklahoma State Noon ET FS1 Oklahoma State leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 17 UNLV 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 UNLV leads 3-1 Sat., Sept. 24 at Virginia TBA TBA Virginia leads 1-0 Sat., Oct. 1 *Western Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 47-38-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET TBA Ball State leads 24-23-1 Sat., Oct. 15 *at Northern Illinois TBA TBA CMU leads 27-23-1 Sat., Oct. 22 *at Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 23-18-3 Sat., Oct. 29 *Kent State TBA TBA CMU leads 23-10 Fri., Nov. 4 *at Miami 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network CMU leads 13-12-1 Tue., Nov. 15 *Ohio 6:00 pm ET or 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU CMU leads 23-5-2 Tue., Nov. 22 *at Eastern Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN3 CMU leads 59-28-6 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Eastern Michigan Eagles Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Sept. 2 Mississippi Valley State 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 10 at Missouri 7:30 pm ET SEC Network Alternate Missouri leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 17 at Charlotte 6:00 pm ET TBA First Meeting Fri., Sept. 23 Wyoming 7:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network EMU leads 1-0 Sat., Oct. 1 *at Bowling Green 3:00 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 25-11-1 Sat., Oct. 8 *Toledo 3:00 pm ET TBA Toledo leads 32-11 Sat., Oct. 15 *at Ohio TBA TBA Ohio leads 18-11-1 Sat., Oct. 22 *at Western Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 31-18-2 Sat., Oct. 29 *Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 18-4 Tue., Nov. 8 *at Ball State 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network BSU leads 34-21-2 Wed., Nov. 16 *at Northern Illinois 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU NIU leads 30-14-2 Tue., Nov. 22 *Central Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN3 CMU leads 59-28-6 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

2016 Kent State Golden Flashes Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 at Penn State 3:30 pm ET Big Ten Network Penn State leads 4-0 Sat., Sept. 10 North Carolina A&T 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 17 Monmouth 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 24 at Alabama TBA TBA Alabama leads 1-0 Sat., Oct. 1 *Akron 3:30 pm ET TBA Akron leads 32-24-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *at Buffalo 3:30 pm ET TBA Buffalo leads 11-10 Sat., Oct. 15 *at Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 47-16 Sat., Oct. 22 *Ohio TBA TBA Ohio leads 41-25-1 Sat., Oct. 29 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 23-10 Tue., Nov. 8 *Western Michigan 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network WMU leads 33-19-1 Tue., Nov. 15 *at Bowling Green 6:00 pm ET or 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 58-19-6 Fri., Nov. 25 *Northern Illinois TBA TBA NIU leads 19-7 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Miami RedHawks Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 at Iowa 3:30 pm ET ESPNU First Meeting Sat., Sept. 10 Eastern Illinois 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 17 Western Kentucky 3:30 pm ET BCSN/TWCS/ESPN3 WKU leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 24 at Cincinnati TBA TBA Miami lead 59-54-7 Sat., Oct. 1 *Ohio 2:30 pm ET TBA Miami leads 52-38-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *at Akron 3:00 pm ET TBA Miami leads 16-8-1 Sat., Oct. 15 *Kent State TBA TBA Miami leads 47-16 Sat., Oct. 22 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA Miami leads 42-23-5 Sat., Oct. 29 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA Miami leads 18-4 Fri., Nov. 4 *Central Michigan 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network CMU leads 13-12-1 Sat., Nov. 12 *at Buffalo TBA TBA Miaml leads 12-6 Tue., Nov. 22 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN3 Miami leads 16-11-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Northern Illinois Huskies Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 at Wyoming 10:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 10 at South Florida 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network USF leads 2-1 Sat., Sept. 17 San Diego State 3:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network SDSU leads 4-0 Sat., Sept. 24 Western Illinois TBA TBA NIU leads 21-17-1 Sat., Oct. 1 *at Ball State TBA TBA NIU leads 21-20-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *at Western Michigan 6:30 pm ET TBA WMU leads 23-18 Sat., Oct. 15 *Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 27-23-1 Sat., Oct. 22 *Buffalo 3:30 pm ET TBA NIU leads 9-1 Tue., Nov. 1 *Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 12-8 Wed., Nov. 9 *Toledo (at U.S. Cellular Field) 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 29-14 Wed., Nov. 16 *at Eastern Michigan 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU NIU leads 30-14-2 Fri., Nov. 25 *at Kent State TBA TBA Kent State leads 19-7 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Ohio Bobcats Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 Texas State 3:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 10 at Kansas 2:30 pm ET Fox Sports Net Ohio leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 17 at Tennessee Noon ET SEC Network Tennessee leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 24 Gardner-Webb TBA TBA Ohio leads 2-0 Sat., Oct. 1 *at Miami 2:30 pm ET TBA Miami leads 52-38-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *Bowling Green 2:00 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 40-25-2 Sat., Oct. 15 *Eastern Michigan TBA TBA Ohio leads 18-11-1 Sat., Oct. 22 *at Kent State TBA TBA Ohio leads 41-25-2 Thur., Oct. 27 *at Toledo 7:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network or BCSN/TWCS/ESPN3 UT leads 31-19-1 Thur., Nov. 3 *Buffalo 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Ohio leads 13-9 Tue., Nov. 15 *at Central Michigan 6:00 pm ET or 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU CMU leads 23-5-2 Tue., Nov. 22 *Akron 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN3 Ohio leads 19-12-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Toledo Rockets Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Sept. 2 at Arkansas State 9:00 pm ET ESPNU Toledo leads 4-0 Sat., Sept. 10 Maine 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 17 Fresno State 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 Fresno State leads 2-0 Fri., Sept. 30 at BYU 10:15 pm ET ESPN2 First Meeting Sat., Oct. 8 *at Eastern Michigan 3:00 pm ET TBA Toledo leads 32-11 Sat., Oct. 15 *Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 39-37-4 Sat., Oct. 22 *Central Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 23-18-3 Thur., Oct. 27 *Ohio 7:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network or BCSN/TWCS/ESPN3 Toledo leads 31-19-1 Wed., Nov. 2 *at Akron 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 Series tied 9-9 Wed., Nov. 9 *at Northern Illinois (at U.S. Cellular) 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 29-14 Wed., Nov. 16 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 21-19-1 Fri., Nov. 25 *at Western Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 40-29 *Mid-American Conference game 2016 Western Michigan Broncos Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 3 at Northwestern Noon ET ESPNU Northwestern leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 10 North Carolina Central 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 17 at Illinois 4:00 pm ET ESPNews Illinois leads 4-1 Sat., Sept. 24 Georgia Southern TBA TBA Georgia Southern leads 1-0 Sat., Oct. 1 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 47-37-2 Sat., Oct. 8 *Northern Illinois 6:30 pm ET TBA WMU leads 23-18 Sat., Oct. 15 *at Akron TBA TBA WMU leads 13-4 Sat., Oct. 22 *Eastern Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 31-17-2 Tue., Nov. 1 *at Ball State 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU WMU leads 22-19 Tue., Nov. 8 *at Kent State 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network WMU leads 33-20-1 Sat., Nov. 19 *Buffalo TBA TBA Buffalo leads 5-2 Fri., Nov. 25 *Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 42-29 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 29, 2016

2016 Non-Conference Opponents MAC Students on Preseason Watch Lists WALTER CAMP AWARD (Best College Football Player) ACC (2) WR Corey Davis (Western Michigan) Boston College (Buffalo) DB Shawun Lurry (Northern Illinois) Virginia (Central Michigan) MAXWELL AWARD (Outstanding College Football Player) American Athletic (3) RB Joel Bouagnon (Northern Illinois) Cincinnati (Miami) WR Corey Davis (Western Michigan) Memphis (Bowling Green) RB Kareem Hunt (Toledo) South Florida (NIU) QB Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Big Ten (7) S Nate Holley (Kent State) Illinois (Western Michigan) LB Austin Valdez (Bowling Green) Indiana (Ball State) Iowa (Miami) BILETNIKOFF AWARD (Top Wide Receiver) Northwestern (Western Michigan) Corey Davis (Western Michigan) Ohio State (Bowling Green) Kenny Golladay (Northern Illinois) Penn State (Kent State) Jesse Kroll (Central Michigan) Wisconsin (Akron) Jerome Lane (Akron) KeVonn Mabon (Ball State) Ronnie Moore (Bowling Green) Big 12 (2) Sebastian Smith (Ohio) Kansas (Ohio) Cody Thompson (Toledo) Oklahoma State (Central Michigan) DICK BUTKUS AWARD (Outstanding Linebacker) Conference USA (5) Austin Valdez (Bowling Green) Charlotte (Eastern Michigan) Florida Atlantic (Ball State) BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Marshall (Akron) DB Shawun Lurry (Northern Illinois) Middle Tennessee (Bowling Green) DT Treyvon Hester (Toledo) Western Kentucky (Miami) DE Jamal Marcus (Akron) TED HENDRICKS AWARD (Best Defensive End) Mountain West (6) Tarell Basham (Ohio) Fresno State (Toledo) Joshua Posley (Ball State) Nevada (Buffalo) Terence Waugh (Kent State) San Diego State (Northern Illinois) UNLV (Central Michigan) PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (Most Versatile Player) Wyoming (Northern Illinois; Eastern Michigan) WR Corey Jones (Toledo) DB Darius Phillips (Western Michigan) SEC (3) KR Aregeros Turner (Northern Illinois) Alabama (Kent State) MANNING AWARD (Best Quarterback) Missouri (Eastern Michigan) Cooper Rush, Central Michigan Tennessee (Ohio) Zach Terrell, Western Michigan Sun Belt (5) JOHN MACKEY AWARD (Best Tight End) Arkansas State (Toledo) Troy Mangen (Ohio) Appalachian State (Akron) Michael Roberts (Toledo) Georgia Southern (Western Michigan) Mason Schreck (Buffalo) Georgia State (Ball State) Cody Tuttle (Eastern Michigan) Texas State (Ohio) DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD (Top Quarterback) Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) Independent (2) Zach Terrell (Western Michigan) Army (Buffalo) BYU (Toledo) OUTLAND AWARD (Top Interior Lineman) OT Storm Norton (Toledo) FCS Opponents (I-AA) DT Treyvon Hester (Toledo) OT Taylor Moton (Western Michigan) Big Sky (1) North Dakota (Bowling Green) RIMINGTON TROPHY (Most Outstanding Center) Tim McAuliffe (Bowling Green) Big South (3) James O’Hagan (Buffalo) Gardner-Webb (Ohio) ROTARY LOMBARDI TROPHY (Down Linemen) Monmouth (Kent State) TBA Presbyterian (Central Michigan) RAY GUY AWARD (Best College Punter) Colonial Athletic (2) Joseph Davidson, Bowling Green Albany (Buffalo) Maine (Toledo) JIM THORPE AWARD (Best Defensive Back) Tony Annese (Central Michigan) MEAC (2) Shawun Lurry (Northern Illinois) North Carolina A&T (Kent State) Demetrius Monday (Kent State) DeJuan Rogers (Toledo) North Carolina Central (Western Michigan) Boise Ross (Buffalo) Missouri Valley (1) DOAK WALKER AWARD (Top Running Back) Western Illinois (Northern Illinois) Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan) Jarvion Franklin (Western Michigan) Ohio Valley (2) Joel Bouagnon (Northern Illinois) Eastern Kentucky (Ball State) Kareem Hunt (Toledo) Eastern Illinois (Miami) Shaq Vann (Eastern Michigan) Southern (1) WUERFFEL TROPHY (Best Community Service) WR Antwan Dixon (Kent State) Virginia Military Institute (Akron) LB Nick Cuthbert (Kent State) QB Drew Hare (Northern Illinois) Southwestern Athletic Conference (1) LS Brad Spelman (Toledo) Mississippi Valley State (Eastern Michigan) QB Zach Terrell (Western Michigan)